Mine was P&O Cruises’ Azura – I had just joined TTG and was lucky enough to be invited to attend its christening in 2010. I’m not sure what I was expecting – my experience of ships up to that point had been limited to the P&O Ferries my family took for holidays in France. But I remember being awestruck when I stepped onboard – marvelling at the atrium; admiring the four swimming pools; wondering at the fact the cabins were so superior they were labelled staterooms – and that they had actual balconies.
Seven years on, I’ve been fortunate to sail with several different lines, and my expectations of cruise have altered. It becomes harder to impress, the more experience someone has, and I’ll admit to wondering just where the cruise sector can go next.
Somehow it manages to overcome this challenge with each new ship launch. This was evidenced by Celebrity Cruises on Monday when it revealed images of its new Edge-class ship. Its distinctly un-shippish interiors by designer Kelly Hoppen, will likely appeal to loyal passengers looking for something different, as well as those who might have never considered cruise.
And there is clearly the appetite for growth in the sector. Figures released by Clia UK and Ireland this week reveal 2016 saw a record 1.9 million British and Irish passengers take an ocean voyage in 2016.
The river sector is similarly buoyant, with 11% more passengers from the UK and Ireland last year, which explains the incredible growth this market has also seen – last week Viking Cruises launched a further two new ships, bringing its fleet to 67, and next weekend Uniworld will launch Joie de Vivre.
It hasn’t been all plain sailing – few cruise bosses can forget 2014, when the number of UK and Ireland passengers slumped 4.8%. But as the sector continues to challenge preconceived ideas about cruising, it will surely continue to have the edge.
Sophie Griffiths
Editor, TTG
