First-timers, multi-gen market driving cruise tourism boom: CLIA

First-time cruisers, younger travellers, and multigenerational families are fuelling a surge in cruise tourism, according to the Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA’s) 2025 State of the Cruise Industry report.

The data shows that 31 per cent of passengers over the past two years were new to cruise, while Millennials and Gen X travellers are emerging as some of the most enthusiastic repeat cruisers.

Nearly one-third of all cruise guests now travel with three or more generations of family, highlighting cruising’s growing appeal as an inclusive, all-ages vacation option.

CLIA’s new report “shows that cruising continues to be one of the most dynamic and resilient sectors in tourism, growing in line with strong demand for cruise holidays, particularly among younger generations and new-to-cruise travellers," said Bud Darr, president and CEO of CLIA, in a press release.

"The industry is also an essential economic driver, contributing over $168 billion to communities around the world, supporting 1.6 million jobs and investing tens of billions today in the sustainable fleet of the future."

Repeat business is another indicator of strong satisfaction, with 82% of past cruisers intending to sail again.

A dedicated segment of cruise enthusiasts now take multiple trips per year, with 25 per cent cruising two or more times annually and 11 per cent sailing three to five times a year,

Exploration & the environment

Expedition and exploration voyages are the fastest-growing cruise segments, up 22 per cent from 2023 to 2024.

These off-the-beaten-path experiences are driving demand among adventure-seekers looking for immersive travel.

Sustainability is a key priority for cruise lines, which are investing billions in green technologies.

By 2028, half of all new ships will be equipped with engines capable of running on LNG, methanol, or other low-to-zero-emissions fuels, says CLIA.

Already, 61 per cent of CLIA’s fleet can plug into shoreside electricity to reduce emissions at port—a number expected to rise to 72 per cent within three years.

Global growth

Despite representing just two per cent of global tourism, cruising generated over $168 billion in global economic impact in 2023—its highest on record, says CLIA.

In the U.S. alone, the industry supported 290,000 jobs and contributed $65 billion to the economy.

Cruising also brings extended benefits to destinations through pre- and post-cruise stays, with 69 per cent of passengers spending at least one night in a hotel before or after their sailing.

Six in ten cruisers later return to destinations they discovered on a cruise, reinforcing the long-term economic impact on local communities.

The cruise industry carried 34.6 million passengers in 2024, with a projected 37.7 million expected in 2025, CLIA says.

The Caribbean remains the top destination, attracting 43 per cent of all cruise travellers, followed by Mediterranean and European itineraries.

With 11 new ships launching in 2025 and 56 more on order through 2036—representing a $56.8 billion investment—the industry is clearly charting a confident course for the future.

To read CLIA's  full report, click here.

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