Industry statistics, released at last week’s ITB, showed that German growth tailed off last year just as UK cruise business bounced back thanks to a wave of new ships that boosted capacity from British ports.

Leading the pack was P&O Cruises’ Britannia, which launched last spring, along with Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ new flagship Magellan.

A further boost came from Royal Caribbean International’s decision to base its larger – and newer – ship, Anthem of the Seas, at Southampton last summer.

“This all led to an increase in popularity for cruising from the UK, which will have had a significant impact on the cruise figures,” said Andy Harmer, Clia Europe’s vice president of operations.

While the number of German cruisers jumped to 1.8 million, the 2.3% increase was the lowest of recent years, according to a report by German travel association DRV and Clia Germany.

However, German cruisers spent more on their sailings as figures showed the average daily rate rose by 5% to €182, sparking an increase in market revenue to €2.9 billion.

UK market figures for 2015 were due to be unveiled at this week’s Seatrade Cruise Global event in Fort Lauderdale.

But, with the number of British cruisers expected to rise from 2014’s total of 1.64 million, it is predicted the two markets could end up level pegging – though Germany is still expected to retain its number one slot in Europe.

Cruise officials acknowledge a shortage of capacity held back German growth last year – something that will be soon be remedied as five more ships are due to launch in this market by 2018 – and passenger numbers are expected to rise again this year to two million.

Such on-going growth is likely to cement Germany’s position as the world’s second-largest cruise market after the US.

Yet Harmer was optimistic for continuing British growth with Thomson Cruises’ new ship Thomson Discovery launching this summer, followed in 2017 by the line basing Thomson Celebration at Newcastle and CMV adding another new ship, Columbus.