BOISE – All aboard. No, seriously. According to new projections by AAA, a record 21.7 million Americans will go on ocean cruises in 2026. What’s more, 20.7 million will have taken a shipboard adventure this year, a number revised upwards from earlier projections.
“All modes of travel were devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but cruising was the last to recover. For the past few years, it’s been back in a big way,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “With so many options to choose from, travelers can find the ship and itinerary that matches their budget, destination, and interests.”
AAA forecasts an 8.4% jump in cruise travel from 2024 to 2025 and another 4.5% bounce from 2025 to 2026. While people of all ages go on ocean cruises, 65% of adult U.S. passengers are 55 or older, 27% are 35-54 and 7% are 18-34. Nearly 50% of cruise passengers travel as a couple, while 20% are cruising with kids.
The record number of U.S. cruise passengers puts the United States squarely in the lead for the busiest ports, with Miami, Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale currently the top embarkation/debarkation points in the world.
AAA says that nationwide, 72% of Americans taking an ocean cruise are heading for the Caribbean. But regionally, the story is quite different. Here in Idaho, the top cruise destination by volume over the full year is Europe, followed by Alaska. For European cruises, the Mediterranean is the most popular, and then Northern Europe.
If looking only at the winter season, AAA Oregon/Idaho’s top destinations are the Caribbean and Mexico.
Part of the continued popularity of Caribbean destinations is the availability of more cabins with the introduction of “mega-ships” which can accommodate even more guests.
“If you want a ship with a zip line, a Broadway show, access to fine dining, a stopover on a private island, or an amazing shore excursion, cruises have you covered,” Conde said. “Visit with a travel agent to discuss your options and to get the best deals, such as discounted cabins and shipboard credit. Now is the perfect time to make plans for next summer and beyond.”
In the Caribbean, peak season runs from November through March, after hurricane season and during the cold months of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. With more children out of school in the summer, Caribbean capacity is lower, causing prices to rise. Alaska cruise season runs from April through October.
To start daydreaming about your next shipboard adventure, visit the AAA Trip Canvas website.