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Cruise in 2022: the state of the industry 

Using the latest thematic insights from GlobalData, Peter Nilson looks at the state of the cruise industry.

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At the beginning of the year, many companies, governments, and travel authorities had predicted a stronger recovery for the cruise market in 2021. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

The pandemic has proven unpredictable, with many cruise destinations going into second and third lockdowns during 2021 after a global surge in Covid-19 cases .

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While the cruise industry has experienced a 96% Year-on-Year (YoY) increase of passengers, reaching 13.9 million, it still does not compare to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, where there were 29.7 million passengers globally. It has been an even worse year for travel intermediaries specializing in cruise holidays.

These companies are the primary selling points for cruise trips and are often responsible for selling upgrades, premium drinks packages and excursions. Global spending across 60 major cruise markets increased by 65% YoY, resulting in total revenues of $19.4bn. Nevertheless, this was still far from pre-pandemic levels in 2019, which were approximately $29.8bn, 35% higher than 2021’s figure.

To reduce costs, many ships were retired between 2019 and 2021. Cruise ships are the most expensive assets, making this practice a necessity for many firms to stay afloat.

However, more optimistic times lie ahead for the sector. During the pandemic, the cruise industry has witnessed new innovative cruise ships and a brand-new competitor in the form of Virgin Voyages . Many cruise liners have come good with orders for new cruise ships built before the pandemic, resulting in an exciting time for loyal cruise holidaymakers to try new ships, services, and onboard experiences.

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Global cruise passengers and revenue

2021 provided a tough lesson for the cruise industry, with businesses aiming to make a swifter recovery from the latest round of lockdowns.

The cruise industry’s recovery rate was modest in 2021. Although a 96% YoY increase sounds positive, it is still nowhere near pre-pandemic levels. In 2021, only 13.9 million passengers went on a cruise, 53% lower than the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

With the fluctuations of global passengers, revenues will generally follow a similar pattern unless there is a substantial shift in consumer behaviour. Usually, the most significant impacts on a travel company’s revenues, aside from passenger flows, are an economic recession, foreign exchange, or a change in booking trends.

During the pandemic, it has become clear that the latter affected cruise intermediary revenues. In 2021, revenue generated for cruises from intermediaries reached $19.5bn, a 65% YoY increase from $11.8bn. However, cruise passenger flows increased by 95% YoY, which is a significantly higher rate of improvement.

According to the CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group, Richard Fain, this was not unexpected. The world’s fourth-largest cruise company has seen intermediaries such as online travel agencies (OTAs) and high street agencies lose a proportion of their market share, with customers opting to book directly with the cruise operator rather than a third party.

The same sentiment was echoed by Norwegian Cruise Lines CEO Frank Del Rio, who said the company had witnessed a similar booking pattern. The result is not surprising. Many agencies have had to cut back on their workforce due to poor revenue performance in 2020, resulting in fewer sales agents to capture the rising demand in 2021. This has led to more customers booking directly with cruise companies.

Research from GlobalData also supports this, when comparing two consumer surveys from 2019 and 2021. In 2019, 44% of respondents said they typically book via an OTA. However, in a Q4 2021 survey, only 24% of respondents said they booked their last holiday via this booking method. In addition, respondents who said they booked directly increased from 32% to 36%.

New cruise ships and trends for 2022

There are many new cruise ships scheduled to set sail in 2022. Many of these boast a more contemporary feel to their décor and interior, moving away from the traditional looks of the past cruise ships and moving to a more fashionable boutique hotel design.

The motivation for this stems from the fact that cruise operators need to attract a younger market. This evolution is necessary for making cruise businesses more resilient in the future by drawing the next generation of cruise tourists.

According to a 2020 GlobalData survey, 37% of Gen Z and Millennials said that they ‘strongly’ or ‘slightly’ agreed with the notion that they would book an international trip this year. In comparison, only 22% of those older than 35 responded with the same sentiment, highlighting that the younger generation may be more likely to travel in today’s travel climate.

Furthermore, cruising has also become more popular with younger adults. In GlobalData’s Q3 2019 and 2021 global consumer surveys, the percentage of Gen Z and Millennial respondents who typically take a cruise holiday increased from 17% to 21%, indicating changes in consumer tastes.

The importance of Covid-19 safety protocols on cruise ships has never been more critical. According to GlobalData, there is a demand from consumers to receive information about Covid-19 initiatives. This data shows that consumers need substantial levels of communication from cruise providers, and that cruise companies will need to develop robust communication strategies, which need to be scaled over the next few years.

Many travellers are opting to book directly with the operator rather than via an intermediary such as an OTA. According to a Q3 2019 GlobalData survey, 44% of consumers said they typically book via an OTA.

However, this has fallen substantially over the last two years. In a Q4 2021 survey, only 24% of respondents said they booked their previous holiday via an OTA.

In addition, respondents who said they booked directly with a travel supplier increased from 32% to 36%, showing that booking directly with the supplier is becoming more trustworthy and popular.

Nevertheless, this booking behaviour could well be a temporary result, with some cruise operators expecting intermediary trade to pick up again in 2022.

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Cruise industry worldwide - statistics & facts

What are the biggest global cruise markets, what are the leading cruise companies worldwide, key insights.

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Revenue of the cruises industry worldwide 2019-2028

Revenue growth of cruises worldwide 2019-2028

Revenue of the cruise industry in leading countries 2025-2028

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Current statistics on this topic.

Number of global ocean cruise passengers 2009-2027

Worldwide cruise company market share 2022

Related topics

Cruise market.

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

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• Shipbuilding industry worldwide
• Shipbuilding and maritime activities in Turkey

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• Premium Statistic Share of sales channels of the global cruise industry revenue 2018-2028

Travel and tourism revenue worldwide 2019-2028, by segment

Revenue of the global travel and tourism market from 2019 to 2028, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars)

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

Revenue growth of the cruises market worldwide from 2019 to 2028

Leading countries in the cruise industry revenue worldwide from 2025 to 2028 (in million U.S. dollars)

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Revenue share of sales channels of the cruise industry worldwide from 2018 to 2028

Cruise ships

• Basic Statistic Largest cruise ships worldwide 2023, by gross tonnage
• Basic Statistic Longest cruise ships worldwide 2023, by length
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• Premium Statistic Gross tonnage of cruise ships in the global order book by region 2022
• Premium Statistic Average passenger capacity of ocean-going cruise vessels worldwide 2018-2026

Largest cruise ships worldwide 2023, by gross tonnage

Largest cruise ships worldwide as of April 2023, by gross tonnage (in 1,000s)

Longest cruise ships worldwide 2023, by length

Largest cruise ships worldwide as of February 2023, by length (in meters)

Most expensive cruise ships worldwide by building cost 2022

Most expensive cruise ships worldwide in 2022, by building cost (in billion U.S. dollars)

Gross tonnage of new cruise ship orders worldwide 2015-2022

Annual gross tonnage of new cruise ship orders worldwide from 2015 to 2022

Gross tonnage of new cruise ship orders worldwide by region 2022

Gross tonnage of new cruise ship orders worldwide in 2022, by region (in millions)

Gross tonnage of cruise ship deliveries worldwide by region 2022

Gross tonnage of cruise ship deliveries worldwide in 2022, by region (in millions)

Gross tonnage of cruise ships in the global order book by region 2022

Gross tonnage of cruise ships in the global order book in 2022, by region (in millions)

Average passenger capacity of ocean-going cruise vessels worldwide 2018-2026

Average passenger capacity carried by ocean-going vessels in the cruise industry worldwide from 2018 to 2023, with a forecast until 2026

Cruise passengers

• 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 Busiest cruise ports worldwide 2019-2022, by passenger movements
• Basic Statistic Number of Carnival Corporation & plc passengers worldwide 2007-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of passengers carried by Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 2007-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of passengers carried by Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2023
• Premium Statistic TUI cruise passengers worldwide 2013-2023, by brand

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

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

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)

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)

Number of Carnival Corporation & plc passengers worldwide 2007-2023

Number of Carnival Corporation & plc passengers worldwide from 2007 to 2023 (in millions)

Number of passengers carried by Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 2007-2023

Number of passengers carried by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. worldwide from 2007 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Number of passengers carried by Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2023

