Record 1.7m Britons took a cruise holiday last year as those taking to the seas for their holiday jumps nine per cent

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 16:49 EST, 13 September 2012 | UPDATED: 16:50 EST, 13 September 2012

Nearly two million Britons went on holiday cruises last year.

The UK market, which grew 9 per cent to a record 1.7million in 2011, is now second only to North America’s.

Worldwide nearly two million more people took a cruise holiday last year than in 2010, representing an increase in the global market of 10 per cent.
The figures go against predictions that less people would opt for cruise holidays following poor publicity over mishaps such as Novovirus outbreaks.

What recession? Record numbers of Brits went on cruises last year, research has revealed

What recession? Record numbers of Brits went on cruises last year, research has revealed

However, cruise holiday companies responded by cutting prices by as much as 20 per cent in a bid to attract customers.

Official figures show that the UK was the second largest cruise market in the world, behind North America.

Industry figures show that liners carried 20million passengers worldwide last year – another record.

 

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North America accounted for the highest number of cruisers, reaching 11.5 million, while 6.2 million Europeans - including more than 1.7 million from the UK - took a cruise, an increase of nine per cent on the previous year.

Christine Duffy, of the Cruise Lines International Association, said: 'We are delighted to see 10 per cent annual global growth in cruise passengers last year, with milestones being broken all over the world as growth continues.

The high-life: The UK is now only behind North America when it comes to numbers of cruisers

The high-life: The UK is now only behind North America when it comes to numbers of cruisers

'This is the first time that European figures have passed six million and the first time Australian cruise passengers have topped half a million.

‘The latest statistics clearly show that the cruise industry has proved resilient during difficult economic conditions and these results are a testament to the industry’s ongoing innovation and investment.

‘As we continually improve operations, and add new and exciting innovations and itineraries, we’re confident our sector has huge potential for continued growth on a global basis.’

William Gibbons, director of the Passenger Shipping Association, said: 'British ocean cruise passengers exceeded 1.7 million for the first time in 2011 and are currently the second largest source of cruise passengers in the world. We’re looking forward to that growth continuing as new ships come on stream to satisfy demand.'

Countries including the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and France have seen cruise passengers increase by between seven per cent and 15 per cent in the past five years.

Australia is a region of rapid growth, with cruise passengers increasing by 30 per cent in the past year to exceed more than half a million for the first time.

 

Comments (36)

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Got to laugh at the idiots out there who seem to believe Norovirus is only found on cruise ships! more cases are found on land based hoildays in total than all those on cruise ships put together!

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Not interested in statistics ... boring

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Cruise Holidays?, Expensive Ipod 5's selling out in minutes?, that doesn't suggest to me a country on the brink of economic crisis and in a deep recession

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Most are like a floating old peoples home - Zar , Manchester, 14/9/2012 12:27_________________actually, I know a lot of people around my age 40's that go on cruses in the Med and they have a great time .. it is not my idea of fun but each to their own.

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Once! Never again! Not quite money wasted, but really expensive as it's not good value for money as far as I'm concerned. Oh, yes. The first activity is the regimented (and necessary) lifeboat drill.That doesn't get advertised. (Grin)

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One of the reasons for cruising is you only have to do airports twice, arriving and leaving the cruise and still do lots of countries, anything, to not have to do the airports, horrible places. Not that you will get me on one, a cruise that is.

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I'm not going on holiday this year because I can't afford it. It's nice to know we're "all in it together" as these people go swanning of on their cruises. And we're constantly told we can't raise taxes on "wealth creators" to pay off the deficit because they spend it so wisely! - Dutch Lotte, London, United Kingdom, NaN/NaN/NaN NaN:NaN++++++++++++Do you know what? I'm sick of people moaning and whining about not going on holiday and only 'The rich' can afford it. I work full time 40 hours +, have a mortgage, bills etc, I'm most certainly NOT wealthy and before you start I don't have masses of debt either i.e credit cards, I'm careful with my money and this entiltles me to spend it on what I like!!! Oh and by the way, cruises are amazing, not expensive if you shop around and I am most certainly NOT old or boring either (40's). Get over it!!!! Rant over.

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Does this mean that Cameron wants a 'sea passenger tax' added to the costs.

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Yuk...can't imagine a worse holiday; stuck with 2,000 other people stuffing their faces and the ever present risk of norovirus because half of them can't wash their hands properly. I'm sure it suits a lot of people but I would rather rent a cottage in Cumbria/Scottish Highlands with my dogs and enjoy the tranquility of getting away from everybody else........bliss

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FRANCOPHILE at 11:59 - I don't know why you've been red-arrowed so much. Your comment made me laugh out loud - soooh funny :-) I've green-arrowed you by way of thanks.

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