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Unlocking Exclusive Offers: Exploring Princess Cruise Lines’ Official Site

Are you dreaming of embarking on a luxurious cruise vacation? Look no further than Princess Cruise Lines, one of the most renowned and trusted names in the industry. To ensure you make the most of your cruise experience, it’s essential to visit the official site of Princess Cruise Lines. In this article, we will guide you through the various features and benefits that await you on their official site.

Discovering Unparalleled Destinations

Princess Cruise Lines is known for offering an extensive range of destinations, from exotic tropical paradises to breathtaking European cities. Navigating through their official site allows you to explore these destinations in depth. With detailed itineraries and stunning visuals, you can get a taste of what each location has to offer before making your decision.

Whether you’re yearning for a Caribbean getaway or an Alaskan adventure, Princess Cruise Lines’ official site provides comprehensive information about each destination. From historical landmarks to cultural experiences and exciting excursions, this platform helps you plan your dream vacation with ease.

Unveiling Exclusive Offers

One of the biggest advantages of visiting Princess Cruise Lines’ official site is gaining access to exclusive offers that are not available elsewhere. By booking directly through their website, travelers can take advantage of special promotions and discounts tailored specifically for online bookings.

These exclusive offers can range from discounted fares and onboard credits to complimentary upgrades and added amenities. By regularly checking the official site’s “Deals” section or subscribing to their newsletter, you can stay up-to-date with the latest promotions. This ensures that you don’t miss out on any incredible savings that could make your cruise even more memorable.

Seamlessly Planning Your Trip

Planning a cruise vacation involves numerous details such as selecting the right cabin category, arranging transportation to the port, and booking shore excursions. The official site of Princess Cruise Lines simplifies this process by providing a user-friendly interface that allows you to effortlessly plan your trip.

Through their website, you can easily explore the various cabin options, compare prices, and select the one that suits your preferences and budget. Additionally, you can conveniently arrange transportation to the port through Princess Cruise Lines’ transportation partners. This saves you time and ensures a smooth embarkation process.

Furthermore, the official site offers a comprehensive list of shore excursions available at each destination. From adventurous activities to cultural tours and culinary experiences, there is something for everyone. By booking these excursions in advance through their site, you can secure your spot and make the most of your time ashore.

Accessing Helpful Resources

Princess Cruise Lines’ official site goes beyond just booking accommodations and planning itineraries. It also provides an array of helpful resources that enhance your overall cruise experience. These resources include packing guides, travel tips, destination highlights, and more.

By browsing through their blog section or downloading their informative e-books, you can gain valuable insights into various aspects of cruising. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or an experienced traveler looking for new ideas, these resources offer inspiration and practical advice to ensure a memorable vacation.

In conclusion, unlocking exclusive offers and exploring Princess Cruise Lines’ official site is crucial for making the most of your cruise vacation. From discovering unparalleled destinations to accessing exclusive promotions and seamlessly planning your trip, this platform provides all the necessary tools for an unforgettable experience. So why wait? Start exploring their official site today and embark on the journey of a lifetime with Princess Cruise Lines.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.

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Cruise Industry Update

Last updated on September 18th, 2023

Cruise Industry Present Day & Forecast

There’s no denying that the past few years have collectively been difficult for much of the world, and the cruise industry was no different as it was one of the hardest hit industries during the pandemic. As the rest of the world recovers and life goes back to normal, the same can be said for cruise! With 31.5 million passengers expected to cruise in 2023, it’s safe to say that the cruise industry is booming once again. Cruise is a resilient industry, and it continues to be one of the fastest-growing sectors of tourism.

Cruise Industry Overview Quick Facts ( CLIA ):

• 31.5 million cruise passengers expected to sail in 2023
• 70+ new cruise ships on order between now and 2027
• 65% of cruisers work with a traditional travel agent
• 85% of travelers who have cruised before say they will cruise again
• 75% of the U.S. population is within driving distance of a cruise port
• 88% of Millennials and 86% of Gen-X travelers say they will cruise again
• Solo cruise travel is on the rise
• Younger cruise travelers—from Gen Z to Millennials to Gen X—turn to travel advisors to book their cruises more so than any other generation
• North America remains the largest cruise market
• Caribbean remains the top destination for cruisers
• Average age of a cruiser is now 46 years old
• Cruise industry is expected to reach $25.1B in revenue by the end of 2023
• Cruise industry supports over 1M jobs

Cruise Industry Investment

The cruise industry has invested over $50 billion dollars towards driving innovation and transformations over the next 4 years. In pursuit of a more responsible, efficient, inclusive, and enjoyable vacation experience, cruise lines are investing in LNG-powered ships, eco-friendly cruise travel, enhanced use of technology onboard, more onboard entertainment and activities, multi-generational experiences, and much more!

One of the main areas that cruise lines have, and will continue to, invest heavily in is their ships! A fleet of brand-new cruise ships will set sail, bringing with them a wave of excitement, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences. Cruisers will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a world of advanced technology and unparalleled comfort, indulging in luxury as they soak up the local culture, or embark on thrilling adventures. To read more about the new ships of 2023, head over to our blog: The 12 Most-Anticipated Cruise Ships of 2023 .

