CURRENTLY IN RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT
AI Recommendation Research for Cruise
AI isn’t just showing cruise lines.
It’s choosing between them.
AI isn’t just showing cruise lines.
It’s choosing between them.
AI isn’t just showing cruise lines.
It’s choosing between them.
AI See You is developing an independent research programme to measure how major AI platforms recommend cruise lines and ships. Our methodology examines recommendation strength, direct brand comparisons, product steering, brand switching and the evidence behind each AI decision.
AI See You is developing an independent research programme to measure how major AI platforms recommend cruise lines and ships. Our methodology examines recommendation strength, direct brand comparisons, product steering, brand switching and the evidence behind each AI decision.
AI See You is developing an independent research programme to measure how major AI platforms recommend cruise lines and ships. Our methodology examines recommendation strength, direct brand comparisons, product steering, brand switching and the evidence behind each AI decision.
Cruise is the next category for AI See You. Initial methodology development and exploratory testing are underway, ahead of a first cruise baseline. Published Cruise benchmarks and commercial intelligence will follow.
Cruise is the next category for AI See You. Initial methodology development and exploratory testing are underway, ahead of a first cruise baseline. Published Cruise benchmarks and commercial intelligence will follow.
Cruise is the next category for AI See You. Initial methodology development and exploratory testing are underway, ahead of a first cruise baseline. Published Cruise benchmarks and commercial intelligence will follow.
Traveller question
“We have two kids under ten and want a Caribbean cruise with plenty for them to do. Who does this best?”
“We have two kids under ten and want a Caribbean cruise with plenty for them to do. Who does this best?”
“We have two kids under ten and want a Caribbean cruise with plenty for them to do. Who does this best?”
AI response
For a Caribbean sailing with two children under ten, Royal Caribbean is the strongest all-round choice. Its larger ships carry the widest range of onboard activities for that age group, and the children’s programming runs all day. Disney Cruise Line is the better option if the Disney experience itself is the reason for the trip, though it sits at a higher price point. Carnival is worth considering if you want a similar amount of activity at a lower total cost.
For a Caribbean sailing with two children under ten, Royal Caribbean is the strongest all-round choice. Its larger ships carry the widest range of onboard activities for that age group, and the children’s programming runs all day. Disney Cruise Line is the better option if the Disney experience itself is the reason for the trip, though it sits at a higher price point. Carnival is worth considering if you want a similar amount of activity at a lower total cost.
How the recommendation would be classified
Overall recommendation
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean
Conditional alternative
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line
Best when Disney experiences are the priority
Best when Disney experiences are the priority
Value alternative
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line
ILLUSTRATIVE METHODOLOGY EXAMPLE
Not a published AI See You research result.
Research status
Methodology
In development
Exploratory testing
Underway
Published benchmark
Not yet released
Commercial reports
Not yet available
Three cruise lines can appear in the same answer.
They would not achieve the same result.
Three cruise lines can appear in the same answer.
They would not achieve the same result.
Three cruise lines can appear in the same answer.
They would not achieve the same result.
Cruise recommendations are more complex than simple mentions. An AI response might recommend one line overall, identify another for families, position another as the value choice, recommend a specific ship and explicitly advise against another option.
Cruise recommendations are more complex than simple mentions. An AI response might recommend one line overall, identify another for families, position another as the value choice, recommend a specific ship and explicitly advise against another option.
Cruise recommendations are more complex than simple mentions. An AI response might recommend one line overall, identify another for families, position another as the value choice, recommend a specific ship and explicitly advise against another option.
Counting brand mentions treats those outcomes as equivalent. They aren’t.
Counting brand mentions treats those outcomes as equivalent. They aren’t.
Counting brand mentions treats those outcomes as equivalent. They aren’t.
Primary recommendation
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean
Conditional recommendation
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line
For Disney-focused families
For Disney-focused families
Considered
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line
Value alternative
Value alternative
Traditional visibility measurement
3 brands mentioned.
3 brands mentioned.
3 brands mentioned.
AI See You would record
1 primary recommendation
1 primary recommendation
1 primary recommendation
1 conditional recommendation
1 conditional recommendation
1 conditional recommendation
1 considered alternative
1 considered alternative
1 considered alternative
ILLUSTRATIVE METHODOLOGY EXAMPLE
Not a published AI See You research result.
AI answers are conversations, not search results.
AI answers are conversations, not search results.
AI answers are conversations, not search results.
Cruise recommendations rarely arrive as a clean ranked list. The answer can contain comparisons, caveats, tables, individual ships, alternative recommendations and a final conclusion buried several paragraphs later.
