CLIA recently revealed that the number of ocean cruises taken by UK and Irish passengers has hit more than two million for the first time.

A total of 2,009,000 took a cruise in 2018, surpassing the two million mark a year earlier than predicted and representing a two per cent increase from 2017, according to the CLIA Cruise Review report.

The association has now released more in-depth figures highlighting average cruise duration and the top destinations in 2018.

• Average cruise passenger age of 57 years old
• The average cruise was 10.1 days long
• 14-day cruises increased by five per cent
• 149,000 passengers took a taster cruise of 1-3 days
• The Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Baltics account for almost 70 per cent of total cruises taken
• Bookings for exploration destinations – such as the polar regions, the Galápagos Islands and Antarctica – jumped from 22,000 in 2017 to 32,000 in 2018, an increase of 44 per cent
• Cruises in Asia and South America also experienced growth – cruises taken in South America and Panama Canal grew by 29 per cent to 26,000 and in Asia and China by 41 per cent, from 45,000 in 2017 to 63,000 in 2018

CLIA UK & Ireland director Andy Harmer said: “Surpassing the two million mark is a significant milestone as it demonstrates the continued strength of cruising as a mainstream holiday choice for the British and Irish.

“With cruise lines continuing to expand their offerings both onboard and ashore, creating extraordinary experiences not found on other types of holidays, and with the appeal of being able to explore fascinating destinations and only having to unpack once, cruise holidays have become appealing to a more diverse and often younger market.

“Thanks to the large deployment of incredible ships offering an amazing choice of itineraries in European destinations, as well as the number of cruises sailing ex-UK, our love of cruising Europe still reigns supreme.

“Increasingly, however, British and Irish travellers are looking further afield for their holiday for a unique and authentic experience and this can be seen by the growth in far-flung destinations such as the polar regions, South America and Asia.”