cruise industry passenger statistics

Growth of the Ocean Cruise Line Industry

Worldwide, the ocean cruise industry experienced an annual passenger compound annual growth rate of 5.9% from 1990 to 2024.

While the COVID-19 pandemic brought the ocean passenger cruise industry to a standstill for nearly two years, it also prompted the accelerated retirement of numerous older ships. Simultaneously, new additions to fleets adopted a more modern and environmentally friendly approach. In 2024, passenger numbers are expected to surpass the pre-COVID levels of 2019.

Between 2023 and 2024, a total of 10 new ships, with a combined passenger capacity of 25,450, are set to be added (refer to the tables below). This influx will bring the worldwide ocean cruise passenger capacity to 673,000, spread across 360 ships. These vessels are projected to carry a total of 30.0 million passengers by the end of 2024, representing a 4.2% increase over 2023 and a 9.2% increase over 2019.

Shipbuilding Summary

Sources: Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., Carnival Corporation and plc, NCL Corporation Ltd., Thomson/First Call, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) , The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) , DVB Bank and proprietary Cruise Market Watch Cruise Pulse data.

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Cruise Industry Reports Record Passenger Volumes

MarineLink April 12, 2024

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The global cruise industry reported record passenger volumes in 2023 as the sector continues its rebound following the lows of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cruise ships carried 31.7 million passengers in 2023, up 7% from previous highs recorded in 2019, according to latest figures published by the trade group Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

Most increases were in the United States—which remains, by far, the world's largest cruise market—with an incremental increase of 2.7 million passengers, 19% higher than 2019.

CLIA's 2024 State of the Cruise Industry report revealed expedition and exploration as the fastest-growing sectors of cruise tourism, with a 71% increase in passengers traveling on expedition itineraries from 2019 to 2023.

In 2022, the cruise industry generated $138 billion in total economic impact globally, supporting 1.2 million jobs worldwide and $43 billion in wages. CLIA said it expects results for 2023 (to be published later this year) will show an even greater impact greater given the 50% increase in the number of passengers sailing in 2023 compared to 2022.

The report also showed continued demand for cruise holidays, noting intent to cruise at 82%. The forecast for cruise capacity shows an increase of 10% from 2024 through 2028. The orderbook for new cruise ships currently includes 56 new ships valued at $38 billion combined.

The report also highlighted a growing focus on more sustainable engine technologies. There are 32 pilot projects testing future fuels; four ships sailing today using renewable biofuel as an energy source—with an additional four new-build ships being configured for renewable biofuels; including five ships slated to use green methanol and two slated to use green hydrogen. Some 15% of ships entering service in the next five years are being built with battery storage and/or fuel cells to allow for hybrid power generation.

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Global Cruise Passengers Carried and Growth Rates, 1990-2024

Source: adapted from Cruise Market Watch. Note: Growth rates not depicted for 2020 (-74.2%), 2021 (+96.1%), 2022 (+46.7%) and 2023 (+50.4%).

The global cruise market has witnessed continuous growth throughout the last three decades, a growth that was interrupted in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 1990s and the 2000s, the size of the global cruise markets doubled about every 10 years, representing an annual growth rate of about 7%. Growth rates were relatively lower since the financial crisis of 2008-09. Yet, despite geopolitical difficulties (i.e, the Arab Spring that affected cruising in the Meditteranean) or the negative image produced by the Costa Concordia accident in Italy), the cruise industry has demonstrated a capacity for uninterrupted growth, the pace of which was faster than that of other transport or tourism industries. Only the COVID-19 pandemic represented a major setback.

In 2019, almost 30 million single passengers enjoyed a cruise on one of the 400 cruise vessels calling at one of the main cruise regions of the world (North America, Caribbean, South America, Mediterranean, North Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa), generating more than 150 million passenger movements in world cruise ports. At the turn of the century, the number of persons who took a cruise was just over seven million.

The global cruise industry remains relatively small compared with the tourism industry, which accounted for 1 billion arrivals in 2011. For instance, it was estimated that about 37 million people visited Las Vegas in 2010, while the global cruise industry carried about 18 million passengers the same year. However, this observation must be nuanced because most cruises typically involve 3 to 5 ports of call with the corresponding number of visits per passenger. Second, the industry remains fundamentally derived from the supply of ships and itineraries. Thus, the strategy is to fill the ships, which are a fixed supply, and when the demand is weaker, discounts are offered to keep the ships full. Third, the customer base of the cruise industry tends to be of a higher income level than the customer base of the tourism industry at large. This market segment is usually less impacted by economic downturns. Further, the growth in income levels in many countries, including developing economies, has expanded the customer base susceptible to taking a cruise. In light of this context, there is little evidence about the full extent of the market potential of the cruise industry and when a saturation point could be reached.

