The data's in: cruising is hotter than ever - here's what's changed
A record 34.6 million people took an ocean cruise last year.
Every year, I wait for the cruise industry's annual report to slide into my inbox. Statistics float my boat, and prove my points, so let's dive into the latest numbers.
The average age of a cruiser has dropped to 46, and most (67 per cent) are Generation X or younger. Great, I'm now older than the average cruise passenger, which I will not be mentioning in my Tinder profile (if I had one).
Worldwide, a record 34.6 million people took an ocean cruise last year, a 9.3 per cent increase over 2023. About 38 million are expected to set sail this year, and 42 million by 2028. First-timers are boosting these numbers: one in three cruisers were new.
Cruises also continue to be the go-to holiday for extended families. More than a quarter of passengers are cruising with three to five generations in tow.
And it's a growing choice for solo travellers, up from 6 per cent to 12 per cent of cruisers in one year.
Americans are doing the heavy lifting, with 43 per cent of the world's passengers sailing to the Caribbean in 2024 (almost 15 million people). The next most popular destination was the Mediterranean (5.7 million people). Expedition cruising has exploded. From 2023 to 2024, the number of guests on these adventures increased by 22 per cent. Not bad considering the first purpose-built expedition vessel was launched just 10 years ago. Today, about 40 ships are specifically built for exploration.
According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which compiled the report, 310 ocean-going ships are currently in service. This doesn't include the cruise lines that are not CLIA members, such as Viking, or river-cruise vessels.
Another 56 ships are due to be launched over the next decade. Not every new ship is a monster; 70 per cent are classified as small or medium-sized.
Despite this global boom, the surprising fact is cruise ships represent less than one per cent of the world's commercial maritime fleet, and cruise passengers represent only 2.7 per cent of tourism worldwide.
Meanwhile, the industry is going green, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. There are 33 ports with at least one berth equipped to provide shoreside electricity, allowing ships to switch off engines and plug into the onshore power supply. A further 24 have been funded and 18 are planned.
Congratulations, cruisers, we are officially on the cutting edge of travel, sustainability and family bonding.
Trend Watch: Word of mouth wins
Word of mouth, from the people who know you best, has the highest influence on our decision to cruise. According to the CLIA Sentiment Survey conducted over the past two years, 87 per cent of people were significantly influenced by their family and friends. This was higher than any other factor, including news coverage and social media influencers. Travel agents were the second most influential and celebrities had the least impact. Everyone knows someone who has been on a cruise, so reach out to them if you're unsure which trip to choose.
My all-time favourite destination is … Antarctica, but three times is greedy.
Next on my bucket list is … Africa, Maldives, Philippines, Cuba, NZ subantarctic islands, Iceland, Greenland, and three months on a round-the-world cruise.
My top travel tip is … If you're turned off by the stereotype of big ships, start with your dream destination and book the smallest ship you can afford - preferably all-inclusive, so you can fully relax and enjoy.
Travel's Top Picks
Travel's Most Viewed
Bypass the international terminal: how to see the world without leaving Australia
I tried the viral sudoku packing hack - and it's changed the way I travel
In a country of overtourism, this treasure is yet to be discovered
I visited Europe's hottest new destination most Australians haven't seen - yet
In a highly competitive field, who is the most annoying traveller?
