Clia UK and Ireland managing director Andy Harmer shared the latest figures at an event in central London today (17 April).
He noted how passenger numbers were 14.5% up against 2019 which has widely been viewed as the benchmark year to judge a travel sector’s pandemic recovery.
“The good thing is that cruise has come back quicker than some other types of travel,” said Harmer. “That’s good news for cruise.”
With 34 ships entering the industry before 2028, the sector’s fleet capacity will increase by 16%, Harmer confirmed.
He said 22,800 berths will be added in 2024, with the likes of Icon of the Seas, Sun Princess and Explora II entering service. Overall capacity will rise by 3.6% this year.
This year marks the first time the global Clia member fleet will surpass 300 ships.
“We’re an industry of thirds,” Harmer added. “Around a third of our ships are up to 1,000 berths, around a third are between 1,000 and 3,000 berths and a third are over 3,000 berths. “This is the most up-to-date fleet that we’ve ever had operating.”
But he admitted the figures contained “no surprises”, as Clia had tracked the data throughout the year.
“We saw the number of [UK and Irish] passengers increasing,” he confirmed. “I was pleased though to see the multigenerational travel becoming more of a thing.”
Last year, around 28% of cruisers were part of a wider multigenerational party, comprising of three or more age groups, Harmer continued. In 2022, that figure was 27%.
This has resulted in the average age of UK and Irish cruise passengers decreasing from 56.1 in 2022 to 55.1 last year.
The Mediterranean remains the number-one destination for UK and Irish cruise passengers.
Of the top three destinations in 2023, 35% of passengers travelled to the Mediterranean, 29% to northern Europe and 12% to the Caribbean.
Harmer confirmed Clia data had been drawn from every ocean cruise line regardless of whether they were a member of the trade association.
At the event, Clia also revealed the results of a sentiment survey of 4,500 international holidaymakers, which showed 82% of cruise passengers say they intend to take a holiday at sea again – up 3% from 2019, while 71% of those who have never cruised before would consider doing so.
Harmer added: “Cruise continues to lead the way in travel and we can clearly see that from these encouraging latest figures.
“A holiday at sea offers something to suit all tastes and budgets, both on and off the ship, which makes for an ideal combination.
“With so many holidaymakers returning to the water, and many more eager to dip their toe for the first time, these figures reflect all the advantages a sea escape has to offer.”