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered unprecedented global health and economic crisis. In February-March 2020, COVID-19 outbreaks associated with three cruise ship voyages caused more than 800 confirmed cases among passengers and crew. The whole industry voluntarily suspended worldwide operations, with the timing and the conditions of return remaining questionable. In late April 2020, all global destinations had COVID-19 travel restrictions, while the 2020 prospects suggested a decline in arrivals of 60%-80%. Six months later, the second wave of the pandemic resulted in the postponement of cruise calls in most world ports, including the regions (e.g. in Europe and Japan) that have seen a restart of cruising. As the post-COVID-19 new normal evolves, a precise assessment of the longer-term implications is challenging. 2020 turned out to be the most disastrous year in cruise shipping history, with the number of passengers dropping from 27.5 million in 2019 to just above 7 million. This represented a 75% drop in traffic.

After more than one year of hiatus, cruise operations resumed in the Caribbean in June 2021. Some test cruises took place in the Mediterranean market in the summer of 2020. Throughout 2021, occupancy rates remained low, around 50%, with the number of passengers bouncing back to 13.9 million. In 2022, occupancy rates improved to around 78%, with 20.4 million people taking a cruise, and by 2023, the number of passengers, at 30.7 million, exceeded pre-pandemic levels. However, 2022 brought new challenges for the industry with an increase in the price of food by 20%, an important cost component in a cruise offering. Further, the war in Ukraine impacted Baltic cruises as St. Petersburgh, Russia, could not be called, inciting a redeployment of ships to other markets. Labor shortages were also experienced as Russian and Ukrainian seafarers were much less available. Further, an economic downturn in China seriously undermines future growth prospects in the region. It may incite cruise lines to revise their deployment in a region that, before the COVID-19 pandemic, showed significant growth.

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Cruise Industry: 100+ Statistics, Facts, and Trends [2023]

Over 32M passengers were expected to go cruising in 2020. 

Only a handful of 400 cruise ships ready to hit the water could take passengers onboard due to COVID-19.

The result? Over $60B in losses. 

So if you’d like to learn more about the cruise industry, you’ve come to the right place. 

In this data-driven roundup, we’ve compiled the most relevant and up-to-date stats and facts on the topic to help you catch the essence.

Let’s dive right in:

Top 10 Cruise Industry Stats and Facts to Know in 2023   

General cruise industry statistics & facts, wonder of the seas, working onboard a cruise ship, cruise ships: a general overview, cruise industry demographics, cruise ships pollute but are good at recycling, covid-19 impact on cruise tourism.

• The cruise industry made $18B in revenue in 2022.
• The total number of cruise ship passengers stood at 13M+ as of 2021.
• The cruise industry is expected to reach $25.1B in revenue by the end of 2023.
• The cruise industry supports over 1M jobs.
• A cruise costs an average of $214 per passenger daily. 
• The world’s fleet of cruise ships totals 430.
• US nationals made up the majority (43%) of all cruise passengers in 2021.
• US nationals made up 43% of all cruise passengers in 2021.
• The cruise industry seeks to reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2030.
• A cruise ship emits more greenhouse gasses daily than 13M cars.
• The global revenue of cruises is set to reach $30B by 2024.
• Only 22% of cruise tickets are purchased online. Instead, 78% of the sales come from offline channels (e.g., ticket offices).
• Wonder of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean Group., is the world’s largest cruise ship.
• 1.7M passengers cruised to the Caribbean region in 2021.
• The US, Canada, and Mexico make up half of all cruise passengers.
• Crime rates on cruise ships are 95% lower than on land.
• Wonder of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world. It’s 1,188 feet long and 209 feet wide (362 x 64m).
• Wonder of the Seas can take up to 7K passengers and 2.3K crew members onboard.
• The Wonder of the Seas ship was ordered in 2016 and completed in 2022, with a construction cost of $1.3B.
• Wonder of the Seas has a Central Park (the first ever park at sea) with over 20K natural plants.
• The Wonder of the Seas ship has four thrusters with 7.5K horsepower each, which help it reach the cruising speed of 22 knots (25 mph).
• Wonder of the Seas has 24 bars and dining facilities.
• There are eight specially designed neighborhoods on the Wonder of the Seas ship.

