Leading independent cruise travel agency Planet Cruise has witnessed a significant increase in sales this January, up 30% on the previous year, suggesting 2016 could be a record year for passenger numbers.
Booking data at Planet Cruise shows European cruise holidays received the biggest boost in bookings this January, up a massive 168% on the same time last year, followed by cruise holidays to the Far East, which witnessed an increase of 69%.
Cruise holidays to the ever-popular Caribbean also saw a boost in bookings this January, up 59% on the same time last year.
The cruise travel agency also saw a huge increase in passengers flying out of regional airports across the UK, with Manchester airport witnessing the biggest increase in passenger numbers, up a massive 57%.
Research identified the Middle East as the fastest growing region for cruise holidays, with cruises in the region up 800%. Canada and Alaska also emerged amongst the fastest growing destinations, up 275% and 186% respectively.
Luxury cruise holidays are also proving more popular than ever, with sales of 6* cruises up 200%.
Simone Clark, Managing Director at Planet Cruise comments: "January was an incredible month here at Planet Cruise and our bookings suggest that 2016 is set to be a record year for the cruise industry. European cruises have seen such a huge boost in bookings already and we expect this trend to continue over the coming months as holidaymakers look to experience an alternative to European beach package holidays."