Private Islands

The private islands of cruise lines have always been some of the top destinations for travelers sailing to the Caribbean or Panama Canal. These exclusive retreats have something for everyone, from eco-tours and water excursions to theme park thrills and beach side lounging. With the rise of popularity of these private islands, cruise lines have invested billions of dollars into enhancing and expanding their private islands; creating over-the-top experiences to all those who visit. Here are a few cruise lines and their private islands:

• Royal Caribbean International – Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
• Royal Caribbean International & Azamara Club Cruises – Labadee, Haiti
• Princess Cruises & Carnival Cruise Line – Princess Cays, Bahamas
• Disney Cruise Line – Castaway Cay, Bahamas
• Holland America Line & Carnival Cruise Line – Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
• Norwegian Cruise Line & Regent Seven Seas Cruises – Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
• Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Oceania Cruises – Harvest Caye
• MSC Cruises – Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas
• Virgin Voyages – The Beach Club at Bimini

New Ports/Port Enhancements

Is there a better sign of a booming cruise industry than cruise lines adding/enhancing their embarkation and disembarkation ports? Royal Caribbean Group is a great example of how cruise lines are investing in the future by partnering with large infrastructure companies to withstand the volume of cruise passengers expected in the next few years.

“Our partnership with iCON is a unique opportunity to catapult us into the coming decades of port investments, build further financial strength, and provide exceptional cruising experiences, responsibility, to our guests at the best destinations in the world” – Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group ( cruisehive )

Several other cruise lines including, Carnival Corporation, Virgin Voyages, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line have invested, or are committed to invest, hundreds of millions of dollars in the coming years to enhance their port presence.

Industry Trends

Each year new trends emerge in the cruising industry that pave the way for the future of cruising. In 2019, we saw an increased demand for off the beaten path destinations, tech-driven features on ships, and an increase in working nomads – to name a few. In 2020, a big focal point of the industry was on decreasing the generational gap in cruisers and more options for solo travelers. Fast forward to 2023, cruising trends today include a focus on sustainable and responsible tourism, the use of tech onboard, younger generations being the future of cruise, the rise of expedition cruising, longer and more luxurious cruises for the seasoned travelers, and shorter cruises for first timers.

Environmental Sustainability

With a goal of net carbon neutral cruising by 2050, cruise lines are pursing innovative solutions, and investing billions, into sustainable cruising. But what exactly does this mean? For starters, almost all cruise lines are opting to use LNG for all new ships being built in the future. Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) are natural gasses that are drawn from the earth’s core and then are super cooled to become liquified natural gas. This liquified state makes the gas odorless, colorless, non-toxic, and non-corrosive. The advantages of adopting LNG are impressive as it creates a cheaper, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly gas. LNG releases zero sulfur, has 99% less particulate emissions, 85% less nitrogen oxide emissions, and 25% less greenhouse gas emissions. Using LNG will also result in a longer lifespan with less wear and tear on the engine, low maintenance costs, and cleaner emissions. For existing ships, the cost of converting to LNG would be too substantial so cruise lines are looking to other methods for these ships, such as exhaust gas cleaning systems.

An exhaust gas cleaning system, also known as a scrubber, allows ships to continue using heavy fueled oil, while reducing their Sulphur oxide and particulate matter emissions. In short, this scrubber will literally scrub away harmful sulfur oxides from exhaust gases. Adopting ECGS will allows ships to reduce their sulfur oxide levels by 98%, reduce total particulate matter by 50%, and reduce nitrogen oxides by 12%.

Furthermore, more and more ships are being fitted with advanced wastewater treatment systems, to ensure the quality of treated wastewater and equipped with the ability to receive shoreside power connectivity which allows ships to turn off their engines and tap into cleaner energy available at ports, cutting emissions and harmful toxins.

For more details on what cruise lines are doing to lessen their impact on the environment, here are a few cruise line sustainability websites:

• https://carnivalsustainability.com/
• https://www.celebritycruises.com/ca/about-us/sustainability-efforts/environmental-Initiatives
• https://disneyparksnews.com/uploads/sites/4/2019/07/DCL_Env_Fact_July-2019.pdf
• https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/About-Msc/MSC-Sustainability.aspx
• https://www.ncl.com/about/environmental-commitment
• http://sustainability.rclcorporate.com/

Responsible Tourism

Responsible, or sustainable tourism, is just as important as environmental sustainability, as these practices often go hand in hand. As economically advantageous as it to draw hundreds, if not thousands, of visitors to a destination, the disadvantages of overcrowding, and careless behaviors by tourists, are a detriment to the unique heritage, landscape, and way of life of the places visited. As the demand for cruising increases steadily with each passing year, cruise lines are aware of their responsibility to not only preserve the physical land they allow passengers to traverse, but also to respect, protect, and value the culture and environment of the places they visit.

Cruise lines are working with local communities to brainstorm creative ways to manage the flow of tourists they bring to shore, as well as implementing the highest standards of responsible tourism ( CLIA ). For example, Princess Cruises embodies a concept of “ socially conscious ” cruising.

“It’s about creating a small group that have immersive training onboard, and then when they go ashore, it’s about doing things that are good for the local communities,” Vice President of North American Sales for Carnival Corp. and Princess John Chernesky said.

Other examples include how CLIA Cruise Lines, in collaboration with the Mayor’s office and the City Council, developed new measures to alleviate tourism flow issues in Dubrovnik; in Santorini, the cruise industry worked with local authorities on a new ship arrival management system to spread the flow of tourists visiting the system; and in Alaska cruise lines have implemented more stringent waste water requirements than even the communities on land ( CLIA ). Royal Caribbean International also offers more than 3,500 shore excursions that are GSTC-certified. To be certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), a shore excursion must be a one-of-a-kind experience that respects local culture and its surroundings.

