Guernsey Ports reported that the 2024 cruise season saw an unusually high number of cancellations, with 19 scheduled visits canceled between April and October due to adverse weather conditions. This figure represented ~20% of the planned schedule, which the operations manager, Mark Renouf, noted was double the cancellations anticipated.
Renouf acknowledged that weather-related disruptions are an inherent challenge for certain cruise destinations worldwide, and Guernsey is no exception. He also highlighted that the upcoming 2025 cruise season will see a reduced schedule, with 64 ships expected, 10 fewer than the previous year. He attributed this reduction to lingering effects from the COVID pandemic, explaining that cruise bookings operate on a 2- to 3-year cycle and that 2025 marks the final year reflecting the downturn caused by the crisis.
Looking ahead, Renouf expressed optimism, noting that bookings for future years indicate a significant recovery, with an increase in scheduled ship visits. He acknowledged the economic impact of cancellations and reduced numbers on the island’s tourism industry, referencing data showing an average spend of GBP 83 per passenger coming ashore. With ~37,000 cruise passengers visiting Guernsey in 2024, this contributed an estimated GBP 3.1 million to the local economy. Renouf emphasized that the projected growth in cruise traffic would further boost the island’s revenue in the coming years.