After seeing the turnout for the Cruise show at Birmingham's NEC this weekend, the latest prediction from the Passenger Shipping Association that UK cruise passengers will increase by 8% to a record 1.77 million in 2011 comes as no surprise.
Well before 10am, visitors were queuing to get into the show. When the doors opened, the stampede reminded me of a Harrods sale.
By 11am, All Leisure group, which owns Swan Hellenic, Voyages of Discovery and Hebridean Island Cruises, was sending for fresh brochure supplies. Royal Caribbean brought two staff to the show just to keep the brochure racks full and they were struggling to keep up with demand.
And the queues of people waiting to book on Royal Caribbean's stand had to be seen to be believed. Royal had some great offers and a great day as a result.
Sunday started slower, but it was soon a packed house again. I was in a panel discussion in one of the theatres at 11am and it was standing room only. And it was the same for my presentation about the Galapagos and Alaska in the other theatre at noon.
It was brilliant to see so many of you there and I hope you all found it useful. To those who didn't make it: Bad decision guys. Make a note to attend the London one next March!
You certainly won't be alone given the way cruising is growing in leaps and bounds. The PSA also predicts the number of Brits taking a flycruise in 2011 will top one million for the first time in 2011, while 710,000 will join their ship in a UK port.
Jane Archer
