Princess Cruises Publish Annual Relaxation Survey

Wakefield Research nationwide survey reveals generational divide over relaxation habits.

The 2012 Princess Cruises Relaxation Report, commissioned in celebration of National Relaxation Day on Aug. 15, revealed that Boomers and their adult children's generation of Millennials have very different vacation habits, from social media vices to work-life balance, with the latter finding it more difficult to, or simply refusing to, truly disconnect while on holiday.

The national survey found that Boomers (approximately 48-66 years of age) take their vacation time seriously, with more than one in three finding it impossible to go an entire vacation without doing anything work-related.

In contrast, nearly six out of 10 Millennials (approximately 18-31 years of age) would not be able to completely disconnect from work on vacation.

Millennials are also leaving relaxation time on the table. Of those employed with vacation time available to them, less than half are using all their paid time off.

Boomers on the other hand, appreciate their vacation time and nearly 60 percent used all of their allotted time last year. One potential indication of why Millennials aren't using all of their available vacation time is the fact that nearly one out of five reported they're more relaxed when their boss goes on vacation than when they do.

"It's evident through our survey findings that Americans' approach to relaxation and vacationing is changing with each generation," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "We've always inherently known that different people find different settings and experiences relaxing, but to see such a clear shift between generations and their attitude toward embarking on a vacation escape and disconnecting completely is eye-opening."