The Seattle Times concludes the cruise sector is facing rougher seas after a Cruise Lines International Association report showed the number of North Americans cruising last year grew by just 1%.
The CLIA says 12.6 million people took cruises worldwide last year, 4.7% more than the previous year, and that in the first half of this year numbers grew 5.8%.
But the 2007 CLIA Economic Study also says North Americans contributed just 1% of that growth as economic woes - falling house prices, rising unemployment and reduced airline capacity - made many think twice about a cruise holiday.
The report notes that in 1995, around 11% of passengers on CLIA members cruises came from outside North America. This year to date, overseas passengers represent more than 20% of cruise passengers.
Jane Archer
