Ventura to host 50th PSA dinner as cruise growth continues
The Passenger Shipping Association is to mark its 50th year in 2008 by holding its annual dinner on board P&O Cruises’ new mega ship Ventura.
Director Bill Gibbons said the dinner on April 14 in Southampton would be one of a number of events planned to mark the organisation’s 50th anniversary.
He was speaking as the PSA issued figures predicted a further 14% rise in UK cruise passenger in 2008 to 1.55 million.
This is on top of an 11% increase this year to 1.35 million, up from 1.2 million in 2006.
The main driver for growth next year is the addition of new ships, including Ventura, the largest vessel built specifically for the UK market; Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship; Cunard’s Queen Victoria, Balmoral from Fred Olsen and ex-UK cruises by Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and Carnival Cruises.
The PSA said fly-cruising is likely to be more popular in 2008 than previously predicted, while ex-UK growth will be slower than expected “demonstrating that UK consumers are putting destinations and cruise brand as a priority when choosing a cruise”.
Meanwhile, the latest ferry statistics released at the ABTA Travel Convention in Tenerife show a 3% rise in passengers and a 4.4% increase in car carryings last month.
Short sea routes saw an increase of 7.2% in car carryings in the year to date and more than 12% in October.
Gibbons said: “We’ve seen this sustained growth for most of 2007 and we believe it is a definite sign of renewed growth in the industry.
“The changes that have been made within the industry over a number of years has led customers to realise the convenience and hassle-free nature of ferry travel, short check-in times, the freedom of travelling with their car, taking as much luggage as they can fit in or on top of their cars at no extra cost and the opportunity to relax on board modern luxury cruise-style ships.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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