Cruise Report 2010, the fifth annual study from Carnival UK incorporates this prediction from the CEO of the parent company, Micky Arison. Growth to 1.55 million passengers has been 100 percent over the last 10 years and Arison believes that a wider range of cruise deals and shorter cruises based around the UK ports could spur this growth to 3 million passengers over the next 10 years.
The report also cites consumer research from cruise.co.uk which reveals that one out of four cruisers would rather cut spending elsewhere rather than cut back on their main cruise vacation. The survey of almost 5000 cruise passengers also revealed that one out of every three would rather spend a little less rather than give up the cruise vacation altogether.
Meanwhile, another report, The World Cruise Shipping Industry to 2020, A Detailed Appraisal of Prospects, had been released by the UK-based Ocean Shipping Consultants Ltd.
This report predicts that the number of passengers taking cruises will rise from 13.6 million in 2005 to 27 million in 2020. Of the 2020 figure, North America is expected to account for 64 percent and Europe for another 26 percent.
This report also points out that cruise ships should not actually be considered as ships but as resorts that happen to travel on the water. On-board facilities include everything from shopping to gambling, from rock climbing to waterskiing, and a selection of cuisine that would rival the best restaurants anywhere.
Cruise operators now tend to schedule more and more on-board activity so that cruise ships can provide a complete self-contained holiday.
Because of industry consolidation, the global cruise shipping industry is dominated by three players Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd, both based in Miami, and Star Cruises Limited, which is situated in Hong Kong.
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