More Britons took an ocean cruise last year than ever before – but the rate of growth has slowed, Clia figures show.
The number of cruises taken by British and Irish holidaymakers rose to a record 1,959,000 in 2017 – up 0.5% but down markedly on the 5.6% growth recorded in 2016.
Passenger numbers in the Mediterranean, which accounted for 37% of all sailings last year, fell from 775,000 in 2016 to 728,000.
A lack of ex-UK capacity was “an important factor” behind the drop in the region, according to Andy Harmer, Clia’s senior vice-president for membership and director for the UK and Ireland.
However, he said there was a growing appetite for more diverse itineraries and soft adventure cruises, with the figures showing a rise in passenger numbers on exploration and long-haul sailings.
Cruises in Africa and the Middle East were up almost 25%, while China was up 22%. South America and the Panama Canal also saw an increase of nearly 25%.
The biggest growth was recorded in Canada and New England where British and Irish cruise passenger numbers were up by a third.
The Caribbean, including the Bahamas and Bermuda, saw a 3% rise. It is the third most-popular region, trailling northern Europe, which recorded an 8% rise on 2016.
Exploration-style cruises in Antarctica, the Arctic and Galapogos were up 3%.
Harmer said: “The Med is still the preferred destination for Brits but we’re seeing the British cruiser looking farther afield at long-haul and soft adventure.
“Diversity is becoming the most important trend for us.”
Clia expects UK ocean passenger numbers to comfortably top two million by 2020.
New-to-cruise figures will be published in May and river cruise numbers will be available in the coming weeks.