Cruise Trade News

1 week ago | cruisetradenews.com | Will Payne

Co-founder of Unforgettable Croatia Graham Carter on how luxury small ship cruising is redefining the UK cruise market, and what opportunities this burgeoning sector offers travel agents Luxury small ship cruising has become one of the most exciting growth areas in UK travel – and its rise shows no sign of slowing down. With CLIA reporting another record-breaking year for UK cruise bookings, it’s clear that travellers aren’t just sailing more, they’re sailing differently.

1 week ago | cruisetradenews.com | Will Payne

HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) has officially joined CLIA in the UK in a bid to reinforce its ongoing commitment to the tradeNathaniel Sherborne, senior vice president Europe at HX, said the move reflects the line’s commitment to agents in the UK and highlights its ambition to further strengthen relationships across the cruise industry.

1 week ago | cruisetradenews.com | Will Payne

Windstar Cruises has appointed the former head of global sales for Explora Journeys, Helen Beck, to the new role of managing director, global commercialBased in London, Beck will lead efforts to build commercial operations in the UK and expand the line’s presence in Europe, Australia and Latin America. She will implement the small ship cruise line’s global sales and distribution strategy and identify new partners to grow the base of sellers around the world looking to expand their sales.

1 week ago | cruisetradenews.com | Will Payne

Mexico has slashed a proposed tax on cruise passengers set to come into effect this summer following pressure from the industry to review the levyThe country’s federal government initially planned to introduce a $42pp (£31) charge on cruise arrivals, but has since dropped the rate to $5pp (£3.75) when the tax is introduced on 1 July. From August 2026 through to July 2027, it will increase to $10pp (£7.50) and then $15pp (£11.25) in 2027/2028.

1 week ago | cruisetradenews.com | Jack Carter

The average age of UK and Irish cruise-goers decreased again in 2024 to 54.3 years, down from 55.1 in 2023 and 57 in 2019, according to CLIAThe findings were revealed this morning (8 May) during a breakfast briefing in London, organised by the cruise trade body, Travelzoo and marketing agency MMGY. CLIA’s research into 2024 cruise data also showed that holidaymakers from the UK and Ireland took 2.4 million cruises last year, surpassing the previous highest total of 2.3 million in 2023.