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New Ocean of Opportunities publication highlights the global cruise workforce and the growth of careers in cruising.

WASHINGTON – Cruise Lines International Association ( CLIA ), the leading voice of the global cruise community, has released its annual State of the Cruise Industry report and a new publication, An Ocean of Opportunities workforce skills report.

The annual state of the industry report includes the release of 2023 passenger volume, which reached 31.7 million- surpassing 2019 by 7%. The report also shows continued demand for cruise holidays, noting intent to cruise at 82%. The forecast for cruise capacity shows an increase of 10% from 2024 through 2028, as cruise lines make ongoing, concrete progress in pursuit of net-zero emissions by 2050.

“Cruise continues to be one of the fastest-growing and most resilient sectors of tourism – rebounding faster than international tourist arrivals – and a strong contributor to local and national economies. In 2022, cruise tourism cruise generated 90% of economic impact compared to 2019, despite passenger volumes that year at 70% of 2019 levels. Over the past 50 years, cruise tourism has demonstrated its leadership in managed tourism and is an industry that has plenty of room for continued responsible growth given cruise travel comprises just 2% of overall travel and tourism,” said Kelly Craighead , president and CEO of CLIA. “The industry also continues to lead the way in environmental sustainability and destination stewardship, with cruise lines making advancements in technology, infrastructure and operations, and in green skills training for crew. ”

Highlights from CLIA’s 2024 State of the Industry report include: Cruise is Thriving:

• Cruise tourism reached 107% of 2019 levels in 2023, with 31.7 million passengers sailing – almost two million more than 2019.
• 2024 is forecast to see 35.7 cruise passengers sailing.
• Intent to cruise is 6% higher than 2019, with Millennials being the most enthusiastic cruise travelers of the future.
• Global cruise capacity is forecast to grow from 677K lower berths in 2024 to 745K lower berths in 2028.
• Each year, the fleet becomes more efficient, as cruise lines invest in propulsion technologies with conversion capabilities for future alternative fuels and utilize a range of technologies and innovations to advance their sustainability initiatives.

2022 Global Economic Impact. In 2022, cruise generated:

• $138 billion to the global economy
• 1.2 million jobs – up 4% compared to 2019
• $43 billion in wages
• 63% of those who have taken a cruise say that they have returned to a destination that they first visited via cruise ship for a longer stay, extending the economic impact.

For 2023, the economic impact is forecast to be even greater given the 50% increase in the number of passengers sailing in 2023 compared to 2022.

Trends in Cruise:

• The number of new-to-cruise is increasing – 27% of cruisers over the past two years are new- to-cruise, an increase of 12% over the past year.
• Cruises are a top choice for multi-generational travel – with more than 30% of families traveling by cruise with at least two generations and 28% of cruise travelers traveling with three to five generations.
• Expedition and exploration are the fastest-growing sectors of cruise tourism, with a 71% increase in passengers traveling on expedition itineraries from 2019 to 2023. • Accessible tour excursions are on the rise – with 45% of cruise passengers booking an accessible tour for their most recent cruise.
• 73% of cruise travelers say that travel advisors have a meaningful influence on their decision to cruise.

“Cruise is the best vacation value there is, with incredible guest experiences delivered by a talented and dedicated multinational workforce of nearly 300,000 seafarers. To highlight the tremendous employment opportunities that cruise tourism supports around the world, CLIA has published a new skills and workforce publication, Oceans of Opportunity. With at least 56 new ships coming online between 2024 and 2028, there are vast opportunities for careers in cruise, which boasts an impressive employee retention rate upwards of 80%,” said Craighead.

Highlights from CLIA’s An Ocean of Opportunities workforce report include:

• In 2024, cruise lines will employ a multinational workforce of nearly 300,000 seafarers representing more than 150 countries, as well as tens of thousands of employees on land.
• 94% of women seafarers work in the cruise industry.
• Around 40% of senior leadership roles at cruise companies are held by women.
• Among current and future workforce needs are green skills.

Vicky Karantzavelou

Vicky  is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the  Editor-in Chief . She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.

She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.

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• Vicky Karantzavelou https://www.traveldailynews.com/author/vicky-karantzavelou/ Bert Hernandez named Brand President of Silversea
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2024 state of the cruise industry report shows cruise tourism has surpassed historical levels, demonstrates its significant economic contribution and leadership in environmental sustainability and responsible tourism.

New  Oceans of Opportunities  publication highlights the global cruise workforce and the growth of careers in cruising.

WASHINGTON , April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading voice of the global cruise community, has released its annual State of the Cruise Industry report and a new publication,  Oceans of Opportunities workforce skills report.

