Most Travelers Now Prefer Joy of Missing Out Vacations
Norwegian Cruise Line Says 70% of Travelers Want to “Miss Out” on Busy Vacations
This site contains affiliate links for which we may be compensated.
Are you tired of jam-packed vacation schedules? You’re not alone. A new survey shows that most travelers want to slow down and enjoy simpler trips.
Norwegian Cruise Line recently looked at how people want to vacation these days. They found something interesting: over 70% of travelers are choosing what they call the “Joy of Missing Out.”
What Does “Joy of Missing Out” Mean?
This travel trend is the opposite of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Instead of trying to see and do everything, travelers want to pick a few meaningful activities. They’d rather have deeper experiences than check items off a long list.
The survey talked to almost 10,000 travelers from nine countries. These people had either traveled in the past five years or planned to travel soon. The results show a clear shift in how people think about vacations.
Why Travelers Want Slower Vacations
People are moving away from busy travel schedules. They want trips that help them relax and recharge instead. Many travelers now prefer quality over quantity when planning activities.
This change makes sense after years of stressful daily life. Vacations used to add more stress with tight schedules and long to-do lists. Now people want their trips to actually feel restful.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s CEO Harry Sommer sees this trend clearly. “We’re seeing a meaningful shift in how people want to travel moving away from rigid travel agendas and toward more intentional and restorative experiences,” he said.
How Norwegian Cruise Line Supports This Trend
NCL designed their ships and trips to match this new travel style. Their cruise ships offer spaces where guests can slow down and enjoy each moment. You don’t have to rush from activity to activity.
The cruise line’s Caribbean routes work perfectly for this relaxed approach. These year-round trips give travelers warm weather and beautiful ocean views. You can spend time on deck, enjoy spa treatments, or just watch the waves.
“The Joy of Missing Out travel is about choosing what matters most, and at NCL, we make that easy,” Sommer explained. The cruise line focuses on “freedom and flexibility travelers are nowadays longing for.”
What This Means for Your Next Cruise
If you’re planning a cruise, consider embracing this slower approach. You don’t need to book every shore excursion or attend every onboard activity. Pick the experiences that sound most appealing to you.
Maybe spend a morning at the spa instead of rushing to three different deck activities. Or enjoy a long dinner instead of trying to catch every show. The goal is to feel refreshed when you get home.
This trend shows that cruising naturally fits how people want to vacation now. Ships offer multiple options, but you choose what works for your pace. You can be as busy or as relaxed as you want.
The Survey Details
The research happened in September 2025 across nine countries. These included Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The survey company YouGov made sure to get a good mix of people by age, gender, and location. All respondents were adults who had recent travel experience or future travel plans.
This data suggests the “Joy of Missing Out” trend isn’t just an American thing. Travelers worldwide are choosing more intentional vacation experiences.
The next time you plan a cruise, remember that you don’t have to do everything. Sometimes the best vacation memories come from the quiet moments between activities.
