London – The number of British and Irish holidaymakers taking cruises fell by almost 80 000 last year – the first annual drop for a decade, according to industry figures.
Cruise Lines International Association data showed bookings fell 4.8 per cent, from 1.72million to 1.64million.
Such holidays survived and even thrived during the economic downturn as a greater variety of destinations became available.
But the bubble may be bursting, with many put off by ever larger ships, having to fly abroad to the first port, and cost. Others may be deterred by health scares such as food poisoning or ebola.
Andy Harmer, of CLIA, told website TravelMole: ‘The UK and Ireland continue to have one of Europe’s highest rates of market penetration for cruise holidays.’
Daily Mail