The annual state of the industry report includes the release of 2023 passenger volume, which reached 31.7 million— surpassing 2019 by 7%. The report also shows continued demand for cruise holidays, noting intent to cruise at 82%. The forecast for cruise capacity shows an increase of 10% from 2024 through 2028, as cruise lines make ongoing, concrete progress in pursuit of net- zero emissions by 2050.

"Cruise continues to be one of the fastest-growing and most resilient sectors of tourism— rebounding faster than international tourist arrivals—and a strong contributor to local and national economies. In 2022, cruise tourism cruise generated 90% of economic impact compared to 2019, despite passenger volumes that year at 70% of 2019 levels. Over the past 50 years, cruise tourism has demonstrated its leadership in managed tourism and is an industry that has plenty of room for continued responsible growth given cruise travel comprises just 2% of overall travel and tourism," said Kelly Craighead , president and CEO of CLIA. "The industry also continues to lead the way in environmental sustainability and destination stewardship, with cruise lines making advancements in technology, infrastructure and operations, and in green skills training for crew."

Highlights from CLIA's 2024 State of the Industry report include:

Cruise is Thriving:

Cruise tourism reached 107% of 2019 levels in 2023, with 31.7 million passengers sailing – almost two million more than 2019.

2024 is forecast to see 35.7 cruise passengers sailing.

Intent to cruise is 6% higher than 2019, with Millennials being the most enthusiastic cruise travelers of the future.

Global cruise capacity is forecast to grow from 677K lower berths in 2024 to 745K lower berths in 2028.

Each year, the fleet becomes more efficient, as cruise lines invest in propulsion technologies with conversion capabilities for future alternative fuels and utilize a range of technologies and innovations to advance their sustainability initiatives.

2022 Global Economic Impact . In 2022, cruise generated:

$138 billion to the global economy

1.2 million jobs – up 4% compared to 2019.

$43 billion in wages

63% of those who have taken a cruise say that they have returned to a destination that they first visited via cruise ship for a longer stay, extending the economic impact.

For 2023, the economic impact is forecast to be even greater given the 50% increase in the number of passengers sailing in 2023 compared to 2022.

Trends in Cruise:

The number of new-to-cruise is increasing – 27% of cruisers over the past two years are new-to-cruise, an increase of 12% over the past year.

Cruises are a top choice for multi-generational travel – with more than 30% of families traveling by cruise with at least two generations and 28% of cruise travelers traveling with three to five generations.

Expedition and exploration are the fastest-growing sectors of cruise tourism, with a 71% increase in passengers traveling on expedition itineraries from 2019 to 2023.

Accessible tour excursions are on the rise—with 45% of cruise passengers booking an accessible tour for their most recent cruise.

73% of cruise travelers say that travel advisors have a meaningful influence on their decision to cruise.

"Cruise is the best vacation value there is, with incredible guest experiences delivered by a talented and dedicated multinational workforce of nearly 300,000 seafarers. To highlight the tremendous employment opportunities that cruise tourism supports around the world, CLIA has published a new skills and workforce publication, Oceans of Opportunity . With at least 56 new ships coming online between 2024 and 2028, there are vast opportunities for careers in cruise, which boasts an impressive employee retention rate upwards of 80%," said Craighead.

Highlights from CLIA's  Oceans of Opportunities  workforce report include:

In 2024, cruise lines will employ a multinational workforce of nearly 300,000 seafarers representing more than 150 countries, as well as tens of thousands of employees on land.

94% of women seafarers work in the cruise industry.

Around 40% of senior leadership roles at cruise companies are held by women.

Among current and future workforce needs are green skills.

To view the full  2024 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook  report, see here . To view the full Oceans of Opportunities publication, see here .

About the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)

CLIA is the world's largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice for the industry as the leading authority of the global cruise community. On behalf of its members, affiliates and partners, the organization supports policies and practices that foster a secure, healthy, and sustainable cruise ship environment, promoting positive travel experiences for millions of travelers who cruise annually. This year, CLIA forecasts that annual the number of passengers will reach 34.7 million passengers. The CLIA community includes the world's most prestigious ocean, river, and specialty cruise lines; a widespread network of stakeholders, including ports and destinations, ship development, suppliers, and business services; and a highly trained and certified travel agent members that represent the largest network of travel professionals specializing in cruise travel. The organization's global headquarters are in Washington, DC , with regional offices located in North and South America , Europe , and Australasia.

For more information, please visit  cruising.org  or follow us on  Facebook , Instagram,  Twitter , and  YouTube  with our handle @CLIAGlobal—or on LinkedIn .

