It seems that now, more than ever, Brits want to sail away this Valentines, according to a UK cruise retailer.

Travel company Cruise118 has had a 150 per cent surge in bookings for cruises departing around 14th February to the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Far and Middle East – a significant increase compared with bookings made in January of last year.

More than half (52 per cent) of those booking holidays said that they chose to get away this Valentines as a unique alternative to the cliché European city break, while just 10 per cent said that they were sailing away as they want to enjoy a little luxury after financial difficulties in the current recession.

People are also heading abroad to avoid over-spending this Valentines day, with over 30 per cent citing a cruise as being a cheaper alternative to a European city break which can rise costs for this annual occasion.

7 per cent of bookings were made as male passengers want to make this Valentines extra special due to planned marriage proposals.

Mal Barritt, director of Cruise118, said:  “We are attributing the recent peak in bookings to holidaymakers feeling depressed about the disappointing weather we’ve had this year, and the results of the survey certainly seem to support this.

“A cruise holiday represents superb value for money, with most of the usual holiday extras such as food, entertainment, sunbeds and sometimes even drinks and ice cream included in the cost. Holiday makers can also choose to sail from UK ports if preferred to cut out the hassle and cost of flights to international ports, so cruises are a great option if you are limited on time.”

Mal added: “After such a tough year, I think people feel they deserve a break and are eager to see some sunshine this Valentines Day.”