Number of passengers carried by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. worldwide from 2011 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

TUI cruise passengers worldwide 2013-2023, by brand

Number of passengers on TUI cruise brands worldwide from 2013 to 2023, by brand (in 1,000s)

Cruise companies

• Premium Statistic Worldwide cruise company market share 2022
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Worldwide market share of leading cruise companies in 2022

Revenue of Carnival Corporation & plc worldwide 2008-2023, by segment

Revenue of Carnival Corporation & plc worldwide from 2008 to 2023, by segment (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)

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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 2013-2023, by segment

Revenue of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. worldwide from 2013 to 2023, by segment (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)

TUI cruise brand revenue worldwide 2015-2023, by brand

Revenue of TUI cruise brands worldwide from 2015 to 2023, by brand (in million euros)

Impact of COVID-19

• Premium Statistic Annual growth rate of the global cruise passenger volume 2017-2022
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Annual growth rate of the cruise passenger volume worldwide from 2017 to 2022

Global cruise passenger volume index 2019-2026, by scenario

Cruise passenger volume index worldwide from 2019 to 2021, with a forecast until 2026, by scenario

COVID-19 impact on cruise passenger volume worldwide 2020-2022, by source region

Percentage change in cruise passengers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic worldwide from 2020 to 2022, by source region (compared to 2019)

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)

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Cruising Into 2024: Trends Shaping the Cruise Industry

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Let’s start our discussion of 2024 cruise trends with the inevitable announcement of the “Biggest Cruise Ship Ever.” 

This trend has been dutifully proclaimed every year since at least 1988, when Royal Caribbean debuted what then seemed to be the impossibly huge, 2,800-passenger Sovereign of the Seas . 

And this year’s gigundo-rama cruise ship prize goes to . . . Royal Caribbean once again, whose Icon of the Seas is, once again, impossibly huge. It carries 7,600 passengers, making its population larger than Sausalito, California’s. It has the biggest water park, water slide, ice arena, pool, and waterfall of any cruise ship. It has 20 decks. It has 20 restaurants. Its accommodations include townhouses. 

The ship’s population is so large, says Peter Greenberg, travel editor of CBS News and author of the book Cruise, Inc. , that “it might have its own high-crime zone.” He says he’s kidding (sort of).

Carolyn Spencer Brown, chief content officer of Cruise Media, publisher of CruiseBusiness.com, points out that Icon is only 10 feet longer than the previous record holder (Royal Caribbean’s own Wonder of the Seas , as it happens). 

And, more to the point, she says, increasing ship capacity is not the most important trend in the cruise industry.

So what are the major cruise trends of 2024? Read on. 

The Ships Are Full—With Younger People 

Chris Gray Faust, executive editor of the website CruiseCritic, says ships of all sizes are full. The industry is claiming bookings at nearly 100% capacity and surpassing the pre-pandemic peaks of 2019 . 

Therefore, don’t expect deals in 2024 based on cruise lines needing to fill empty cabins. 

And it’s not just baby boomers filling the berths. The cruise customer is now younger than ever. “Believe it or not, the average age of a cruiser is now 46,” Gray Faust says. “It’s a common misperception that it’s only something for older people.” 

Yes, but older people are still implicated, in the form of their role in multi-generational cruises, which are expected to continue rising into 2024. Cruises are particularly well suited to mixed-age groups, Gray Faust says. “You’ll see everybody from grandparents to babies all traveling together, and there’s something for everyone to do on the ship. Grandma may be paying the bill, but the whole family is cruising.” 

As it happens, Icon of the Seas is intended to accommodate families, with many cabins set up for more than two passengers by design. That makes it and its megaship peers with similar designs good choices for multi-generational trips. 

“Grandma may be paying the bill, but the whole family is cruising.” –Chris Gray Faust

Ships Go Nearly Everywhere

“Back in the ‘70s, the days of The Love Boat , you had, what, maybe seven ports for cruise ships worldwide, mostly in the Caribbean,” Peter Greenberg says. “You’re now seeing 1,200 ports of call.” 

In 2024, cruise ships of various sizes ply all seven seas, the rivers of Europe, the islands of the Pacific, the fjords of Scandinavia, the coasts of Central and South America, and the ports of the Middle East. 

“Last summer, I was on a Viking ship,” Greenberg says. “Where did we start from? Milwaukee. And what did we do? The Great Lakes . Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, we wound up in Thunder Bay, Ontario. It was phenomenal. A cruise ship would never have done that 10 years ago.” 

Greenberg points out that cruise ships now drop anchor in St. Helena —an island in the South Atlantic so remote that it’s where the British exiled Napoleon after he escaped from Elba and started all that unpleasantness at Waterloo. 

“What’s beautiful is that you have so many more options than a seven-day Bahamas cruise,” Greenberg says.

New Restrictions Limit Choices . . . a Bit

The pressures of over-tourism are leading some ports to restrict big cruise ships. This has often been a fractious affair. In both Barcelona and Amsterdam, officials have separately used the metaphor “a plague of locusts” to describe cruise-ship passengers.

If you dig past the headlines, though, you’ll find that in 2024, you still have at least some opportunities to visit even restricted ports.

For example:

• Venice banned large ships from its famed lagoon in 2021 but still allows ships under 25,000 gross tons (some of which can carry 250 passengers). It diverts bigger ships to mainland ports, from which visitors are bused into the city. 
• Barcelona is not banning big cruises but moving them to a dock that’s a motorcoach ride away from the tourist draws of Las Ramblas, Sagrada Familia, and other overwhelmed attractions.
• Amsterdam officials declared a complete ban of dockings at the city center , but it is not yet enacted for 2024. Negotiations continue.
• Dubrovnik, Croatia has been slammed in the past few years by hordes of Game of Thrones fans who want to see the locations where the HBO series was filmed. Recently enacted limits on cruise visitation are modest, though. The local government now permits up to 4,000 simultaneous cruise-ship passengers in the city center.  
• In the U.S., Juneau will allow up to five big ships per day in 2024 , and Bar Harbor, Maine will welcome up to 1,000 passengers per day .  

The situation in Key West illustrates the tension around limiting cruise visitation. Despite many votes, lawsuits, and legislative actions there, you can still visit the legendary 4-square-mile, coral-ringed spit of land via megaship in 2024. 

A local ban on dockings at city-owned ports cut passenger counts by half in 2023 , reducing some crowds and maddening some business owners. However, big ships can still anchor at a private port downtown. 

So, fear not: Wrist-banded big-ship passengers can still spend their shore leave at Sloppy Joe’s, standing shoulder-to-shoulder while waiting for a drink at the bar where Ernest Hemingway sat in an alcoholic haze. 

Expeditionary Forces 

Cruise passenger bookings are tilting toward expedition cruising, our sources unanimously said. 

Expedition ships were previously limited to spare, rugged vessels that brought small groups of intrepid explorer types to places nearly inaccessible via air or overland travel, including Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Galapagos. 

While those itineraries remain popular—or, at least, as popular as the tight controls at these destinations allow—the expedition concept is spreading both geography and experientially. 

In 2024, more expeditions than ever will be offered in emerging warm-water destinations like western Australia, the South Pacific, Madagascar, and the Seychelles, Spencer Brown says. 

Expeditions have been the fastest-growing cruise niche in recent years, says journalist David Swanson, who has covered the cruise industry since 1999. According to industry figures he’s gathered, expedition passenger counts have increased 67% in the last four years.  

Why the shift? It’s partly people who have taken basic cruises “looking for something different and more exciting,” Spencer Brown says. 

A rising population of active baby boomers with money to spend also powers the trend. 

These trips are costly, partly because the ships have to be small, meaning passenger counts are low. Many itineraries feature onboard scientists, lecturers, and even doctors. Fares for many are $600 or more per person per night—that’s over three times as much as a typical Caribbean cruise. 

Swanson took an expedition cruise in 2023 around the Seychelles, a tiny archipelago in the Indian Ocean, off the southeast coast of Africa. “We were taking Zodiacs [small, motorized inflatable rafts] and doing wet landings on, I think it was, 12 or 13 islands,” he says. Many were uninhabited. One of them has the biggest population of tortoises in the world.”

