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PSA report reveals growth in ex-UK cruises
More British holidaymakers are taking cruises directly from the UK, according to statistics released today by the Passenger Shipping Association.
In its annual cruise review, the PSA said out of 1.07 million people that took an ocean cruise last year, 406,000 chose to take a cruise departing from a UK port.
This means ex-UK cruises accounted for approximately 40% of cruises in 2005, compared to 25% in 2001.
According to the PSA, the rise is due to substantial additional capacity from P&O Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Saga and Thomson Cruises, and despite of the withdrawal of Airtours Sun Cruises.
In addition, Royal Caribbean International and Princess Cruises based ships in the UK specifically for the UK market for the first time.
Overall, 1.25 million Brits are expected to pick cruising as one of their top holiday choices this year, and 1.5 million by 2008.
PSA director Bill Gibbons said: “We have recently seen the launch of the largest cruise ship in the world, Royal Caribbean International’s Freedom of the Seas, and expect it to appeal to a huge diverse market, including people who have never considered cruising before.
“Fred.Olsen Cruise Line launched its new ship Boudicca in February and we are still looking forward to new and refurbished ships from Island Cruises, Louis Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line and Travelscope.
“It looks to be a very strong year and I can confidently say that there will be a 17% year on year increase in ocean cruising to 1.25 million at the end of 2006.”
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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