Technology Onboard

From digital/AI check-in and boarding passes to touchless room entry and geo-locators for children on ships, cruise lines have fully embraced the new age of technology. Today’s cruisers expect a personalized and seamless experience, from embarkation to disembarkation, and everything in between, the modern cruiser will look to their phones or onboard technology for almost every aspect of their cruise experience.

Want a quick and seamless check-in to get onboard faster? You got it – just take a selfie and upload it to the app. Want to make reservations at your favorite restaurant? Easy – book it on your cruise app! Need to open your stateroom? No problem – tap your wristband to the door sensor! Want to know where your kids are on the ship? They’ve got you covered – your wristband also serves as a GPS locator onboard! And these are just a few of the incredible technological advancements fitted on ships these days. See below for a few more!

• “Zoe” on MSC’s newest ships serves as your own personal “Alexa or Siri”. Zoe is programmed to answer 800+ questions about excurions, onboard restaurants, and much more!
• On Virgin Voyages cruises you can shake the Virgin Voyages app ( Shake for Champagne™ ) for a secret button to appear. With just one press of the button a bottle of champagne will be delivered to your stateroom.
• Locate your loved ones with the MedallionClass App on Princess Cruises
• Book a virtual balcony! It’s an inside stateroom with a floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall, high-definition LED screen that feeds live footage of the view your would have had in a balcony room (without the price tag!)
• Geo-locate your children with trackable bracelets such as those on Carnival Cruise Lines

Catering to Younger Generations

Retirees, empty-nesters, and old couples – this is what most people considered to be the cruiser demographic in the past. But not anymore! The cruising world has drastically changed as younger generations are favoring experiences and adventures over material goods. And the numbers don’t lie – cruising demographic has changed over the last few years with the average age of a cruiser dropping down to 46! Gen-X and Millennials are the most enthusiastic about planning a cruise vacation with 86% of Gen-X and 88% of Millennials planning to cruise again ( CLIA ). As the preference for experiences becomes an increasing trend, cruise lines are adapting by creating innovative, cutting-edge, and entertaining ships, as well as itineraries that cater to a younger crowd. These include, but are not limited to, music festivals at sea, remote destination itineraries, tech-inspired ships, and endless activities onboard.

It’s important to note that with all this attention given to younger generations, cruise lines have NOT forgotten about the older generations; their bread and butter that brought cruising to the forefront of vacation planning. There are still plenty of cruise lines, ships, and itineraries that cater to a more refined taste and traditional way of cruising, with elegantly designed staterooms, traditional dining rooms, and culture-rich onboard and off-shore experiences.

Rise of Expedition Cruising

Who says you can’t have adventure AND luxury?! Small-ship expedition cruising is a hot trend that has slowly gained popularity over the past few years. Although these cruises come with a higher price tag, more and more cruisers are flocking to these itineraries that offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences. From the Arctic to the Galapagos Islands, expedition cruising allows adventure enthusiasts the perfect opportunity for eco-discovery in exotic lands, along with luxurious accommodations. Seabourn, Viking, Silversea, Hurtigruten, and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours are just a few of the cruise lines offering expedition cruising.

Longer, More Luxurious Cruises

With the increase in remote work, more and more cruisers have shown interest in longer, grander voyages. Longer cruises can range anywhere from 30 days to world cruises that are upwards of 200 days! These lengthy cruises allow travel aficionados the ability to visit several ports on their bucket list, all while unpacking once.   

Shorter Cruises

Longer, more luxurious cruises aren’t the only one’s trending – shorter cruises have also picked up steam! Shorter cruises are under 7 days and allow travelers the opportunity to recharge over a few days, or sometimes just a weekend, at sea. The convenience of these “micro-cations” is a main selling point for cruise lines and travel agencies. Less planning, more affordable, and less paid time off required from work – what’s not to love?!

Solo Cruising

Solo cabins, although much smaller than double-occupancy cabins, are the answer solo travelers have been waiting for. The ability to unpack once, have all your meals included, and explore multiple destinations, all without paying a single-supplement fee, has made cruising a much more affordable and exciting vacation option for those opting to travel alone.

Here is a list of a few of the major cruise lines doing their part to assist solo travelers:

• Royal Caribbean International
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Holland America Line
• Costa Cruises
• Cunard Line
• AmaWaterways.

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China Cruise Shipping Opens in Shenzhen

The 16th China Cruise Shipping Conference (CCS16) got going from Shenzhen on Nov. 26, as the China Cruise and Yacht Industry Association (CCYIA) hosted its annual gathering which has become the prime event for the Chinese cruise market. The opening day ceremonies took place on the Zhao Shang Yi Dun

CRUISE NEWS

Royal’s Mariner of the Seas Completes 20 Years in Service

The Mariner of the Seas just completed 20 years in service. Built at the Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Finland, the Voyager-Class vessel was delivered to Royal Caribbean International on October 31, 2003. Two weeks later, after crossing the Atlantic for the first time, the Mariner of the Seas was named at

Silver Explorer Completes Final Cruise for Silversea

The Silver Explorer recently completed its final voyage for Silversea Cruises. Now set to be withdrawn from the company’s fleet, the 1989-built vessel arrived in Chile following a 23-day cruise that sailed across the South Pacific. After departing from Tahiti in late October, the itinerary featured visits to several destinations

Carnival Cruise Line to Serve 48,000 Pounds of Turkey

Carnival Cruise Line’s chefs are cooking up what will be the largest Thanksgiving meal in the cruise line’s 51-year history, according to a press release. The cruise line expects to serve over 48,000 pounds of turkey this year, a 14 percent increase compared to last year. For guests who prefer

