By
Alex Smith |
Cruise lines are navigating a period of rapid evolution as guest expectations shift and fleets expand to meet growing global demand. According to Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) State of the Cruise Industry Report 2025, the number of cruise passengers worldwide is expected to exceed 35.7 million in 2024 – more than a six per cent rise compared to the record set before the pandemic. This growth is being fuelled not just by returning travellers, but also by a widening range of new guests discovering the appeal of life at sea.
CLIA’s data shows the demographic profile of cruise travellers is steadily broadening. The average age of guests globally has declined from 46.7 years in 2018 to 45.6 in 2024, with marked growth among younger adults and multigenerational families. Millennials now make up around 22 per cent of cruise travellers, while nearly one-third of all passengers cruise with children or extended family members. The report also highlights that 83 per cent of millennials and 76 per cent of Generation X travellers who have cruised intend to sail again – clear evidence of deepening engagement across age groups and lifestyles.
Ugo Savino, senior director of deployment and itinerary planning at Carnival Cruise Line, notes that this growing diversity of guest expectations is reshaping how the industry plans its voyages. “Guests want variety as they choose their next cruise,” he says. “They have always looked for enriching experiences with their family and friends, and that’s certainly still true, and while many still desire short, classic Caribbean cruises, we now see increasing interest in longer cruise options as well. Our latest deployment plans reflect this, with a wider array of options than ever and more Carnival Journeys voyages – special, unique cruises of nine days or more.”
Ugo Savino, senior director of deployment and itinerary planning at Carnival Cruise Line
This appetite for variety is reflected in the widening breadth of destinations available to visit in itineraries, with lesser-known ports joining perennial favourites such as Miami, Nassau, The Bahamas, Barcelona, Spain and Cozumel, Mexico. Cruise lines are increasingly seeking a balance that ensures guests have the choice of familiar ports and the excitement of new discoveries. “We’re designing itineraries to provide a balance of popular ports and hidden gems,” says Savino. “The series of 14-day Carnival Journeys cruises to Hawaii, for example, provides guests with multiple sailing options that include calls in Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Hilo and Kona, plus a stop in Ensenada, Mexico.”
Fleet renewal is also expanding what’s possible. As newer, larger and more efficient ships join the global fleet, cruise lines have greater flexibility in how and where they operate, allowing them to diversify itineraries and reach new markets. This evolution is visible across established and emerging cruise regions alike, where increased capacity and deployment flexibility have encouraged the development of new routes, homeports and destination experiences designed to appeal to a broader range of travellers.
Carnival’s fleet currently includes three Excel-class ships, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, which will be followed by two more – Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale – in 2027 and 2028. Powered by LNG, the 180,000gt vessels are designed to carry over 6,400 guests and 1,800 crew.
Caribbean cruises remain Carnival’s most popular itineraries, combining warm weather with attractive beaches
“The Excel-class ships give us tremendous flexibility,” says Savino. “With their larger capacity, LNG efficiency and enhanced features, we’re able to homeport them in major markets and offer both traditional and new itineraries. We just announced for 2027 that when Carnival Festivale arrives to sail from Port Canaveral, its sister ship Mardi Gras will begin an all-new schedule of four- and five-day sailings. This will make Mardi Gras the first ship in the class to offer shorter itineraries for guests, and make the Excel-class experiences and innovations available to more guests.”
Private and exclusive destinations have also become increasingly central to the cruise experience. They allow operators to deliver consistent quality and distinctive shore excursions while controlling infrastructure, capacity and sustainability practices. According to CLIA’s State of the Cruise Industry Report 2025, investment in new and expanded private destinations is among the fastest-growing areas of cruise sector development. Cruise lines and their partners are projected to invest more than $7 billion between 2024 and 2028 to create or enhance ports and island experiences worldwide.
Savino says Carnival’s upcoming developments are part of that broader transformation. “We’re thrilled that Celebration Key has already seen great early success,” he says. “The response from guests has been great. We continue to expand options to Celebration Key as we roll out our plans for 2027-2028. And next year, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, which is already a spectacular destination that’s extremely popular with our guests, will be expanded so more of our guests can enjoy its natural beauty. The beach area will be extended and we’re currently constructing a new pier to allow our largest ships to visit. We’re very excited about this enhancement, which will be another game-changer for our Caribbean itineraries.”
Celebration Key, Carnival’s new private island destination, opened in 2025
The enduring appeal of classic cruise destinations remains undiminished, however. “Destinations across The Bahamas, the Caribbean and Mexico remain among our most visited and consistently top guest satisfaction scores,” says Savino. “These ports offer the quintessential experiences that most guests are looking for when they book a cruise with us – great weather, beautiful beaches, friendly locals and activities for all ages. It’s a reliable mix of fun and relaxation, which perfectly matches the spirit of a Carnival vacation.”
As fleets modernise, itineraries diversify and new destinations emerge, the future of cruising appears more dynamic than ever. For Savino and itinerary planners across the industry, the challenge lies in keeping pace with travellers’ expectations while preserving the classic cruise experience that has proven so successful.
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