Swanson says the scientist on the trip told them more people had stood on the summit of Everest than had been to one of the islands they visited.  

And the experience of expedition cruising has upgraded, says Spencer Brown, since the days when “your shower was over your toilet and your bed was bolted to the floor.” 

“[Today,] you have an interesting combination on these ships between rugged adventure and pampering,” Greenberg says. “You’re getting into Zodiacs and zipping all along icebergs and then you come back to relax in the spa and have a five-star dinner.”

Authenticity on the Water

One travel trend for 2024 across both land and sea is the search for authentic experiences—activities that connect travelers to local customs, people, and food. This is challenging for big ships to produce. Most cruise lines, including big ones, now offer premium “boutique” excursions and other activities designed to deliver this kind of experience.   

One of the more ambitious programs is Silversea’s S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program, developed to connect guests to local culture through food. Curated by James Beard-award-winning food journalist Adam Sachs, the program involves sourcing ingredients from the daily port for the ship’s kitchen (and cocktail bar), cooking classes featuring that port’s local cuisine, and excursions to visit local food venues and luminaries. 

However, big ships might not be the ticket for authentic experiences even despite these efforts. River cruises, which carry fewer passengers and often dock in small towns inaccessible to larger vessels, are more easily able to deliver authentic engagement, according to Gray Faust.  

“People want to get to these smaller towns,” she says. “They like the idea of getting off the ship and exploring Europe on the ground, without having to rent a car.” 

The Green Cruise

2024 finds the cruise lines making big investments designed to make their industry more environmentally responsible. 

They are transitioning to alternative fuels, developing zero-waste disposal systems, reducing air pollution generated in port, and more. On newer ships, an entire deck might be devoted to waste management. 

In addition to earnestly pitching in to save our weary planet, cruise lines are adopting green approaches “in order to survive,” says Peter Greenberg. They are partly trying to forestall bans and restrictions based on environmental objections. (The restrictions in Barcelona and Key West, for instance, were driven partly by complaints of air pollution near the docks.)

One example of the kind of pressures cruise lines face to go green, says David Swanson, is the Norwegian government’s declaration that ships wishing to visit its west Norwegian fjords, which are protected UNESCO World Heritage sites, must be emission-free by 2026.  

Nobody I spoke to suggested that environmentally responsible actions are likely to affect the passenger experience in 2024. “Environmental concerns matter to more people now than they used to,” Greenberg says, but they are “not a primary driver” of a choice.  

The industry as a whole has a net-zero-carbon goal of 2050 . That both sounds impressive and provides plenty of runway. 

Most ships have a 25- to 30-year lifespan. By 2050, Icon of the Seas itself may be in the recycling bin, replaced by something powered by hydrogen, fuel cells, or nuclear power, which Greenberg says is “technologically possible, if not accepted by the public.”

Floating Hotels 

Cruise ships have often been called “floating hotels.” Another trend for 2024 is the drive to make that literal.   

Esteemed high-end hotelier Ritz-Carlton has one 300-guest ship already on the waters, and another on the way for 2024, carrying 450 passengers. Four Seasons will debut its first ship, with 96 suites, in 2024.  

Wait, did I call them “ships?” Excuse-moi. These cruise lines call them “yachts.” 

Brands like Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons “already have loyal customers,” Spencer Brown says. “If those customers are going to cruise anyway, why not keep them in the family?”  

Both cruise lines, as you might expect, promise VIP experiences, Michelin-worthy cuisine, and bespoke pampering. The Four Seasons promises a staff-to-passenger ratio of 1:1. 

Costs for all this are high, of course. A seven-night Caribbean cruise on Ritz-Carlton’s Evrima , in a Signature Mid Suite, departing from Fort Lauderdale, costs $14,300 per person. (This is just about the annual income of someone living at the federal poverty level.)

Although very different in kind, another hospitality brand is in the cruise game in a big way in 2024. 

Virgin Voyages, part of bad-boy Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin business empire that includes hotels and an airline, started offering an adults-only cruise experience to customers (it calls them “sailors”) just after the world was pulling out of the pandemic. On-brand details include an absurdist karaoke studio, pop-up circus performances, a mermaid-inspired spa, and a marketing partnership with JLo.  

Significantly, the drinks are priced to move: Beer for $6 and $7, most cocktails for $10, tip included. 

“The ship has bars all over the place, a party scene going on every night, a lot of drinking all day,” Peter Greenberg says. “And they have a tattoo parlor on board. What could possibly go wrong?” 

They live in Bethesda, Maryland, not too far from their two boys, who are both married and fully launched.

Cruise Industry Update

Last updated on September 18th, 2023

Cruise Industry Present Day & Forecast

There’s no denying that the past few years have collectively been difficult for much of the world, and the cruise industry was no different as it was one of the hardest hit industries during the pandemic. As the rest of the world recovers and life goes back to normal, the same can be said for cruise! With 31.5 million passengers expected to cruise in 2023, it’s safe to say that the cruise industry is booming once again. Cruise is a resilient industry, and it continues to be one of the fastest-growing sectors of tourism.

Cruise Industry Overview Quick Facts ( CLIA ):

• 31.5 million cruise passengers expected to sail in 2023
• 70+ new cruise ships on order between now and 2027
• 65% of cruisers work with a traditional travel agent
• 85% of travelers who have cruised before say they will cruise again
• 75% of the U.S. population is within driving distance of a cruise port
• 88% of Millennials and 86% of Gen-X travelers say they will cruise again
• Solo cruise travel is on the rise
• Younger cruise travelers—from Gen Z to Millennials to Gen X—turn to travel advisors to book their cruises more so than any other generation
• North America remains the largest cruise market
• Caribbean remains the top destination for cruisers
• Average age of a cruiser is now 46 years old
• Cruise industry is expected to reach $25.1B in revenue by the end of 2023
• Cruise industry supports over 1M jobs

Cruise Industry Investment

The cruise industry has invested over $50 billion dollars towards driving innovation and transformations over the next 4 years. In pursuit of a more responsible, efficient, inclusive, and enjoyable vacation experience, cruise lines are investing in LNG-powered ships, eco-friendly cruise travel, enhanced use of technology onboard, more onboard entertainment and activities, multi-generational experiences, and much more!

One of the main areas that cruise lines have, and will continue to, invest heavily in is their ships! A fleet of brand-new cruise ships will set sail, bringing with them a wave of excitement, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences. Cruisers will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a world of advanced technology and unparalleled comfort, indulging in luxury as they soak up the local culture, or embark on thrilling adventures. To read more about the new ships of 2023, head over to our blog: The 12 Most-Anticipated Cruise Ships of 2023 .

Private Islands

The private islands of cruise lines have always been some of the top destinations for travelers sailing to the Caribbean or Panama Canal. These exclusive retreats have something for everyone, from eco-tours and water excursions to theme park thrills and beach side lounging. With the rise of popularity of these private islands, cruise lines have invested billions of dollars into enhancing and expanding their private islands; creating over-the-top experiences to all those who visit. Here are a few cruise lines and their private islands:

• Royal Caribbean International – Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
• Royal Caribbean International & Azamara Club Cruises – Labadee, Haiti
• Princess Cruises & Carnival Cruise Line – Princess Cays, Bahamas
• Disney Cruise Line – Castaway Cay, Bahamas
• Holland America Line & Carnival Cruise Line – Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
• Norwegian Cruise Line & Regent Seven Seas Cruises – Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
• Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Oceania Cruises – Harvest Caye
• MSC Cruises – Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas
• Virgin Voyages – The Beach Club at Bimini

New Ports/Port Enhancements

Is there a better sign of a booming cruise industry than cruise lines adding/enhancing their embarkation and disembarkation ports? Royal Caribbean Group is a great example of how cruise lines are investing in the future by partnering with large infrastructure companies to withstand the volume of cruise passengers expected in the next few years.

“Our partnership with iCON is a unique opportunity to catapult us into the coming decades of port investments, build further financial strength, and provide exceptional cruising experiences, responsibility, to our guests at the best destinations in the world” – Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group ( cruisehive )

Several other cruise lines including, Carnival Corporation, Virgin Voyages, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line have invested, or are committed to invest, hundreds of millions of dollars in the coming years to enhance their port presence.