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• The cruise industry provided 1.7M jobs in 2019.
• It takes 24 passengers to support one full-time job on a cruise ship.
• The cruise industry has average employee turnover rates: 25–35%.
• A cruise ship may require over 2K crew members.
• Cruise ships have a strict, military-like chain of command: officers > staff > crew members.
• 70% of cruise ship crew work in the hotel division.
• Most cruise companies (70%) hire employees via foreign agencies.
• A typical cruise ship employment form is a 6-month-long contract.
• Cruise ship crew are on call around the clock.
• An average cruise ship member in the US makes $29K annually.
• 72 new ships were manufactured in 2021.
• The average cost of building a cruise ship is $600M.
• There were 65 ocean cruise lines as of 2022.
• The three leading cruise companies made 85% of the global revenue in 2021.
• Only 11% of cruise ships can accommodate more than 4K passengers.
• Most cruise ships (32%) can take 2–3K tourists onboard.
• 371 out of 430 cruise ships operated in 2022.
• Here’s a look at the highest-rated cruise lines:
• The cruise ship’s passenger capacity is projected to reach over 38M in 2027.
• The average age of a cruise ship is 14.
• The world’s longest cruise ship (~1,188 ft or 362m) is just 6.5 ft (2m) longer than the fifth longest ship (853 ft or 260m).
• Royal Caribbean has all five longest cruise ships in its fleet.
• The most expensive cruise ships are Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. The former cost 1.5B to build, and the latter’s price tag was 1.4B.
• Here’s a breakdown of the world’s largest cruise ships:
• 57% of cruisers are college graduates.
• 83% of cruise passengers are married. 
• Cruisers spend around $385 in the port city before boarding a ship.
• During a typical cruise, passengers spend an average of $750 per person in port cities.
• Cruise passengers are 47 years old, on average.
• 85% of Millennials plan to cruise in the future, compared to 82% of Gen Xers and 79% of Gen Zers.
• Eight in 10 cruisers are likely to book their next vacation on a cruise ship.
• ~70% of cruisers are willing to board a cruise ship next year.
• Almost 60% of people who have never cruised say they are likely to cruise in the next few years.
• 70% of cruisers have an annual household income greater than $80K.
• 17% of Americans have cruised at least once.
• Most cruisers (77%) travel with a spouse.
• 30% of cruise passengers travel mainly with under-aged children.
• A quarter of cruisers generally travel with friends.
• A 3K-person cruise ship generates an average of 150K gallons (567 liters) of sewage per week.
• Cruise ships dump as much as 1B gallons (3.7B liters) of bacteria, heavy metals, and nutrients into the sea yearly.
• Here’s an overview of the waste produced by a 3K-passenger cruise ship during one week voyage:
• The cruise line industry dumps 285K gallons (1M liters) of wastewater into the sea every day.
• 75% of solid waste is incinerated on cruise ships, and the ash is typically discharged at sea.
• 24% of the solid waste generated by all ships comes from cruise ships.
• Cruise ships recycle 60% more waste daily than people on land.
• Cruise lines recycle 80K tons of paper, plastic, aluminum, and glass each year.
• The global revenue from cruises dropped by 88% in 2020.
• The cruise industry made just $3B in 2020 compared to 27B in 2019.
• The revenue growth in the cruise market is expected to plateau at 3% by 2026.
• The number of cruise passengers globally dropped by 84% in 2020.
• The cruise industry expected to carry 32M passengers in 2020.
• The number of ocean cruise passengers stood at 7M in 2020.
• Only 5M people went ocean cruising in 2021.
• The number of cruise passengers from North America dropped from 15M in 2019 to 3M in 2020.
• In 2021, the cruise industry declined by 25% compared to 2020.
• In the Middle East, the number of cruise passengers declined by 92% in 2020, followed by a 160% increase in 2021. 
• In North America, the number of cruise passengers dropped by 80% in 2020 and continued to decline by another 25% in 2021.
• Leading cruise companies saw a 90% drop in revenue in 2021 compared to 2019.
• Here’s a look at the net income of the largest cruise companies between 2019 and 2021:
• The cruise industry’s economic contribution in 2019 was $154B.
• In 2020, the economic contribution of the cruise industry dropped by 59% to $63B.
• Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, cruise industry-supported jobs shrank by 50%.
• The number of cruise passengers will surpass the 2019 levels by 2024.

Stacking It All Up

There you have it.

A comprehensive list of cruise industry statistics, facts, and trends to help you better understand the market and its direction.

Was there a statistic you found particularly surprising? Or maybe there are other cruising stats you’d like to see?

Let us know in the comments.

Is the cruise industry growing?

Before 2019, the cruise industry had a 3–5% yearly growth, but in 2020, the market saw a drop of over 80% due to COVID. In 2021, the market got back on track, seeing a 300% increase in revenue and 50% in passenger numbers.

How big is the cruise line industry?

There are over 60 ocean cruise lines, operating a total of 430 ships. In 2019 (before coronavirus), these cruises brought $27B in revenue. By the end of 2023, that number is expected to reach $25B.  

Who are the biggest players in the cruise industry?

Three companies made 85% of the total revenue in the cruise industry in 2021. These are Carnival Cruise ( 45%) , Royal Caribbean Group ( 25% ), and Norwegian Cruise Line ( 15% ).

What’s the #1 cruise line in the world?

Carnival Cruise Lines is the #1 cruise line in the world in terms of revenue ( $12.168B ). However, Royal Caribbean has five of the world’s largest cruise ships in its fleet.

How much money does the cruise industry make?

The cruise industry made $18B in revenue in 2022. It’s also set to reach $30B by 2024. 

