Push the boat out for the Sixth National Cruise Week (21 -29 September 2013) with the latest news from the cruise industry and fantastic offers to exciting destinations worldwide

The sixth annual National Cruise Week takes place between 21-29 September. This year the focus is to get 'Britain and Ireland Cruising' by highlighting the great range of destinations and experiences that cruising offers UK consumers both on board and ashore.

The campaign's aim is to encourage more people to consider a cruise holiday for the first time and highlight the range of cruises available from river cruising along the European waterways to ocean cruises that travel to destinations only accessible by sea. 

National Cruise Week is an opportunity for the travel industry to come together to promote the many and special reasons why a cruise is such an ideal holiday and to dispel any myths that may surround cruising. During National Cruise Week individual cruise lines will issue special offers and added value incentives. 

Travel agents nationwide will host afternoon teas to entice those new to cruise to discover the huge choice of destinations, the different styles of holiday and types of ships, as well as experiences on board and on shore.

The number of holidaymakers who take a cruise holiday continues to grow with more than 1.7 million Brits taking a cruise last year.  The popularity of a cruise holiday lies in the  exciting itineraries, experiences and destinations available from members of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) which has  60 cruise line members.

Andy Harmer, CLIA UK and Ireland director, said: "This year we will celebrate the sixth National Cruise Week, an event that has gone from strength to strength  thanks to the terrific support of travel agents and our cruise line members.  More people than ever choose to cruise because of the incredible range of cruises available, the fabulous destinations, some of which are only accessible by sea, and the wonderful value added experiences that I don't believe are available from any other type of holiday. All-in-all, young or old, solo or family, there is a cruise to suit everyone's taste and everyone's pocket."

Three Cruise Shows are also taking place in Manchester (7 & 8 September), Birmingham (21 & 22 September) and Glasgow (5 & 6 October) where visitors are able to meet cruise lines and discover inspirational travel ideas.

The Discover Cruises website www.discovercruises.co.uk is the home for everything cruise, whether it's for a family travelling for the first time, a couple looking for adventure, or a solo traveller in need of a relaxing spa break - all of which can be classed as a great journey.  Offering luxury, deluxe, river and specialist collections, Discover Cruises gives visitors access to the latest information on destinations, what's new on-board and a range of exciting and innovative excursions and activities.

For further information about the Cruise Shows visit http://www.cruisingshow.com/

About CLIA

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry trade association with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA represents the interests of cruise lines, travel agents, port authorities and destinations, and various industry business partners before regulatory and legislative policy makers.

For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit www.cruiseexperts.org. CLIA can also be followed on the Cruise Lines International Association's Facebook and Twitter fan pages.

For further information:

Charlie Hampton, Rupa Tailor and Oli Claydon

Bell Pottinger on behalf of CLIA

Tel:    +44 (0)20 7861 2431/2447/2446

E-mail:  clia@bell-pottinger.co.uk