MSC Announces Expansion of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

MSC Cruises has announced a new infrastructure development program for Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas, according to a press release. A heads of agreement was signed on Monday in Bimini attended by the country’s Prime Minister The Honourable Philip Davis and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism,

Oceania Marina to Undergo Big Refurbishment in May 2024

Oceania Cruises announced that its 1,250-passenger ship, the Marina, will undergo an all-encompassing refurbishment in May 2024, according to a statement. The refurbishment will include the addition three new dining options: Aquamar Kitchen, the new wellness-focused dining venue which debuted on Vista this year; an expanded poolside ice cream parlor

Life at Sea Three Year World Cruise Facing Investor Withdrawal

“Despite our efforts, the Life At Sea project faces challenges due to investor withdrawal,” said Vedat Ugurlu, CEO of Miray Cruises, in a statement. The company, which was behind the Life at Sea three year world cruise, failed to get going on Nov. 1 and has yet to acquire a

Seabourn Announces 129-Day 2026 World Cruise

Seabourn announced its “2026 World Cruise – Ring of Fire: Hidden Gems,” visiting 63 destinations in 14 countries onboard the Seabourn Sojourn, departing Los Angeles on January 6, 2026. Sailing for 129 days, the Seabourn Sojourn will take guests to explore the volcanic islands of the South Pacific, circumnavigate the

Celestyal Acquires AIDAaura; To Sail as Celestyal Discovery

Celestyal has confirmed the acquisition of a second new vessel this year as the Celestyal Discovery follows the recent arrival of the Celestyal Journey, signaling a fleet refresh and further commitment to significant investment into the customer proposition, the company said. The Celestyal Discovery will now join the Celestyal Journey

Carnival Celebration Completes First Year in Service

The Carnival Celebration recently completed its first year of service. Built for Carnival Cruise Line at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, the LNG-powered vessel welcomed its first guests on Nov. 6, 2022. At the date, the Celebration set sail from Europe on a 14-night transatlantic crossing to the United

MSC Cruises Confirms Two More Cruise Ship Orders

MSC Cruises has confirmed its order for two more LNG-powered ships from Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyards, according to a press release. The two  ships – currently referred to as World Class 3 and 4 – are scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 2027. There is an option for a fifth

Atlas World Voyager Named in Ceremony and Joins Fleet

Atlas Ocean Voyages’s World Voyager is officially joining the fleet, after a naming ceremony in Ushuaia, Argentina, according to a press release. The expedition yacht was christened by Godmother physiotherapist and British Army Captain Harpreet “Preet” Kaur Chandi MBE. The ceremony was attended by shareholders, travel advisors,  guests on the

Celebrity Cruises Takes Delivery of the Ascent

Celebrity Cruises took delivery of its newest ship, the Celebrity Ascent, at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France. The fourth ship in the Edge Series, the Celebrity Ascent will make its debut in Fort Lauderdale on December 3, sailing a seven-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary with calls in

Regal Princess Arrives in Galveston

Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess arrived in Galveston on November 5, marking a milestone as the largest Princess cruise ship ever to homeport in Texas. The Regal Princess will operate roundtrip sailings to the Western Caribbean from now through March 24 with an anticipated 75,000 passengers sailing aboard the ship. To

Explora I Arrives For Inaugural Call in Miami

PortMiami welcomed the new Explora I for her maiden call marking the ship’s debut in South Florida on Friday. “We take immense pride in introducing our remarkable new ship, the Explora I, to the Magic City,” said Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys. “Miami is a paramount destination and important

Montreal Closes 2023 Cruise Season with 51k Passengers

The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) announced a 33 percent increase in traffic in the cruise industry in 2023, with 51,000 passengers and 16,200 crew members. The cruise sector, which brings significant economic benefits for the Canadian city, has recovered, th eport said in a statement. “It’s exciting for us to

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The Cruise Industry Is On a Course For Climate Disaster

T o future archeologists, mega cruise ships might be some of the strangest artifacts of our civilization—these goliaths of mass-engineered delight, armed with dangling water slides and phalanxes of umbrellas. Looking up at one, you might gain the impression that cruise companies are trying to awe their customers into having a nice time. We have built battleships of pleasure, toiling the world’s oceans, hunting for fun.

It probably won’t come as a shock that the whole thing isn’t exactly sustainable. A medium-sized cruise ship spews greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 12,000 cars , while environmentalists accuse big industry players of investing little in decarbonization, and of covering up endless delay tactics in a heavy coat of greenwash. And for years, the industry has been dogged by bad PR from everything from routine dumping of toxic sludge to increasingly organized outrage from communities tired of hordes of tourists getting dumped at their docks.

The big question, though, is whether those customers buying cruise packages to the Bahamas or Alaska particularly care. It’s easy to make the case that they don’t. Despite the industry’s continued investment in new fossil fuel-powered ships, cruise ticket sales are projected to climb back to record 2019 sales levels this year after a hit during the pandemic, according to the latest industry association report .

More from TIME

At least one cruise company, though, is betting that at least some potential customers care about sustainable vacations. Hurtigruten, a specialty cruise line based in Norway, says it has built its last fossil fuel-powered ship. On June 7, the company unveiled new details about the technologies it’s testing in pursuit of the world’s first zero-emission cruise ship, and renderings of what the boat might look like. Instead of towering over the ocean, the ship seems to cling close to the water, the better to reduce air resistance. In place of smokestacks, the designers envision retractable sails that double as solar panels. It runs on batteries instead of the thick, sticky fuel oil that powers most ships. And it’ll be ready, the company hopes, by 2030.

