Popularity of UK cruising reaches record levels

cruise southampton

The UK’s cruise sector is reporting significant growth in 2023, with record guest and call numbers in ports up and down the country

Landmark figures for guest and call numbers have toppled previous pre-pandemic records, according to Cruise Britain. Growth rates for guests were highlighted, with the number of passengers embarking on their cruise at a UK port exceeding 1.5 million for the first time; this record year shows 26% growth against the previous highest number, which was recorded in 2018.

In terms of transit passengers enjoying a day ashore in the UK, ports welcomed 2.16 million guests, representing 24% more than in 2019, which was itself a record year. With each transit passenger being worth around £70 to the local tourism economy every time they step ashore, the visitor figure for 2023 means a vital tourism injection of around £150 million to Britain’s coastal economies. In a boost to the inbound tourism economy, early figures show that over three-quarters of transit passengers were non-UK nationals, with key source markets being the US and Germany.

UK becoming a more popular destination

“The popularity of cruises into and round Britain shines even more brightly than it did pre-Covid,” said Ian McQuade, Chair, Cruise Britain. “Cruise is now an important part of the tourism landscape for many ports and destinations, and we are seeing the rewards for an industry that has consistently worked together to recover, regenerate and develop. Whilst round Britain and Ireland cruise popularity continues to grow, there is a very strong success story for British port calls as part of a multi-country chain of discovery. As Cruise Britain celebrates the association’s 15th birthday, a look back into the archives shows a doubling of call numbers and embarkations; plus a tremendous 500% increase in transit passengers since 2009!”

Cruise Britain and all its members continue to work with cruise lines, industry partners and stakeholders, and government to support the development of cruise as a resilient and profitable sector of the travel industry, added McQuade.