According to AAA projections, around 19 million Americans are expected to embark on ocean cruises in 2025, marking a 4.5% increase from the previous year. If these predictions hold, 2025 will be the third consecutive year of record passenger volume for the cruise industry. Despite suffering significant losses due to the 2020 pandemic, the industry has bounced back more robustly than other travel sectors, with demand growth outstripping that of hotels in the last two years.
Stacey Barber, AAA Travel's Vice President, attributes the industry's success to the appealing nature of cruise vacations, which offer variety and pre-paid convenience for travelers of all ages.
The cruise industry made an impressive recovery in 2022, returning to 84% of its 2019 passenger volume. This was followed by a further surge in 2023, resulting in a passenger volume nearly 20% above the pre-pandemic baseline. The upward trend is projected to continue, with 2025 expected to surpass 2019's passenger volume by 34%.
Most US cruise passengers, 72% to be precise, are setting sail for the Caribbean, making it the top destination choice. Meanwhile, Alaska and the Mediterranean attract 6% and 5% of cruisers, respectively. The preference for shorter Caribbean cruises is also on the rise, with 18% of itineraries falling within the 2-5 day range in 2025, compared to just 2% in 2023.
Florida boasts the three busiest cruise ports globally: Miami, Port Canaveral, and Fort Lauderdale. These ports are leading in embarkation and debarkation activities. In addition, Miami welcomed the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, last year, and Port Canaveral is set to greet its sister vessel, Star of the Seas, this summer.
AAA Travel also shared some advice for the 19 million Americans expected to cruise this year. These tips include reserving activities in advance, arriving at the port city a day or two before departure, planning out parking arrangements, downloading the cruise line’s app, checking the list of prohibited items before packing, and considering the booking of future cruises while onboard to avail of special promotions.
Tourism Economics, in collaboration with AAA, prepared the 2025 cruise forecast using data from scheduled cruise itineraries, economic outlooks, and travel sector trends.
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