According to the latest figures released, the total number of British holiday makers taking cruise increased 5 per cent during 2013 compared to the previous year.

The report released by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) showed that a record 1.79 million people in the UK took a cruise in 2013. The reports showed that even as the UK economy faced spending cuts and pressure on households, a additonal 89,000 UK passengers took an ocean cruise in 2013.

The report also showed that passenger figures rose 21 per cent, or more than 300,000 during five years from 2008. Worldwide, the total number of cruise passengers is expected to rise around 2 per cent to around 21.3 million in 2013.

The report also showed that the number of European passengers who took a cruise in 2013 is expected to rise around 4 per cebt to touch6.4 million during the year. Experts have predicted that the number of cruise passengers for 2014 is forecast to be 21.7 million.

The firms in the cruise industry are investing billions of pounds to expand their presence. Firms will launch six ocean cruise ships worth 2.38 billion pounds that will have a capacity of 18,196 passengers.

Andy Harmer, Director of CLIA UK & Ireland, said, "The incredible choice and diversity of a cruise is reflected in the record number of British passengers who took a holiday last year."