View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2024-state-of-the-cruise-industry-report-shows-cruise-tourism-has-surpassed-historical-levels-demonstrates-its-significant-economic-contribution-and-leadership-in-environmental-sustainability-and-responsible-tourism-302111983.html

SOURCE CRUISE LINES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION

• Cruise News

2022 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook Report Released

Sarah Bretz, Contributor

• January 28, 2022

Industry trade association Cruise Lines International Association has released its 2022 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook report, which charts a number of areas in which the industry has evolved over the past few years.

Highlights of the report include:

2020 Global Economic Impact

When compared to 2019, the 2020 economic data illustrates the impact of the pandemic on the wider cruise community, and underscores the importance of cruise tourism to economies around the world.

In 2020, 5.8 million people took a cruise, which was 81 percent fewer than the 29.7 million in 2019. There were 576,000 cruise-supported jobs, down 51 percent from 2019.

Resumption Progress

Health and safety protocols are aiding with the resumption of cruising around the world, and over 75 percent of CLIA’s oceangoing member cruise lines’ capacity has returned to service. Nearly 100 percent is projected to be in operation by August 2022.

MORE: 18 New Cruise Ships Debuting in 2022

Cruise Tourist Value

Every 24 cruisers create one full-time equivalent job. Cruisers spend an average of $750 per person in port cities over the course of a typical seven-night cruise, and 6 in 10 people say they’ve returned to a destination that they first experienced via cruise ship.

A Cleaner Future

By 2027, the CLIA oceangoing cruise line member fleet will reflect significant advancements in the industry’s pursuit of a cleaner, more efficient future. There will be 26 liquefied natural gas-powered cruise ships, and 174 vessels with shoreside power connectivity. 81 percent of the global capacity will be fitted with Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems.

Class of 2022

This year, CLIA oceangoing member lines are scheduled to debut 16 new cruise ships, including five liquefied natural gas-powered vessels and nine expedition ships. All 16 will be 100 percent equipped with Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems.

Kelly Craighead, President and CEO of CLIA, said “The 2022 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook report provides an opportunity to reflect on how far our industry has come as CLIA ocean-going cruise lines have welcomed more than six million guests onboard since resuming operations in July 2020. While our focus on health and safety remains absolute, our industry is also leading the way in environmental sustainability and destination stewardship.”

You can read the full report here.

READ NEXT: 7 Cruise Trends You’ll See in 2022

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The Cruise Industry Stages a Comeback

After watching thousands of passengers get ill and more than a year of devastating financial losses, the global cruise industry is coming back to life. And it says it knows how to deal with the coronavirus.

By Ceylan Yeginsu and Niraj Chokshi

Nothing quite demonstrated the horrors of the coronavirus contagion in the early stages of the pandemic like the major outbreaks onboard cruise ships , when vacation selfies and videos abruptly turned into grim journals of endless days spent confined to cabins as the virus raged through the behemoth vessels, eventually infecting thousands of people, and killing more than 100.

Passengers on the Diamond Princess and Grand Princess, two of the worst-hit ships, were forced to quarantine inside their small staterooms — some without windows — as infections on board spiraled out of control. Every day anxiety and fear mounted as the captains of the ships announced new cases, which continued to spread rapidly through ventilation systems and among crew members, who slept in shared quarters and worked tirelessly throughout the day to deliver food to guests.

At the time, it was difficult to imagine how the ships, which carry millions of passengers around the world each year, would be able to sail safely again. Even after the vaccination rollout gained momentum in the United States in April, allowing most travel sectors to restart operations, cruise ships remained docked in ports, costing the industry billions of dollars in losses each month.

Together, Carnival , the world’s largest cruise company, and the two other biggest cruise operators, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line , lost nearly $900 million each month during the pandemic, according to Moody’s, the credit rating agency. The industry carried 80 percent fewer passengers last year compared to 2019, according to the Cruise Lines International Association, a trade group. Third-quarter revenues for Carnival showed a year-to-year decline of 99.5 percent — to $31 million in 2020, down from $6.5 billion in 2019.

And yet in June, Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive of Royal Caribbean Cruises, was beaming with excitement as he sat sipping his morning coffee onboard Celebrity Edge, which became the first major cruise ship to restart U.S. operations, with a sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “At the beginning we didn’t have testing capabilities, treatments, vaccines or a real understanding of how the virus spread, so we were forced to shut down because we didn’t know how to prevent it,” he said.

Several epidemiologists questioned whether cruise ships, with their high capacities, close quarters and forced physical proximity, could restart during the pandemic, or whether they would be able to win back the trust of travelers traumatized from the initial outbreaks.

Now, said Mr. Fain, the opposite has proved true. “The ship environment is no longer a disadvantage, it’s an advantage because unlike anywhere else, we are able to control our environment, which eliminates the risks of a big outbreak.”

