By Joel Katz, Managing Director, CLIA Australasia
This year is an important year for cruising – it’s the year we will return to the scale we had achieved before the pandemic, and begin moving onward with greater purpose.
As the world cruise industry heard at the recent Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Florida, the cruise industry now has a very positive outlook.
CLIA’s research shows that in 2023 the industry is forecast to carry 31.5 million passengers worldwide – that will exceed the pre-pandemic figure recorded in 2019 and put us back on the positive trajectory we’d come to know over many years prior.
By 2026, our forecasts show we will reach nearly 39 million passengers – or about 30% more than in 2019.
An enormous amount of work is required to achieve this, including an imperative to attract a new wave of first-time cruisers, but we embark on this path supported by a strong track record, dedicated travel agent partners, and positive consumer sentiment.
For example, CLIA’s latest international research shows that 85% of those who have cruised before intend to cruise again. That’s 6% higher than in 2019.
Interestingly, it’s the Millennial guest who is most enthusiastic about cruising. Of the past cruisers surveyed, 88% of Millennials plan to cruise again – that’s a higher rate than Gen Xers and Baby Boomers.
There’s also plenty to be excited about in the world’s shipyards. This year alone, there are 14 spectacular new ships set for delivery to CLIA cruise lines – each one bringing new technology, new creativity in design, new innovations in the passenger experience, and new levels of sustainability advancements.
Looking through to 2028, the order book shows 62 new CLIA ships set to join the worldwide fleet, representing more than $40 billion worth of investment from the cruise lines.
That’s a huge show of confidence in the future of cruise.
