05/10/2011 | C. Martin
Cruise passengers are increasingly opting to start their voyages from the UK, research suggests.
The Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) estimates that the number of people joining their cruise ship at a UK port will rise to 835,000 next year, up 28% from 2010.
The PSA said 2012 is set to be another strong year for the UK cruise industry, following growth of more than 5% this year.
Some 1.73 million passengers are expected to take a cruise holiday in 2012, compared with 1.71 this year.
This is slightly lower than previous increases, but the PSA said the trend of setting off from the UK is likely to continue.
Cruises are becoming more popular among those looking for luxury holidays, while the wide choice of destinations may have helped boost the number of people setting off from the UK's 20 departure ports.
UK passengers can sail to the USA, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, the Norwegian fjords, Iceland, or even around the coast of Britain and Ireland.
Copyright Press Association 2011