Big Numbers Highlight 39th Annual Seatrade Cruise Global Conference

The 39th annual Seatrade Cruise Global conference kicked off early this week in Miami Beach (the 29th to be held in Miami Beach), one of the largest Seatrades ever. With more than 9,000 attendees and some 200 speakers and moderators spread across the four-day conference, this year’s Seatrade reinforced what everyone attending already knew: the cruise industry is back in full force.

“We’re an industry breaking records in ways we might never have imagined only a few years ago,” said Kelly Craighead, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

Records are indeed being broken. As of the end of 2023, the industry surpassed the scale it had achieved in 2019 – its previous best year ever. In 2023, CLIA reports that total global passenger numbers reached 31.7 million.

“That’s almost 2 million more than in 2019,” she told the audience.

CLIA further forecasts that passenger numbers will be even higher over the next two years, reaching 34.1 million worldwide in 2024 and 36.4 million in 2025.

Consumer cruise intention is also continuing to track up. According to new CLIA research, of those who have cruised before, 82% said they are likely to cruise again. Among those who have never cruise, an impressive 71% said they would consider a cruise.

“We’re also seeing a clear generational change as crduise lines attract new cruisers and younger travelers,” Craighead said.

The average age of cruise passengers globally is now 46, she added, and the portion of cruisers aged under 40 is now 36%.

With the growing demand, it’s only natural that CLIA’s global fleet is growing as well, with the number of ships projected to exceed 300 ocean going ships for the first time ever this year.  The current world order book stands at 56 new cruise ships scheduled for delivery by the end of 2028.

Despite the entry of several high-profile megaships, Craighead said there is a “solid balance” between large and small ships throughout the industry. Thirty-four percent of ships are small, with fewer than 1,000 lower berths, while 39% are mid-sized (between 1,000 and 3,000 lower berths). Only 28% have 3,000 lower berths or more.

“These numbers are pretty consistent through 2028 when you look at the current order book,” she said.