CruiseBritain, a new joint initiative between the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA), cruise industry and VisitBritain, is proud to announce record figures for 2009 despite it being a financially challenging year. The total number of passengers joining their cruise at a UK port has nearly doubled since 2003 to 733,000 in 2009, a three per cent increase on the previous year. The number of visits by cruise passengers to UK ports increased by seven per cent to 448,000.

With more than 450 cruises departing from the UK in 2010, including three brand new ships (Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Eclipse, Cunard's Queen Elizabeth and P&O Cruises' Azura), Cruise & Maritime introducing a second ship, Ocean Countess, Royal Caribbean International providing a year-round service from Southampton with Independence of the Seas, Disney Cruise Lines and Holland America Line introducing full length cruises out of Dover, further growth for 2010 is guaranteed.

Kate O'Hara, Chair of cruiseBritain confirmed, "It is particularly exciting to witness the growth in the UK, both as a source market and as a destination for visitors. Collectively, the UK can offer such a diverse assortment of themed itineraries and attractions."

Jordan Hewitt of VisitBritain says "VisitBritain are extremely proud to once again be working in conjunction with cruiseBritain to promote Britain as a key destination to cruise liners itineraries across the world. It is important that we highlight the quality destinations that Britain has to offer and encourage cruise liners to not only come to Britain, but also explore Britain. Land-based excursions are a crucial element of many cruises and with not many parts of Britain far from the sea, many local communities can benefit from local ports that are able to accommodate cruise liners."