The Buoyant Cruise Industry: 90% of Cruisers Intend to Sail Again
by Bruce Parkinson
The cruise industry is more popular than ever.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has released its 2026 State of the Cruise Industry, revealing a red-hot travel segment that is going from strength to strength.
Global cruise passenger volume reached a historic high of 37.2 million in 2025, according to the report. Data also reveals the continued strength and resilience of the industry, with nearly 90% of cruisers indicating they intend to sail again.
The CLIA study highlights significant investments by cruise lines in new ships, innovative technologies, and destination partnerships. In 2026, there will be 325 CLIA-member ocean-going ships, representing around 690,000 lower berths
“Cruising is sailing toward the future with exceptional momentum and strength,” said CLIA president and CEO Bud Darr.
“Record demand, growing interest from new cruisers and sustained confidence in the cruise experience are being matched by innovation, technological advancements, and destination partnerships. At the same time, we’re seeing a meaningful shift in recognition that cruise is a leader in sustainable operations.”
Cruisers are Happier than Ever
Nearly 90% of cruisers say they intend to sail again, the highest level yet recorded by CLIA. The organization says this strong intent reflects high satisfaction among experienced cruisers and growing interest from new-to-cruise travellers.
Global demand is supported by a broadening source market and a wide range of cruise experiences across regions and ship types.
Economic Impact on Communities Worldwide
Cruise tourism generated $198 billion in global economic impact in 2024, supporting 1.8 million jobs worldwide and contributing $60 billion in wages.
Most of this impact comes from shoreside spending, reflecting cruise lines’ investment in ports, destinations, and communities. Cruise tourism supports a wide network of businesses, including transportation providers, hotels, restaurants, and suppliers.
Younger and More Diverse Cruise Travellers
Cruising continues to attract a younger and varied audience, according to the report. About a third are under age 40, and approximately one-third of cruise trips are multigenerational, underscoring the appeal of cruise vacations for families and groups.
Pick a Size: Small, Medium or Large
CLIA says the global cruise fleet remains balanced across small, medium, and large vessels, with approximately one-third small ships, one-third medium ships, and one-third large ships.
Trends show growth in luxury cruising, expedition, and exploration travel. The report also reflects increased demand for more immersive experiences, including curated shore excursions, cultural engagement, and more time in destinations. Cruise lines’ private islands destinations continue to drive demand.
Innovation & Progress
New ships entering service are more energy efficient than previous generations and nearly all new ships are designed with fuel-flexible engines as cruise lines continue to increase the uptake of lower-emissions fuels, onshore power connectivity, energy efficiency technologies, and other environmental technologies.
The cruise industry remains committed to pursuing net zero emissions by 2050, recognizing that achieving this goal will require ongoing collaboration across sectors, infrastructure development, and the availability of competitively priced alternative fuels at scale.
“Ongoing progress and sustained economic impact from the cruise industry requires collaboration across sectors, continued infrastructure investment, advancement of alternative fuels and pragmatic regulation,” Darr said.
“The cruise industry is charting a course toward a future defined by opportunity, impact, and responsible growth.”
The full 2026 State of the Cruise Industry report is available here.