Cruise recommendations rarely arrive as a clean ranked list. The answer can contain comparisons, caveats, tables, individual ships, alternative recommendations and a final conclusion buried several paragraphs later.
Cruise recommendations rarely arrive as a clean ranked list. The answer can contain comparisons, caveats, tables, individual ships, alternative recommendations and a final conclusion buried several paragraphs later.
The research methodology is designed to interpret the complete recommendation.
The research methodology is designed to interpret the complete recommendation.
The research methodology is designed to interpret the complete recommendation.
01
Capture
Capture
Capture
Preserve the complete AI response.
Preserve the complete AI response.
02
Understand
Understand
Understand
Identify cruise lines, ships, comparisons and the structure of the answer.
Identify cruise lines, ships, comparisons and the structure of the answer.
03
Interpret
Interpret
Interpret
Determine what role each brand actually plays.
Determine what role each brand actually plays.
04
Verify
Verify
Verify
Require the recommendation to be supported by the AI’s own words.
Require the recommendation to be supported by the AI’s own words.
05
Measure
Measure
Measure
Turn those decisions into comparable commercial intelligence.
Turn those decisions into comparable commercial intelligence.
The research methodology is designed to apply the same recommendation standard across every AI surface.
The research methodology is designed to apply the same recommendation standard across every AI surface.
The research methodology is designed to apply the same recommendation standard across every AI surface.
Recommendation has structure.
Recommendation has structure.
Recommendation has structure.
Primary recommendation
The AI makes a clear preferred choice.
The AI makes a clear preferred choice.
The AI makes a clear preferred choice.
“For your trip, I would choose Princess.”
“For your trip, I would choose Princess.”
Recommendation
The brand is positively advocated but is not the final winner.
The brand is positively advocated but is not the final winner.
The brand is positively advocated but is not the final winner.
Conditional recommendation
The brand wins when a specific traveller need applies.
The brand wins when a specific traveller need applies.
The brand wins when a specific traveller need applies.
“If onboard activities matter most, Royal Caribbean is the stronger choice.”
“If onboard activities matter most, Royal Caribbean is the stronger choice.”
Considered
The brand is genuinely included in the decision but not advocated strongly enough to count as a recommendation.
The brand is genuinely included in the decision but not advocated strongly enough to count as a recommendation.
The brand is genuinely included in the decision but not advocated strongly enough to count as a recommendation.
Discouraged
The AI explicitly advises against the option for the traveller’s stated need.
The AI explicitly advises against the option for the traveller’s stated need.
The AI explicitly advises against the option for the traveller’s stated need.
No resolved winner
The AI discusses several choices without actually selecting one.
The AI discusses several choices without actually selecting one.
The AI discusses several choices without actually selecting one.
Joint recommendations are preserved too.
Joint recommendations are preserved too.
Joint recommendations are preserved too.
If AI says two lines are equally suitable, AI See You would record two winners. It would not manufacture a winner that the AI never chose.
If AI says two lines are equally suitable, AI See You would record two winners. It would not manufacture a winner that the AI never chose.
If AI says two lines are equally suitable, AI See You would record two winners. It would not manufacture a winner that the AI never chose.
ILLUSTRATIVE METHODOLOGY EXAMPLE
Not a published AI See You research result.
Every commercial inference has evidence.
Every commercial inference has evidence.
Every commercial inference has evidence.
AI See You does not assign a recommendation simply because a brand appeared first, appeared most often or occupied the top row of a table.
AI See You does not assign a recommendation simply because a brand appeared first, appeared most often or occupied the top row of a table.
AI See You does not assign a recommendation simply because a brand appeared first, appeared most often or occupied the top row of a table.
Every commercial interpretation must be supported by the underlying AI response.
Every commercial interpretation must be supported by the underlying AI response.
Every commercial interpretation must be supported by the underlying AI response.
Response excerpt
“For three families travelling together, I would choose Royal Caribbean. Carnival is worth considering if keeping the total cost down is the priority.”
“For three families travelling together, I would choose Royal Caribbean. Carnival is worth considering if keeping the total cost down is the priority.”
“For three families travelling together, I would choose Royal Caribbean. Carnival is worth considering if keeping the total cost down is the priority.”
Primary recommendation
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean
Evidence
“I would choose Royal Caribbean”
“I would choose Royal Caribbean”
Conditional recommendation
Carnival
Carnival
Carnival
Condition
“if keeping the total cost down is the priority”
“if keeping the total cost down is the priority”
No supporting evidence. No recommendation.
No supporting evidence. No recommendation.
No supporting evidence. No recommendation.
