News

British cruise market grows 5% in 2013

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 20 January 2014 20 January 2014

Forecast figures released on January 16 by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) show that a record 1.79 million British holidaymakers took a cruise in 2013 – an increase of more than 5% on 2012.

Despite continued economic pressures on consumer spending, an additional 89,000 UK passengers took an ocean cruise in 2013. Passenger figures are up by 21%, or more than 300,000, compared to five years ago (2008).

Globally, the number of cruise passengers is forecast to be 21.3 million in 2013 – an increase of almost 2% over 2012, whilst the number of European passengers who took a cruise in 2013 is predicated to be 6.4 million – a year on year growth of more than 4%. The global number of cruise passengers for 2014 is forecast to be 21.7 million.

As the cruise industry sails into 2014, it continues to invest billions of pounds in new ships. This year alone will see the launch of six ocean cruise ships worth £2.38 billion, with a capacity of 18,196 passengers. 2014 and 2015 collectively will see a total of 13 ocean cruise ships launched worth more than £5 billion and accommodating over 37,000 passengers.

The cruise industry is currently worth almost £2.5 billion a year to the UK economy, and creates more than 66,000 jobs in this country. Globally, the industry is worth US$100 billion (£61.1 billion) and provides around 775,000 jobs.

Andy Harmer, Director of CLIA UK & Ireland, said: “The incredible choice and diversity of a cruise is reflected in the record number of British passengers who took a holiday last year. Many of CLIA's 63 member cruise lines are revitalising and investing in new ships, ensuring that guests enjoy modern, innovative ships of varying sizes, designed to cater for all ages and which offer amazing holidays to destinations around the world."

"The travel trade has played a crucial role in the growth of the British market. More than 70 per cent of cruise holiday bookings in the UK are made through a travel agent, with their expert knowledge an important factor in securing each booking."

"In the year ahead, we will step up our agents training programme to ensure our 5,000 partner agents are kept fully up to date with the many new ships and cruise itineraries being introduced."

MSC Cruises to increase German presence with MSC Splendida in 2015

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 20 January 2014 20 January 2014

MSC Cruises, the Geneva based privately owned cruise shipping company, says it will position of its its 137,936 gross ton Fantasia class ships on the German market for the summer of 2015, thereby increasing its footprint in the country.

The bigger vessel will re0lace the MSC Magnifica of about 93,000 gross tons. The introduction of MSC Splendida in Germany will increase the company's capacity there by 35, MSC Cruises said in a statement. The ship will operate from the port of Hamburg.

The move means the German market will see a substantial increase in capacity in 2015 as in the same summer, AIDA Cruises will introduce the 124,000 gross ton newbuilding AIDAPrima on a year-round basis on cruises from Hamburg.

CLIA projects 21.7 million cruise passengers in 2014

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 17 January 2014 17 January 2014

As the cruise line industry continues to strengthen its global presence and with the economy in an ongoing recovery mode, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and its cruise line members are looking forward to a positive year of growth with a 2014 passenger forecast of 21.7 million worldwide guests on CLIA’s 63 member lines, according to data released yesterday in the association’s annual State of the Cruise Industry findings. To meet demand, these member lines will introduce 24 new ships in 2014-2015 adding a total passenger capacity of 37,546, representing a capital investment of approximately $8 billion in ocean going and river cruise categories.

"The global cruise industry is at an exciting juncture with strong consumer interest in cruising and significant cruise line investment in a diversity of exciting ships that travel to the most exotic locations in the world and offer one-of-a-kind vacation experiences," said Christine Duffy, CLIA President & CEO.

CLIA 2013 global passenger numbers are estimated at 21.3 million, with a 2014 forecast expected to reach 21.7 million passengers. North America is the world’s biggest cruise market (55.1% passenger source share) – with significant growth of internationally sourced passengers – especially Europeans at 6.4 million.