Cruise holidays steam ahead
Cruise holidays are becoming ever more popular as cruises to the Caribbean and Mediterranean experience strong growth.
According to the Passenger Shipping Association, there will be an 11% growth in the number of people going on cruises this year to a total of 1.35 million.
"The cruise industry has been growing impressively for years and the predictions for 2007 show that this growth is continuing," says Passenger Shipping Association director, Bill Gibbons.
With a number of new ships going afloat next year, the PSA also forecasts a further growth of 14% in 2008 to a total of 1.55 million people.
Cunard's new ship Queen Victoria is due to leave the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy on 30 November bound for Southampton where she is scheduled to arrive on 7 December. Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall will officially name the new cruise ship in Southampton on 10 December, and the Prince of Wales will also be in attendance.
Queen Victoria will then embark on her maiden voyage, a Christmas Markets cruise to the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and Belgium, following a fireworks display in Southampton on 11 December.
Rival cruise line Royal Caribbean International will be advertising on TV in the new year as part of a new multi-million pound campaign, and one of the company's other brands Celebrity Cruises is also launching a new marketing campaign.
"The Royal Caribbean International campaign will focus on Independence of the Seas, showcasing to potential cruisers why cruising is fast becoming a sought-after holiday option. Celebrity Cruises will also be welcoming a new ship to the fleet, Celebrity Solstice, which will be the main marketing focus for this brand," explains Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, UK and Ireland, managing director, Jo Rzymowska.
Written by: Nick Purdom
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