While things have been a little choppy close to home, globally it has been smooth sailing for the cruise sector with a record number of people taking to the seas.
The Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) 2026 State of the Cruise Industry report, shows there were 37.2 million cruise passengers in 2025, driven by demand from those new to cruise as well as a rise in younger guests.
This is a 7.5% increase on 2024, (34.6 million cruising) and the increase bodes well for travel agents as CLIA notes 63% of those that cruised in the last 12 months booked via an agent.
. . . Younger Cruisers
The data shows that one third of cruise passengers are now under the age of 40, and that around one-third of cruise trips are multi-generational.
This, says CLIA, underscores the appeal of cruise vacations for families and groups. Other notable finds in the report include growth in luxury cruising, expedition, and exploration travel, as well as increased demand for more immersive experiences, including curated shore excursions and cultural engagement, with private island destinations also proving popular.
The Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda were the most popular cruise destinations overall, accounting for 44% of sailings, followed by the Mediterranean and non-Med Europe.
. . . Outlook
The outlook is positive for the sector, with nearly 90% of cruisers indicating they intend to sail again—the highest level recorded by CLIA.
“Cruising is sailing toward the future with exceptional momentum and strength,” says Bud Darr, president and ceo 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.”
Travel agents are positive as well; the reports shows 48% of travel agents globally expect cruise sales volume to increase by 6% or more in 2026, with 62% expecting some level of positive increase. See the report HERE, and see data for New Zealand’s sector HERE.
