CLIA UK & Ireland is expecting to confirm more than two million British travellers took a cruise last year for the first time.

The news comes as positive figures from the key 2018 summer travelling period are released, revealing a 2.1 per cent rise on the same period in 2017.

The total number of cruises taken between January and September rose to 1,338,000 in 2018 from 1,310,000 in the same period the prior year.

Full-year figures for 2018 will be announced in the spring.

This, coupled with indications that the all-important post-Christmas sales period is showing strong demand from cruise customers, puts the UK cruise industry in a strong position for the beginning of 2019, despite continuing political uncertainties surrounding Brexit.

However, with regards to travel arrangements taking place after March 29th, the UK government and ABTA have both issued official guidance on passenger travel to the EU by air, rail or sea after Brexit, especially if there is no Brexit deal.

From March 29th, if there is no EU Exit deal, cruise operations will continue on the same basis as today, CLIA said.

Andy Harmer, CLIA UK & Ireland director, said: “We welcome this advice and hopes it reassures UK and EU citizens planning a cruise holiday.

“We would also advise that all UK travellers check the expiry date of their passport when booking travel arrangements, and ensure that there is at least six months’ validity at time of travel.”