Clia UK & Ireland cruise numbers exceed 2.5m for first time

The number of passengers from the UK and Ireland sailing with Clia’s ocean member lines last year reached an all-time high, exceeding 2.5 million for the first time, according to the association.

A total of 2.54 million people took an ocean cruise in 2025, up by 7% on the previous record of 2.4 million in 2024.

More than a third (35.4%) sailed in the Mediterranean while just over a quarter (27.2%) went on a cruise in northern Europe.

Caribbean passengers grew by 12% year on year to make up 13.7% of the total.

Seven-night voyages accounted for 44% of cruises and the average cruise length was 9.6 days.

The average age of cruise passengers was consistent year on year at 56, but there was a 7% increase in children under 12 taking ocean cruises.

Speaking on a Travel Weekly webcast, Clia UK & Ireland managing director Andy Harmer told editor-in-chief Lucy Huxley: “Global figures show over 37 million people took a cruise across the world last year, which is a new record.

“As for the UK and Ireland, we saw 7% growth year on year which is incredible and that takes us over 2.5 million for the first time with 2.54 million [annual passengers], so we remain the third-biggest source market for cruisers in the world, which is really exciting.”

Harmer revealed the level of growth for UK and Ireland passengers was higher than last year, with 2024 recording a 5.6% year-on-year increase in passengers.

He said: “This is really exciting particularly because we have had no new ship dedicated to the UK market in that time. 

“We are seeing fly-cruise as a growing option for people to destinations such as the Caribbean which saw one of the biggest levels of growth with 12% of Brits going to the Caribbean which is great for winter sun and for some of those new ships as well.”

Harmer added the UK and Ireland market cruised for longer on average than any other country, with an average cruise length of 10 days, which he attributed to passengers opting for “slightly longer” ex-UK voyages to the Mediterranean.

He said the orderbook “has never been healthier” with “growing confidence” from Clia member cruise lines over the last year to invest in new ships and more long-term investment in new-builds exceeding $77 billion over the next nine years.