Cruise companies restarted operations in Europe and Asia late last year, and, after months of preparations to meet stringent health and safety guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cruise lines have started to welcome back passengers for U.S. sailings, where demand is outweighing supply, with many itineraries fully booked throughout the summer.

Carnival said bookings for upcoming cruises soared by 45 percent during March, April and May as compared to the three previous months, while Royal Caribbean recently announced that all sailings from Florida in July and August are fully booked.

Several coronavirus cases have been identified on cruise ships since U.S. operations restarted in June, including six passengers who tested positive on Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas recently, testing the cruise lines’ new Covid-19 protocols, which include isolating, contact tracing and testing passengers to prevent the virus from spreading. Most ships were able to complete their itineraries without issues, but American Cruise Lines, a small ship company, cut short an Alaska sailing earlier this month after three people tested positive for the virus.

The industry’s turnaround is far from guaranteed. The highly contagious Delta variant, which is causing surges of the virus around the world, could stymie the industry’s recovery, especially if large outbreaks occur on board. But analysts are generally optimistic about its prospects and the potential for passenger numbers to recover to prepandemic levels, perhaps as soon as next year. That optimism is fueled by what may be the industry’s best asset: an unshakably loyal customer base.

Even during the pandemic, huge numbers of people who had booked opted against taking refunds , instead converting payments already made into credit for future travel, which the companies often offered at a higher value as an incentive. Last fall, Carnival reported that about 45 percent of customers with canceled trips had opted for credit instead of cash back. About half of customers in a similar position with Royal Caribbean Cruises did the same by the end of last year, the company said at the time.

“The demand is there,” said Jaime Katz, an analyst with Morningstar. “You know that there have been 15 months of people who have had cruises booked that have been canceled.”

No U.S. bailout for the cruise companies

By April 2020, the industry was in crisis. Cruises were halted around the world after the alarming outbreaks on ships, leading to sailing bans from the C.D.C. and other global authorities.

While they employ many Americans, the major cruise companies are all incorporated abroad and were ultimately left out of the $2 trillion federal stimulus known as the CARES Act, with lawmakers chafing at the prospect of bailing out foreign corporations largely exempt from income taxes. Environmentalists lobbied against the aid, citing the industry’s poor track record on climate issues. And criticism over how the companies handled early virus outbreaks on board ships sapped any remaining political will to help. Huge losses mounted as questions swirled about whether cruise lines could avoid bankruptcy.

“All our conversations here were, ‘At this cash burn rate for each of these companies, how long can they survive?’” said Pete Trombetta, an analyst focused on lodging and cruises at Moody’s.

Cruise lines were forced to send most cruise workers home, keeping small skeleton crews on board to maintain their ships. After months without work or an income, many of the workers, who are frequently drawn from countries like the Philippines, Bangladesh and India, fell into debt and struggled to provide for their families.

The timing couldn’t have been worse for Virgin Voyages , the new cruise company founded by the British billionaire Richard Branson, which had planned to launch its inaugural ship, Scarlet Lady, with a sailing from Miami in March 2020. The ship’s official U.S. debut has been delayed until October, but a series of short sailings will take place in August out of Portsmouth, England, for British residents.

“It’s been a very difficult 15 months and we had to make some very tough cuts along the way like the rest of the industry,” said Tom McAlpin, president and chief officer of Virgin Voyages.

In the end, most cruise companies made it through the pandemic intact, but only after receiving help. That came in the form of assistance from governments abroad or money raised from investors emboldened by efforts to backstop the economy from the Federal Reserve and others. The cash wasn’t cheap, though. When Carnival Corp. sold $4 billion in bonds in April 2020, it agreed to interest on those bonds of 11.5 percent — more than half of which it recently refinanced at a more reasonable rate of 4 percent.

Carnival, which operates under nine brands globally, has lost more than $13 billion since the pandemic began and said in a securities filing last month that it expects those losses to continue at least through August. The company amassed more than $9 billion in cash and short-term investments as of the end of May — enough, it said last month, to pay its obligations for at least another year. It says it expects to have at least 42 ships carrying passengers by the end of November, representing just over half of its global fleet.

The industry faces a long road back to normal. Moodys downgraded ratings for each of the big three cruise companies during the pandemic and says it will probably take until 2023 for the major cruise operators to start substantially reducing their debt, which had nearly doubled during the pandemic.

The companies have also been caught up in a series of legal battles in Florida, the biggest base of operations in the United States, that has them sometimes allied with the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis, and sometimes opposing it.

In June, Florida sued the C.D.C., saying the agency’s guidelines for how cruising could restart were burdensome and harmed the multi-billion-dollar industry that provides about 159,000 jobs for the state. The C.D.C. guidelines require 98 percent of crew and 95 percent of passengers to be fully vaccinated before a cruise ship can set sail, otherwise the cruise company must carry out test voyages and wait for approval.