With time running short to phase out fossil fuels and avert the worst effects of climate change, the moral argument is compelling. But big businesses often make their decisions on what they might consider more practical concerns than what is “right” and “wrong.” It’s possible that Hurtigruten and its zero-emissions vessels could turn the industry ship around. But it could just be a green fluke, a new offering for a small slice of climate-conscious vacationers, as the rest of the industry chugs on as before.

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How is the cruise industry doing in 2023?

October 5, 2023 | Travel Pedia

What is the cruise industry forecast for 2023?

Will cruise stocks recover in 2023, what is the future of cruise industry, what are the cruise stats for 2023, 9 cruise industry trends that will affect your cruise in 2023.

Is it a good idea to go on a cruise in 2023?

Are cruise ships sailing at full capacity 2023, are cruises losing popularity, will the cruise industry bounce back, is the cruise industry back to normal, will cruise prices go up in 2023, does cruising have a future, is it a good time to invest in the cruise industry, can the cruise industry keep growing, why haven t cruise stocks recovered, why are cruise stocks dropping, are cruise ships going out full, what is the average income of cruise passengers, what are the biggest problems cruise lines have, is the cruise industry doing well, what will be the largest cruise ship in 2023.

• Wonder of the Seas. The Wonder of the Seas is the world's largest cruise ship and weighs 236,857 Gross tonnes. ...
• Symphony Of the Seas. ...
• Harmony of the Seas. ...
• Allure of the Seas. ...
• Oasis of the Seas. ...
• Costa Smeralda. ...
• P&O Iona. ...

Do you have to wear a mask on a cruise ship 2023?

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Cruise industry worldwide - statistics & facts

What are the biggest global cruise markets, what are the leading cruise companies worldwide, key insights.

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Number of global ocean cruise passengers 2009-2027

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• Premium Statistic Share of sales channels of the global cruise industry revenue 2017-2027

Travel and tourism revenue worldwide 2018-2027, by segment

Revenue of the global travel and tourism market from 2018 to 2027, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars)

Revenue of the cruises market worldwide from 2018 to 2027 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Revenue growth of the cruises market worldwide from 2018 to 2027

Leading countries in the cruise industry revenue worldwide from 2024 to 2027 (in million U.S. dollars)

Share of sales channels of the global cruise industry revenue 2017-2027

Revenue share of sales channels of the cruise industry worldwide from 2017 to 2027

Cruise ships

• Basic Statistic Largest cruise ships worldwide 2023, by gross tonnage
• Basic Statistic Longest cruise ships worldwide 2023, by length
• Premium Statistic Most expensive cruise ships worldwide by building cost 2022
• Premium Statistic Gross tonnage of new cruise ship orders worldwide 2015-2022
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• Premium Statistic Gross tonnage of cruise ship deliveries worldwide by region 2022
• Premium Statistic Gross tonnage of cruise ships in the global order book by region 2022
• Premium Statistic Average passenger capacity of ocean-going cruise vessels worldwide 2018-2025

Largest cruise ships worldwide 2023, by gross tonnage

Largest cruise ships worldwide as of April 2023, by gross tonnage (in 1,000s)

Longest cruise ships worldwide 2023, by length

Largest cruise ships worldwide as of February 2023, by length (in meters)

Most expensive cruise ships worldwide by building cost 2022

Most expensive cruise ships worldwide in 2022, by building cost (in billion U.S. dollars)

Gross tonnage of new cruise ship orders worldwide 2015-2022

Annual gross tonnage of new cruise ship orders worldwide from 2015 to 2022

Gross tonnage of new cruise ship orders worldwide by region 2022

Gross tonnage of new cruise ship orders worldwide in 2022, by region (in millions)

Gross tonnage of cruise ship deliveries worldwide by region 2022

Gross tonnage of cruise ship deliveries worldwide in 2022, by region (in millions)

Gross tonnage of cruise ships in the global order book by region 2022

Gross tonnage of cruise ships in the global order book in 2022, by region (in millions)

Average passenger capacity of ocean-going cruise vessels worldwide 2018-2025

Average passenger capacity carried by ocean-going vessels in the cruise industry worldwide from 2018 to 2022, with a forecast until 2025

Cruise passengers

• Premium Statistic Number of global ocean cruise passengers 2009-2027
• Premium Statistic Number of global ocean cruise passengers 2019-2022, by source market
• Premium Statistic Main global cruise destinations 2019-2022, by number of passengers
• Premium Statistic Busiest cruise ports worldwide 2019-2022, by passenger movements
• Basic Statistic Number of Carnival Corporation & plc passengers worldwide 2007-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of passengers carried by Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 2007-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of passengers carried by Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2022
• Premium Statistic TUI cruise passengers worldwide 2013-2022, by brand

Number of ocean cruise passengers worldwide from 2009 to 2022, with a forecast until 2027 (in millions)

Number of global ocean cruise passengers 2019-2022, by source market

Number of ocean cruise passengers worldwide from 2019 to 2022, by source region (in 1,000s)

Main global cruise destinations 2019-2022, by number of passengers

Leading ocean cruise destinations worldwide from 2019 to 2022, by number of passengers (in 1,000s)

Busiest cruise ports worldwide 2019-2022, by passenger movements

Busiest cruise ports worldwide in 2019 and 2022, by number of passenger movements (in 1,000s)

Number of Carnival Corporation & plc passengers worldwide 2007-2022

Number of Carnival Corporation & plc passengers worldwide from 2007 to 2022 (in millions)

Number of passengers carried by Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 2007-2022

