New Ships, Greater Choice And Exceptional Value Ensure The UK Cruise Industry Continues To Grow
1.53 million Brits Cruise in 2009
Monday 15 March 2010: The exceptional value and high standards provided by a cruise holiday have ensured continued record growth in UK cruising despite 2009 being a very challenging year. Latest statistics revealed today by The Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) show 1.53 million Brits took a cruise in 2009 – a four per cent increase on 2008. Figures show a seven per cent increase in the number of people joining their cruise in a UK port while the number of fly-cruise passengers increased by two per cent.
Speaking at the Cruise Shipping Miami Conference, William Gibbons, director of the Passenger Shipping Association, said: “The UK cruise industry proved resilient in 2009 despite the very difficult economic climate and much of this success can be attributed to the all-inclusive nature of cruising and the very high standards of quality and service. These are values intrinsic to cruising and will continue to encourage greater numbers of passengers, with the PSA predicting 1.65m Brits taking a cruise holiday in 2010.”
2009 saw 594,000 passengers take an ex-UK port cruise with 939,000 Brits choosing to take a fly-cruise. The Mediterranean continues to be the most popular destination with 595,000 passengers and a 39% share of the market. Northern Europe, including the UK, and the Caribbean vie for second place with 295,000 and 275,000 passengers respectively. Figures show that 16,000 UK passengers took a Round Britain cruise.
Looking ahead, Mr Gibbons said: “There are fourteen new ship launches this year bringing capacity for an additional 28,000 passenger berths. Among the new ships are three dedicated to the UK market - Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse, Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth and P&O Cruises’ Azura. Cruise & Maritime has a second ship, Ocean Countess, and Royal Caribbean International is providing a year-round service from Southampton with Independence of the Seas. Disney Cruise Lines and Holland America Line are also introducing full length cruises out of Dover. In 2011, nine new ships will be launched and although none are directly dedicated to the UK market, we predict the number of Brits taking a cruise holiday will grow to 1.75m passengers.”
cruiseBritain, a new joint initiative between the PSA, industry and VisitBritain, is also reporting record figures for 2009. The total number of passengers joining their cruise at a UK port rose to 733,000, a three per cent increase on the previous year. The number of UK passengers embarking at a British port grew to 593,000, an increase of six per cent, while the number of visits by cruise passengers to UK ports was up seven per cent to 448,000. The number of visits made by overseas visitors to UK ports was 145,000.
The Passenger Shipping Association has also reached a record after attracting four new cruise members. Shearings Holidays, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Compagnie du Ponant and Voyages to Antiquity have become members bringing the total number of cruise brands represented by the Association to 42. Commenting, William Gibbons said: ‘I’m delighted that cruise lines continue to value the contribution the PSA makes in representing members’ interests. It is particularly pleasing to see numbers grow despite a period of recession.’| Total % Yearly Increase | Total | Ex UK Port | Fly Cruise | |
| 1997 | 522,000 | 140,000 | 382,000 | |
| 2005 | 4.9% | 1,070,000 | 400,000 | 670,000 |
| 2006 | 12% | 1,204,000 | 451,000 | 753,000 |
| 2007 | 11% | 1,335,000 | 467,000 | 867,000 |
| 2008 | 11% | 1,477,000 | 557,000 | 920,000 |
| 2009 | 4% | 1,533,000 | 594,000 | 939,000 |
Date : 15 Mar 2010