Cruise market increased in 2014. The cruise market is continuing to grow with passenger numbers for all European cruise ship-owners reaching a new record in 2014 of 6.39 million, up 0.5% on 2013, according to the International Association of Cruise Companies. France, the fourth biggest cruise market in Europe, saw the highest growth, 13.7%, and a record high of 593,000 passengers. Germany became the biggest cruise market last year, with passenger numbers of around 1.8 million (5%), beating the United Kingdom, which saw a -4.8% decline (1.6 million), followed by Italy (-3.1%, 842,000 passengers) and Spain (-4.5%, 454,000 passengers). (Isabelle Lamberty)