Number of passengers carried by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. worldwide from 2007 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of passengers carried by Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2022

Number of passengers carried by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. worldwide from 2011 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

TUI cruise passengers worldwide 2013-2022, by brand

Number of passengers on TUI cruise brands worldwide from 2013 to 2022, by brand (in 1,000s)

Cruise companies

• Premium Statistic Worldwide cruise company market share 2021
• Premium Statistic Revenue of Carnival Corporation & plc worldwide 2008-2022, by segment
• Premium Statistic Net income of Carnival Corporation & plc 2008-2022
• Premium Statistic Revenue of Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 2009-2022, by segment
• Premium Statistic Net income of Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 2007-2022
• Premium Statistic Revenue of Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2013-2022, by segment
• Premium Statistic Net income of Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2022
• Premium Statistic TUI cruise brand revenue worldwide 2015-2022, by brand

Worldwide market share of leading cruise companies in 2021

Revenue of Carnival Corporation & plc worldwide 2008-2022, by segment

Revenue of Carnival Corporation & plc worldwide from 2008 to 2022, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars)

Net income of Carnival Corporation & plc 2008-2022

Net income of Carnival Corporation & plc worldwide from 2008 to 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Revenue of Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 2009-2022, by segment

Revenue of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. worldwide from 2009 to 2022, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars)

Net income of Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 2007-2022

Net income of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. worldwide from 2007 to 2022 (in million U.S. dollars)

Revenue of Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2013-2022, by segment

Revenue of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. worldwide from 2013 to 2022, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars)

Net income of Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2022

Net Income of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. worldwide from 2011 to 2022 (in million U.S. dollars)

TUI cruise brand revenue worldwide 2015-2022, by brand

Revenue of TUI cruise brands worldwide from 2015 to 2022, by brand (in million euros)

Impact of COVID-19

• Premium Statistic Annual growth rate of the global cruise passenger volume 2017-2022
• Premium Statistic Global cruise passenger volume index 2019-2026, by scenario
• Premium Statistic COVID-19 impact on cruise passenger volume worldwide 2020-2022, by source region
• Premium Statistic COVID-19 impact on revenue of leading cruise companies worldwide 2020-2022

Annual growth rate of the global cruise passenger volume 2017-2022

Annual growth rate of the cruise passenger volume worldwide from 2017 to 2022

Global cruise passenger volume index 2019-2026, by scenario

Cruise passenger volume index worldwide from 2019 to 2021, with a forecast until 2026, by scenario

COVID-19 impact on cruise passenger volume worldwide 2020-2022, by source region

Percentage change in cruise passengers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic worldwide from 2020 to 2022, by source region (compared to 2019)

COVID-19 impact on revenue of leading cruise companies worldwide 2020-2022

Percentage change in revenue of leading cruise companies worldwide during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic from 2020 to 2022

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May 2, 2023

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Huge Demand on the High Seas: Cruises Are Back in 2023

The cruise industry took a big hit during the pandemic. But now travelers are casting off in record numbers, thanks to a post-COVID cruise comeback. 

The 2023 cruise industry is booming. It has far surpassed 2019 levels, breaking sales records in a furious, post-pandemic comeback. Like most tourism sectors, cruising is reaping the benefits of “revenge travel”— vacationers making up for the time that was lost during the pandemic.   

“It’s even better than we thought,” Michelle Fee, CEO of Cruise Planners, told Travel Weekly . She also said bookings in January were “81% higher compared with bookings from the same time in 2019. The client isn’t afraid of traveling anymore. They put their lives on hold for so long that they’re ready to go.”  

The Global Rescue Traveler Safety and Sentiment Survey revealed a post-pandemic robust return to cruising. “Cruises are back on the travel list. Forty percent of respondents have already taken a cruise since the pandemic started or, if they haven’t, they plan to in 2023,” said Michael Holmes, Global Rescue vice president of marketing.  

Cruise line operators aren’t relying exclusively on travelers’ eagerness to come back. New ships—previously held up by COVID-19 production delays—offer new perks to lure people back to cruising in record numbers.   

Some carriers are shaping ship designs to make cruises feel smaller and less overwhelming. One cruise line is offering onboard neighborhoods, each catering to specific passenger needs such as families with children, singles, or couples.  Some cruise customers are opting for smaller ships holding 100 passengers or fewer, or they’re seeking distant excursions to places like Australia or Europe.   

Onboard entertainment with acts from Broadway and London’s West End is available. Still, other ships offer roller coasters with tracks that extend over the sea giving riders a unique sensation.   

Cruise food is getting fancier with famous name chefs, like Emeril Lagasse, providing high-end food while other ships boast on-board breweries.   

It’s no surprise that higher prices are coming with record-high bookings and the new bells and whistles onboard ships. With cruise bookings rebounding quickly and surpassing pre-pandemic levels, cruise ship companies can raise prices, and in many cases they already are.   

Jason Liberty, CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group, shared with Travel Weekly that North American and European cruises are booking at higher prices. Demand is so strong that the company has raised prices across different products and is “not really seeing a pullback from the consumer as we continue to do so,” he said.  

Travelers confirmed they are shrugging off the impacts of inflation. According to the Global Rescue survey, nearly half of the travelers surveyed (45%) are planning to absorb the higher travel costs without skimping.  

As travelers plan trips for 2023, survey respondents revealed a shift in the types of travel they want compared to responses from spring 2022. The biggest change is a 40% dip in respondents who are planning to travel to visit family and friends. Outdoor adventure travel led all types of international travel planning followed by a bucket list trip. Windstar’s Diana Rom told Travel Weekly cruise bookings are now all about checking off a bucket-list destination and getting the best cabins on the ship.”  