Industry Trends

Each year new trends emerge in the cruising industry that pave the way for the future of cruising. In 2019, we saw an increased demand for off the beaten path destinations, tech-driven features on ships, and an increase in working nomads – to name a few. In 2020, a big focal point of the industry was on decreasing the generational gap in cruisers and more options for solo travelers. Fast forward to 2023, cruising trends today include a focus on sustainable and responsible tourism, the use of tech onboard, younger generations being the future of cruise, the rise of expedition cruising, longer and more luxurious cruises for the seasoned travelers, and shorter cruises for first timers.

Environmental Sustainability

With a goal of net carbon neutral cruising by 2050, cruise lines are pursing innovative solutions, and investing billions, into sustainable cruising. But what exactly does this mean? For starters, almost all cruise lines are opting to use LNG for all new ships being built in the future. Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) are natural gasses that are drawn from the earth’s core and then are super cooled to become liquified natural gas. This liquified state makes the gas odorless, colorless, non-toxic, and non-corrosive. The advantages of adopting LNG are impressive as it creates a cheaper, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly gas. LNG releases zero sulfur, has 99% less particulate emissions, 85% less nitrogen oxide emissions, and 25% less greenhouse gas emissions. Using LNG will also result in a longer lifespan with less wear and tear on the engine, low maintenance costs, and cleaner emissions. For existing ships, the cost of converting to LNG would be too substantial so cruise lines are looking to other methods for these ships, such as exhaust gas cleaning systems.

An exhaust gas cleaning system, also known as a scrubber, allows ships to continue using heavy fueled oil, while reducing their Sulphur oxide and particulate matter emissions. In short, this scrubber will literally scrub away harmful sulfur oxides from exhaust gases. Adopting ECGS will allows ships to reduce their sulfur oxide levels by 98%, reduce total particulate matter by 50%, and reduce nitrogen oxides by 12%.

Furthermore, more and more ships are being fitted with advanced wastewater treatment systems, to ensure the quality of treated wastewater and equipped with the ability to receive shoreside power connectivity which allows ships to turn off their engines and tap into cleaner energy available at ports, cutting emissions and harmful toxins.

For more details on what cruise lines are doing to lessen their impact on the environment, here are a few cruise line sustainability websites:

• https://carnivalsustainability.com/
• https://www.celebritycruises.com/ca/about-us/sustainability-efforts/environmental-Initiatives
• https://disneyparksnews.com/uploads/sites/4/2019/07/DCL_Env_Fact_July-2019.pdf
• https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/About-Msc/MSC-Sustainability.aspx
• https://www.ncl.com/about/environmental-commitment
• http://sustainability.rclcorporate.com/

Responsible Tourism

Responsible, or sustainable tourism, is just as important as environmental sustainability, as these practices often go hand in hand. As economically advantageous as it to draw hundreds, if not thousands, of visitors to a destination, the disadvantages of overcrowding, and careless behaviors by tourists, are a detriment to the unique heritage, landscape, and way of life of the places visited. As the demand for cruising increases steadily with each passing year, cruise lines are aware of their responsibility to not only preserve the physical land they allow passengers to traverse, but also to respect, protect, and value the culture and environment of the places they visit.

Cruise lines are working with local communities to brainstorm creative ways to manage the flow of tourists they bring to shore, as well as implementing the highest standards of responsible tourism ( CLIA ). For example, Princess Cruises embodies a concept of “ socially conscious ” cruising.

“It’s about creating a small group that have immersive training onboard, and then when they go ashore, it’s about doing things that are good for the local communities,” Vice President of North American Sales for Carnival Corp. and Princess John Chernesky said.

Other examples include how CLIA Cruise Lines, in collaboration with the Mayor’s office and the City Council, developed new measures to alleviate tourism flow issues in Dubrovnik; in Santorini, the cruise industry worked with local authorities on a new ship arrival management system to spread the flow of tourists visiting the system; and in Alaska cruise lines have implemented more stringent waste water requirements than even the communities on land ( CLIA ). Royal Caribbean International also offers more than 3,500 shore excursions that are GSTC-certified. To be certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), a shore excursion must be a one-of-a-kind experience that respects local culture and its surroundings.

Technology Onboard

From digital/AI check-in and boarding passes to touchless room entry and geo-locators for children on ships, cruise lines have fully embraced the new age of technology. Today’s cruisers expect a personalized and seamless experience, from embarkation to disembarkation, and everything in between, the modern cruiser will look to their phones or onboard technology for almost every aspect of their cruise experience.

Want a quick and seamless check-in to get onboard faster? You got it – just take a selfie and upload it to the app. Want to make reservations at your favorite restaurant? Easy – book it on your cruise app! Need to open your stateroom? No problem – tap your wristband to the door sensor! Want to know where your kids are on the ship? They’ve got you covered – your wristband also serves as a GPS locator onboard! And these are just a few of the incredible technological advancements fitted on ships these days. See below for a few more!

• “Zoe” on MSC’s newest ships serves as your own personal “Alexa or Siri”. Zoe is programmed to answer 800+ questions about excurions, onboard restaurants, and much more!
• On Virgin Voyages cruises you can shake the Virgin Voyages app ( Shake for Champagne™ ) for a secret button to appear. With just one press of the button a bottle of champagne will be delivered to your stateroom.
• Locate your loved ones with the MedallionClass App on Princess Cruises
• Book a virtual balcony! It’s an inside stateroom with a floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall, high-definition LED screen that feeds live footage of the view your would have had in a balcony room (without the price tag!)
• Geo-locate your children with trackable bracelets such as those on Carnival Cruise Lines

Catering to Younger Generations

Retirees, empty-nesters, and old couples – this is what most people considered to be the cruiser demographic in the past. But not anymore! The cruising world has drastically changed as younger generations are favoring experiences and adventures over material goods. And the numbers don’t lie – cruising demographic has changed over the last few years with the average age of a cruiser dropping down to 46! Gen-X and Millennials are the most enthusiastic about planning a cruise vacation with 86% of Gen-X and 88% of Millennials planning to cruise again ( CLIA ). As the preference for experiences becomes an increasing trend, cruise lines are adapting by creating innovative, cutting-edge, and entertaining ships, as well as itineraries that cater to a younger crowd. These include, but are not limited to, music festivals at sea, remote destination itineraries, tech-inspired ships, and endless activities onboard.

It’s important to note that with all this attention given to younger generations, cruise lines have NOT forgotten about the older generations; their bread and butter that brought cruising to the forefront of vacation planning. There are still plenty of cruise lines, ships, and itineraries that cater to a more refined taste and traditional way of cruising, with elegantly designed staterooms, traditional dining rooms, and culture-rich onboard and off-shore experiences.

Rise of Expedition Cruising

Who says you can’t have adventure AND luxury?! Small-ship expedition cruising is a hot trend that has slowly gained popularity over the past few years. Although these cruises come with a higher price tag, more and more cruisers are flocking to these itineraries that offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences. From the Arctic to the Galapagos Islands, expedition cruising allows adventure enthusiasts the perfect opportunity for eco-discovery in exotic lands, along with luxurious accommodations. Seabourn, Viking, Silversea, Hurtigruten, and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours are just a few of the cruise lines offering expedition cruising.

Longer, More Luxurious Cruises

With the increase in remote work, more and more cruisers have shown interest in longer, grander voyages. Longer cruises can range anywhere from 30 days to world cruises that are upwards of 200 days! These lengthy cruises allow travel aficionados the ability to visit several ports on their bucket list, all while unpacking once.   

Shorter Cruises

Longer, more luxurious cruises aren’t the only one’s trending – shorter cruises have also picked up steam! Shorter cruises are under 7 days and allow travelers the opportunity to recharge over a few days, or sometimes just a weekend, at sea. The convenience of these “micro-cations” is a main selling point for cruise lines and travel agencies. Less planning, more affordable, and less paid time off required from work – what’s not to love?!

Solo Cruising

Solo cabins, although much smaller than double-occupancy cabins, are the answer solo travelers have been waiting for. The ability to unpack once, have all your meals included, and explore multiple destinations, all without paying a single-supplement fee, has made cruising a much more affordable and exciting vacation option for those opting to travel alone.

