# Whimsical Excursion Pop culture franchises take center stage with themed family cruises. By [Rebecca Byers](https://www.trendhunter.com/becbyers), Insights Research at Trend Hunter | Published Aug 11, 2017 | Category: [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/global-trends-and-hip-travel) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/whimsical-excursion ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.9/10 - Evidence articles: 7 ## What is the Whimsical Excursion trend? **Whimsical Excursion:** With parents looking for travel packages that provide entertainment options for the whole family, cruise brands are leveraging iconic pop cultural franchises to create once-in-a-lifetime family vacations that take escapism to the next level with fantasy and fairy-tale themes. This progression highlights the continued influence of the nostalgia cycle on travel and specifically, among parents and within the realm of family travel. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 7 featured examples - Articles from: Jan 19, 2016 to Aug 27, 2019 - Published: Aug 11, 2017 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Nostalgia](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/nostalgia) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Themes within the Whimsical Excursion trend ### Themed Travel Experiences The continued influence of the nostalgia cycle on travel has led to cruise brands leveraging iconic pop cultural franchises to create once-in-a-lifetime family vacations that take escapism to the next level. ### Family-Oriented Outdoor Activities The growing demand for engaging outdoor activities on cruise ships is leading cruiseliners to ensure their on-board itinerary revolves around more interactive and experiential components. ### Immersive and Interactive Hospitality With many millennials looking for unique drinking and dining experiences, hospitality brands are looking to create immersive and interactive experiences to attract a younger clientele. ## What the Whimsical Excursion trend means for industry ### For Travel and Tourism The travel and tourism industry can anticipate significant growth in themed travel experiences, family-oriented outdoor activities, and immersive and interactive hospitality offerings. ### For Entertainment and Media The entertainment and media industry has opportunities to collaborate with hospitality brands to create themed travel experiences and pop-up bars that leverage nostalgic icons and cultural franchises. ### For Hospitality and Leisure The hospitality and leisure industry can explore opportunities to create immersive and interactive hotel experiences by leveraging iconic franchises and expanding their offerings to experiential components. ## Workshop question How can you channel the pursuit of nostalgia in a way that entices consumers across age demographics? ## Trend signals for Whimsical Excursion Trend score 3.9 out of 10, from popularity 50%, activity 60%, freshness 9%. - Popularity: 50% - Activity: 60% - Freshness: 9% ## Examples of the Whimsical Excursion trend 7 featured examples from Jan 19, 2016 to Aug 27, 2019. - [Whimsical Fairy Tale Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alice-in-wonderland-popup): Brooklyn is Set to Host an Alice in Wonderland Pop-Up Bar on a Bus (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The success of the Alice in Wonderland pop-up bar suggests that the hospitality industry can explore creating temporary themed venues and experiences to attract and engage with a… - [Sci-Fi Cruise Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/star-wars-day-at-sea): Disney's 'Star Wars Day at Sea' Features Themed Food and Events (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for cruise lines and travel companies to partner with entertainment franchises and create unique themed cruise experiences. - [Cruise Ship Water Parks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dr-seuss-waterworks): Dr. Seuss WaterWorks is a Whimsical Water Park Aboard the Carnival Horizon (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Cruise companies should consider investing more in engaging outdoor activities as a way to help differentiate their offerings from competitors and attract more families with child… - [Science Fiction-Themed Hotels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/immersive-star-wars-hotel): Disney Has Released More Details About Its Immersive Star Wars Hotel (Category: Business) Implication: The creation of immersive storytelling experiences presents an innovation opportunity for the hospitality industry to create themed accommodations that go beyond traditional hotel… - [Cruise Ship Tea Parties](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/disney-cruise-line): Disney Cruise Line's 'Royal Court Royal Tea' Features Iconic Characters (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Creating immersive, fairy-tale themed experiences in hotels, resorts, and theme parks. - [Tropical Hideaway Theme Parks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tropical-hideaway): Disneyland's Tropical Hideaway Will Be a Rest Stop in Adventureland (Category: World) Implication: There are opportunities for entertainment companies to create immersive and interactive themed attractions based on popular franchises or original concepts. - [Ocean Liner Halloween Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/halloween-event): Disney Cruise Line's 'Halloween on the High Seas' Targets Families (Category: Marketing) Implication: Traditional hospitality brands like cruiseliners are incorporating interactive and experiential components to attract more young families. ## Recent trend clusters - [Layered Getaways](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/short-trip-leisure) (World) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in World - [Electrically Powered Airline Seats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/premium-economy-seat) - [Family Rave Vacations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/family-rave) - [Free In-Flight Internet](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-in-flight-internet) - [Flexible Luxury Motorhomes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flexible-luxury-motorhomes) All articles: [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/world)