The 10 most popular cruise destinations for Brits revealed - with expensive place in first
The top 10 most popular cruise destinations for Brits have been revealed, with an expensive place taking the top spot.
The top 10 most popular cruise destinations for British tourists have been revealed according to new research by travel experts, with an expensive place taking the top spot.
Travel exports at Seine River Cruises analysed Google data between May 2023 and April 2024 to determine the most popular cruise-related searches by analysing searches for terms, such as ‘cruise to X’ and ‘X cruise holidays’ for different locations. The most popular search terms for countries, cities and routes were combined to create the rankings.
"The demand for cruise holidays from the UK continues to grow, following a significant decline due to the pandemic. Data from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) revealed that British and Irish holidaymakers took approximately 1.7 million cruises in 2022, a remarkable 255% increase from the 479,000 cruises taken in 2021,” said Magdalena Petrusic, a travel expert from Seine River Cruises, adding that the upward trending is expected to continue.
“Cruise holidays have become a favoured vacation choice due to the convenience they provide in exploring multiple cities and countries in a single trip, all while staying in one moving accommodation that also offers its own onboard attractions. This data provides valuable insights into the preferred destinations of British travellers,” she continued.
Barbados earned the first of the top 10 spots, with an average of 1,548 searches a month for cruises going to the Caribbean Island country.
Barbados' beautiful beaches and tropical waters put it on everyone's dream cruise list. Cruises offer a glimpse into the island's culture, food, and beaches.
Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, is a key site to visit, with a rich history that is evident in its architecture and landmarks. One of the must-see attractions is the Garrison, established in the 17th-century and played a crucial role in British colonial history, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2011.
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France is the ninth most common cruise destination for holidaymakers from the UK, recording 2,086 searches a month in Google searches.
In the north, cruise from Paris through Normandy's countryside, enjoying the architecture and rural scenery, including the many beautiful chateaus, or stroll through Monet's Giverny gardens and kayak under the Pont-du-Guard.
In the south, visit France's famous Riviera, where vibrant blue waters meet coastal culture in the famous Côte d'Azur.
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Baltic cruises are the eighth most popular cruise destination from the UK, earning 3,241 searches a month.
History enthusiasts will certainly enjoy the medieval old town in Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, where you’ll find an array of cobbled streets; alternatively, head to St. Peter’s Cathedral in Riga, Latvia, for excellent views of the capital city.
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Spain ranked as the seventh most popular destination, with 3,903 monlthy average searches for cruises.
Spanish cruises allow you to encounter beauty, both natural and man-made. In mainland Spain, stroll through the streets of Barcelona, Valencia and Malaga, or hop over to the Canary Islands of Tenerife and Lanzarote, or the Ibiza and Mallorca of the Balearic Islands.
Sink your teeth into tapas or paella, with churros for dessert.
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Italy ranked as the sixth most popular cruise destination from the UK, with 4,198 average searches looking for cruises.
Embarking on an Italian cruise allows you to explore its vibrant beauty, from its coastlines and beautiful towns like Postiano, to its renowned landmarks in Pisa and Rome, with rich history. Not to mention its delicious cuisine that has placed a true stamp on Western culture.
(Image: Getty)