New Report Reveals Who’s Cruising And Where They’re Going
More vacationers are choosing to cruise for the first time, expedition voyages are growing by leaps and bounds, and luxury ships are in huge demand.
These are just a few of the key findings revealed in the 2025 State of the Cruise Industry Report published by the world’s leading cruise trade organization.
Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) report reflects only good news for the industry, which in 2025 will lure a record 37.7 million people onto cruise ships.
The record-breaking will continue in subsequent years, with predictions of 39.6 million in 2026, 40.9 million in 2027, and 41.9 million in 2028.
The resiliency of the cruise industry since the end of the pandemic is a major global economic driver, delivering $168 billion to destinations and supporting 1.6 million related jobs.
“CLIA’s 2025 State of the Cruise Industry report shows that cruising continues to be one of the most dynamic and resilient sectors in tourism, growing in line with strong demand for cruise holidays, particularly among younger generations and new-to-cruise travelers,” said Bud Darr, president and CEO of CLIA.
Along with revenue coming directly from cruise lines, global destinations benefit further thanks to passenger spending. The CLIA report found that 69% of cruisers book at least one hotel night in connection with their cruise vacation, and that 6 in 10 cruise guests return to a destination they first encountered on a cruise.
Let’s dive into some of the numbers that show where cruising is now and where it’s headed.
First-time cruisers are on the rise. Thirty-one percent of cruisers in 2024 were experiencing their first vacation at sea. The number reflects an increase from 27% in 2023 and from 24% in pre-pandemic 2019.
The 2025 report also has shown that cruising is no longer an older person’s vacation. The average age of a cruiser is 46, and overall, the age demographic is split roughly 50-50 between cruisers under age 50 and those over age 50.
But it’s the younger generations that appear to be the key to continued growth in the next few years. According to the report, 84% of Generation X cruise guests, meaning those aged 45 to 60, are likely to cruise again.
Millennials, those 29 to 44 years old, are just 1 percentage point behind, at 83%. Among Boomer cruisers, those between 61 and 79, a slightly lower 81% are likely to cruise again.
The Caribbean is Still the Top Choice, Followed by the Mediterranean
Where are vacationers cruising? CLIA found that passengers sailing on Caribbean cruises increased by 17% in 2024, compared to 2023, while those on Mediterranean cruises rose by 5.8%.
Read Also: How to Save Money on a Cruise: Cash-Savvy Spending Tips
Alaska saw a respectable 3.8% hike in cruise arrivals, but the locations that saw the highest growth were the most remote places on earth — the so-called Exploration destinations of the Antarctic, Arctic, Galapagos, Greenland, Iceland, and North Cape.
Cruise passenger arrivals to those areas rose by 21.6%, making expedition cruises the fastest-growing segment.
Another segment showing remarkable growth is the luxury sector. In 2010, the industry had just 28 luxury ships operating, but in 2024, the number was 97.
The report also points out the idea that vacations at sea can be habit-forming. High satisfaction ratings by cruise guests prompt 25% of repeat cruisers to sail two or more times every year.
Fourteen percent will cruise twice a year, and 11% will choose to cruise three to five times each year. Eleven percent might not sound like a lot, but it boils down to a hefty 4 million cruisers out of the total 37.7 million who will cruise in 2025.
Niche market demographics cited in the report show that multi-generational travel plays a big role in the cruise industry, as 28% of cruisers are sailing in a group with individuals representing three or more generations.