What I discovered:

• Cruise is booming: globally around 37.3 million people cruised in 2025, with forecasts of 42 million for 2026.
• The UK alone accounts for around 2.5 million cruisers in 2025, rising to about 3 million in 2026.
• Each year, around a third of guests are completely new to cruise, yet once they try it the repeat factor is around 90%. That says a lot.

At Travel Counsellors, we are seeing the same picture:

• +12% growth in mainstream cruise
• +48% in luxury cruise
• +32% in river cruise
• And a huge +86% in expedition cruise

So it is not just about one type of ship any more. It is everything from:

• “Fire & Ice” style escapes: winter snow, Northern Lights and fjords, or year‑round sunshine in the Med and Caribbean.
• Multi‑generational adventures, where grandparents, parents and children travel together.
• Younger couples looking for stylish, relaxed ships and great food.
• Solo travellers, with options like no single supplements on some expedition and river lines.
• Total luxury, with outstanding 5‑star service and itineraries that feel truly once‑in‑a‑lifetime.

One of the biggest myths is that cruise is “just for the older market”. In reality:

• The average age is now early 50s,
• More than 40% of guests sit in this bracket,
• And there is a huge mix onboard: young at heart, families, solos, luxury‑seekers and adventure‑lovers.

From a “young at heart” vibe to ultra‑luxury:

• Bold, contemporary ships with a fun, grown‑up atmosphere.
• River cruises to Christmas markets in atmospheric European cities.
• Expedition ships exploring from pole to pole, inspired by the kind of ultra‑luxury you might have seen with Jane McDonald.
• Superb 5‑star ocean cruises with beautiful suites, refined dining and carefully crafted itineraries.

Looking ahead, around 30 new luxury ships are on order over the next decade, so the choice is only going to get more exciting.

What I can do for you as your local, independent Travel Counsellor:

• Help you decide whether your motivation is the ship experience (spa, dining, entertainment) or the destination and wildlife (fjords, Northern Lights, Japan, Caribbean islands and more).
• Match you to the right style of cruise: mainstream, luxury, river, expedition or small‑ship.
• Look at chartering a small ship for large groups, clubs or special interest trips.
• Add tailor‑made land itineraries around your cruise, so you can extend your holiday with stays in key cities or scenic regions before or after you sail.
• Find options in destinations like Japan, which is growing rapidly for cruising, ideal if you prefer to unpack once rather than move hotels and luggage every few days.

Whether you dream of:

• Snowy peaks and the Northern Lights,
• Summer sun and island‑hopping,
• Cosy river cruising, waking up to a new European city each day and exploring 7 to 10 destinations from one cabin,
• Christmas markets on a small river ship,
• Or an once‑in‑a‑lifetime expedition with incredible wildlife,

I would love to help you explore what is possible.

If you are cruise‑curious, brand new to it, or you have cruised before but fancy something different, send me a message and let us start planning the perfect voyage for you.

Sarah Daniels Travel

01395 874786

sarah.daniels@MyTC.com