So far, the state has prevailed in the courts, with a ruling from a federal judge that prevented the C.D.C.’s vaccine requirements from going into effect after July 18. A federal appeals court upheld that ruling on July 23.

Despite the court’s decision, Cruise Lines International Association, the trade group, said cruise companies will continue to operate in accordance with the C.D.C. requirements. The cruise lines found the C.D.C.’s initial guidance too onerous, but once the agency made revisions to factor in the U.S. immunization program, the companies agreed to comply and said they preferred passengers to be vaccinated, because it simplifies the onboard experience.

As that suit was making its way through the courts, Norwegian filed suit on July 13 against the state of Florida, saying that a law banning business from requiring proof of immunization from people seeking to use their services prevented the company from “safely and soundly resuming passenger cruise operations.”

There has yet to be a ruling in the case.

Hurdles remain

Several other hurdles could also derail the rebound of the industry. While cruising has resumed, operators still have to contend with a patchwork of domestic and international rules, some of which impose strict conditions on passengers who go on shore excursions. A serious and widespread outbreak aboard a ship, or a broader communitywide surge in virus infections, could drive away potential customers and stall the momentum of the cruise comeback.

But despite the delays and potential for further disruptions, Virgin Voyages is hopeful for a successful launch of its new brand. Virgin’s Scarlet Lady adult-only ship, which was inspired by a superyacht design, aims to attract a hip and younger crowd, offering 20 different buffet-free dining options and a range of entertainment, including D.J. sets and immersive experiences.

“We have a fantastic set of investors behind us, and I think we are well positioned to make a big comeback because people are ready to travel and cruise again and we are launching a very attractive new onboard product right in the middle of it all,” Mr. McAlpin said.

Two new cruise ships, Carnival’s Mardi Gras and Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas are set to launch in the U.S. this week.

And cruise workers, many of whom burned through savings and went into debt during their enforced layoff, are thrilled to be back. “I can’t believe the day has come when I have been called back to work,” said Alvin Villorente, a wine steward for Norwegian Cruise Line, who spent the last year at home in the Philippines, carrying out odd jobs to pay his bills.

“It felt too good to be true,” he continued. “I made my wife read the email to make sure I understood correctly and when I saw her smile everything suddenly went from black to bright colors. I could look after my family again.”

At a time when airports are busy and chaotic and hotels and holiday rentals are expensive and booked up, cruise companies hope to appeal to people who wouldn’t normally consider a cruise vacation.

“I’m still on the fence about booking any travel because of the constantly changing rules around the world, but an adult-only cruise with some friends could be fun, especially if it meant not having to fly anywhere,” said Crystal Marks, a 37-year-old personal trainer from Miami who went on a cruise once as a child and has been looking at Virgin sailings for early next year after a friend sent her a promotional video.

“Yoga classes at sunrise, fitness throughout the day, city-style restaurants, spa treatments, it sounds pretty perfect to me,” she added with a laugh. “If everyone on board is vaccinated and tested regularly it’s probably one of the safer options for international travel.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places list for 2021 .

Ceylan Yeginsu is a London-based reporter. She joined The Times in 2013, and was previously a correspondent in Turkey covering politics, the migrant crisis, the Kurdish conflict, and the rise of Islamic State extremism in Syria and the region. More about Ceylan Yeginsu

Niraj Chokshi covers the business of transportation, with a focus on autonomous vehicles, airlines and logistics. More about Niraj Chokshi

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Cruise Leaders Chart Path for Unprecedented Growth

T he cruise industry faces immediate challenges that include an industry-wide goal of zero net carbon emissions by 2050. Yet the segment’s success in attracting vacationers has skyrocketed to an unprecedented level, said cruise line leaders gathered this week at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami Beach.

“For the industry and certainly for us, the demand profile is unprecedented,” said Josh Weinstein, Carnival Corp. & plc’s CEO, during the conference’s “State of the Industry” discussion.

“Our outlook for 2024 [includes] record yields, record demand [and] record passengers carried,” said Weinstein. “And as amazing as that is, our bookings for 2025 are better than they were at this point last year for 2024.”

Indeed, the Carnival chief said cruising has eclipsed its post-pandemic resurgence. “The concept of pent-up demand for cruising is gone,” said Weinstein. “This is natural demand because we all provide amazing experiences.”

Weinstein added that the cruising’s value versus land vacations has increased significantly during the recent leisure travel boom.

The cruise experience versus “what has happened in many, many land-based alternatives is that the service levels today versus before 2020 are not close anymore,” Weinstein said. “It gives us a huge opportunity to really excel and get that incremental demand.”

