Since 2008, the continental cruise industry has grown by 49%.
 
In 2015 as many as 123 cruise ships from 39 cruise lines operated in European waters carrying a total of 6.6 million passengers (+3% from previous year).
European ports saw a 4.5% increase in the number of European passenger embarkations, bringing the total to 6.12 million European passengers.
 
European cruise travellers account for 28.4% of global passengers (23.19 million in 2015).
 
Germany and UK both provide 27% each (altogether being about 55%), followed by Italy with 12.3%, France with 9,3%t and Spain with 7%; left 19% is shared between the rest of Europe.
 
Leading markets by country of embarkation are Italy with 32.7%, followed by Spain 20.9%, UK 17.3%, Germany 9.6%, France 5.1%, Greece and Denmark over 3%.
 
As more cruiseships are expected to be delivered to European operators, the cruise vacation market will continue to expand; Europe’s shipyards have 48 orders to be delivered by 2019 and 75 by 2026.
 
The cruise industry provides a significant boost to local economies: in 2015 almost €41 billion output (+2%); direct industry spending in Europe was €16.89 billion.
 
The industry employed 360,000 people (either directly or related businesses), i.e. 11,000 more than in 2014, being key contributor to the European economy by generating real jobs and wages.
 
© Shippax / Angela Scorzo