16/09/2025
🚢✨ UK Cruising Gets a Major Boost for CLIA Cruise Week!
Cruising from the UK isn’t new — ports like Southampton, Liverpool, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Rosyth already welcome millions each year. But now the Government, CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association — the world’s largest cruise trade body), and the UK Chamber of Shipping have launched the UK Cruise Growth Plan to make UK cruising stronger than ever.
⚓ What it means for travellers:
• More UK cruise destinations promoted worldwide 🌍
• Investment in ports and faster check-ins (less waiting, more sail-away fizz 🥂)
• Digital border upgrades to cut delays ✈️
• Better accessibility for passengers with mobility needs ♿
• Training the next generation of cruise staff — from captains to cocktail shakers 🍸
📊 The scale of UK cruising:
• £5.8bn a year for the UK economy
• 60,000 jobs supported
• A record 2.4m UK & Ireland residents cruised in 2024
⚓ What the industry is saying:
Andy Harmer OBE, CLIA UK & Ireland: “The forward-looking plan provides a clear roadmap for the future of cruising in the UK… while its focus on investment and future skills will allow the UK to remain a leader in the international cruise market.”
David Di**le CBE, CLIA UK Cruise Council: “These commitments will boost the UK cruise industry’s competitive advantage in an internationally competitive sector.”
🌱 Why it matters: Easier, greener, and better promoted cruising from the UK means stronger coastal communities — and more choice for travellers.
🍹 Translation: your next sail-away cocktail could be from Southampton or Liverpool — not just Miami.
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🛳️ Imagine your first (or next!) cruise — would you rather set sail from a UK port, or start somewhere sunny overseas? 👇