“We see the [cruise industry’s] strength globally,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises.

Cruise Bookings Rebound

“[Bookings] are coming back in different parts of the world, with the same logic [of] value for money and the experience we offer our holidaymakers,” he said.

Vago added that the expansion of U.S. homeports in the last several years has also benefited the industry. “Cruises are coming closer to home, and that’s also a facilitator for customers to come and try the experience,” he said.

“We have a lot of newcomers, and this is promising because it looks like the numbers will be on the rise, and obviously the supply will drive the demand,” added Vago.

The major cruise lines are showing their confidence in consumers’ desire to cruise via new ship orders that have Carnival, Royal Caribbean, MSC and Norwegian ordering a total of 34 ships collectively in the current decade.

“Demand is incredibly robust, the onboard product is fantastic, and guests are coming back with repeat rates at historically high levels,” said Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings which announced an order for eight new ships Monday.

“This gives us an incredible optimism for the future,” Sommer said. “We can continue to [build] larger, more efficient ships that not only help our financial position but also help us deliver world-class experiences to our guests.”

Fuel Forecast

With future passenger growth on the upswing, cruise operators are looking to tackle challenges led by the industry’s stated goal of reaching zero carbon emissions by 2050.

As seminar moderator Anne Kalosh noted, the cruise industry “has gone far in developing new technologies and practices” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but, “now it’s down to the fuels."

“There’s still a lot more opportunity for us to continue to evolve all of the technologies that support our ships as well as the infrastructure on land [including] shore power,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)’s chairman.

“Fortunately, we have many, many parties here today that help us accelerate ways to reduce the amount of fuel we burn as well as reduce emissions. But that’s only going to solve so much,” said Liberty.

“We need to make sure we have fuel sources that allow us to be able to burn and get to a net zero position, which is the goal of the industry,” he said.

Added Liberty, “We need to know where those fuel sources are going to be, we need to know what they’re going to be, they need to be available to us [and they need to be scalable] and they also need to be affordable.”

Liberty said that the process will take time. “This is a journey,” he said. “We need governmental support, we need the support of many of our suppliers, we need the infrastructure to be in place and we need to know where we’re skating to,” he said.

“With that clarity I’m very confident not just in the industry, but with the maritime cluster we have here today, that we will be able to find a solution to get to a net zero position.”

Cruise lines are additionally challenged to meet the European Union’s own goal of attaining carbon-neutral emissions by 2050, which would apply to cruise operators in European ports.

“The problem is [the European Union] is not doing it in line with the rest of the world,” said MSC’s Vago. “We don’t have a global approach to see how to de-carbonize industries [including] the maritime industry.”

However, Vago endorsed the European mandate as “It will be a good benchmark for the rest of the world to understand what is coming up.”

“It occurred to us how many regulations there that govern the cruise industry,” said Norwegian’s Sommer. “If we were to focus on the goal as opposed to mandating specific steps, we would reach that goal much easier and in a much quicker process,” he said.

“We perhaps need to take a slightly longer-term approach to this with governments,” said Sommer, “[to] partner with us to truly accomplish our goal of decarbonization.”

The environmental goals may impact cruise itineraries, said Carnival’s Weinstein. “A cruise ship is like driving your car. If you go slower and you go shorter distances, generally speaking, you use less fuel and you emit less greenhouse gases,” he said.

“To some extent, that is a component of how we are going to continue to reduce our emissions footprint. But ultimately, we are a business, and sustainability is not just about environmental impact,” added Weinstein.

“The concept is about how do you get there in a way that businesses can be sustained,” he added. “Everything we do has to be a balance.”

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Cruise industry in the United States - statistics & facts

Has the u.s. cruise industry recovered from the impact of covid-19, what are the leading u.s. cruise companies, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Revenue of the cruises industry in the U.S. 2019-2028

Revenue growth of cruises in the U.S. 2019-2028

Employment in the cruise line operator industry in the U.S. 2012-2022

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Current statistics on this topic.

Number of global ocean cruise passengers 2019-2022, by source market

Number of cruise passengers from the U.S. 2016-2022

Related topics

Cruise market.

• Cruise industry worldwide
• Cruise industry in Europe
• Cruise industry in the United Kingdom (UK)
• Cruise industry in the Caribbean

Travel and tourism in the United States

• Travel and tourism in the U.S.
• Hotel industry in the U.S.
• City trips in the U.S.

