LONDON – 29 May, 2026 – British holidaymakers are increasingly choosing to swap airport queues for departures from UK shores, according to new booking data released by award-winning cruise specialist Paramount Cruises.
The London-based cruise company has recorded a 38% year-on-year increase in bookings for no-fly cruises departing from UK ports for the May to September 2026 season, reflecting growing demand for simpler, more convenient holiday experiences.
Southampton, Dover and Liverpool are currently the fastest-growing departure ports across the Paramount Cruises portfolio, with strong demand for itineraries to the Mediterranean, Norwegian fjords, Canary Islands and Northern Europe.
The growth aligns with broader industry indicators. New figures from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) show 2.54 million British and Irish holidaymakers took an ocean cruise in 2025, a record high and up from 2.4 million the previous year, making the UK the second-largest cruise source market in Europe.
Southampton, the country’s busiest cruise port, handled 2.6 million passengers in 2023, according to CLIA UK & Ireland, while major cruise lines have publicly cited surging demand for no-fly UK-departure sailings as a key driver behind continued growth.
Industry trends and booking behaviour point to three major drivers behind the rise in no-fly cruising:
Rising Airfares
Long-haul flight prices from UK airports have continued to rise throughout 2025 and into 2026, putting additional pressure on household travel budgets. In comparison, cruise pricing from UK ports has remained relatively stable, making no-fly holidays increasingly attractive from a value perspective.
Airport Disruption Fatigue
Ongoing airline cancellations, baggage delays, security queues and air traffic control disruption have led many travellers to seek alternatives to the traditional airport experience. Holidaymakers are increasingly prioritising convenience, reliability and a more relaxed start to their trips.
Growing Climate Awareness
A growing number of travellers, particularly those aged over 45, are actively reducing the number of flights they take each year as part of efforts to lower their environmental impact. No-fly cruises offer the opportunity to visit destinations including Spain, Portugal, Norway and the Canary Islands without the need for a long-haul flight.
Patrick Hill, Head of Paramount Cruises, said:
“We’re seeing a genuine shift in how British travellers approach holidays. Rising airfares, airport disruption and growing environmental awareness are all contributing to the surge in demand for no-fly cruising.
Customers increasingly want a more relaxed and straightforward start to their holiday. They want to avoid the stress that often comes with airports while still enjoying world-class destinations and experiences.
What many people are discovering is that you can sail directly from the UK and still enjoy an incredible Mediterranean or Atlantic itinerary. A 12-night cruise from Southampton can take you to Madeira and back with your holiday beginning the moment you step onboard.”
The strongest growth is currently being seen among families travelling during school holidays and adults aged between 50 and 70, two groups that traditionally place a high value on convenience and hassle-free travel.
Having already sent more than 20,000 customers on cruise holidays worldwide, Paramount Cruises believes the no-fly trend is likely to continue as travellers increasingly prioritise ease, value and flexibility when booking holidays.
As an independent, award-winning cruise specialist and proud member of CLIA, Paramount Cruises works with the world’s leading cruise lines and airline partners, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Emirates, to create tailored cruise holidays for UK travellers.*Paramount Cruises booking figure based on internal data, year-on-year comparison May 2025 vs May 2026.
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