Europe and the Mediterranean
While the carabbiean has benefitted from the changing pattern of cruising in the aftermach of 9/11, Europe and the Mediterranean are poised to develop exponentially as tensions concerning travel begin to ease. Barcelona in Spain, Palma in Majorca and Venice in Italy lead the rankings list of most visited ports in Southern Europe, reflecting the trend for itineraries to be located more towards the west of the Mediterranean or the Adriatic. Southampton in the UK has emerged asba leading port for the Northern region, being appropriately located to service a diversity of itineraries and, according to Wild and Dearing, the types of facilities to cater effectively for passenger and cruise ship needs.