The Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) 2025 State of the Cruise Industry report highlights the sector’s robust growth and resilience, driven by diverse cruise choices and innovative travel experiences. With a projected 37.7 million cruise passengers in 2025 and an economic impact of over $168 billion, the industry continues to show promise in its growth and contribution to global tourism.
The report reveals that first-time cruisers are a significant driver of growth, with 31% of passengers in the last two years being new to cruise travel. This demonstrates the sector’s high satisfaction ratings and ability to attract new customers. The intent to cruise again is high, with 82% of those who cruised planning to return. Moreover, the report highlights the growing popularity of multi-generational travel and expedition cruises.
Cruising: A Blend of Choice, Value, and Sustainability
The cruise industry offers a wide variety of choices, with over 300 ocean-going cruise ships and thousands of itineraries available. Cruise companies also demonstrate responsible tourism practices, booking trips and port calls well in advance. The industry is also pursuing sustainable alternative energy sources and propulsion technologies, with 50% of all new cruise ship capacity by 2028 expected to run on low-to-zero-emission fuels.
An Economic Contributor of Global Relevance
Though comprising only two percent of global tourism, the cruise sector has a significant economic impact. In 2023, it generated over $168 billion in global economic impact, the highest on record. The U.S. cruise industry supported over $65 billion in total economic impact in 2023, supporting 290,000 jobs and $25 billion in wages and salaries.
The Global Cruise Industry: Current and Future Trends
The global cruise industry welcomed 34.6 million passengers in 2024, with an expected increase to 37.7 million in 2025. North America remains the top source market for cruise, with a 13% increase in 2024 over 2023. The most popular itineraries remain in the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Bermuda, with 43% of all passengers sailing to these destinations in 2024. The report also reveals that 70% of cruise ships are small to mid-size, indicating a growing trend towards more intimate and specialised cruise experiences.
Discover more at CLIA.
