By
Rebecca Gibson |
The UK remained Europe’s primary cruise market in 2013, with British citizens accounting for 27% of the continent’s 6.357 million passengers, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
Marking a record year, passenger embarkations from UK ports surpassed one million for the first time, with 49% of UK travellers embarking on voyages from UK ports. The number of British and overseas passengers departing from Britain grew by 10% to 1,062,000, while the number of overseas and British passengers arriving for day visits at one of the country’s 51 cruise ports rose by 20% to 866,000.
In addition, 1,726,000 ocean cruises were taken by UK travellers in 2013, meaning that the UK now has the second largest cruise market in the world, second only to the North American industry.
While Mediterranean itineraries remained the most popular choice for 644,000 of the total British passengers, around 531,000 travellers sailed to Northern European destinations, marking a 20% rise from 2012. Over the past decade, the total number of guests visiting the region on cruise from the UK has increased fivefold, with countries such as Norway recording a rise from 218,000 to 37,000 passengers since 2004.
“Momentum has returned to the UK cruise market in 2013 with significant growth in passengers numbers and especially in embarkations from our homeports – both of which are impressive achievements when set against a backdrop of an economy that has proven slow to recover,” said Andy Harmer, director of CLIA UK & Ireland. “The cruise industry’s continued confidence in the UK market is clearly demonstrated by the increasing number of ships that will sail from British ports in the coming years, and we believe this marks a key point in the continuing growth of the UK cruise market.”
River cruising is also on the rise among British passengers, with 20,000 more British passengers – a 22% increase from 2012 – choosing a European river cruise holiday in 2013. In total, around 110,000 passengers chose to cruise the continent’s waterways last year, meaning that Europe now accounts for 83% of river cruises chosen by UK passengers compared to 50% in 2009.
Although the Rhine, Danube and Moselle rivers were popular with 52% of UK passengers, 38% more British travellers chose to sail on the Rhone and the Seine this year, while the River Elbe saw a 50% increase in numbers.
According to CLIA UK & Ireland, the key reason for this growth is that a third of the 260 river cruise ships currently sailing the European waterways within the last ten years, while a quarter have been constructed within the last five. In addition, 27 ships were introduced in 2012-2013, while another 24 have been ordered and scheduled for delivery. These larger, purpose-built ships offer multiple dining venues, spa facilities and a range of larger cabins with balconies, which means they can competitively rival ocean cruise ships.
“Europe’s phenomenal growth as a river cruise destination for UK passengers clearly shows how the industry has transformed the passenger experience in recent years,” Harmer said. “New, more modern ships, coupled with an ever-widening choice of destinations, are opening up Europe to a whole new generation of river cruisers.”