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• Bureau of Transportation Statistics, “Summary of Cruise Ship Waste Streams”
• Comparably, “Cruise Ship Salary”
• Condé Nast Traveler, “Top Cruise Lines: Readers’ Choice Awards 2022”
• Cruise Industry News , “Cruise Ships in Service (Oct 2022)”
• Cruise Industry News, “31.7 Million Cruise Passengers Possible in 2022”
• Cruise Lines International Association, “Environmental Stewardship”
• Cruise Lines International Association, “Security At Sea”
• Cruise Lines International Association, “State Of The Cruise Industry Outlook 2019”
• Cruise Lines International Association, “State Of The Cruise Industry Outlook 2020”
• Cruise Lines International Association, “State Of The Cruise Industry Outlook 2021”
• Cruise Lines International Association, “State Of The Cruise Industry Outlook 2022”
• Cruise Market Watch, “Financial Breakdown of Typical Cruiser”
• Cruise Market Watch, “Passenger Origins”
• Friends of the Earth, “ 2022 Cruise Ship Report Card”
• Grand View Research, “Cruise Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Ocean Cruises, River Cruises), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 – 2028”
• Indeed, “How Much Do Cruise Ship Workers Make?”
• Scherb M., “Improving Employee Retention Rates in Cruise Industry by Assessing Living and Working Conditions”
• Ship Technology, “Wonder of the Seas Cruise Ship”
• Statista, “Cruise Passenger Volume Index Worldwide in 2019 and 2020, with a Forecast until 2026, by Scenario”
• Statista, “Gross Tonnage of Cruise Ships in the Global Order Book In 2021, by Region”
• Statista, “Largest Cruise Ships Worldwide as of February 2022, by Length”
• Statista, “Leading Countries in the Cruise Industry Revenue Worldwide from 2019 to 2022”
• Statista, “Most Expensive Cruise Ships Worldwide in 2022, by Building Cost”
• Statista, “Net Income of Carnival Corporation & Plc Worldwide from 2008 to 2021”
• Statista, “Net Income of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Worldwide from 2011 to 2021”
• Statista, “Net Income of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Worldwide from 2007 to 2021”
• Statista, “Number of Ocean Cruise Passengers Worldwide from 2009 to 2021”
• Statista, “Number of Ocean Cruise Passengers Worldwide from 2019 to 2021, by Region”
• Statista, “Percentage Change in Revenue of Leading Cruise Companies Worldwide during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in 2020 and 2021”
• Statista, “Revenue Growth of the Cruise Industry Worldwide from 2018 to 2026”
• Statista, “Revenue of the Cruise Industry Worldwide from 2017 to 2026”
• Statista, “Revenue Share of Sales Channels of the Global Cruise Industry from 2017 to 2026”
• Statista, “Worldwide Market Share of Leading Cruise Companies in 2021”
• Statista, “Year-Over-Year Percentage Change in Cruise Passengers during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Worldwide in 2020 and 2021, by Source Region”
• Wander Eat Write, “What Working on Cruise Ships Is Really Like: Pros & Cons”
• Wikipedia, “Environmental Effects of Shipping”
• Wikipedia, “List of Cruise Lines”
• Wikipedia, “List of Largest Cruise Ships”
• Wikipedia, “Wonder of the Seas”

Adam is an SEO & Digital PR writer with a child’s curiosity about the surrounding world. His superpower to dig out juicy facts got him citations in Forbes, Social Media Today, and 90+ other news outlets. Adam enjoys snapping pictures and won the national Huawei Next Image Award.

Royal Caribbean lifts profit view again on cruise boom, higher prices

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• Hamburg's cruise industry sets record with 1.2+ million...

Hamburg's cruise industry sets record with 1.2+ million passengers in 2023

In 2023, Hamburg experienced a record number of cruise passengers, with 1,204,089 embarking on cruises from the port, up from 785,000 in 2022. This surge in numbers solidifies Hamburg's status as a major cruise port, according to a press release issued on April 22.

A total of 51 different ships made 278 calls at the Port of Hamburg during the year, including 8 first-time visits. Additionally, 62 calls were made by river cruise ships , continuing the success seen in 2022, which had 280 calls.

Dr. Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economics, emphasized the significant economic impact of the cruise sector on Hamburg. She stated that the arrival and departure of a cruise ship in the Port of Hamburg is always impressive. Last year, 1.2+ million passengers experienced that moment. Thus, the cruise industry is contributing significantly to value creation and employment around the port.

The sector now generates an annual gross value added of EUR 420 million and supports 4,490 full-time jobs, making it a vital economic driver for Hamburg.

Simone Maraschi, Managing Director of Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH, highlighted that the industry is returning to its pre-coronavirus growth trajectory, benefiting the entire northern German region.

Looking ahead, Hamburg has plans for further growth in the cruise sector. There are preparations for 10 new first-time ship calls, including the debut of a Disney Cruise Line vessel this year. Additionally, a new cruise terminal is scheduled to be constructed in HafenCity by 2025. Furthermore, efforts are underway to expand onshore power supply extensively to ensure that all cruise terminals can be supplied with shore power in the future, as outlined by Senator Leonhard.

Diversity In The Cruise Industry Statistics

• Author: Alexander Eser
• Last updated: April 25, 2024

Highlights: The Most Important Statistics

The cruise industry workforce is 30% female

Only 20% of cruise ship captains are female

In 2019, women made up only 5.4% of the marine industry leadership positions

Only 18% of cruise industry senior leadership roles are filled by women

54% of cruise guests are female

70% of cruise line customers are Caucasian

Approx. 20% of cruise line customers are from the Hispanic demographic

Only 1% of cruise ship engineers are women.

In 2020, 37.8% of the cruise industry’s workforce were between the ages of 30 and 39.

Only 2% of cruise ship captains are women.

The average age of cruise line employees is 36.

35% of crew members on luxury cruise lines are women.