ILLUSTRATIVE METHODOLOGY EXAMPLE
Not a published AI See You research result.
Brand head-to-head
Ask the question your customer is asking.
Ask the question your customer is asking.
Ask the question your customer is asking.
Travellers increasingly ask AI to choose directly between cruise brands. That creates an entirely new competitive measurement layer.
Travellers increasingly ask AI to choose directly between cruise brands. That creates an entirely new competitive measurement layer.
Travellers increasingly ask AI to choose directly between cruise brands. That creates an entirely new competitive measurement layer.
Traveller prompt
“We’re choosing between Carnival and Royal Caribbean for a seven-night Caribbean cruise. Which would you pick?”
“We’re choosing between Carnival and Royal Caribbean for a seven-night Caribbean cruise. Which would you pick?”
“We’re choosing between Carnival and Royal Caribbean for a seven-night Caribbean cruise. Which would you pick?”
Carnival would win on
Value
Value
Casual atmosphere
Casual atmosphere
Royal Caribbean would win on
Onboard activities
Onboard activities
Ship experience
Ship experience
Response interpretation
Overall winner
Carnival
Carnival
Carnival
Decision
Carnival preferred overall
Carnival preferred overall
Carnival preferred overall
ILLUSTRATIVE METHODOLOGY EXAMPLE
Not a published AI See You research result.
ChatGPT
Claude
Gemini
Perplexity
Copilot
Google AI Mode
Google AI Overviews
See whether AI platforms agree, disagree or choose different winners for the exact same traveller decision.
See whether AI platforms agree, disagree or choose different winners for the exact same traveller decision.
See whether AI platforms agree, disagree or choose different winners for the exact same traveller decision.
The cruise line can win.
A completely different ship can drive the decision.
The cruise line can win.
A completely different ship can drive the decision.
The cruise line can win.
A completely different ship can drive the decision.
Cruise decisions happen at multiple levels. AI might recommend Royal Caribbean as the best line for a family, then specifically steer that family towards Icon of the Seas.
Cruise decisions happen at multiple levels. AI might recommend Royal Caribbean as the best line for a family, then specifically steer that family towards Icon of the Seas.
Cruise decisions happen at multiple levels. AI might recommend Royal Caribbean as the best line for a family, then specifically steer that family towards Icon of the Seas.
Those are different commercial signals. The research methodology is designed to keep them separate.
Those are different commercial signals. The research methodology is designed to keep them separate.
Those are different commercial signals. The research methodology is designed to keep them separate.
Scenario one: the line leads
Line
Primary recommendation
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean
Product steering
Primary ship recommendation
Icon of the Seas
Icon of the Seas
Icon of the Seas
Alternative
Star of the Seas
Star of the Seas
Star of the Seas
Scenario two: the ship leads
Ship
Recommended
Carnival Encounter
Carnival Encounter
Carnival Encounter
Parent line
Derived product exposure
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line
Not automatically counted as an explicit line recommendation.
Not automatically counted as an explicit line recommendation.
A ship recommendation never becomes a line recommendation unless the AI independently recommends the line.
A ship recommendation never becomes a line recommendation unless the AI independently recommends the line.
A ship recommendation never becomes a line recommendation unless the AI independently recommends the line.
ILLUSTRATIVE METHODOLOGY EXAMPLE
Not a published AI See You research result.
Brand conquest intelligence
See where AI keeps the customer.
And where it sends them next.
See where AI keeps the customer.
And where it sends them next.
See where AI keeps the customer.
And where it sends them next.
Some of the most valuable cruise questions begin with an existing brand preference.
Some of the most valuable cruise questions begin with an existing brand preference.
Some of the most valuable cruise questions begin with an existing brand preference.
ILLUSTRATIVE METHODOLOGY EXAMPLE
Not a published AI See You research result.
Traveller prompt
“We usually cruise with Brand A, but we’d like something quieter this time. What should we try?”
“We usually cruise with Brand A, but we’d like something quieter this time. What should we try?”
“We usually cruise with Brand A, but we’d like something quieter this time. What should we try?”
The research will examine what happens next.
The research will examine what happens next.
The research will examine what happens next.
Retained
AI recommends staying with the incumbent brand.
AI recommends staying with the incumbent brand.
Switched
AI recommends another cruise line.
AI recommends another cruise line.
Conditional switch
AI recommends changing brands when a particular traveller need applies.
AI recommends changing brands when a particular traveller need applies.
Unresolved
AI presents alternatives without making the decision.
AI presents alternatives without making the decision.
Measure where your brand retains preference, where competitors take the recommendation and which traveller needs cause the switch.
