Clia UK and Ireland hails record passenger numbers for 2024

A record number of UK and Ireland passengers sailed with Clia’s ocean member lines last year, according to the association.

The total of 2.4 million marks a 5.2% increase on Clia’s previous record of 2.3 million, recorded in 2023.

Asia and China experienced the biggest growth from the UK and Ireland market with a 96% increase compared to 2023, followed by the Canary Islands with 31%, Eastern Mediterranean with 25% and the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda with 14%.

The Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, Canary Islands, and transatlantic and world cruises were the top five choices for consumers, making up 35.3%, 26.5%, 12.8%, 11.8% and 2.8% of cruises respectively.

The average length of sailing for passengers was 9.7 days while the average age fell year on year from 55.1 in 2023 to 54.3 in 2024. In 2019, the average age of passenger was 57.

Clia’s ocean member fleet has now surpassed 310 ships, with overall capacity expected to grow by about 3.5% to 5% year on year in 2025.

Other trends shared at the Clia, Travelzoo and MMGY Research breakfast held in London on May 8 included rising interest in longer-haul cruising, warmer-water expedition destinations, longer voyages and river cruises.

The research found Europe, in particular the Danube, remains the number-one destination for river cruising. It also noted increasing capacity on the Douro River and growing popularity of French rivers, the Ganges, the Mekong and Colombia.

Clia UK and Ireland managing director Andy Harmer said: “2.4 million is a new milestone which we’re very excited about.

“That is down to the whole industry working together, from cruise lines to our travel agent partners, tour operators and our friends in the media, to explain to holidaymakers who haven’t yet chosen ocean or river cruise to take a cruise.

“The picture globally is similar; it is managed and ongoing growth. Last year, around 34 million people globally took a cruise holiday and with managed growth over the next four years, that growth is anticipated to continue.”