ISSUE 351 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025


WIN


Page 51


See www.nitravelnews.com


THE RISE OF CRUISE


BY KIRSTY JOHNSTON Kirsty@nitravelnews.com


THE cruise industry is experiencing a significant transformation.


Across


Europe, ports are rolling out new policies and regulations to limit the number and size of cruise ships that can dock as well as implementing tourist taxes or fees to help fund sustainability efforts. The cruise industry has gone from strength-to-strength over the past few years, with more people than ever choosing it as their preferred holiday option. In Northern Ireland,


holidays have become a popular choice easy


for access ports,


travellers. to


cruise With


international


competitive pricing, and the promise of luxury and convenience,


it’s clear why


more people are choosing to set sail.


“The cruise sector is booming,”


says Claire


EXCLUSIVE: How are cruise ship restrictions, daily cruise limits, and tourist fees reshaping the cruise industry? We ask local travel agents for their views


Mulligan, General Manager at Clubworld Travel Portadown. “We’re seeing strong growth in the ‘new to cruise’ market, particularly among families and Gen Z travellers. Additional costs such as city and port taxes haven’t slowed demand, as travellers are now familiar with these charges at destinations worldwide.”


This shift can be seen UK- wide, but is more pronounced


in Northern Ireland, where


holidaymakers would typically have opted for a fly-and-flop package compared to the rest of the UK. This was largely due to the cost-effectiveness of a package holiday with all- inclusive deals being the most popular option.


Admist this rising trend towards cruising, a growing number of European ports have introduced new restrictions


and regulations, limiting the number and size of cruise ships that can dock and charging additional tourist taxes or fees. This move is a response to overcrowding,


environmental


concerns, and the pressure of over-tourism on local communities, but this doesn’t seem to be diminishing the rising popularity of a cruise holiday.


Continued on Pg. 3...


An unforgettable 7-night european river cruise


UK & Ireland £1/€1


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80