FEBRUARY CRUISING: The new ships for 2023

Cruising in 2023

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has released results from a new consumer sentiment survey, showing the demand for cruise holidays continues to increase.  With the general increase of ship passenger capacity and some very large craft arriving this year the 2019 figure of 1.99m passengers should be exceeded.

The UK figures reveals that for UK passengers:

91% of respondents who have cruised previously said they intend to take a holiday at sea again, a 14% increase from 2019.

Of those who have never cruised, 72% are open to cruising, a 1% increase from 2019.

Of these two groups, 58% say they will book a cruise in the next two years.

61% of respondents who have cruised previously said they later returned to a destination they had first visited via cruise ship. The Mediterranean and Caribbean are the most re-visited destinations.

Andy Harmer, Managing Director, CLIA UK & Ireland, said: “With the crucial Wave booking period now well under way, 2023 is shaping up to be a very positive year for the cruise industry, so we're thrilled to see this level of interest and demand from holidaymakers. The incredible array of cruise ships, destinations and onboard experiences means there really is something for everyone who is considering a sea getaway.”

The sentiment data is based on an independent, international survey of 4,500 holidaymakers in nine countries: the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the USA, Canada, Australia and Brazil.


What’s new by way of ships in 2023?

There are plenty of cruisers who like to take the maiden voyage of a new ship.  It is a tricky one to book as the first trip often gets delayed and then there is no availability on the new opening voyage.

P&O suffered with Arvia.  It should have been delivered early December 2022, arrived late in the month and finally departed 6 January, making it a 2023 inaugural.  You can be sure sister company Cunard will have all things sorted for the May 2023 introduction and maiden voyage of Queen Anne.

Unlike airlines, cruise operators do not publish load factors.  The guest numbers quoted here is for lower berth capacity.  With children on board the number of passengers actually carried may be as much as 15% higher.

At this stage TNU has not offered maiden voyage start dates, but these are welcome and we will add.  An exception has been made for Cunard with Queen Anne 3 May from Southampton to Lisbon, which has already sold out.

Any corrections welcome to malcolm@ginsberg.co.uk.  This page will be updated.

New cruise ships 2023

Click for the cruise operators' websites

Index/Home page
 

READERS' COMMENT

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 200 words maximum

No one has commented yet, why don't you start the ball rolling?