20 May 2008

River cruising poised for further growth

The UK bosses of two major river cruise companies have predicted further growth in the sector on the back of unprecedented growth.

Viking River Cruises UK chairman Graham Clubb revealed that the company was looking to more than double its fleet from 21 to 50 vessels sailing on new waterways in five years time.

The planned expansion comes on the back of an 80% rise in trade sales last year and plans for 2009 which include Ã¢â¬Ëœno-flyÃ¢â¬â¢ cruises using Eurostar connections from London to serve vessels on the rivers Seine, Rhone and Rhine and more regional airport departures.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœThere is a commitment to go forward in this market,Ã¢â¬~ he told the UK Cruise Convention in Southampton.

Stuart Perl, managing director of Peter Deilmann River and Ocean Cruising, echoed the comments, and said: Ã¢â¬ÅâœWe are looking at increasing the size of the fleet specifically because of the increase in demand from the UK market.Ã¢â¬~

The company currently offers nine river cruise vessels and a single ocean-going cruise ship.

The number of UK travellers taking river cruises last year is estimated at 118,000, with Viking cruises costing an average of Ã&#pound;2,200 per passenger and Peter Deilmann at Ã&#pound;1,400 based on cruise-only rates.

This compares with less than Ã&#pound;1,000 for Ocean Village, Ã&#pound;1,500 for a P&O CruisesÃ¢â¬â¢ voyage, Ã&#pound;1,700 with Princess Cruises and Ã&#pound;2,000 with Cunard, the conference heard.

Clubb said: Ã¢â¬ÅâœIf anything we will increase prices because there is a demand.Ã¢â¬~

by Phil Davies