Demand for cruise holidays continues to rise The number of holidaymakers choosing a holiday at sea continues to rise, with a record 1.79 million British holidaymakers taking an ocean cruise last year - up five per cent on 2012. An additional 89,000 UK passengers took an ocean cruise in 2013. Director of CLIA UK & Ireland Andy Harmer said the continued popularity of cruising owes much to the choice and diversity of cruise holidays on the market. "Many of CLIA's 63 member cruise lines are revitalising [existing ships] and investing in new ships of varying sizes designed to cater for all ages," he said.