The Latest Diversity In The Cruise Industry Statistics Explained

The statistic stating that the cruise industry workforce is 30% female indicates the proportion of women within the total number of employees in this particular sector. Specifically, it implies that out of every 100 individuals working in the cruise industry, approximately 30 of them are women. This statistic sheds light on the gender distribution within the cruise industry, highlighting that there is a significant presence of women in this workforce. It also suggests that there may be opportunities for further gender diversity initiatives or considerations within the industry to promote equal representation and potentially address any existing gender imbalances.

The statistic stating that only 20% of cruise ship captains are female indicates a gender disparity within the maritime industry. This implies that there is an underrepresentation of women in leadership roles on cruise ships, with the majority of captains being male. This statistic raises questions about the potential factors contributing to this imbalance, such as gender biases in hiring practices, lack of opportunities for career advancement for women in the industry, or societal expectations that traditionally associate captaincy with masculinity. Addressing this gender disparity is crucial for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the maritime sector and ensuring equal opportunities for women to excel in leadership positions within the cruise industry.

The statistic that women comprised only 5.4% of leadership positions in the marine industry in 2019 highlights a severe gender disparity within this sector. This low representation of women in leadership roles suggests significant underrepresentation, potentially indicating systemic barriers that prevent women from advancing into key decision-making positions within the industry. The lack of gender diversity in leadership can limit different perspectives and hinder innovation and inclusive decision-making processes. Addressing this disparity through initiatives that promote gender equality and provide opportunities for women to attain leadership roles is crucial for fostering a more diverse and inclusive marine industry.

The statistic that only 18% of cruise industry senior leadership roles are filled by women indicates a significant gender disparity within the industry. This suggests that women are underrepresented in higher positions of authority and decision-making within cruise companies. The imbalance highlights potential barriers or biases that may be hindering the advancement of women in leadership roles within the cruise industry. Addressing this gender gap is important not only for promoting gender equality and diversity, but also for ensuring that the industry benefits from a variety of perspectives and talents in its leadership positions. Efforts to promote and support gender diversity in leadership roles within the cruise industry can lead to a more inclusive and innovative industry overall.

The statistic “54% of cruise guests are female” indicates that over half of the individuals who go on cruises are women. This information provides insight into the gender distribution of cruise passengers and suggests that women are a significant demographic within the cruise industry. This statistic may be relevant for cruise companies in terms of marketing strategies, service offerings, and overall guest experiences tailored to the preferences and needs of female passengers. Understanding the gender composition of cruise guests can help companies make informed decisions to attract and cater to their target audience effectively.

The statistic states that 70% of cruise line customers are Caucasian, indicating that a significant majority of customers on cruise lines belong to this racial group. This information provides insight into the demographic composition of individuals who choose to go on cruises, suggesting that Caucasian individuals make up a substantial portion of the customer base. Understanding the racial demographics of cruise line customers can be important for marketing strategies, customer service initiatives, and targeted offerings to ensure that the needs and preferences of this particular group are being effectively met.

The statistic that approximately 20% of cruise line customers are from the Hispanic demographic indicates the proportion of individuals within the total customer base of cruise lines who identify as Hispanic. This information is important for cruise line companies as it helps them understand the diversity and composition of their customer base. By recognizing the significant presence of Hispanic customers, cruise companies can tailor their marketing strategies, onboard services, and entertainment offerings to better cater to the preferences and needs of this demographic group. Understanding the demographics of their customers allows cruise lines to enhance customer satisfaction and potentially attract more Hispanic customers in the future.

The statistic “Only 1% of cruise ship engineers are women” reveals a stark gender disparity within the field of cruise ship engineering. With just 1% of the workforce represented by women, it suggests a significant underrepresentation of females in this particular profession. This statistic highlights potential systemic barriers or biases that may be preventing women from entering or advancing in the cruise ship engineering industry. Efforts to increase diversity and promote gender equality within this field may be needed to address the imbalance and create more inclusive work environments.

In 2020, 37.8% of the cruise industry’s workforce fell within the age range of 30 to 39 years old. This statistic provides insight into the demographic composition of employees within the cruise industry during that specific year. Specifically, it highlights that a significant portion of the industry’s workforce was within their prime working-age years, which could have implications for the industry’s overall dynamics, such as experience levels, productivity, career development, and succession planning. Additionally, understanding the age distribution within the workforce can help inform strategic human resource decisions, such as recruitment efforts, training programs, and benefits packages tailored to the needs and preferences of employees within this age group.

The statistic “Only 2% of cruise ship captains are women” indicates that there is a significant gender disparity in the cruise ship industry in terms of leadership roles. This suggests that the vast majority of cruise ship captains are men, with women comprising only a very small minority. The statistic highlights a potential gender imbalance and unequal representation in the maritime field, pointing to possible barriers or limitations for women aspiring to reach higher leadership positions within this particular industry. Efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, as well as address any systemic biases or obstacles that may exist, could help increase the representation of women in captaincy roles within the cruise ship sector.