As travelers return to cruising, their concerns are changing, too. Traveler fears of COVID have plummeted, according to the Global Rescue survey. The greatest anxiety among the world’s most experienced travelers is having an injury or illness unrelated to COVID.   

When you’re aboard a cruise ship, access to medical help for an illness or injury is limited. Health safety resources on board a cruise ship are similar to a health center – but it’s not a hospital.    

“The professionals who work there have training in emergency medicine and the equipment to stabilize a patient even in dire circumstances. Mostly, though, what they deal with are things like sprained ankles, upset stomachs and people who have forgotten to pack medication,” according to an article in The Points Guy. Since the pandemic, some cruise lines added specialists to handle acute respiratory illness and infection control.   

Serious medical emergencies aboard cruise ships, however, that are beyond the capabilities of the onboard medical team require transportation of the individual to a higher-quality medical facility. The two ways this occurs are by making port for ground ambulance transportation or calling a helicopter for an airborne rescue.   

Both can be challenging.   

Emergency medical helicopters typically operate within a 175-mile radius of their base, making rescues beyond that unfeasible. They’re also expensive. Helicopter m edical evacuations can cost six figures unless you have travel protection like a Global Rescue membership. Making port to transfer a patient by ambulance can take time since harbors capable of accepting a big ship are limited and the top speed for most cruise ships is about 34 mph (30 knots).  

As you plan for a summer cruise ship vacation with Broadway on the boat, roller coasters over the ocean and craft beer by the pool somewhere on the Caribbean Sea, remember to obtain a membership with Global Rescue — an affordable way to protect yourself should a crisis occur while at sea. Given the rising prices of a cruise vacation, saving on a potential emergency evacuation will give you the peace of mind you need to relax and enjoy the cruise.  

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Cruise industry poised to make strong comeback in 2023

Aaa said that november already marked a 'record-breaking month for cruise bookings'.

Cruises and vacation experiences continue to see ‘very strong demand’: Naftali Holtz

Royal Caribbean Group Chief Financial Officer Naftali Holtz discusses the strong consumer demand for cruises and the impact the pandemic had on the industry on ‘Mornings with Maria.’

The cruise industry , which suffered significant financial losses and other COVID-related challenges over the past few years, is poised to have a strong 2023, according to a new survey.

Over half of U.S. adults say they are just as likely or more likely to consider taking a cruise vacation as they were prior to the pandemic, according to a AAA survey. That's up from 45% a year ago, according to the data. 

AAA Senior Vice President of Travel Paula Twidale touted that "cruising is back in a big way" after years of uncertainty. 

CONSIDERING A CRUISE? HIGH SEAS MAY BE THE RIGHT OPTION FOR BOTH FAMILY AND WALLET

"We expect a lot more people to book cruises in 2023 as several new ships have entered the market," Twidale said. 

November was already a "record-breaking month for cruise bookings," with Black Friday marking the "single largest booking day in history" for many cruise companies, according to Twidale. 

The Carnival Valor cruise ship sets sail from the Port of New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana, March 3, 2022. (Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley told FOX Business in October that consumers continue to prove they are willing to spend on experiences even despite growing concerns of a recession.

During its third-quarter earnings call, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty told analysts that the company saw "both strong demand for close-in sailings and accelerating demand for sailings in 2023." 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CEO 'OPTIMISTIC' ABOUT FUTURE OF SAILING DESPITE GROWING RECESSION TALK

Meanwhile, Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein said the company "enjoyed a strong response" to Black Friday and Cyber Monday activity, and that momentum continued into December, "building our base occupancy and marking an early start to a strong wave season ahead." 

The Carnival cruise ship Sunrise is seen docked at Miami Port, in Miami, Florida, on June 18, 2022.  (REUTERS/Marco Bello / Reuters Photos)

It's an about-face from the early days of the pandemic when travel fell to a standstill. Cruise lines also imposed tight COVID-related restrictions to tame the spread of the virus. However, as cases eased and vaccination rates rose, major operators were able to relax some protocols. 

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To make travelers more comfortable, cruise lines "have undertaken extensive measures to promote health and safety onboard, so you can expect attention to detail and cleanliness," Twidale noted. 

If there is an unexpected illness, "they have protocols in place to isolate passengers as they recuperate," Twindale added. 

In 2023, Weinstein expects "more markets to open for cruise travel, protocols to continue to relax, our closer-to-home itineraries play out and our brands continue to hone all aspects of their revenue-generating activities." 

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Cruise ship companies are still paying for COVID interrupting their business

People are cruising again on big ships following a COVID-19 decline, but it's a tough comeback for the industry.

LEILA FADEL, HOST:

Cruise ships are making a comeback. South Florida's cruise companies are buoyed by a surge in passengers, but they're still paying for the pandemic interrupting their business. From member station WLRN in Miami, Tom Hudson reports.

TOM HUDSON, BYLINE: This is what PortMiami's Terminal B sounded like in May of 2021. It was a beautiful day to cruise. The sun was shining. It was in the mid-80s with a slight breeze. Two ships sat dockside, but there were no crew members, no stevedores, no passengers. The cruise business was still closed because of COVID-19.

(CROSSTALK)

HUDSON: And here's what PortMiami sounded like a couple of weeks ago as thousands of passengers lined up to board the Disney Magic for a five-day cruise. The cruise business has come, well, cruising back, stronger than it was before the COVID-19 virus shut down sailing, costing tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

JASON LIBERTY: I'm thrilled to share with you this morning our strong second-quarter results and another step change in the trajectory of our business.

