Demand for cruise holidays continues to grow: CLIA

In its newly released 2024 State of the Cruise Industry report—which includes the release of 2023 passenger volume—the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reveals that passenger volume reached 31.7 million— surpassing 2019 by seven per cent.

As well, the report also shows continued demand for cruise holidays, pointing out that the intent to cruise at 82 per cent.

CLIA’s forecast for cruise capacity indicates an increase of 10 per cent from 2024 through 2028, as cruise lines make ongoing, concrete progress in pursuit of net- zero emissions by 2050.

Other highlights of CLIA’s 2024 State of the Cruise Industry report include the forecast for cruise capacity through 2028 and a summary of the 2024 to 2028 cruise orderbook, as well as the latest cruise trends.

Those trends include:

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

To read the full report, click here.