Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) 2025 State of the Cruise Industry report shows the sector set new records in 2024, with 34.6 million people taking an ocean cruise worldwide.

Cruise passenger numbers were up almost 10 per cent on the prior corresponding period, with the momentum forecast to continue. CLIA expects the industry to welcome 37.7 million ocean-going passengers in 2025 and 41.9 million by 2028.

Cruising made an economic impact of $8.43 billion in the 2023-2024 season.

Asia and Oceania welcomed 4.03 million cruisers, up from 3.67 million during the previous period (9.8 per cent).

The Australia/New Zealand/Pacific region was up 3.8 per cent year on year, rising from 1.28 million passengers to 1.33 million and was the seventh most visited global region.

CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz said: “Cruising is more popular than ever and the diversity of experiences now available to cruise guests is phenomenal.”

“The outlook for cruising remains strong and cruise lines are preparing to enhance their fleets with a further 56 new ships to be launched into the next decade.

“At the same time, they are making huge investments in the technologies and propulsion systems that are taking our industry towards its net-zero emission goals.”

Among the trends highlighted in the report was the rapid increase in the number of first-time cruisers, with 31 per cent of cruisers over the past two years being new to cruise, up from 24 per cent in 2019.

Travel agents have reported cruise holidays are experiencing higher growth than any other segment.

“The intention to cruise continues at very high levels - of those who have cruised in the past, 82 per cent say they will cruise again, and even among those who have never sailed before, 68 per cent say they would consider taking a cruise in the future,” Mr Katz said.

Cruise passengers are also getting younger, with 46.5 is the average age of a cruise traveller. Gen-X and Millennials are the most enthusiastic about booking a another cruise holiday, at 84 per cent and 83 per cent respectively.

Read the full CLIA report here.