HUDSON: That's Jason Liberty, the CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, based in Miami. He was speaking on a conference call after the company released its second-quarter financial results last month.

LIBERTY: We not only delivered another outstanding quarter that significantly exceeded expectations, but are also increasing our full-year earnings guidance by another 33%.

HUDSON: The cruise operator expects this year's profits to be stronger than it predicted just a few months ago. And it's not alone in riding this wave of passenger demand.

JOSH WEINSTEIN: There was much to celebrate in the second quarter.

HUDSON: This is Josh Weinstein, the CEO of Carnival Corporation, based in Doral, Fla.

WEINSTEIN: We just hit all-time highs for bookings and customer deposits. And remarkably, we are still experiencing a phenomenal wave season which started early, gained strength and is still going strong midway through the year.

HUDSON: And it was a similar message from Harry Sommer, the CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in Miami, though the company's forecast was less than anticipated.

HARRY SOMMER: We achieved record revenue of 2.2 billion in the second quarter, an increase of 33% over the same period in 2019.

JAIME KATZ: I think that these companies have really been able to figure out how to run in a much more efficient way.

HUDSON: This is Jaime Katz. She's a stock analyst at Morningstar.

KATZ: This time off has really given these management teams a way to think about how do we optimize revenue management? And I think that has permitted these companies to come back with really diplomatic pricing tactics.

HUDSON: Diplomatic pricing - instead of simply offering deep discounts to fill up the ships, package together amenities.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "I WANT TO BREAK FREE")

QUEEN: (Singing) Oh, I want to be free.

HUDSON: This allows the cruise ships to add or subtract items based on demand. The more people buying, the fewer amenities included in the base price.

UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: And so much more.

HUDSON: Strong demand has allowed the companies to keep prices up. And they need the cash. This trio of South Florida-based cruise giants have lost tens of billions of dollars combined since the beginning of the pandemic. All three were profitable in the second quarter, if you don't count the hundreds of millions of dollars they spent paying interest on loans. But they have to pay that interest, and it takes a big bite out of profits. Those loans kept the companies afloat when they weren't allowed to sail. Together, these three big cruise companies owe almost $70 billion to lenders.

PETER TROMBETTA: It's still massive, still, you know, much higher than it was pre-pandemic.

HUDSON: Pete Trombetta is a senior analyst with Moody's, the credit rating agency. The companies have spent more paying interest on those loans this year than they have spent paying for fuel for their ships.

TROMBETTA: They had to borrow to stay alive. So it's going to take time for them to start tackling that debt. But they're definitely on the right path.

HUDSON: This big rebound of cruising is big for South Florida, with two of the top three busiest cruise ports in the world. Already this year, the number of passengers moving through Port Everglades is up 77% compared to a year ago. The Fort Lauderdale port has been renovating a terminal that will be dedicated to Disney in time for the winter cruise season later this year. And this comes after renovating a separate terminal earlier this year for Royal Caribbean's celebrity brand, says director Jonathan Daniels.

JONATHAN DANIELS: We're actually hiring additional people. We're creating our own cruise operations department, which the port has never had.

HUDSON: More passengers mean more revenue for Miami-Dade and Broward counties in Florida, the owners of the ports. Cruise passenger revenue in Miami fell 95% when ships were ordered to stop sailing. It already tops $100 million this fiscal year, on par with 2019, the year before the pandemic put a stop to cruises.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER #1: Now to a developing story in South Florida, where two cruise ships carrying passengers with coronavirus have been allowed to dock. For some on board...

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER #2: Another cruise ship with COVID-positive passengers has docked at PortMiami.

HUDSON: Some of the early COVID cases and headlines came from cruise ships.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER #3: After weeks in limbo at sea, overnight, two Holland-American cruise ships...

HUDSON: Some ships were quarantined and not allowed to dock for days over fears of passengers spreading the virus on shore.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER #4: The Coast Guard is currently monitoring more than 50,000 crew members on various ships that are in U.S. waters.

HUDSON: Thousands of crew members remained on board other ships for sometimes months after the industry was ordered to suspend operations. It added up to plenty of negative publicity at the time, but it has not hurt the optimism now from the industry's CEOs.

(SOUNDBITE OF MONTAGE)

UNIDENTIFIED CEO #1: We are clearly gaining momentum on an upward trajectory.

UNIDENTIFIED CEO #2: Clearly, the very healthy demand environment we are seeing is quite encouraging.

UNIDENTIFIED CEO #3: This acceleration in demand, the record booking levels really are increasing our optimism about 2024.

HUDSON: In order for that optimism to be realized, the industry needs to continue attracting first-time cruisers and converting them into repeat customers. Worldwide, one out of every three cruise passengers are at least 60 years old. But the average age for passengers sailing in the Caribbean, where ships from South Florida travel, is in the mid-40s. Joe Cilli is an assistant dean at Florida International University and creator of the school's Cruise Line Operations Management degree.

JOE CILLI: You're starting to see somewhat of a trend of let's lure younger demographic here, and that's not related to the family cruises with all of the, you know, waterslides and go-karts and things like that on it.

HUDSON: Shareholders certainly are optimistic about the fortunes of the firms. Norwegian stock was up almost 80% in the first half of the year. Carnival and Royal Caribbean shares more than doubled in price during that same time period. In fact, Royal Caribbean stock has almost returned to its pre-pandemic price.

For NPR News, I'm Tom Hudson in Miami.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

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