The statistic ‘The average age of cruise line employees is 36’ means that if you were to sum up the ages of all cruise line employees and then divide by the total number of employees, the resulting average age would be 36. This statistic provides a snapshot of the typical age of employees working in the cruise line industry, indicating that the workforce tends to be relatively young. Understanding the average age of employees can be useful for workforce planning, recruitment strategies, and targeted marketing efforts aimed at this demographic.

The statistic that 35% of crew members on luxury cruise lines are women indicates the gender distribution within the workforce of high-end cruise ship companies. This means that out of all the crew members employed by luxury cruise lines, 35% are female. The statistic provides insight into the representation of women in the maritime industry, particularly in roles such as cabin crew, waitstaff, entertainment staff, and other positions onboard. The data can be used to evaluate gender diversity and equality initiatives within these companies and may also reflect broader societal trends in workforce participation and opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated industries like the cruise line sector.

0. – https://www.ship-technology.com

1. – https://www.womenoffshore.org

2. – https://www.scitechnol.com

3. – https://www.lexology.com

4. – https://www.statista.com

5. – https://www.hr-inform.co.uk

6. – https://cruising.org

7. – https://www.demographic-research.org

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• Premium Statistic Revenue growth of cruises in the UK 2019-2028
• Premium Statistic European cruise passenger volume 2019-2022, by source country
• Premium Statistic Leading European cruise passenger markets 2011-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of cruise passengers sourced from the UK and Ireland 2010-2022
• Premium Statistic Growth rate of the cruise passenger volume from the UK and Ireland 2011-2022
• Premium Statistic Leading cruise destinations for British and Irish passengers 2019-2022

Revenue of the cruises market in the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2028 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Revenue growth of cruises in the UK 2019-2028

Revenue growth of the cruises market in the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2028

European cruise passenger volume 2019-2022, by source country

Number of cruise passengers sourced from Europe from 2019 to 2022, by country (in 1,000s)

Leading European cruise passenger markets 2011-2022

Leading European source markets for the global cruise industry from 2011 to 2022 (in million passengers)

Number of cruise passengers sourced from the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland from 2010 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Growth rate of the cruise passenger volume from the UK and Ireland 2011-2022

Year-over-year percentage change in the number of cruise passengers sourced from the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland from 2011 to 2022

Number of cruise passengers sourced from the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland from 2019 to 2022, by destination (in 1,000s)

• Premium Statistic International cruise passenger movements at UK ports 2010-2022
• Basic Statistic International cruise passenger movements at UK ports 2019-2022, by month
• Premium Statistic International cruise passenger arrivals at UK ports 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic International cruise passenger departures at UK ports 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Leading cruise ports in the UK 2019-2022, by passenger movements
• Premium Statistic Cruise passenger movements at Southampton port in the UK 2003-2022
• Premium Statistic Cruise passenger movements at Dover port in the UK 2003-2022

International cruise passenger movements at UK ports 2010-2022

Number of international cruise passenger arrivals and departures at ports in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2010 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

International cruise passenger movements at UK ports 2019-2022, by month

Number of international cruise passenger arrivals and departures at ports in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2019 to 2022, by month (in 1,000s)

International cruise passenger arrivals at UK ports 2016-2022

Number of international cruise passenger arrivals at ports in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2016 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

International cruise passenger departures at UK ports 2016-2022

Number of international cruise passenger departures at ports in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2016 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Leading cruise ports in the UK 2019-2022, by passenger movements

Leading ports for cruise travel in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2019 to 2022, by passenger movements (in 1,000s)

Cruise passenger movements at Southampton port in the UK 2003-2022

Number of cruise passenger movements at the port of Southampton in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2003 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Cruise passenger movements at Dover port in the UK 2003-2022

Number of cruise passenger movements at the port of Dover in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2003 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Cruise companies

• Basic Statistic Number of Carnival Corporation ships worldwide 2023, by brand
• Premium Statistic Passenger capacity of Carnival Corporation & plc ships 2019-2023, by brand
• Premium Statistic Passenger capacity of P&O Cruises UK fleet 2014-2022
• Premium Statistic Passenger capacity of Cunard cruise ships 2014-2022
• Premium Statistic TUI cruise passengers worldwide 2013-2023, by brand

Number of Carnival Corporation ships worldwide 2023, by brand

Number of Carnival Corporation ships worldwide as of November 2023, by brand

Passenger capacity of Carnival Corporation & plc ships 2019-2023, by brand

Passenger capacity of Carnival Corporation & plc ships from 2019 to 2023, by brand

Passenger capacity of P&O Cruises UK fleet 2014-2022

Passenger capacity of P&O Cruises in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2014 to 2022

Passenger capacity of Cunard cruise ships 2014-2022

Passenger capacity of Cunard cruise ships from 2014 to 2022

TUI cruise passengers worldwide 2013-2023, by brand

Number of passengers on TUI cruise brands worldwide from 2013 to 2023, by brand (in 1,000s)

Passenger behavior

• Premium Statistic Travel product bookings in the UK 2023
• Premium Statistic Travel product online bookings in the UK 2023
• Premium Statistic Share of cruise passengers from the UK and Ireland 2022, by age
• Premium Statistic Average cruise passenger age in the UK and Ireland 2005-2022
• Premium Statistic Share of cruise passengers from the UK and Ireland 2022, by length of trip
• Basic Statistic Most popular amusement, cruise, and travel brands in the UK Q4 2023

