by Donald Wood
Last updated: 7:00 PM ET, Mon June 6, 2016
In a new report from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the total number of ocean cruise passengers topped 23.2 million people in 2015, the highest number in recorded history.
According to CruiseCritic.com, the growth of the ocean cruise industry has been credited to the emergence of companies in areas where cruising wasn't prominent before. Asia saw the number of cruisers increase by 24 percent to an astounding two million passengers last year.
Australia, New Zealand and the surrounding regions in the Pacific also saw a major spike in passenger numbers, jumping 14 percent to 1.1 million in 2015. The success internationally last year is part of the reason the CLIA has altered its projections for 2016, increasing estimates to 24.2 million ocean cruise passengers by the end of the year.
"The success in 2015 demonstrates the cruise industry's continued strength in the overall travel sector," CLIA President and CEO Cindy D'Aoust told CruiseCritic.com. "This is a direct result of the amazing work and commitment of our community of Cruise Lines, Executive Partners and Travel Agencies and Agents. Plus, with the highest satisfaction rates among all leisure travel segments, it reflects that a cruise holiday is the holiday of choice for travelers around the world."
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