Measure where your brand retains preference, where competitors take the recommendation and which traveller needs cause the switch.
Measure where your brand retains preference, where competitors take the recommendation and which traveller needs cause the switch.
Seven AI surfaces. One recommendation standard.
Seven AI surfaces. One recommendation standard.
Seven AI surfaces. One recommendation standard.
Different AI products structure answers differently. Some use long prose. Some use tables. Some use numbered lists. Some provide short direct recommendations.
Different AI products structure answers differently. Some use long prose. Some use tables. Some use numbered lists. Some provide short direct recommendations.
Different AI products structure answers differently. Some use long prose. Some use tables. Some use numbered lists. Some provide short direct recommendations.
The Cruise research methodology is being developed to normalise the presentation, then apply the same Recommendation Intelligence standard to every answer.
The Cruise research methodology is being developed to normalise the presentation, then apply the same Recommendation Intelligence standard to every answer.
The Cruise research methodology is being developed to normalise the presentation, then apply the same Recommendation Intelligence standard to every answer.
ChatGPT
ChatGPT
Claude
Claude
Gemini
Gemini
Perplexity
Perplexity
Copilot
Copilot
Google AI Mode
Google AI Mode
Google AI Overviews
Google AI Overviews
The platform can change.
The measurement standard doesn’t.
The platform can change.
The measurement standard doesn’t.
The platform can change.
The measurement standard doesn’t.
From AI answers to commercial intelligence
The research programme is being developed for the questions cruise executives actually need answered.
The research programme is being developed for the questions cruise executives actually need answered.
The research programme is being developed for the questions cruise executives actually need answered.
01
Recommendation Intelligence
Recommendation Intelligence
Recommendation Intelligence
Understand which lines and ships AI recommends across traveller needs, markets and journey types.
Understand which lines and ships AI recommends across traveller needs, markets and journey types.
Understand which lines and ships AI recommends across traveller needs, markets and journey types.
02
Head-to-Head Intelligence
Head-to-Head Intelligence
Head-to-Head Intelligence
Measure direct AI preference between your brand and named competitors.
Measure direct AI preference between your brand and named competitors.
Measure direct AI preference between your brand and named competitors.
03
Product Steering
Product Steering
Product Steering
Understand which ships AI recommends and how product-level recommendations contribute to brand exposure.
Understand which ships AI recommends and how product-level recommendations contribute to brand exposure.
Understand which ships AI recommends and how product-level recommendations contribute to brand exposure.
04
Brand Conquest
Brand Conquest
Brand Conquest
See whether AI retains existing customers or steers them towards competitors.
See whether AI retains existing customers or steers them towards competitors.
See whether AI retains existing customers or steers them towards competitors.
Move from “Are we visible?” to “Are we winning?”
Move from “Are we visible?” to “Are we winning?”
Move from “Are we visible?” to “Are we winning?”
AI visibility
Were we mentioned?
Were we mentioned?
Were we mentioned?
How often did our name appear?
How often did our name appear?
How often did our name appear?
Was our website cited?
Was our website cited?
Was our website cited?
Which prompts contained our brand?
Which prompts contained our brand?
Which prompts contained our brand?
AI Recommendation Intelligence
Are we the preferred cruise line?
Are we the preferred cruise line?
Are we the preferred cruise line?
Which competitors beat us?
Which competitors beat us?
Which competitors beat us?
Which traveller needs do we win?
Which traveller needs do we win?
Which traveller needs do we win?
Where do we lose?
Where do we lose?
Where do we lose?
Which ships does AI recommend?
Which ships does AI recommend?
Which ships does AI recommend?
What attributes drive those decisions?
What attributes drive those decisions?
What attributes drive those decisions?
Does AI retain our existing customers?
Does AI retain our existing customers?
Does AI retain our existing customers?
Where does AI steer them instead?
Where does AI steer them instead?
Where does AI steer them instead?
Which AI platforms see our brand differently?
Which AI platforms see our brand differently?
Which AI platforms see our brand differently?
Visibility measures presence. Recommendation Intelligence measures preference.
Visibility measures presence. Recommendation Intelligence measures preference.
Visibility measures presence. Recommendation Intelligence measures preference.
Follow the cruise research
Follow the cruise research
Follow the cruise research
AI See You is currently developing and testing its independent Cruise Recommendation Research methodology. Register your interest to hear when the first research is published.
AI See You is currently developing and testing its independent Cruise Recommendation Research methodology. Register your interest to hear when the first research is published.
AI See You is currently developing and testing its independent Cruise Recommendation Research methodology. Register your interest to hear when the first research is published.