Travel product bookings in the UK 2023

Travel product bookings in the UK as of December 2023

Travel product online bookings in the UK 2023

Travel product online bookings in the UK as of December 2023

Share of cruise passengers from the UK and Ireland 2022, by age

Share of cruise passengers from the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland in 2022, by age

Average cruise passenger age in the UK and Ireland 2005-2022

Average age of cruise passengers sourced from the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland from 2005 to 2022

Share of cruise passengers from the UK and Ireland 2022, by length of trip

Share of cruise passengers from the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland in 2022, by length of trip

Most popular amusement, cruise, and travel brands in the UK Q4 2023

Most popular amusement, cruise, and travel brands in the United Kingdom as of 4th quarter of 2023

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The Spinoff

Society April 23, 2024

Why restore passenger rail has set its sights on stopping cruise ships.

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Climate activists are setting their sights on an unpopular target, and hoping to bring lots of the public with them.

It’s hard to miss the Majestic Princess: the enormous cruise ship, docked at Auckland’s Prince’s Wharf, looms over the nearby buildings. The ship, which can fit nearly 6,000 people, is 300 metres long, decorated with bright blue waves vibrating over the bow. The ferries that dart across the harbour, which seem otherwise spacious when they have several dozen people aboard, suddenly look tiny. 

Further down on Princes Wharf, among the Hilton hotel, the shadow of the cruise ship blocks the sun. As a customs announcement echoes across the concrete (“If you are carrying any meat or fresh fruit and vegetables, you may not bring them ashore”), a steady stream of passengers emerge, pulling enormous suitcases, blue stickers on their chests indicating their cabin numbers. One wears a t-shirt reading “Eat. Sleep. Cruise. Repeat.” Various purveyors of experiences – tours, buses, taxi drivers – hover, trying to compel passengers to come with them. 

Among them are several groups of protestors, with big orange signs. “End Luxury Emissions” reads one. Other protesters are greeting the passengers with a big smile. “Welcome to Tāmaki Makaurau, here’s some information.” Most people take a pamphlet, which bears an illustration of a cruise ship in the embrace of a penguin. Others avoid eye contact. One woman opens the pamphlet to see what’s inside: a brief cartoon illustrating how travelling by cruise ships emits three to four times as much as a plane covering the same distance, harms marine life and pollutes the water. “Oh, oh no!” she says, trying to hand it back. 

While only a few people have turned out for this Friday morning protest, there are certainly many more in the country who are unhappy with the frequency of large cruise ships. The Majestic Princess is Auckland’s last cruise ship for the season, but Auckland’s regular commuters have been irked by the hundreds of cancellations of ferry services caused by the slow, ponderous movement of enormous cruise ships through the harbour. 

It’s yet another example of how “luxury” travel is prioritised over everyday, essential travel – and sometimes at the ratepayers’ expense, says James Cockle, spokesperson for Climate Liberation Aotearoa . (If his name sounds familiar, it’s because he was the unsuccessful challenger to James Shaw’s Green Party leadership in 2021.) “People don’t realise how damaging cruise ships are – because no one needs to travel on a cruise ship, it can be one of the first things to tackle.” 

Cockle is wearing a sandwich board on the dock at the bow of the Majestic Princess, strolling around under a banner that reads “You Cruise, We Lose” – CLA’s catchphrase in its anti-cruise ship campaign. The board is a table, collecting poll responses from passersby, who can use Cockle’s pen to tick a box: Are you shitting your pants about the climate crisis? Moderately worried? Don’t care at all?

Climate Liberation Aotearoa is the new name of Restore Passenger Rail, the direct-action climate group that sprung out of Extinction Rebellion and made headlines for glueing themselves to roads and unfolding banners demanding – wouldn’t you know it – passenger rail last year. The reason for the pivot to cruise ships is clear: “We felt like under the new government we had little chance of making progress on passenger rail under road-centric leaders,” Cockle says. 

So the group has rebranded, regrouped, and set themselves another transport target: the enormous ships that come to New Zealand each summer, disgorging thousands of passengers. There’s certainly a line of logic from their direct actions last year – if people hate it when their transport is disrupted by visible actors, and cruise ships disrupt daily transport in most New Zealand cities in one way or another, then why not try to rally that energy into a movement that targets cruise ships? The target has shifted too, with the group focusing first on changing council emissions policy instead of focusing mainly on changing central government.

For instance, Cockle asks, why do councils run extra buses for cruise ship passengers when people who live somewhere permanently have to wait for infrequent services? Why are there train services in Dunedin for cruise ship passengers looking to go on a day trip, but no – back to a favourite topic – passenger rail for residents? Why do councils not count the emissions of the cruise ships they entice in their emissions calculations? 

This last point is particularly galling: the Climate Change Commission has said that including international shipping and aviation in climate targets is consistent with fighting climate change  although New Zealand doesn’t currently do this. Councils have climate targets too; after submissions from CLA and others, Christchurch City Council is investigating charging an environmental levy on visiting cruise ships, and potentially changing how emissions are calculated. 

