As Plymouth gets ready for cruise season 2025, Westward Shipping News has investigated some of the evolving global trends and changes that are attracting cruise line operators to the South West.
The British cruise sector has emerged from the early 2020s and the Covid lockdowns into a very competitive marketplace, especially the tour offerings by seaside towns to attract international cruise liner visitors.
Stretching some 300 miles, England’s south coast is officially the sunniest part of the United Kingdom.
Luxury cruising and boutique cruise ships look set to be the big boom for cruise travellers in 2025.
A huge draw for affluent travellers is exclusive and inclusive experiences on luxury liners, with culinary food, in-suite accommodations, and services.
Plymouth is gaining an international reputation for its meet and greet by volunteer cruise representatives, and a coordinated cruise partnership by the city to welcome global cruise liner operators.
The dramatic beauty of the Sound and Plymouth’s unique hub in offering visitors the opportunity to explore day tours to Dartmoor and other parts of Devon & Cornwall is a major plus.
Our live webcam images attract many followers from across the globe—especially when the big liners drop anchor near the Plymouth Breakwater, or sailing inbound across the Hoe into Millbay Docks (ABP).
Some of the biggest trends are environmental sustainability, with onboard and onshore services, for a green cruising experience for passengers.
With many coastal communities in the Mediterranean complaining about cruise liner tourism, now is a real opportunity for the South West to promote eco-focused destinations like Plymouth and its National Marine Park, the UK’s first National Marine Park.
Niche cruises are becoming very popular with cruise liner operators, giving passengers greater control over their journeys and focusing on health and well-being offerings.
Since the Covid lockdowns, the cruise industry has seen the rise of a new trend entitled ‘Bleisure,’ where passengers combine business with pleasure.
With high-speed global internet, dedicated business lounges onboard vessels allow guests to work while travelling.
Tailor-made experiences, eco-friendly travel, new and bigger green ships, and an even bigger selection of British coastal towns: 2025 looks set to be a great year for shipping watchers and enthusiasts, and more importantly, cruise passengers visiting Plymouth and the South West region.
Meanwhile, Falmouth is expecting a bumper year of 50 cruise ship visitors in 2025.
The huge 100,000-tons vessel the Niels Statendam, will mark the start of the town’s successful cruise season on the 16th of April, and then the 142,000 tons Regal Princess from Port Lauderdale will arrive on the 19th of April.
The Isles of Scilly is a very popular cruise destination for smaller cruise ships that anchor off St. Mary’s with tenders taking passengers around the islands.
The historic town of Fowey has 13 ships scheduled that attract a niche market of expedition ships that favour quieter ports for their discerning passengers to enjoy local fauna and flora.
Expedition ships Le Boreal, SD Diana, NG Explorer, and Oceanic will be making calls.
For all the latest live streaming across Plymouth Sound, it can be viewed on our web portal: www.westwardshippingnews.com
