By
Alice Chambers |
With interest in cruise holidays reaching new heights and ship orders on the rise, the global cruise industry is entering a period of renewed energy and opportunity. At the same time, growing demand for sustainable travel, immersive itineraries and innovative onboard experiences are reshaping what passengers expect from their time at sea. Against this backdrop, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) released its 2025 State of the Cruise Industry report, offering a snapshot of key trends and progress. We caught up with Bud Darr, president and CEO of CLIA, to explore the findings in more detail.
One of the most striking statistics in this year’s State of the Cruise Industry report is that 31 per cent of cruise passengers in the past two years are new to cruise. What are cruise lines doing differently to capture these first-time travellers – and what will keep them coming back?
Ongoing innovation in the industry, plus broader awareness of cruising, is attracting new guests onboard. Brands are raising the bar on ships with exciting attractions, world-class entertainment and incredible culinary offerings. Cruisers cite the ability to visit multiple destinations and value for the money among top reasons they love to cruise. Plus, there is a cruise for every traveller – from expedition to luxury, river and ocean-going vessels. We’ve also seen particularly strong interest in cruise from the younger generations, where intent to cruise for the first time or repeat is higher than ever – 83 per cent of millennials and 76 per cent of Gen Z cruisers plan to cruise again. These generations prioritise unique experiences, which cruise vacations deliver.
Cruise tourism represents just two per cent of global tourism, yet it generates more than $168 billion in economic impact and supports 1.6 million jobs. How does CLIA work to ensure this impact is both sustainable and beneficial to the destinations its members visit?
In many communities around the world, cruise is an essential contributor to the local economy. Unlike other forms of travel, cruise is predictable, with port calls scheduled years in advance. This means the community can plan ahead and local businesses can count on the economic benefits cruise brings. The industry works closely with destinations and community stakeholders, with our approach grounded in CLIA’s Guiding Principles for Responsible Tourism, which emphasise managing visitor flows, protecting cultural and natural heritage, and supporting the economic wellbeing of communities. We have a history of success partnering with communities around the world on sustainable solutions.
The growth of expedition and exploration cruising is another key trend highlighted in the report, with 22 per cent more passengers choosing these voyages in 2024 compared to 2023. What’s fuelling demand for these more remote and adventurous voyages, and how are cruise lines balancing this demand with environmental responsibility?
Expedition and exploration cruises afford access to remote places, some of which are difficult to get to except by ship. These cruises are immersive with an in-depth focus on wildlife, nature and cultural experiences. Demand is strong across all age groups, but we’re seeing particular interest from millennials seeking enriching travel experiences. Global capacity for expedition and exploration is expected to grow 150 per cent between 2019 and 2029, which speaks to the growing interest. The industry is committed to helping protect environmentally sensitive areas and has made significant investments in technologies and practices aimed at reducing emissions and environmental impacts. We work closely with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and regional and local authorities to meet or exceed requirements and help protect these treasured destinations.
Cruise guests tend to plan their trips well in advance and book repeatedly. How are cruise lines using this predictability to improve passenger experience and optimise itineraries?
We’re proud that cruising enjoys such high guest satisfaction, and that loyalty shows up in the numbers. According to our 2025 State of the Cruise Industry report, 25 per cent of repeat cruisers sail two or more times a year, 14 per cent sail twice annually, and 11 per cent cruise three to five times per year. That level of commitment gives cruise lines a clear view into what guests want. Itineraries are planned two to three years in advance, taking into account booking data, regional demand, traveller surveys and input from travel advisors. Cruise lines also track emerging trends in destinations and experiences and incorporate accordingly. One such trend is growing demand for private destination experiences, and cruise lines are responding with new and exciting beach destinations in The Bahamas and Mexico for Caribbean itineraries.
With more than half of all new ship capacity launching by 2028 capable of running on LNG, methanol or synthetic fuels, how would you describe the industry’s progress towards decarbonisation? What still needs to happen to reach net zero?
Cruise lines are investing billions of dollars in new ships and technologies designed for fuel flexibility. This approach ensures we can adapt as new technologies and energy sources emerge. The cruise industry is pursuing net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, but we can’t get there alone. Governments must accelerate support for green infrastructure and alternative fuel development, ports need to be ready to accommodate new fuels, and energy providers must make green fuels available at scale and at cost-competitive prices.
Europe clearly plays a crucial role in the global cruise ecosystem, not only as a source market but also as the hub of cruise shipbuilding. How important is this ‘Made in Europe’ success story to CLIA’s long-term vision for cruise innovation and growth?
Europe is the heart of cruise shipbuilding. Today, most ocean cruise ships are built in European yards, and cruise lines account for 80 per cent of the commercial ship order-book value across the region. CLIA members count on Europe’s world-class shipbuilding knowledge and support a robust industrial supply chain that is critical for scaling up next-generation maritime technologies. Cruise ships are also refurbished and retrofitted at European shipyards, for instance with the latest environmental technology. European expertise is critical to the industry meeting its sustainability goals.
Discover more insights like this in the Autumn/Winter 2025 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review. Don’t miss out – subscribe for FREE and get the next issue delivered straight to your inbox.