Here is a list of a few of the major cruise lines doing their part to assist solo travelers:

• Royal Caribbean International
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Holland America Line
• Costa Cruises
• Cunard Line
• AmaWaterways.

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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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• Business Management

Cruise market trends: How to sail through the disruptive landscape?

March 22, 2021 •

8 min reading

At the beginning of 2020, the ocean cruises industry was one of the fastest growing sectors of the travel industry. No less than 55 cruise companies operate 278 ocean cruise line ships, with another 28 new ships that will be delivered in 2021. In addition to the ocean cruise sailing capacity, there are over 500 river cruise ships. Ocean, river and specialty cruise lines represent more than 95% of the global cruise capacity. Market segments of ocean cruise lines companies can be clustered into first class, premium or contemporary, luxury and specialty cruise lines. In 2019 the worth of the world cruise industry, was more than $150 billion in direct and indirect revenues.

According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruise industry trade organization, the number of cruise ship passengers has increased from 17.8 million in 2009 to 30 million in 2019, an annual growth rate of 5.4%. Prior to the business lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the forecast for 2020 was a further increase to 32 million passengers. In 2019, the most popular cruise destination was the Caribbean region (42% of all cruise), followed by the Mediterranean (16%), Asia and China (14%), and Northern Europe (6%). In 2019 the number of passengers split by origin, was the following (data in millions): 15.41 were North American, 7.71 European and 3.75 Asia.

The average age of passengers was 46.7 years. However, considering that Generation Z surpassed Millennials as the largest demographic group in 2020, the average will eventually decrease in the next decades as the Z Generation is considered to become one of the largest market segment in the cruise industry.

Major trends that will shape the industry over the next decade, include:

• Environmental sustainability: the industry is investing heavily in waste reduction with innovative cutting edge environmental technology, such as the use of liquified natural gas (LNG), exhaust gas cleaning (EGCS), advanced water treatment systems and shoreside electricity;
• Responsible tourism: cruise lines are working with local communities to find the best way to manage the flow of passengers visiting each port of call, to protect the culture, the environment, the unique heritage and landscape of destinations visited;
• Catering to single cruisers: sales strategies are now much more sensitive to the needs of “solo” cruisers;
• Theme cruises, alternative destinations and duration of cruises: the continued growth of luxury expedition cruising, alternative destinations such as private islands and marine reserves and the growing number of two- and three-day micro-cruises;
• New onboard IT digital experience: the growing interest of Millennials and Generation Z in cruises, which will become the largest consumer generation, is driving the upgrade of internet connectivity on-board. Cruise ships are massively investing the availability of in line apps, wearable technology (multifunctional bracelets that include geolocation system), cabin voice recognition devices, facial recognition cameras, touch screen devices for on-board service reservations, digital concierge services, robotics (bartenders preparing and service cocktails e.g.) and health apps;
• New innovative onboard concept venues and accommodation: cruise passengers are increasingly looking for a sense of privacy, different service experiences and entertainment;
• Last but not least, the mandatory adoption of COVID-19 related measures to ensure a safe and healthy on-board environment for all passengers and crew members.

Cruising through the new disruptive COVID-19 scenario

Cruise line companies seeking to emerge in a stronger position after the pandemic should develop a systematic understanding of how passengers’ habits have changed during the crisis and how it affects their behavior within their entire customer journey: from the decision-making process that is leading travelers to select a cruise company, down to their trip back home after disembarkation. Which variables will passengers take into consideration in selecting their next cruise? What do passengers expect in terms of safety and health standards? How will cruise lines keep their ships free from COVID-19, and how will they prepare themselves for further outbreaks? These are key aspects that cruise companies need to fully understand keeping their loyal passengers and to bring in Generation Z as well.

Disruptive business crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, further enforce the logic that corporate strategies is the way a company select a competitive positioning. While operations strategy is the way to reach and defend the competitive position chosen by the company. It means that relevant new requirements, COVID-19 related, need to embrace the business mainly at two levels: corporate and operations which remain the strongest competitive advantage for a cruise line company. New protocols have been developed to implement measures which aim at minimizing the exposure to and transmission of COVID-19 on board its cruise vessels and through all the customer journey when applicable. The way the protocols will be implemented within the operations, will ensure the consolidation of the longstanding competitive advantages cruise companies have achieved until the COVID-19 crises.

From a corporate prospective the main focus will be on ensuring a consistent level of governance and compliance with the protocols conceived according to rules, regulations issued by governments and national public health institutes. A resilient monitoring of the pandemic must be also a priority. The target is to constantly deliver a safe and healthy experience to passengers preserving the service excellence guests were used to, before the COVID-19 pandemic crises. It goes without saying that crew members and employees ashore, who represent the strongest asset in any hospitality business, will play a strategical role in developing, implementing and keeping the new standards up to date.

From an operational viewpoint, cruise companies will implement new procedures which will impact the passengers cruise experience and the on-board operations such as pretesting and vaccination for all passengers and crew members, embarkation and disembarkation, social distancing in public areas, on-board back and front of the house operations, medical and public health standards and shore excursions activities. Health and safety have always been paramount to the way the cruise business has been run. With procedures already in place before the pandemic and the new protocols, cruise companies will be able to ensure the necessary high standards of safe and healthy operations guests are expecting to cruise with full confidence.

Which value proposition for future landscapes

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, cruise companies are progressing on existing fleet expansion projects and restarting shipyards operations that were put on hold in 2020. While the delivery dates have been extended, no large ocean cruise ship orders have been canceled since the industry went on pause. The new building continues also in the cruise-ferries and river ships business.

When the industry will restart, the passengers experience and the operations are likely to look very different on board. Cruise companies are picturing cruise ships as the safest form of travel for the future, promoting the vessels as a COVID-19 free environment or “bubble” and communication strategies are focused on the effective implementation of tested protocols. Time will confirm whether it will be enough to cope with the pandemic crises or if it will be necessary to re-conceive the core of the cruise business itself in the long run (itinerary planning, size of the vessels, product and services offered on board e.g.).

The key leverages in facing the new landscape remain the on-board operations and the crew members, crucial in facilitating and guiding passengers through the cruise experience at sea. This is where the core competitive advantage of cruise companies lays.

In this context, EHL Advisory Services’ value proposition to the cruise business is based on:

• Developing corporate strategies to meet new market trends and challenges, preserve and add value to the business;
• Developing health protocols;
• Designing and implementing on-board operational procedure focused on cost controlling, inventory     management and replenishment, ensuring corporate governance and compliance;
• Developing tailor-made training programs to enhance service excellence at sea;
• Managing business development projects.

References:

• Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
• COVID-19 and Cruise Ship Travel
• COVID-19 impacts on global cruise industry How is the cruise industry coping with the COVID -19 crisis ?
• Growth of the Ocean Cruise Line Industry
• How Can Cruise Lines Attract New Cruisers in 2021?
• Cruise industry tries to rebuild after coronavirus shutdowns
• When will it be safe to cruise again? These signs that will help you decide when to sail
• State Of The Cruise Industry: Smooth Sailing Into The 2020’s
• 27 shocking cruise industry statistics and facts for 2021
• Why cruise ships are setting sail again as COVID-19 rages
• These startling pictures show the impact of COVID-19 on the cruise industry
• Number of ocean cruise passengers worldwide in 2019, by region
• Segmentation and targeting in the cruise industry: an insight from practitioners serving passengers at the point of destination
• Newest Cruise Ships
• Cruise Ship Construction Proceeding Despite Continuing Industry Pause
• Cruise Industry Trends for 2020

Consultant, EHL Advisory Services

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Cruise Industry Trends 2024: Exploring the Future of the Cruise Industry

Explore about list of cruise trends in 2024 that you should watch out for.

Book A Cruise

There are many benefits to taking a cruise. From a protected vantage point, cruises offer a fantastic way to see the world. There are a few trends to keep in mind when planning a cruise. Taking a cruise today can take you to places you didn't even know were possible. In addition to green cruising, women-centric travel, and a chance to rebalance your body and mind, they also offer green cruising. Discover worlds, have fun, and find true relaxation with these attractive options for cruises.

