Cruises - Worldwide

Worldwide

Highlights

By 2024, the Cruises market is projected to generate a revenue of US$42.30bn worldwide.
The revenue is expected to grow annually at a rate of 4.81% (CAGR 2024-2029), which will lead to a projected market volume of US$53.49bn by 2029.
Moreover, the number of users in this market is expected to rise to 46.57m users by 2029.
The user penetration, which is currently at 0.44%, is expected to increase to 0.58% by 2029.
The average revenue per user (ARPU) is projected to reach US$1.23k .
It is noteworthy that in the Cruises market, 24% of the total revenue is expected to be generated through online sales by 2029.
In terms of revenue generated, United States will have the highest share, with a total of US$25bn in 2024.
Despite the challenging times for the cruise industry, the demand for luxury cruises in the United States remains strong.

Key regions:

Market definitionIn-Scope/Out-of-scopeMarket structureReportsMethodology

The Cruises market worldwide continues to experience steady growth and evolution, driven by changing customer preferences, emerging trends, local special circumstances, and underlying macroeconomic factors.

Customer preferences: Customers worldwide are increasingly seeking unique and personalized cruise experiences, leading to a rise in demand for themed cruises, expedition cruises, and luxury cruises. Passengers are looking for more than just a traditional cruise vacation, opting for immersive cultural experiences, adventure activities, and wellness offerings onboard. Additionally, there is a growing interest in sustainable and eco-friendly cruises, with passengers prioritizing environmentally conscious travel options.

Trends in the market: In the United States, the Cruises market is witnessing a surge in demand for river cruises, particularly along the Mississippi River and Alaska's Inside Passage. These cruises offer passengers a chance to explore inland waterways and experience the natural beauty of these regions up close. Moreover, themed cruises centered around food and wine, music festivals, and wellness retreats are gaining popularity among American travelers, catering to diverse interests and preferences.

Local special circumstances: In Europe, the Cruises market is influenced by the continent's rich history, diverse cultures, and scenic waterways. European cruises often include stops at iconic cities like Venice, Barcelona, and Amsterdam, allowing passengers to immerse themselves in the region's art, architecture, and culinary delights. The Mediterranean remains a top destination for cruise travelers, offering a blend of sun-soaked beaches, ancient ruins, and vibrant coastal towns along the way.

Underlying macroeconomic factors: The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing a boom in the Cruises market, driven by rising disposable incomes, expanding middle-class population, and increasing interest in luxury travel experiences. Countries like China, Japan, and Australia are seeing a growing number of cruise passengers, leading to investments in new cruise ship terminals, infrastructure development, and strategic partnerships with international cruise lines. The region's diverse landscapes, cultural heritage, and culinary offerings make it a compelling destination for both domestic and international cruisers.

Data coverage:

The data encompasses B2C enterprises. Figures are based on bookings, revenues, and sales channels of cruises.

Modeling approach:

Market sizes are determined through a bottom-up approach, building on a specific rationale for each market. As a basis for evaluating markets, we use financial reports, the Global Consumer Survey, third-party studies and reports, data from industry associations (e.g., UNWTO), and price data of major players in respective markets. To estimate the number of users and bookings, we furthermore use data from the Statista Consumer Insigths Global survey. In addition, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific associations, such as country-related GDP, demographic data (e.g., population), tourism spending, consumer spending, internet penetration, and device penetration. This data helps us estimate the market size for each country individually.

Forecasts:

In our forecasts, we apply diverse forecasting techniques. The selection of forecasting techniques is based on the behavior of the relevant market. For example, ARIMA, which allows time series forecasts, accounting for stationarity of data and enabling short-term estimates. Additionally, simple linear regression, Holt-Winters forecast, and exponential trend smoothing methods are applied. A k-means cluster analysis allows for the estimation of similar countries. The main drivers are tourism GDP per capita and respective price indices.

Additional notes:

The data is modeled using current exchange rates. The market is updated twice a year in case market dynamics change.