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British Cruisers Prefer UK Departure Ports

British Cruisers Prefer UK Departure Ports

More Brits are choosing to begin their ocean cruise holiday from a UK port than ever before according to figures released by the Passenger Shipping Association. In 2012, 835,000 passengers will join their cruise ship in Britain, a 28% increase over the last two years, as the choice of destinations continues to expand.

This year, more than 760,000 passengers will have started their cruise holiday from one of the 20 UK departure ports, sailing to destinations including Russia, Scandinavia, the Norwegian fjords, Iceland, the Mediterranean, America and closer to home, the coast of Britain and Ireland.

2011 has been another strong year for the UK cruise industry with growth of more than five per cent. The trend for British port departures is predicted to continue as the number of passengers taking a cruise holiday slows after a period of sustained growth. Figures released today at The Travel Convention in Palma show an estimated 1.73 million passengers will take a cruise holiday next year, an increase of just over one per cent on this year’s figure of 1.71 million passengers.

William Gibbons of the Passenger Shipping Association said that as predicted, 2011 has proved a good year for the industry with the value and quality of a cruise holiday continuing to appeal, together with companies introducing new ports of call and itineraries to a wide range of exciting destinations.

“Looking forward, we anticipate modest growth in 2012 as capacity slows following the reduction in the number of new ships being built” said Mr. Gibbons. “However, we remain confident that growth will continue over the coming years as companies introduce new ships including the 3,611 passenger vessel for P&O Cruises, the largest in their fleet, due for introduction in early 2015. The great choice of ships now providing cruise holidays from the UK to a wide variety of destinations will lead to more passengers sailing from British ports.”

Mr. Gibbons continued: “Cruising is expected to continue to outperform other areas of the holiday market with travel agents, who account for around 80% of sales, continuing to play an important role. The all-inclusive nature of a cruise holiday, which can be purchased in sterling and which offers exceptional standards of quality, innovation, choice and customer service, continues to make it a compelling and mainstream holiday choice.”

Featured Offers

Cruise and Stay

Greek Isles & Turkey from Barcelona with Stay

Date: 26 Jun 2025

Duration: 12 nights

Ship: Equinox

Line: Celebrity Cruises

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
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£2,749
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Cruise and Stay

Niagara Falls, Bahamas & Perfect Day from New York with Stays

Date: 6 Mar 2024

Duration: 12 nights

Ship: Anthem of the Seas

Line: Royal Caribbean

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
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£2,099
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Cruise and Stay

Caribbean & Antilles from Miami with Miami Beach Stay

Date: 21 Feb 2025

Duration: 10 nights

Ship: Seaside

Line: MSC Cruises

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
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GUARANTEE
£1,899
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Cruise and Stay

Greece & Italy with Venice and Rome Stays

Date: 17 Jul 2025

Duration: 14 nights

Ship: Sun Princess

Line: Princess Cruises

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£2,649
INSIDE
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£3,079 OUTSIDE

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Cruise and Stay

Monte Carlo Grand Prix from Rome with Stay

Date: 14 May 2024

Duration: 14 nights

Ship: Silver Spirit

Line: Silversea Cruises

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ABTA - 100% SAFE
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£8,779
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Cruise and Stay

Cosmopolitan Classics & 7 Nt Majorca Stay

Date: 2 Jul 2024

Duration: 14 nights

Ship: Marella Discovery 2

Line: Marella Cruises

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
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GUARANTEE
£1,724
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