Devil in the detail for UK cruises

According to figures issued this week by CruiseBritain, a total of 666 cruises will depart from British ports in 2012. Somebody should have a word and get one added to or removed from the list. Don’t they realise it’s the Number of the Beast?
Lucky or not, it represents a 17 per cent increase on last year’s figures, with departures to destinations as far afield as South America, the Caribbean, Baltic, Mediterranean and America.
In addition, the number of round-Britain cruises will increase to more than 100 for the first time, and are up 33 per cent year-on-year. Passengers will be visiting more than 50 ports in Britain in Ireland, including the Isles of Scilly, Kirkwall, Liverpool, Milford Haven and Jersey.
“There are 20 cruise lines scheduled to operate round-Britain cruises,” says Kate O’Hara, Chair of Cruise Britain.
“The increasing appeal of Britain as a cruise destination can be seen both in the rise in cruise numbers and also in the wide variety of cruise lines. Britain’s ports will host some of the world’s largest cruise ships from lines such as Royal Caribbean, mid-size vessels from Crystal and Saga, boutique cruise lines such as Silversea.
“Passengers have more choice than ever before and this reflects the diversity of British attractions and the options that the country offers to cruise lines.”