ALASKA ranked as the most popular cruise destination in Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates' 2008 Travel Trends Survey. Alaska beat out the Western, Southern, and Eastern Caribbean, and Europe, to take the top slot. Mediterranean cruising was the fifth most popular international destinations category -- it was ranked #15 in 2004 and #10 in 2007 -- beating out traditional, land-based favorites such as London; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and several Mexican destinations. Carlson said in a statement that "not only is there greater [Mediterranean cruise] inventory than ever before, many U.S. travelers are finding this is the way to travel to Europe in order to get the most for their money as possible."