The whole cruise industry and all cruise lines are shaping up for 2024, an exciting year for them to celebrate significant milestones. Major cruise lines such as MSC, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean will be launching new cruises in 2024. So if you’re planning on a cruise vacation in the year 2024, here are a few trends to follow before you begin.

Cruise Industry Seeks to Refloat with Cruise Trends in Year 2024

• Getting More Digitally
• Hot Cruise Destinations
• Advance Booking Options
• The Rise of the Millennial Cruise Vacationer
• Price Hikes in Fare
• Small Ship Cruises
• Women-Centered Trips
• Instagram Travel
• Food and Beverages
• Longer Cruises – World Cruises
• Working and Playing
• Onboard Experiences
• Solo Cruising
• Cold-Weather Cruising
• Eco-Friendly Cruise Travel
• Travel Advisors
• High Demand for Unique, Pristine Lands
• Countless River Cruise Ships

1. Getting More Digitally

The cruise industry is also getting upscale by accepting the digital transformation trend. Apart from adding new itineraries and shore excursions, they are also providing onboard the latest technology for their fellow cruisers. For example, mobile apps. Mostly, all cruise lines have their own mobile apps, which allow them to access ship information, services, check-ins, virtual reality headsets, AI-powered assistants, and many more digital things. Some even have robot bartenders to attend to guests' special requests, while some give virtual tours with VR headsets. However, all cruise lines are investing in the right digital technology to match up with the other industries. Even the operations, such as the booking process , have been streamlined because of technology.

Many cruise ships will start following the new enhanced features and protocols in the upcoming year as the cruising industry prepares for a comeback with touchless embarkation and staggered arrivals, touchless payments, health questionnaires, health and safety drill protocols, and real-time visibility into the venue. Moreover, they have also canceled the self-service buffet system.

2. Hot Cruise Destinations

One of the most trending destinations for the year 2023 was Europe; even in 2024, Europe is going on top. The cherry on the top is that European river cruises are getting hotter in 2024. Market research shows fellow cruisers have already booked European river cruises for 2024. However, some other destinations are also trending for the year 2024, which are Alaska, far-flung destinations, the Middle East, the polar region, Israel, Antarctica, and some exotic destinations like Egypt.

Some other trending destinations might be the Bahamas, New Zealand , The Caribbean, Norwegian Fjords, Western Europe, Greece, The Panama Canal, The Galapagos, The Great Barrier Reef, South America, and Iceland .

3. Advance Booking Options

As you know, booking options for a cruise start from 18 months to one week prior to your sailing date, but in 2024, it will start early. Majorly, all cruise lines will allow cruisers to book in advance, even for 2025 itineraries or world cruises. However, cruise lines are encouraging people to book early by providing discounts. Some special promotions are also run during festivals or special days. Booking early ensures the best cabins to choose from.

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• How to Book a Cruise in 2024?

4. The Rise of the Millennial Cruise Vacationer:

The cruise industry has seen a rise in bookings in 2024 because of the millennial cruisers. In 2024, almost 75% of millennials say they want to go on a cruise once again. The reason these people enjoy their vacation is that they enjoy exploring the world by staying healthy onboard a cruise ship. However, all major cruise lines have started offering fitness classes, personal trainers, and even gyms onboard, including healthy gourmet dining. For example, if you have any special dietary requirements, you can ask your cruise line at the time of booking or prior to boarding the cruise.

Even millennials enjoy on-deck yoga and work in their cafes where Wi-Fi is available 24/7. So, it makes them relaxed as they can work remotely anytime, anywhere, while enjoying their cruise vacation.

5. Price Hikes in Fare

In 2024, people will experience some amount of price increases in the cruise industry. However, those prices will not be more than land packages. For example, Carnival cruise line has raised its cruise price along with its capacity. You can expect very attractive pricing with more cruise lines offering more vessels! A great list of very competitive prices in the range of $500 to more than $25,000. Cruising has entered a new golden age with a new look. Consider activating a price alert on CruiseBooking.com to track the prices of the cruise you are interested in.

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• What are the best ways to afford a cruise?

6. Small Ship Cruises

With the rise of the mega-ship, some travellers opt for a smaller cruise experience. Smaller ships allow cruisers to visit ports where larger ships are unable to go. The small ship experience can be found on river cruises as well as some luxury brands including Silversea, Seabourn, and Regent.

• World Travel Bucket List: A Guide to Small Ship Cruising

7. Women-Centered Trips

In today’s world, women are making more money than ever before and enjoying it in some way or another. Out of which, one thing is traveling, and almost three-quarters of the women want to travel solo. So, cruise industry has started women-centered cruising trips. There are also special events for women on cruise ships, such as exhibitions, panel discussions, and excursions to women-run businesses. There are different categories to travel for women, such as theme cruises, singles cruises, LGBTQ cruises, upscale cruises, party cruises, and cruises to unwind. Moreover, the cruise line ensures that women feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed as they travel to unknown places around the globe.

• Top 4 Cruises for Solo Woman Traveler

8. Instagram Travel

It's more common for people to talk about travel on social media than from other sources. This trend applies even more than ever to new cruisers in the upcoming year. There are more than a third million posts with hashtag travel in some way. Before going to any place, people search for that place on Instagram for insider information to choose where they want to head for vacation. Thus, this trend will continue this year and more upcoming years because, with the help of social media, people can easily document where they’ve been and where they will be going. Moreover, people are looking for influencers, bloggers, and experts to help them with charming posts about particular locations.

9. Food and Beverages

A new way of cruising includes food, beverages, and an emphasis on wellness and healthy eating. Thus, cruises are rising to the challenge with menus that bring in something for everyone to enjoy while not getting that unwanted fat and calories. With this trend, the industry has encouraged healthy eating. Even the staff know how to help the passengers and have incredible options for every single meal. Also, passengers with a strict diet will find it easier to eat right when onboard.

• What type of food is served on a cruise ship?
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10. Longer Cruises & World Cruises

Ready for the trip of a lifetime? Take a world cruise around the globe. There is no other better way to explore the unseen world, hidden beauty, and little gems in the world. If you're on a bucket list of places you always want to see, then follow the world cruising trend. There are places like Antarctica, Galapagos, and hidden private islands that have seen a vast increase in people visiting. So, think about a place and visit that place the following day in complete style and with incredible ease.

• Cruises From Baltra (Galapagos)

11. Working and Playing

The fact that work and play are essential for life is an upcoming trend for the year 2024. As many people in the world love to travel but can’t travel due to work. Travel in 2024 can be a blessing because people can have fun and work simultaneously as they see new places. Many travelers found that working and cruising is a fun thing and can be incredibly useful. Many cruise lines have started offering such workcations to do both. A workcation can be an opportunity to combine chances to network with other people while exploring the unseen world.

12. Onboard Experiences

In 2024, cruisers will look forward to more onboard entertainment as cruises have added more onboard activities. They have involved trivia nights, cooking classes, wine-tasting, rope courses, and many more. Sometimes they also arrange conferences and seminars for their guests. They will ensure that their guests remain entertained throughout the journey by maintaining proper distance and safety.

• How to Use Onboard Cruise Credit Like a Pro?

13. Solo Cruising

Solo cruising has always been popular but was quite costly for singles. Many solo travelers want to travel but want to book a cruise within a reasonable budget. They want to get out of their comfort zone by meeting new people when traveling and exploring new places. However, they have to pay for two to book a stateroom. So, some cruise lines started offering discounts and sales to them. Moreover, some of them created a stateroom for one. Cruises accommodate it to solo cruisers without any extra single supplements.

• Useful Tips for Cruisers Traveling Solo

14. Cold-Weather Cruising

For many people, cold-weather cruising is the hottest trend. The demand for cruising to cold weather has increased, and it will be on top in 2024. The idea of traveling to a place that is out of the norms makes a unique adventure. The more appealing part is the helicopter and submarine trend. It is perfect, like cherry and ice cream. Many cruise lines are ready to take you to the coldest place globally but are you prepared to visit those places? If yes, read these exciting things that you can do on the Arctic cruise .

