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The cruise industry is currently going through a period of rapid growth and change. In the past, cruising was seen as the preserve of the elderly, rich and famous. Today the number of cruise passengers is growing steadily and the industry has introduced products aimed at a wide range of customers, including families, young people and groups. Prices for many cruise products have fallen as the major tour operators have entered the market. Latest figures from the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA), the trade body representing passenger shipping interests in the UK, show that 1.65 million British people are expected to take a cruise in 2010 – more than double the figure recorded in 2000.
According to statistics from the Passenger Shipping Association, the UK cruise industry defied the economic recession in 2009 and British people:
• Booked more cruises than ever before;
• Took more cruises in a single year than ever before;
• Booked more cruises instead of package and other holidays than ever before;
• Bought more of the most expensive, most luxurious cruises than ever before.
As a result, the number of UK cruise passengers grew 4 per cent in 2009 to top 1.5 million for the first time and is on course to reach 1.75 million in 2011 and 2 million by 2014. In 2010 alone, there is forecast to be an 8 per cent increase in passenger numbers to 1.65 million due mainly to the arrival of four ships dedicated primarily to the UK market – P&O Cruises’ Azura, the Celebrity Eclipse, Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth and the Thomson Dream. Fourteen cruise ships were being introduced in 2010 adding more than 32,000 berths to the global cruise fleet. Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas will also be making its inaugural winter series of cruises out of Southampton. Other brands such as Holland America Line, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and Cruise & Maritime Voyages are also increasing their ex-UK capacity. In 2009, the British were also booking longer
According to statistics from the Passenger Shipping Association, the UK cruise industry defied the economic recession in 2009 and British people:
• Booked more cruises than ever before;
• Took more cruises in a single year than ever before;
• Booked more cruises instead of package and other holidays than ever before;
• Bought more of the most expensive, most luxurious cruises than ever before.
As a result, the number of UK cruise passengers grew 4 per cent in 2009 to top 1.5 million for the first time and is on course to reach 1.75 million in 2011 and 2 million by 2014. In 2010 alone, there is forecast to be an 8 per cent increase in passenger numbers to 1.65 million due mainly to the arrival of four ships dedicated primarily to the UK market – P&O Cruises’ Azura, the Celebrity Eclipse, Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth and the Thomson Dream. Fourteen cruise ships were being introduced in 2010 adding more than 32,000 berths to the global cruise fleet. Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas will also be making its inaugural winter series of cruises out of Southampton. Other brands such as Holland America Line, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and Cruise & Maritime Voyages are also increasing their ex-UK capacity. In 2009, the British were also booking longer