UK and Ireland Cruise Passengers Hit Record 2.54 Million in 2025
Cruising is becoming a more mainstream family holiday in the United Kingdom and Ireland, giving lines more reason to base larger ships close to home.
Passengers from the U.K. and Ireland took 2.54 million ocean cruises in 2025, setting a new market high and surpassing the 2.4 million recorded in 2024, according to figures from Cruise Lines International Association. The Mediterranean remained the leading destination, while the passenger mix continued to broaden with a 7% increase in children under 12.
The data covers cruises departing from U.K. ports as well as fly-cruise and overseas departures in markets including the United States, the Caribbean and Europe. CLIA’s cruise line members represent more than 95% of global cruise capacity.
Destinations and sailing length hold steady
The Mediterranean accounted for 34.5% of U.K. and Ireland ocean cruise passengers, followed by Northern Europe at 27.2% and the Caribbean at 13.7%. Average cruise length was 9.6 days, nearly unchanged from 9.7 days in 2024, and seven-night sailings remained the largest duration category at 44% of departures.
Andy Harmer, CLIA U.K. and Ireland managing director, said cruise continues to draw “a wide range of holidaymakers,” with the leading regions offering varied itineraries and more time in destination. He said those destination choices support “local economies through onshore activities and extended stays.”
Family demand and onboard product shape the market
The typical U.K. and Ireland cruise guest was 54.6 years old in the latest data. That remains below the 57 average recorded in 2019.
Paul Ludlow, president of Carnival U.K. and P&O Cruises, said passengers are choosing cruises for entertainment, dining and more immersive time ashore, not only for the itinerary listed at booking.
New capacity is entering the market alongside that demand. Star Princess, with 4,300 lower-berth guest capacity, launched last summer, while Legend of the Seas is due in July with a listed double-occupancy capacity of 5,610 passengers.
No-fly cruising remains a U.K. sales focus
Antonio Paradiso, vice president of international sales for MSC Cruises, said the line is seeing significant demand for no-fly cruises from the U.K., particularly through Southampton, which handles around 3 million cruise passengers a year.
“Simply drive or get the train to Southampton and your holiday starts straight away,” Paradiso said. He added that the format also appeals to guests who want more luggage flexibility, including families.
Several operators have also set or adjusted future U.K. deployment. Princess Cruises has expanded its Southampton program with multiple ships, MSC Cruises has continued rotating ships through Southampton while adjusting itineraries, and Celebrity Cruises has kept Celebrity Apex in the market across multiple seasons.
The forward schedule includes Royal Caribbean replacing a planned 2027 Southampton deployment of Mariner of the Seas with the larger Freedom of the Seas. Norwegian Cruise Line is also scheduled to operate Northern Europe itineraries from Southampton with Norwegian Prima in 2027.