• Departure Ports of Arctic Cruise

15. Eco-Friendly Cruise Travel

In 2024, a big focal point of the cruising industry will be making the cruising experience more environmentally sustainable by placing more importance on responsible tourism. Eco-friendly cruising encourages travelers to see the world consciously and mindfully. Some cruise lines are already leading the way, such as Royal Caribbean , Aqua Expeditions, and Hurtigruten.

16. Travel Advisors

Travel advisors are a must with so many restrictions and such varied reopening around the country and the world. They will help you to navigate the complicated landscapes of traveling during the pandemic. A good travel advisor will help you plan your itinerary and find the perfect cruise for your needs.

17. High Demand for Unique, Pristine Lands

In recent years, there have been more itineraries to exotic locales than to popular locales like the Caribbean and Alaska. Rare new cruise itineraries will be available for those looking for more off-the-beaten-path excursions. Cruise lines are adding more Polar region itineraries. In addition to Canada, Finland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Alaska, and Greenland, the Arctic region also includes Iceland and Greenland. Also popular is the continent of Antarctica.

18. Countless River Cruise Ships

Another development has been the rise of river cruise ships along with the advent of smaller ships. Unlike larger cruise ships, these vessels offer an entirely different ambiance and have access to river routes and cities.

We hope these upcoming 2024-year trends motivate you to travel on a cruise and stop worrying about those viruses this forthcoming year. The only things that will be taken care of in 2024 will be more fun, more destinations, and even more ports.

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Travel | Cruise demand leaves pandemic in rearview with…

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MIAMI BEACH — The COVID pandemic drove the cruise industry to a standstill, but numbers released Tuesday signal the years of comeback are officially over with more expansion on tap.

More than 31.7 million passengers took cruises worldwide in 2023, said Kelly Craighead, Cruise Line International Association president and CEO, speaking at the annual Seatrade Cruise Global conference at Miami Beach Convention Center.

CLIA is the lobbying group for member cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC and most other major brands.

The pandemic shut down sailing from March 2020 with only a small number of ships coming back online 18 months later in summer 2021. Cruise lines didn’t return to full strength until partially through 2022, so it wasn’t until a full year of sailing in 2023 that the industry could get a real handle on just what the demand had grown to as people returned to vacation travel.

“We are an industry that’s resilient and thriving all around the world, breaking records in ways we might never have imagined,” she said.

The 2023 total is 2 million more than the industry had in 2019. CLIA projects 34.1 million in 2024 growing to 34.6 million in 2025. It’s still a miniscule chunk of the overall travel pie of more than 1.3 billion, but cruise’s share is growing.

She noted that surveys of travelers who would consider a cruise for a vacation are at an all-time high, noting that 82% who had previously cruised said they would cruise again, but more importantly, among those who had never sailed, 71% would consider it.

The youngest generations — Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z — are the biggest drivers.

The fleet for the growing demand continues as well, including the introduction this year of the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas.

She said CLIA member lines had more than 300 ships sailing globally for the first time in 2023, with 14 new ships that began sailing in 2023 and another eight expected before the end of the year. They have 88 new ships on order through 2028.

Already this year, both Royal Caribbean Group and Carnival Corp. announced major new ship construction deals, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings added to that this week with its order of eight more vessels across its three brands.

The heads of those groups were on stage to discuss where the industry is headed and enjoy their recent success.

Carnival Corp.’s president and CEO Josh Weinstein put it in a way that gained plaudits from fellow panelists and others at the conference.

“The concept of pent-up demand for cruising is gone,” he said. “We have been cruising for three years, right? It’s over. This is natural demand because we all provide amazing experiences. We delivered happiness to literally 31 million guests last year. And people see it, they feel it.”

A big part of what cruising missed during the pandemic he said was that word-of-mouth promotion that is needed to convince people to try their product.

“We now have 31 million people getting off our ships and going home and telling their friends and family who have never cruised before, ‘You don’t know what you’re missing.’ ‘This is amazing.'”

All of the leaders echoed the industry line that they offer a much better value than land-based vacations, but that the experience gap between the two has now shifted in their favor coming out of the pandemic.

“The appreciation for building memories with your friends and family coming out of COVID is at extraordinarily high levels,” said Jason Liberty, president & CEO at Royal Caribbean Group. “Also wealth transfer, right? Grandparents wanting to see that wealth transfer live, watching their kids and their grandkids experience that is also at an all-time high. … We have the secular trends of people buying less stuff, they want experiences. We’re in the experience business.”

Another bright aspect to the industry has been the spillover effect of all of the new ships since the pandemic, said Harry Sommer, president & CEO at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

“Their new products are so extraordinary, and so much better than what was delivered back in ’15, ’16 and ’17, that it’s driving additional excitement for the entire industry,” Somer said. “When any new ship is delivered, no matter whether it’s part of our portfolio or the other portfolios, demand improves for all of us because it adds excitement to the industry.”

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Why a major Miami cruise company has canceled over a dozen international trips for 2025

M iami-based Norwegian Cruise Line has canceled at least 14 cruises on 7 ships in 2025 as a booming industry confronts global conflict and other issues.

The cancellations include trips in May and September on Norwegian Viva, the company’s newest ship, and ones in April through June on Norwegian Sky, which frequently sails from PortMiami.

Norwegian said customers who are affected will get a full refund and a 10% discount on future sailings through Dec. 31, 2025.

In a statement, the company said that the cancellations “are a result of varied events, including the ongoing situation in the Red Sea and Israel, modified dry dock schedules for ship enhancements, a full ship charter, and lastly, to accommodate the demand for shorter close-to-home voyages to the Bahamas.”

Suspended trips include the Norwegian Jade from Feb. 20 through March 24, 2025. That ship often departs from Port Canaveral.

Norwegian remains optimistic about cruising. This week, the company ordered eight new ships, its largest ever single purchase, a milestone celebrated at Seatrade Cruise Global, a four-day annual industry conference at the Miami Beach Convention Center. They will be delivered between 2026 and 2036.

Since the terror group Hamas attacked Israel and the Gaza war started in October, cruise companies have been canceling trips to the Middle East.

Next year’s cruise cancellations affect passengers of the Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Sky, and Norwegian Viva.

A March 28 letter to passengers said: “We have been monitoring the situation in Israel, and despite our best hopes that it would de-escalate, we have made the decision to alter published itineraries that transit through and around the region.”

For Epic, the decision was made “in order to reroute her and accommodate the early start to her Caribbean cruise season.”

The Sky will be rerouted around Africa and deployed to Eastern, Western, and Southern Africa, a letter to those passengers said.

Viva is being sent to the Mediterranean, passengers were told in a letter.

Despite any security risks, major airlines including United and Delta have said they will resume flights to Israel. Next week, El Al resumes non-stop service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Tel Aviv twice a week. The Israeli airline continues to offer five flights a week from Miami International Airport.

Norwegian in its statement said the cruise company remains committed to taking its guests to “some of the most sought-out destinations around the world.” But sometimes, itineraries need to be modified to “accommodate certain circumstances.”

Other reasons for the cruise changes

But security in the Middle East isn’t the only reason for the changes.

The Norwegian Star canceled because of a “full ship charter.” That means a private organization offered to rent out the whole ship for an entire trip.

The Norwegian Spirit underwent a planned renovation in less time than anticipated, and so now wants to use that time for a longer trip. “As the renovation period will be complete prior to schedule, we now have the opportunity to enhance the originally scheduled January 21, 2025 itinerary, and offer a longer and more immersive experience,” it told guests in a letter.

Meanwhile the canceled sailings on the Norwegian Jade from Feb. 20 through March 25 is “part of a fleet redeployment to accommodate strong demand for cruises through the Panama Canal and to the Bahamas,” the company wrote in a letter to passengers.

Cruise cancellations list

Here is a full list of cruises canceled by Norwegian is listed here, provided by the company:

• Norwegian Spirit: Jan. 21, 2025
• Norwegian Jade: Feb. 20 through March 24, 2025
• Norwegian Sky: April 19 through June 5, 2025
• Norwegian Star: May 17 through June 9, 2025
• Norwegian Viva: May 18 and 27, and Sept. 20 and 29, 2025
• Norwegian Pearl: Oct. 15, 2025
• Norwegian Epic: Nov. 1 and Nov. 11, 2025

©2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Over a Dozen Voyages in 2025 — What to Know

Guests impacted by the cancellations will receive a full refund and a 10% discount in the form of a Future Cruise Credit towards any sailing through Dec. 31, 2025.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is canceling over a dozen cruises 2025.  The cruise line is nixing multiple voyages throughout next year, Norwegian confirmed to Travel + Leisure on Friday. "The recent 2025 itinerary cancelations are a result of varied events including the ongoing situation in the Red Sea and Israel, modified dry dock schedules for ship enhancements, a full ship charter, and lastly, to accommodate the demand for shorter close-to-home voyages to the Bahamas," a spokesperson for the cruise line told T+L.