Recommended statistics

• Premium Statistic Number of global ocean cruise passengers 2009-2027
• Premium Statistic Number of global ocean cruise passengers 2019-2022, by source market
• Premium Statistic Main global cruise destinations 2019-2022, by number of passengers
• Premium Statistic Revenue of the cruises industry in the U.S. 2019-2028
• Premium Statistic Revenue growth of cruises in the U.S. 2019-2028
• Premium Statistic Direct economic impact of the cruise industry in the U.S. 2021, by spending type
• Premium Statistic Cruise line operator industry's market size in the U.S. 2012-2022
• Premium Statistic Businesses in the cruise line operator industry in the U.S. 2012-2022
• Premium Statistic Employment in the cruise line operator industry in the U.S. 2012-2022

Number of global ocean cruise passengers 2009-2027

Number of ocean cruise passengers worldwide from 2009 to 2022, with a forecast until 2027 (in millions)

Number of ocean cruise passengers worldwide from 2019 to 2022, by source region (in 1,000s)

Main global cruise destinations 2019-2022, by number of passengers

Leading ocean cruise destinations worldwide from 2019 to 2022, by number of passengers (in 1,000s)

Revenue of the cruises market in the United States from 2019 to 2028 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Revenue growth of the cruises market in the United States from 2019 to 2028

Direct economic impact of the cruise industry in the U.S. 2021, by spending type

Direct economic impact of the cruise industry in the United States in 2021, by type of spending (in billion U.S. dollars)

Cruise line operator industry's market size in the U.S. 2012-2022

Market size of the cruise line operator industry in the United States from 2012 to 2021, with a forecast for 2022 ( in million U.S. dollars)

Businesses in the cruise line operator industry in the U.S. 2012-2022

Number of businesses in the cruise line operator industry in the United States from 2012 to 2021, with a forecast for 2022

Number of employees in the cruise line operator industry in the United States from 2012 to 2021, with a forecast for 2022

Cruise passengers

• Premium Statistic Number of cruise passengers from North America 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of cruise passengers from the U.S. 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Growth rate of the cruise passenger volume from the U.S. 2017-2022
• Premium Statistic Busiest cruise ports worldwide 2019-2022, by passenger movements
• Premium Statistic Share of U.S. travelers planning a cruise trip October 2021-June 2023

Number of cruise passengers from North America 2016-2022

Number of cruise passengers sourced from North America from 2016 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of cruise passengers sourced from the United States from 2016 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Growth rate of the cruise passenger volume from the U.S. 2017-2022

Year-over-year percentage change in the number of cruise passengers sourced from the United States from 2017 to 2022

Busiest cruise ports worldwide 2019-2022, by passenger movements

Busiest cruise ports worldwide in 2019 and 2022, by number of passenger movements (in 1,000s)

Share of U.S. travelers planning a cruise trip October 2021-June 2023

Share of travelers intending to take a cruise trip in the next 12 months in the United States from October 2021 to June 2023

Cruise companies

• Premium Statistic Revenue of Carnival Corporation & plc worldwide 2008-2023
• Premium Statistic Net income of Carnival Corporation & plc 2008-2023
• Premium Statistic Revenue of Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 1988-2023
• Premium Statistic Net income of Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 2007-2023
• Premium Statistic Revenue of Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2023
• Premium Statistic Net income of Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2023
• Premium Statistic Percentage change in revenue of leading cruise companies worldwide 2020-2023

Revenue of Carnival Corporation & plc worldwide 2008-2023

Revenue of Carnival Corporation & plc worldwide from 2008 to 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Net income of Carnival Corporation & plc 2008-2023

Net income of Carnival Corporation & plc worldwide from 2008 to 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Revenue of Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 1988-2023

Revenue of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. worldwide from 1988 to 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Net income of Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 2007-2023

Net income of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. worldwide from 2007 to 2023 (in million U.S. dollars)

Revenue of Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2023

Revenue of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. worldwide from 2011 to 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Net income of Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2023

Net Income of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. worldwide from 2011 to 2023 (in million U.S. dollars)

Percentage change in revenue of leading cruise companies worldwide 2020-2023

Percentage change in revenue of leading cruise companies worldwide from 2020 to 2023 (compared to 2019)

Consumer opinions

• Basic Statistic Best-rated mega-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Basic Statistic Best-rated large-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Basic Statistic Best-rated midsize-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Basic Statistic Best-rated small-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Basic Statistic Best-rated river cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023

Best-rated mega-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023

Best-rated mega-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide as of June 2023

Best-rated large-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023

Best-rated large-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide as of June 2023

Best-rated midsize-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023

Best-rated midsize-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide as of June 2023

Best-rated small-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023

Best-rated small-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide as of June 2023

Best-rated river cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023

Best-rated river cruise lines by travelers worldwide as of June 2023

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Major Cruise Companies: Capacity Restart Projections by 2022

• October 4, 2021

Accounting for nearly 90 percent of the current cruise capacity, five major cruise corporations – Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, MSC Cruises and Genting Cruise Lines, dominate the market.

