Nearly 1.8 million passengers chose to cruise in 2015

9% increase and the highest growth rate in seven years

Figures released today by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) show that a record 1,789,000 passengers from UK and Ireland took an ocean cruise in 2015, a 9% rise year on year and the highest increase in seven years.
UK and Ireland, which saw 145,000 more passengers take a cruise in 2015, also has the highest growth rate out of all the major European countries and the size of the market has grown by two-thirds (67%) in the 10 years since 2005.
The number of Europeans taking an ocean cruise holiday has also grown – since 2008, the market has increased by 49%, proving both the cruise industry’s resilience to economic downturns and the value provided by a cruise holiday. This amounts to a 6% average annual growth rate over the past seven years. In fact, according to industry research, over the ten years from 2004 to 2014, global cruse holidays have grown faster in popularity than global land-based holidays by a 20% margin.
A cruise in the Mediterranean remained the most popular holiday choice for Brits, accounting for 672,000 passengers although the Atlantic Islands (Canaries and Madeira) had the best ever year with a record 188,000 passengers.

Meanwhile the Caribbean reclaimed more passengers after a three year lull and experienced an increase of 15%, the highest since 2011.

The number of UK passengers starting their cruise at home rather than overseas grew strongly in 2015 with UK cruise departures now accounting for 47% of the market (840,000 passengers in 2015). It was another successful year for British ports overall; in total over one million UK and international passengers visited a British port during a cruise, a figure that has more than doubled in six years.

This growth comes at a time of sustained investment by the cruise industry. This year and next year alone will see 15 CLIA member line ocean cruise ships launched worth more than $10 billion.

This week at Seatrade Cruise Global, in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Kerry Anastassiadis, CEO of Celestyal Cruises and member of CLIA Europe’s Executive Committee spoke about the findings.

“The figures released today confirm the great shape of Europe’s cruise industry,” said Anastassiadis. “Cruising is a fantastic holiday choice, and every year more and more people realise the great value and amazing experiences offered by a cruise holiday. This is helping us emerge as the most attractive holiday choice and being a young industry representing a small portion of overall holidays taken, our opportunities to grow in Europe and elsewhere in the world have virtually no limits.”

CLIA UK and Ireland Director Andy Harmer added: “The past year was an impressive one for the UK and Ireland cruise industry. The increase in passenger figures bears testament to the diversity that cruising offers to today’s holidaymakers. The cruise industry’s continued confidence in the UK market is clearly demonstrated by an increasing number of ships that will sail from British ports in the coming years.”

The popularity of river cruise holidays continues to grow

Passenger Numbers Rise by 8% in 2015
River cruise figures show an 8% rise in the number of UK passengers taking a holiday on waterways in Europe and further afield.
The number of British travellers taking a river cruise grew by more than 10,000, taking the total to 150,300. Europe remains the most popular region accounting for 87% of river cruises taken by UK passengers. Within the Continent, the River Danube’s popularity continued to soar, growing 38 percent, whilst cruises on the Rhone and Seine rivers grew by 30% in 2015.
The growth on Europe’s rivers was underpinned by further investment in new river ships. In 2015 there were 170 CLIA member line river ships sailing in Europe with a further 18 new ships launching this year, an increase of more than 10 percent. These ships offer multiple dining venues, spa facilities and range of bedrooms with balconies.
“We have seen tremendous investment by companies in new, innovative ships with greater amenities on board. This coupled with an ever-increasing choice and diversity of itineraries in Europe and further afield, has led to more UK passengers than ever opting for a river cruise holiday,” said Andy Harmer, CLIA Europe VP Operations.