Cruising to make waves with a record 21.7 million Americans setting sail next year
PORTLAND, Ore., – The booming cruise industry is expected to kick off another record year in 2026, following what is turning out to be a better-than-expected 2025. AAA projects 21.7 million Americans will go on ocean cruises in 2026 and 20.7 million this year, a higher number than AAA originally projected for 2025. 2026 is expected to mark the fourth consecutive year of record cruise passenger volume. AAA is forecasting that the year-over-year increase will be an 8.4% jump from 2024 to 2025 and a 4.5% bounce from 2025 to 2026.
Here’s b-roll video.
“The cruise boom continues and it’s easy to understand why. Cruising offers all-in-one travel, with transportation, lodging, meals and entertainment and is often more economical than land-based vacations. You only have to unpack once but still get to visit multiple destinations,” says Doreen Loofburrow, Senior Vice President of Travel for AAA Oregon/Idaho. “There are many types of vessels from small intimate ships that carry fewer than 200 people to mega ships that can accommodate about 7,000 passengers so you can get exactly the type of experience that’s right for you. And there’s something for everyone and all ages, from kids’ clubs, teen lounges and family activities to adult-only areas for peaceful escapes.”
Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How?
Who is cruising?
People of all ages go on ocean cruises, but 65% of adult U.S. passengers are 55 or older. 27% are ages 35-54 and 7% are 18-34. Regardless of age, most adults are taking a plus one on the ship! Nearly 50% of American cruise passengers are traveling as a couple, while 20% are cruising with kids. 7% are traveling solo, and the rest are going in groups.
What types of ships are they booking?
Ocean cruises come in different sizes, but as demand grows, so are the ships! Mega vessels are rising in popularity, especially in the Caribbean where most of them sail. Mega-vessels are currently deployed in three of the four top cruise regions: the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and Northern Europe. They are not operating in Alaska. In contrast, smaller vessels hold a greater share in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, driven by the presence of expedition cruises in Northern Europe and a strong luxury segment in the Mediterranean.
When are they going?
Peak season for ocean cruises varies by region. In the Caribbean, peak season is November through March, after hurricane season and during the cold months of winter. Even though summer isn’t peak season for Caribbean cruises, fares rise because kids are off from school so demand from families goes up, but capacity is lower because there are fewer ships sailing the Caribbean during those months.
Alaska cruise season is shorter, from April through October, and that tighter window translates to higher prices. Because Alaska cruises aren’t year-round, many passengers take advantage of those trips during the summer months and go on Caribbean cruises in the winter.
The Caribbean is by far the most popular cruise destination for Americans, capturing 72% of U.S. cruise passengers. That’s why Miami, Port Canaveral, and Fort Lauderdale, all in Florida, are the busiest cruise ports in the world. 7% of U.S. passengers are expected take Alaska cruises next year, and 5% are projected to cruise in the Mediterranean. The Caribbean’s popularity is also bolstered by the increase in shorter-length cruises – which passengers like because they’re convenient and cruise lines like because they can schedule more itineraries and sell more cabins.
On the West Coast, Los Angeles and Long Beach are the major cruise departure points for Mexico and Hawaii. Seattle is the main port city for cruises to Alaska. San Francisco is also a getaway city for cruises to Alaska, Hawaii and Mexico.
The top cruise destinations for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho are Europe and Alaska. During the winter months, our top destinations are the Caribbean and Mexico. In Europe, the most popular cruise destinations are the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and river cruising.
Why do people love to cruise?
AAA travel agents hear from members every day who are ready to book their first, second, or tenth cruise! In fact, 90% of U.S. cruise passengers rate their experiences as very good or good, and 91% of them have taken multiple cruises. That means most people just have to try cruising once to get hooked!
Cruising appeals to couples because the ship offers “date night” opportunities all day long. Multigenerational families enjoy the variety of activities and amenities, and many say cruise vacations are more economical than booking flights and lodging, especially if they want to visit multiple countries. To appeal to younger people and more adventurous travelers, many cruise lines are offering expedition cruises from the Arctic to Antarctica.
How can I book?
Booking with a travel agent is the best way to know your options and get the most value. Travel agents can often find perks that aren’t available to those who book on their own. Having an advocate back home is also helpful if any issues arise during your trip. AAA Trip Canvas allows you to browse cruise lines and destinations to get inspired and then take advantage of exclusive AAA member benefits.
Cruise Forecast Methodology
In cooperation with AAA, Tourism Economics prepared the 2026 cruise forecast based on scheduled cruise itineraries covering virtually all major cruise vessels, the economic outlook, and travel sector trends. This forecast relies on cruise-related analytics from Cruise IP (Tourism Economics’ proprietary database for the cruise industry), economic forecasts prepared by Oxford Economics, and assumptions on the future path of the tourism industry.
In this analysis, U.S. cruise passenger volume refers to ocean cruises taken by U.S. residents. It includes cruises that depart from U.S. and international ports.
About AAA
Started in 1902 by automotive enthusiasts who wanted to chart a path for better roads in America and advocate for safe mobility, AAA has transformed into one of North America’s largest membership organizations. Today, AAA delivers exceptional roadside assistance, helps travelers plan their dream vacations and adventures, offers exclusive member discounts and benefits, and provides trusted financial and insurance services – all to enhance the life journey of our 65+ million members across North America, including nearly 58 million in the United States. To learn more about all AAA offers or become a member, visit AAA.com.
About Tourism Economics
Tourism Economics is an Oxford Economics company with a singular objective: combine an understanding of the travel sector with proven economic tools to answer the most important questions facing our clients. More than 500 companies, associations, and destination work with Tourism Economics every year as a research partner. We bring decades of experience to every engagement to help our clients make better marketing, investment, and policy decisions. Tourism Economics operates out of regional headquarters in Philadelphia and Oxford, with offices in Belfast, Buenos Aires, Dubai, Frankfurt, and Ontario.
Oxford Economics is the world’s leading independent economic advisory firm. Covering over 200 countries, 100 industrial sectors and 8,000 cities and regions, we provide insights and solutions that empower clients to make informed decisions faster in an increasingly complex and uncertain world. For more information, visit oxfordeconomics.com.
AAA news releases, high resolution images, broadcast-quality video, fact sheets and podcasts are available on the AAA NewsRoom at NewsRoom.AAA.com.
Find local news releases at https://oregon.aaa.com/community/media/media-contacts.html
For more info go www.AAA.com. AAA Oregon/Idaho provides more than 914,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services, and is an affiliate of AAA National, serving more than 65 million members in North America.