The cruise tourism market has seen considerable growth due to a variety of factors.
• The cruise tourism market has grown substantially in recent years. It will increase from $6.96 billion in 2024 to $7.62 billion in 2025, with a CAGR of 9.5%.
This growth is attributed to rising disposable incomes, an expanding global population, growing popularity of cruise destinations, an increasing number of travelers, and the rise of online booking and marketing.
The cruise tourism market is expected to maintain its strong growth trajectory in upcoming years.
• The cruise tourism market is set to grow significantly, reaching $10.85 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 9.2%.
This growth is attributed to increasing demand for luxury travel, a greater emphasis on sustainability, the popularity of themed cruises, and the rising number of millennial and Gen Z travelers. Key trends include eco-friendly practices, expansion in luxury and niche markets, technological innovations, enhanced health and safety measures, and the emergence of new destinations.
The expansion of the tourism industry is projected to drive the growth of the cruise tourism market. The tourism industry, which includes travel, accommodation, and recreational services, is growing due to increased travel demand, economic growth, and rising consumer confidence. Cruise tourism contributes significantly to global tourism by providing unique travel experiences and boosting the economy through port-related activities. For instance, in May 2024, the UK’s Office for National Statistics reported a rise in overseas visitors, with 38.0 million trips made in 2023 compared to 31.2 million in 2022. These visitors spent $39.99 billion (£31.1 billion), a $5.91 billion (£4.6 billion) increase from the previous year. Thus, the tourism industry’s growth will support the cruise tourism market.
The cruise tourism market covered in this report is segmented –
1) By Type: River Cruise, Ocean Cruise, Expedition Cruise, Theme Cruise, Adventure Cruise, Other Types
2) By Duration: 1 To 3 Days, 4 To 6 Days, 7 Days, 8 To 13 Days, 14 Days, 15 To 20 Days, More Than 21 Days
3) By Passenger Age: Less Than 12 Years, 13-19 Years, 20-29 Years, 40-49 Years, Above 60 Years
4) By Tourist: Independent Traveler, Tour Group, Package Traveler
Subsegments:
1) By River Cruise: Luxury River Cruises, Boutique River Cruises, Small Ship River Cruises, Family-Oriented River Cruises, Themed River Cruises (Wine, Culinary)
2) By Ocean Cruise: Luxury Ocean Cruises, Premium Ocean Cruises, Contemporary Ocean Cruises, Themed Ocean Cruises (Music, Wellness), Expedition Ocean Cruises
3) By Expedition Cruise: Arctic And Antarctic Expeditions, Polar Cruises, Wildlife And Eco-Tourism Expeditions, Remote And Uncharted Area Cruises, Scientific And Educational Expeditions
4) By Theme Cruise: Music Cruises, Culinary Cruises, Wellness And Spa Cruises, Sports And Adventure Cruises, Cultural And Art Cruises
5) By Adventure Cruise: Adventure And Exploration Cruises, Trekking And Hiking Cruises, Diving And Snorkeling Cruises, Sailing And Yachting Expeditions, Active Lifestyle Cruises
6) By Other Types: Family Cruises, Luxury Yacht Cruises, Educational And Learning Cruises, River And Ocean Hybrid Cruises, Cruise And Resort Packages
Companies in the cruise tourism market are improving booking efficiency with advanced solutions like web portals. Booking web portals provide real-time access to cruise inventory and fares, simplifying the booking process for both travel agents and customers. For example, in February 2024, Resorts World Cruises launched RW CruiseBuddy, a platform in India that empowers travel partners with direct access to up-to-date booking information.
Major companies operating in the cruise tourism market are:
• Royal Caribbean International
• Princess Crusies Ltd.
• Costa Cruises
• AIDA Cruises
• Viking Ocean Cruises
• Cunard Line
• Seabourn Cruise Line
• Hurtigruten
• Genting Hong Kong Ltd.
• Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
• Windstar Cruises
• Azamara Club Cruises
• Celestyal Cruises
• Compagnie du Ponant
• Crystal Cruises
• Oceania Cruises
• AmaWaterways LLC
• P&O Cruises
• Pullmantur Cruises
• Ambassador Cruise Holidays Ltd.
• Kerala Shipping
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Silversea Cruises
North America was the largest region in the cruise tourism market in 2023. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the cruise tourism market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.