Cruise bookings have continued at pace in 2025 despite a slight dip in April due to US president Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on international imports
Cruise Trade News spoke to several travel agents from across the UK to gauge the performance of the market so far this year. Edwina Lonsdale, owner of Mundy Cruising, reported a lull in business in April but has still seen an 10 per cent uptick in year-on-year revenue.
“There was a slight pause in April, following the Trump tariff announcements, which reflected a cautiousness around the state of the markets,” Lonsdale said. “Once the markets stabilised, bookings resumed. What we think we are seeing is a determination to complete travel wish lists whilst it is still possible, in these turbulent times.”
Lonsdale also reported an increase in demand for expedition cruises, aligning with Emma Otter from Travel Counsellors, who believes consumers are becoming “more adventurous”.
“Luxury and ultra luxury are also selling well at the moment, and sales are already exceeding last year, Travel Counsellors reported an increase of 45 per cent for cruise last week based on the year before,” Otter said.
“Cruise customers love to plan ahead, so we are seeing advance bookings for 2027 with a genuine appetite for securing the best cabins and cruise price ahead.”
Oasis Travel executive director Sandra Corkin echoed Otter, noting a rise in luxury bookings from first-time cruisers. “We have noticed an increase overall in cruise sales with the biggest growth in the luxury and river cruise sector.
“We expect this to continue, clients have not mentioned UK costs and overall business is up year on year,” Corkin said.
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Lonsdale added: “The growth of luxury inventory, particularly with hotel groups joining the market, is bringing in new guests, often planning their first ever cruise.”
Meanwhile, Shona Thorne, director of Thorne Travel, noted a shift in customers’ priority. “The only trend we can see is that customers are not following any normal pattern, and the trend seems to be cost, then destination, then ship which is not normal,” she explained.
“I do think our family market customers are still looking at all options just now with costs, and our older customers are worried with the stock market.”
The family market, according to Thorne, seems to be booking last minute offers. Otter projected that last minute offers would become popular in the near future.
As for the older market, Thorne reported an increase in interest for river cruising. Corkin also noticed a rise in river sales, and she expects this to continue.