Signs that the UK cruise holiday market is growing have been highlighted by
Royal Caribbean Cruises, which has decided to base one of its vessels in Palma, Majorca.
In response to demand from the British and Irish market,
Grandeur of the Seas will be based in the destination from the summer of 2011 and holidaymakers can start booking their places from March 2010.
The 2,446-passsnger ship is particularly suitable for families thanks to its award-winning youth programme Adventure Ocean, which is aimed at catering for children and teenagers.
"Growing our itinerary options to offer popular family sunshine destinations as the embarkation point for a cruise will further increase our market share in this sector," explained the firm's general manager Jo Rzymowska.
He added that holidaymakers will be able to enjoy "seven-night or back-to-back 14-night cruise combinations to smaller ports along the French Riviera, Italian coastline and Balearic Islands".
Some 1.65 million UK cruise holidays are expected to take place this year, according to the Passenger Shipping Association.
Written by Chris Smith.
