Brits have always been passionate about travel, and cruises remain en vogue. In fact, a 2024 report by CLIA noted that last year saw a record number of UK citizens going on cruises.
Cruises to exploration destinations, for instance, have seen a 53% year-on-year passenger increase. Moreover, the average length of cruises has extended, and the median age of passengers has lowered. All of this underscores how mainstream and in-demand cruises continue to be.
Among the many providers that are leading the way in the cruise industry, premium cruise line Explora Journeys is fast becoming a massive favourite in the UK. In a press report shared by the company in September this year, they credited local trade for its ‘phenomenal’ support. In line with this, the UK makes up Explora’s second-largest market, responsible for bringing in up to 20% of all sales. With this statement, it’s no wonder that Explora has also said that a number of their journeys may soon set off from the UK directly.
Explora’s luxury cruising legacy
Because of a rising awareness of the value of slow travel and holistic wellness, the luxury travel sector has been seeing steady growth. Among cruises, Flywire surveys noted that interest in more high-end options rose by 70% in 2023 alone. This is understandable given that luxury cruises such as those by Explora offer all-inclusive and expertly curated experiences that satisfy the aforementioned factors. Across global destinations, these cruises take passengers to a perfect blend of off-the-beaten ports and more popular destinations across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Central America, Eastern Europe, and more. With packages that span at least seven days and can be extended to up to 21, each journey is designed to work at a slower and more immersive pace that lets passengers fully unwind in unparalleled comfort and culture from port to suite and back.
In the past few years, Explora has been steadily making an impact in the UK market. Notably, this includes having its Explora 1 vessel start off its maiden voyage last year from Southampton. The journey was marked not only by this exciting new vessel but also because it featured the very first onboard Rolex store. Called Rolex at Sea, the mono-brand concept is part of Explora’s commitment to creating a fully fleshed-out ecosystem. As such, passengers can take part in designer shopping trips, on top of enjoying posh dining concepts, exclusive thermal spa offerings, and world-class entertainment selections. Aside from this, Explora was also honoured at the Conde Nast UK Readers’ Choice Awards 2024, which further stresses its prominence among local cruise passengers.
What Brit cruise supporters can expect
Given the fact that Brits are a leading market for Explora, it should come as no surprise that there is now talk that northern European journeys may soon operate from the UK. MSC Cruises’ chief executive Pierfrancesco Vago told Travel Weekly magazine that this is part of their mission to provide British travellers with a luxury experience that will not require them to fly.
This is in line with a growing trend among travel and hospitality providers who want to tap and secure more patrons by offering more hassle-free tourism experiences. At the start of the year, low-cost airline easyJet also announced that it would be expanding the flights it was offering out of London Southend. Specifically, this meant that Brits could fly to popular destinations like Geneva nonstop. Similarly, this is also why recent reports state that domestic cruises have been booming. Across the UK, many travellers have shown a rising interest in travel packages that minimise transfers so as to create a more seamless experience.
To date, there is yet to be a formal date regarding when Explora will formally kick off these new itineraries. However, there is evidence that these may be offered starting in 2026 via the Explora III vessel, which will be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG). This is further aligned with travellers’ demands for more sustainability in the industry.
