More British travellers are open to trying a cruise for the first time “than ever before”, according to data released by Clia.
Speaking at a media event in London on Thursday, Clia UK & Ireland chair Ben Bouldin revealed the results of a Clia-conducted survey of 500 British travellers which found 70% of those who had never cruised before would consider a cruise in the next few years, up from 68% a year ago.
The data also examined cruise behaviour in 2022 compared to the year before and found British and Irish holidaymakers took 1.7 million cruises last year, up from 479,000 in 2021.
The Mediterranean was the top destination visited accounting for 38% of travellers, while 29% travelled to Northern Europe and 11% cruised in the Caribbean.
The UK and Irish market accounted for 29% of all European source passengers between March 2022 and March 2023.
Bouldin emphasised the growth in multi-generational travel within the cruise sector, citing data revealing 27% of those who sailed for two or more nights in the past year travelled in a party consisting of three or more generations, “a sign that cruise holidays offer a great experience for all ages”.
He went on to say sustainability has become a more prominent focus for UK travellers as 76% of British cruise passengers who sailed in the last year were “much more” or “more” aware of environmental and sustainable tourism.
“Cruise lines are always challenging themselves to innovate and diversify and constantly reinventing the cruise experience,” said Bouldin.
“This forward-looking approach is at the heart of the cruise industry’s success and is also why we are committed to sustainability.
“This is a flagship industry for the UK and these latest figures show that we will continue to contribute to the economy and jobs.”
Clia UK & Ireland managing director Andy Harmer added: “Cruise holidays have once again captured the imagination of the British public.
“A holiday at sea offers something for everyone, from action-packed experiences and visiting new cultures to onboard entertainment and relaxation. And the word is out as we are seeing more people than ever interested to try out a cruise for the first time.”