ABTA 2004: Buoyant cruise market reports record bookings

ABTA Convention Special: Over a million people will take a cruise in 2004 following the introduction of 13 new ships during the year. The total number of passengers for all river and ocean cruises last year was 1.053m and the 2004 figure is expected to finish around 9 percent higher. “It has been an exceptionally good year for the cruise industry which can partly be attributed to the launch of the QM2 in January 2004 and Cunard’s decision to dedicate the QE2 mainly to the UK market,” said Passenger Shipping Association director William Gibbons. The PSA said there had been a growth in niche cruise operating, which has proved popular among UK holidaymakers seeking an alternative cruise experience. In 2005, an extra nine ships will be added to the UK market, including P&O Cruises’ Arcadia, due to be launched in April. “In 2005 we can expect to see a substantial growth in ex-UK cruises as more people are recognising the convenience of departing from a UK port,” said Gibbons. The Passenger Shipping Association has launched a Value Report which demonstrates that cruises are now often cheaper than their equivalent land-based package holidays.