According to the October 2021 edition of the Cruise Ships in Service Report by Cruise Industry News , the five companies are responsible for nearly 305,000 out of the 350,000 berths set to be in service during the month of October.

As more ships enter service for their brands through the end of the year, the companies will have a large part of their fleets back in service by early 2022.

Here are the latest details, according to data from the 2022 Global Cruise Ship Index  and  2021 Annual Report :

Carnival Corporation

Percentage of the Fleet Capacity in Service by January 1:  64%

Total Ships:  95                                                                               Ships in Service by January 1:  55 Berths in Service by January 1:  162,423

Carnival:  17 ships (or 70% of the fleet) and 54,354 berths Costa:  6 ships (or 45% of the fleet) and 20,676 berths AIDA:  10 ships (or 70% of the fleet) and 26,304 berths Princess:  8 ships (or 70% of the fleet) and 26,270 berths P&O:  4 ships (or 70% of the fleet) and 15,011 berths Holland America:  6 ships (or 55% of the fleet) and 14,070 berths Cunard:  2 ships (or 65% of the fleet) and 4,684 berths Seabourn:  2 ships (or 35% of the fleet) and 1,054 berths P&O Australia:  Resuming service after January 1, 2022

With eight out of nine brands now in service, Carnival Corporation is continuing its staggered return to service globally. 

While 33 vessels are currently in service for the company’s brands , a total of 55 ships are set to be sailing by Jan. 1.

Representing 64 percent of the fleet’s full occupancy, the vessels account for a total of 162,423 berths.

With plans to reactivate 17 vessels of its 24-ship fleet, Carnival Cruise Line should have the most vessels in service by early 2022.

Royal Caribbean Group

Percentage of the Fleet Capacity in Service by January 1:  83%

Total Ships:  61 Ships in Service by January 1:  50 Berths in Service by January 1:  114,358

Royal Caribbean:  21 ships (or 85% of the fleet) and 75,800 berths Celebrity:  11 ships (or 80% of the fleet) and 20,880 berths Silversea:  8 ships (or 80% of the fleet) and 2,764 berths TUI:  5 ships (or 70% of the fleet) and 13,300 berths Hapag-Lloyd:  5 ships (or 100% of the fleet) and 1,614 berths

With its main brand leading the way, Royal Caribbean Group currently has 35 cruise ships back in service around the world.

As more vessels join the active lineup over the next months, the corporation may see 50 of 61 ships sailing with guests by Jan. 1.

With capacity for nearly 115,000 berths at full occupancy, the vessels represent roughly 83 percent of the fleet’s total berths.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

Percentage of the Fleet Capacity in Service by January 1:  74%

Total Ships:  28 Ships in Service by January 1:  18 Berths in Service by January 1:  43,833

Norwegian:  11 ships (or 65% of the fleet) and 38,400 berths Oceania:  4 ships (or 65% of the fleet) and 3,884 berths Regent:  3 ships (or 60% of the fleet) and 1,549 berths

After a long operational pause, all Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings brands have now resumed service .

Sailing in Europe and North America, the companies are currently operating revenue sailings with eight cruise ships . By Jan. 1, a total of 18 vessels and over 45,000 berths are poised to be back in service around the world.   

The numbers mean that the corporation may have 74 percent of its berths in service by early 2022.

Percentage of the Fleet Capacity in Service by January 1:  93%

Total Ships:  19 Ships in Service by January 1:  17 Berths in Service by January 1:  59,328

MSC Cruises:  17 ships (or 90% of the fleet) and 59,328 berths Explora Journeys: Launching service in 2023

With 12 ships currently sailing with guests , MSC Cruises plans to have most of its 19-ship fleet back in service by Jan. 1.

As five additional vessels welcome passengers back in the coming months, the company may see 59,328 berths or 93 percent of its capacity at full occupancy back in the market by early 2022.

Genting Cruise Lines

Percentage of the Fleet Capacity in Service by January 1:   58%

Total Ships:  10 Ships in Service by January 1:  5 Berths in Service by January 1:  8,992

Dream:  2 ships (or 65% of the fleet) and 6,800 berths Star:  0 ships (or 0% of the fleet) and 0 berths Crystal:  3 ships (or 100% of the fleet) and 2,192 berths

Two of the three Genting Cruise Lines brands are currently back in guest operations , sailing in different destinations.   

Crystal Cruises leads the way with its entire three-ship fleet in service offering luxury cruises in Europe and North America.

Dream Cruises was one of the first major cruise brands to resume revenue services and presently has two vessels sailing in Asia.

Together, the two brands currently have 8,992 berths back in service, which represents 58 percent of Genting’s fleet capacity at 100 percent occupancy.

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