Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is to launch Plan a Cruise Month this October.

The month long campaign, running from 1 – 31 October, is aimed at travel agents, cruise lines, industry partners and consumers. Despite speaking to multiple audiences all activity will have one common objective; to create awareness of cruise holidays. In advance October 1 start date, the CLIA team is to embark on a nationwide tour of the UK, in what CLIA has coined the Cruise Relay.

Taking place from September 23-30, Andy Harmer, CLIA Europe VP operations and Adele Foster, events and training manager will travel the the UK, from Kirkwall to Portsmouth, visiting ten locations. Over the course of the eight day tour, it will host a series of agent events including events in Southampton and Leeds.

Cruise Relay Schedule:

Friday September 23

Port of Dover at 10am

Monday September 26
The Scottish Port of Kirkwall at midday
Ullapool Harbour Trust at 3pm

Tuesday September 27
Media lunch, Edinburgh

Wednesday September 28
Port of Tyne at 9.30am

Thursday September 29
ABP Southampton at 9am
Bristol Port at 2pm

Friday September 30
Portsmouth International Port at 11.30am
Liverpool Cruise Port at midday

Andy Harmer, CLIA Europe VP operations said: “We are incredibly excited to get on the road for the Cruise Relay, to mark the start of CLIA’s Plan a Cruise Month activity. It’s crucial that we meet with our cruise partners up and down the country to make sure they’re up to speed on the latest developments and more importantly, to show our appreciation for their ongoing support.”

He followed, “Cruise holidays are growing in popularity year on year, and cruises that depart from the UK are on the rise too, now accounting for 47% of the market (840,000 passengers in 2015).  We hope that the Cruise Relay will showcase the importance that our regional cruise ports play in the growth of the cruise industry and in their contribution to UK and Irish tourism”

Agents can follow the Cruise Relay via CLIA’s social media platforms (Twitter – @ukcruising and @discovercruises) and the hashtag #CruiseMonth.

For more information about cruising and all Plan a Cruise Month activities, visit cruising.org/PlanACruiseMonth