The affected itineraries are as follows:

• Norwegian Epic - , Feb. 20, 2025, Nov. 1, 2025, Nov. 11, 2025
• Norwegian Jade - Mar. 4, 2025, Mar. 13, 2025, Mar. 24, 2025
• Norwegian Pearl - Apr. 19, 2025, May 5, 2025, May 16, 2025, Oct. 15, 2025
• Norwegian Sky - May 27, 2025, Jun. 5, 2025
• Norwegian Spirit - Jan. 1, 2025, May 17, 2025
• Norwegian Star - May 18, 2025, May 29, 2025, Jun. 9, 2025,
• Norwegian Viva - May 27, 2025, Sep. 20, 2025, Sep. 29, 2025

The spokesperson also shared with T+L that guests impacted by the cancellations will receive a full refund and a 10% percent discount in the form of a Future Cruise Credit towards any sailing through Dec. 31, 2025. "In addition, we understand the inconvenience and frustration this disruption may cause affected guests, so we have shared alternative sailings similar to their original booking," the spokesperson added, encouraging impacted guests to head to contact the company at 1-800-327-7030 for more information.  

In February 2024, NCL also announced it would no longer dock in Venice, Italy, due to restrictions of the waterways.  “While we have made every effort possible to maintain these calls to Venice, the tender operation and overall experience this provides our guests has fallen short of the standard we aim to deliver,” a spokesperson from NCL told T+L at the time.  Despite the cancellations, the cruise industry continues to rebound since COVID-19 closures. The industry is expected to grow to 130 million global passengers in 2026, which is up from 73 million global passengers in 2022, according to a 2023 report from the Cruise Lines International Association. 

Cruise Industry’s Destination Trends for 2024 and Beyond

• January 19, 2024

Cruise Industry News selected some of the key destination and deployment trends for the cruise market in 2024 and beyond.

More Ships to Florida

With strong demand in North America, more ships are set to homeport in Florida than ever before.

Carnival Cruise Line is repositioning the Carnival Venezia to Port Canaveral for the 2024-25 season .

Norwegian Cruise Line is replacing Norwegian Epic’s winter season in Europe with new itineraries departing from Port Canaveral .

The Space Coast port also has two new homeport customers: Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises. The premium brands will launch service from Port Canaveral for the 2024-25 season, with the Celebrity Equinox and the Caribbean Princess .

While Miami will see the debut of the world’s new largest cruise ship, the Icon of the Seas , Tampa is also getting attention with the arrival of the Margaritaville at Sea Islander and a new full-year program onboard the Grandeur of the Seas .

China Makes a Return

After several years closed to mainstream cruise operations due to pandemic, the Chinese market is set for a wider reopening in 2024.

While local brands are resuming service and introducing new ships, the reopening is also drawing vessels from international brands, such as MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean International.

Two MSC ships, the Bellissima and the Splendida , are arriving in China in 2024. Royal Caribbean is also bringing the Spectrum of the Seas back to Shanghai during the year .

Exotic Destinations

Celebrity Cruises is adding year-round operations in Asia this year.

Norwegian Cruise Line is also increasing its capacity by 37 percent in itineraries to Antarctica, South America, Africa, Asia, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand for the 2024-25 winter.

Carnival Cruise Line is another brand set to offer more cruises to exotic destinations, with more Carnival Journeys to Asia, the South Pacific, Greenland, and more .

Celebration Key

In July 2025, Carnival Cruise Line is opening Celebration Key as its new private destination in the Bahamas .

Located on the Grand Bahama Island, the $500-million port was exclusively designed for the company’s guests and aims to offer a uniquely Bahamian experience with a range of amenities, including a one-mile-long beach as well as retail, food and beverage options.

Set to see calls from 18 Carnival ships in its first year, Celebration Key will also be equipped with a cruise pier which will be able to accommodate up to two of Carnival’s XL-class ships at the same time.

  Disney’s Lighthouse Point

Disney Cruise Line is opening a new private destination in Summer 2024. Located in Eleuthera, Lighthouse Point will serve as the company’s island destination in the Bahamas.

The retreat was created in collaboration with local artists and advisors, Disney Cruise Line said, and features a design that favors families and the unique Bahamian culture.

Among the features of Lighthouse Point is a gaming pavilion as well as a volleyball court and gaga ball pit. Other recreational activities include watercraft and bicycle rentals and a large family beach, in addition to dining areas, bars and more.

Private Islands Expansion

Royal Caribbean International is adding a new adults-only area to Perfect Cay at CocoCay named Hideaway Beach . With a private beach and pools, new spots for drinks and bites, exclusive cabanas and live music, the space will increase the island’s capacity to 13,000 guests per day.

MSC Cruises is expanding its private island destination in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Part of an infrastructure development program , the upgrade includes additional amenities for guests who visit the destination, accommodation for staff as well as operational and technical improvements.

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Breaking news, father of florida cruise passenger, 20, who jumped off royal caribbean ship after argument believes his son is still alive: report.

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The father of the 20-year-old passenger who jumped off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship last Thursday in a reportedly drunken, impulsive leap believes his son is still alive nearly a week later.

Francel Parker, dad of missing Levion Parker, told the Daily Sun that he believes his child — whom he called a master diver — is still alive in the waters off the Bahamas.

“As soon as he went off the side, I prayed over him. I was confident the prayers I said over my son were heard. I stand on the word of God. I believe he is alive,” Francel Parker said to the local Florida paper Wednesday.

The US Coast Guard called off its search for the North Port man a day earlier.

The younger Parker allegedly jumped off the 18-story Liberty of the Seas around 4 a.m. in front of his helpless dad and younger brother after getting into an argument with his father, witnesses previously told The Post.

But Francel, who runs an AC business in Port Charlotte, told the local newspaper that he wasn’t arguing with Levion and that his son wasn’t trying to take his own life.

He said Levion is a skilled diver who works on a commercial fishing boat, and he is demanding to know how his underage son was given alcohol on the four-day cruise to Cuba and the Bahamas’ Grand Inagua Island.

“We don’t drink,” Francel said. “I’d like to know how my son was served so much alcohol.”

Another passenger onboard the cruise who witnessed Levion’s heart-stopping jump said Francel was “fussing at him for being drunk.”

Bryan Sims told The Post that he was hanging out with Levion and his 18-year-old brother, Seth, in the hotel tub of the ship in the early hours of April 4 before they went their separate ways.

After Sims had used the restroom and dried off, he bumped into the brothers and their father near the elevators.

“As we were walking from the hot tub back to the elevators, his dad and brother were walking towards us. His dad was fussing at him for being drunk, I guess,” Sims said of the moment before Parker jumped.  

“When we got to them, he said to his dad, ‘I’ll fix this right now.’ And he jumped out the window in front of us all,” Sims said, calling what he witnessed “surreal.”

Another cruise guest described the frantic chaos that followed.

“There was a lot of yelling, and the crew was alerted immediately,” Deborah Morrison told The Post.

“His family was horrified. Just beside themselves. I can’t even begin to imagine what they’re going through.”

Francel told the Daily Sun that he threw six life rings off the ship in hopes of saving his son before the massive vessel was able to come to a stop about 20 minutes later.

Royal Caribbean said it “immediately” launched search boats to look for the 20-year-old and alerted the Coast Guard, which later took over the search.

At least 406 people on major cruise lines and ferries have gone overboard between 2000 and 2024, according to data collected by retired professor and cruise industry researcher Ross Klein.

Death rates among overboard passengers and crew members vary significantly among cruise lines, but even the safest cruise companies were only able to rescue about 40% of people who fall or jump off the ship, Klein told the Washington Post in July.

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