While passenger rail – which Cockle notes is “overwhelmingly popular”, with an inquiry last year gaining more than 1,700 submissions – might not be on the table with the current government, transport remains a major contributor to Aotearoa’s carbon emissions, at around 18% of total emissions and 44% of energy related emissions (i.e., not methane produced by livestock). That’s without counting the carbon produced by shipping, cruises and international air travel. “I used to think that flying was worse than travelling by ship, but now I know it’s not,” says Caril Cowan, a climate activist protesting as part of CLA, here because she’s keen to take action to do something differently.

People who saw Restore Passenger Rail’s actions last year will be familiar with their approach. “We’ve seen that change is not made through marches and rallies, petitions and letters – we support those actions, but there’s a real need for disruption,” Cockle says. Demanding passenger rail looked like disrupting cars and buses, making a stand on motorways and spray-painting buildings; successfully attention raising but necessarily, and purposefully, unsettling for people wanting to go about their days. 

The tactics are similar in targeting cruise ships, but aimed instead at visitors. CLA have paddled in front of the Majestic Princess in Dunedin Harbour , dropped banners reading “cruise ships kill wildlife, nature and our future” in Zealandia when cruise ship visitors were there on a tour and blocked trams carrying cruise visitors in Christchurch . In trying to engage directly with passengers, using the pamphlets and having conversations with those who are interested, the protesters are hoping to change how people think about cruises. Cockle says that some conversations have been revelatory: a woman he spoke to at a Dunedin cruise stop burst into tears when talking to the protesters, describing her love of the natural world and her sadness that her grandchildren don’t want to have kids because of the climate. “It’s sad to see that, but it’s a response that makes sense to the climate crisis,” Cockle says. 

“A lot of people don’t know how many emissions they’re producing by going on a cruise,” says Tamati, a climate campaigner holding a sign. “I feel sad for the passengers – they think they’re on the cruise for their own good but they don’t see how they’re just being treated as cash for whoever owns the cruise company. They’re just captured.” Others handing out flyers express sympathy for the massive suitcases many passengers are hauling along the footpath, and the confusing signage that leads many fresh-off-the-boat passengers to stop in the middle of the dock, trying to figure out where to go.

In choosing to target cruise ships and their passengers, CLA have perhaps picked a cause that more people can get on board with. While cruise ships get lots of credit for being economic stimuli, Cockle notes that research has shown cruise ship visitors spend less than other tourists, making up 3% of tourism spend but about 9% of total visitors . Cruise passengers aren’t paying for accommodation – which is provided by their overseas-owned vessels – and are usually only in each destination for a day. They tend to only spend in select places: good if you’re a Louis Vuitton store on lower Queen Street, not so much if your business is located anywhere else. “Even if a business is relying on cruise ships, relying on something so unsustainable and unpredictable means they probably need to look at their business model again,” Cockle says. 

Cruise ships, many smaller than the Majestic Princess, made over 1,000 port stops around New Zealand throughout the summer, but fewer visits are expected next summer , which CLA is calling a win, even though it’s mostly due to high port costs rather than climate considerations. Overseas, though, the industry is enormous, and hard to change: each large ship costs hundreds of millions of dollars, meaning the industry is incentivised to make money from it as long as possible. The Majestic Princess, for instance, cost 600 million euros – and it’s only the world’s 49th biggest cruise ship . Against the scale of this industry, the 70-metre-long banner CLA has been unfolding on the hillsides of ports when boats have been visiting seems tiny; as do the protesters in Auckland, not much more than a dozen, against the flow of disembarking passengers and the hulk of the ship itself, a skyscraper floating in the water.

Big ships might be hard to turn, but CLA firmly believes that it’s still possible. “We know it’s not enough to solve the problem on its own, but we think of it as the first pebble in an avalanche of destructive action as people stare down the devastating effects of climate change,” Cockle says. Or, to pick a more nautical metaphor: barnacles might be small, but enough of them can damage even the biggest of boats . 

More Reading

The protesters are smiling as they hand the leaflets out, exuding the warm confidence of people who know that a problem exists and have chosen to take action to fix it. But what do the passengers think? 

I talk to S.B., a Singaporean man who has been on several cruises but has been particularly blown away by the beauty of Aotearoa. “Cruises are more relaxing than other holidays, you don’t have to haul yourself around.” He hasn’t noticed the protesters at previous cruise stops, although CLA has been following the Majestic Princess and the Ovation of the Seas, the final ships of the season, through the country. “I don’t know much about cruise emissions – aeroplanes are bad also, cruises are bad, you may as well just enjoy,” he says. 

Another couple, Kris and her husband, are waiting for a taxi. “Oh, we’ve done loads of cruising, I like it because I don’t have to lift a finger,” Kris says. The pair flew from London to Sydney to board the cruise. I ask Kris’s husband what he thinks of the protesters, and the emissions and pollution concerns about cruises. He shakes his head. “A lot more countries put in a lot more pollution than we do; if you say you have to reduce, reduce, reduce, then –” But their taxi is here, and Kris is hustling him and their two heaving suitcases away into the car before he can finish his thought.