by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 7:55 AM ET, Mon October 20, 2025
The cruise industry is booming: AAA is forecasting another record year in 2026, with 21.7 million Americans projected to take an ocean cruise vacation.
If AAA’s predictions come true, 2026 would mark the fourth consecutive year of record cruise passenger volume. Though 2025 is still in full swing, AAA is projecting a final tally of 20.7 million ocean-going American cruise passengers—higher than it had originally predicted.
“These numbers reflect the growing demand for ocean cruises among U.S. travelers,” says Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “Our travel agents see this every day when booking dream vacations for AAA members. Whether it’s an anniversary trip to relax in the Caribbean or a family reunion to explore Alaska, ocean cruises offer variety, convenience and lifelong memories.”
AAA prepared the forecast in partnership with Tourism Economics, based on scheduled cruise itineraries, the economic outlook and travel sector trends. The data comes from Cruise IP, Tourism Economics’ proprietary database for the cruise industry, as well as economic forecasts prepared by Oxford Economics and assumptions on the future of tourism.
AAA is also sharing more insights on cruise trends. Among American travelers, 65 percent of adult cruise passengers are 55 or older, while 27 percent are between the ages of 35 and 54. Just 7 percent are 18 to 34 years old. Nearly 50 percent of American cruise passengers travel as part of a couple, while 20 percent are cruising with kids and 7 percent are traveling solo. The rest are sailing in groups.
Mega-ships are most popular in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, while smaller vessels are most popular in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. For Caribbean cruises, peak season runs from November through March, but fares increase in the summer because of growing demand from families with kids.
The Caribbean is the most popular cruise destination for Americans, though 7 percent of U.S. passengers are expected to take an Alaska cruise next year.
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