by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 2:00 PM ET, Wed April 15, 2026
The cruise industry is booming.
In 2025, a record-high 37.2 million people took cruise vacations, according to the latest figures from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). That’s up from 34.6 million passengers in 2024 and 31.7 million in 2023.
CLIA released its 2026 State of the Cruise Industry report today, offering a stat-driven look at how the industry is faring.
“Cruising is sailing toward the future with exceptional momentum and strength,” says Bud Darr, president and chief executive officer of CLIA. “Record demand, growing interest from new cruisers and sustained confidence in the cruise experience are being matched by innovation, technological advancements and destination partnerships. At the same time, we’re seeing a meaningful shift in recognition that cruise is a leader in sustainable operations.”
Some of the highlights include:
- Nearly 90 percent of cruisers say they intend to sail again, the highest level recorded by CLIA
- Roughly one third of cruisers are under age 40, and around one-third of cruises are multigenerational trips
- The global cruise fleet is balanced between roughly one-third small ships, one-third medium ships and one-third large ships
- Luxury cruising, expedition cruises and exploration travel are growing
- Passengers are interested in immersive experiences, including curated shore excursions, cultural engagement and more time in destinations
- Cruise lines’ private islands destinations remain popular
- Globally, cruise tourism generated $198 billion in economic impact in 2024, supporting 1.8 million jobs worldwide and contributing $60 billion in wages
- In the U.S., cruise contributed $75 billion in economic impact, supporting 333,000 jobs and over $25 billion in wages, with $41.4 billion in gross domestic product
“Ongoing progress and sustained economic impact from the cruise industry requires collaboration across sectors, continued infrastructure investment, advancement of alternative fuels and pragmatic regulation,” says Darr. “The cruise industry is charting a course toward a future defined by opportunity, impact and responsible growth.”
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