(EMBARGO)Cruise numbers hit record levels
(EMBARGO UNTIL MAY 17)The number UK cruise passengers rose by eight per cent last year to 1.1 million.
Figures released today by the Passenger Shipping Association show that cruise holidays now account for five per cent of the UK package holiday market and are worth £1.24 billion.
A total of 1,028,937 people took an ocean cruise in 2004 – up seven per cent on 2003. A further 110,957 who went on river cruises last year, taking the total number cruising in 2004 to 1,139,893 – a rise of eight per cent year-on-year.
It is the first time more than one million people have taken an ocean cruise and the PSA predicts total numbers will rise to 1.5 million in five years time.
The 2004 figures reveal that the British take more cruise holidays than anyone else in Europe, closely followed by Germans, Italians and Spanish. Just over 2.8 million Europeans took an ocean cruise, an increase of 5.3 per cent on 2003.
Cruising from UK ports is also up with an increase of 13% – a trend set to continue with lines including Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruises and Thomson Cruises offering UK departures for the first time.
Alaska was the cruise hot spot for 2004 with an increase of nearly 70% in passengers. Scandinavia and the Baltic remain strong with the Baltic overtaking the Norwegian fjords as the more popular itinerary.
The Nile recorded the largest increase of any river destination, but lines operating on less well-known rivers such as the Elbe and Douro in Portugal also increased capacity significantly.
PSA director William Gibbons said: “We are delighted to have reached the million milestone and with the current rate of growth I anticipate that we will reach 1.5 million ocean passengers by 2010.
“Growth looks good for 2005 with increased capacity from Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line. In addition Thomson Cruises is doubling its capacity from two to four ships.
“P&O Cruises introduced the brand new Arcadia, built specifically for the UK market, in April this year and the Artemis which launches in June, increases the P&O Cruises fleet from four to five ships”.
*The full statistics are available on the Passenger Shipping Association’s Annual Cruise Review 2004 (www.discover-cruises.co.uk).
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season