statistics of cruise passengers

Cruise Industry Statistics – 2023 Update

Dec 27, 2023 | CRUISE TIPS | 0 comments

Introduction – Cruise Industry 2023

Embark on a journey through the opulent waves of the cruise industry with me as we unveil the statistics and fascinating facts that paint a picture of the thriving cruise industry. Set sail into the latest updates for 2023 and discover the buoyant resurgence that has followed the challenges faced by the cruise industry in 2020 and 2021.

In this updated guide, we have included key cruise statsistics that help show you the state of the current cruise industry, including key information from the last 2  years and a snapshot of what’s to come in 2024.

1. A Majestic Comeback

In the grand spectacle of cruise statistics, 2022 stands tall as the year the cruise market staged a dazzling recovery, reaching levels reminiscent of the heights of 2010. From a global perspective, the cruise industry, once shadowed by a temporary halt in 2020 due to the pandemic, welcomed a staggering 20.4 million passengers in 2022.

A monumental leap from the previous year, 2022’s success echoes the industry’s resilience and hints at potential record-breaking years in 2023 and 2024.

2. Royal Caribbean’s Royal Reign

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line proudly took the crown in 2022, carrying over 4.6 million passengers, marking itself as the reigning monarch among cruise lines.

Meanwhile, the illustrious Carnival Corporation, with its array of brands including Carnival, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Princess Cruises, AIDA, Holland America, P&O and Seabourn boasted a regal total of 7.7 million passengers although this isn’t broken down by cruise line or brand.

3. A Symphony of New Ships

In the orchestration of cruise ship launches, 2022 played a different tune, presenting 17 new ships compared to the crescendo of 24 in 2021.

Yet, the new additions, including the likes of Celebrity’s Beyond and Disney’s Wish, painted a maritime masterpiece, each vessel a testament to the industry’s innovation and commitment to excellence. Favourites of ours that launched in 2023 include Oceania Vista , Regent Seven Seas Grandeur and Seabourn Pursuit.

In total there were a total of 15 new cruise ships elivered in 2023. 

4. 2024 –  A Year of Nautical Splendor?

The upcoming year promises to continue the maritime symphony, with an anticipated 15 new cruise ships setting sail in 2024. From the iconic Cunard Queen Anne to the innovative Rotal Caribbean Icon of the Seas, these vessels are poised to navigate the seas, weaving tales of elegance and adventure in the years to come.

5. Green Horizons

In a nod to environmental consciousness, over 50% of the new cruise ships launched in 2022 or launched in 2023 are powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), offering a cleaner and more sustainable voyage. This heralds a new era where the industry strives to reduce its carbon footprint and embrace eco-friendly practices.

Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) is the cleanest fossil fuel and it represents an excellent alternative to diesel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and compact climate change. LNG also has virtually zero sulphur emissions. 

69% of diesel-powered ships have been fitted with exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) which remove 98% of sulphur content from exhaust emissions. 96% of non-LNG new ships will have EGCS installed.

6. Cruise Ports: Gateways to Wonder

With over 2,000 cruise ports beckoning exploration, the maritime map unfolds like a treasure trove. From bustling Port Canaveral, the world’s busiest cruise port, to the serene river ports awaiting discovery, each destination tells a story of adventure, culture, and discovery.

7. Cruise Passenger Chronicles

Cruise enthusiasts, are a diverse group spanning all ages and t he average age of a cruise passenger is 47 years old. However, people in their forties make up only 15% of cruise passengers. Most cruises have a mix of all ages, from children to pensioners.

Interestingly World cruises have the oldest passengers, where the average age is 62. This is because there are generally very few children on board and it’s mostly retired people who can go away for 180 days at a time.

Caribbean cruises have the youngest passengers, where the average age is 43. This is because they are popular with families as well as those under 30 who like to take short party cruises from the US.

British passengers have an older average age than the global figures – it stands at 55.8 years.

CLIA reseach shows that more than a quarter of cruises taken by British and Irish guests in 2022 involved a travelling party of three or more generations.  

8. 75% of Guest book Thier cRuises through atravel agent

We all know the benefits of booking your cruise through a good travel agent and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) suggests there are approximately 13,000 travel agencies and 50,000 individual travel agents worldwide. Together, these book an astonish 75% of cruise vacations around the world.

Related: 9 Reasons Why you should book your Cruise through a Travel Agent

9. Awareness and Sustainability

A rising tide of awareness sweeps through the cruising community, with 76% of British and Irish passengers expressing increased consciousness of environmental and sustainable tourism. As the cruise industry sails towards the goal of net-zero carbon cruising by 2050, passengers are aligning their compasses with a more eco-friendly voyage.

This shows a huge increase in passengers being aware of cruising’s environmental impact.

10. Quirky Maritime Tales

As we navigate the waters of maritime history, peculiar tales emerge, from the eccentric Church of Scientology’s cruise ship, the Freewinds, to the elusive Deck 13 superstition that guides ship architecture. Cruise ship weddings, some legally recognized and others symbolic, add a touch of romance to the oceanic narrative.

11. A Glorious Finale

As we weigh anchor on this voyage through statistics and tales of the high seas, the crescendo of the cruise industry echoes in our ears. With 2024 unfurling its nautical wings, the future looks promising, a testament to the industry’s ability to weather storms and emerge stronger than ever.

As you absorb these maritime marvels, may your wanderlust be kindled, and your dreams set sail on the luxurious waves of the cruise industry’s resplendent journey! Happy Cruising everyone.

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Welcome all cruise enthusiasts! We’re Mike & Anita, your spirited guides to the high seas, and we’ve clocked in over 600 days at sea. This blog is our buoyant haven dedicated to all you cruise lovers out there, a place to dive into the wonderful world of cruising. Join us on this exciting voyage where we share not just tips but insider secrets and money-saving gems about cruising. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a first-time cruiser, get ready to explore, learn, and soak up the joy of our seafaring adventures. Happy Cruising! 🚢✨

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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.

Port Economics, Management and Policy

A comprehensive analysis of the port industry

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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43+ Cruise Industry Statistics for 2024

Welcome to our curated and vetted list of 43+ cruise industry statistics for 2024.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what we’ll cover:

Top Cruise Industry Statistics

Passenger volumes and forecasts, revenue and market growth, cruise ship characteristics, cruise destinations and ports, cruise demographics and preferences, environmental and sustainability practices.

• In 2024, approximately 36M passengers globally are anticipated to embark on cruises.
• The global cruise market is expected to expand by 9.29% from 2023 to 2027, reaching $35.87B in 2027.

• In 2024, the worldwide cruise sector will produce $30.11B in revenue.

A total of 323 cruise ships are currently in operation globally.

There are 51 ocean and 27 river cruise lines in the world.

On average, a cruise ship can host around 3,000 passengers.

There were 12,592 cruise guests from North America in 2022.

• A cruise ship earns an estimated net profit of $291 per passenger.
• The typical age of a cruise tourist is 46.5 .

01. In 2024, cruise passenger volume is expected to hit 120% of 2019’s levels, with 36M passengers setting sail.

02. There were 12,592 cruise guests from North America in 2022.

03. In 2022, Celebrity Cruises, a luxury brand under Royal Caribbean Cruises, led selected cruise brands in passenger capacity, boasting a combined vessel capacity of about 32,500.

Sources: CLIA #1 , CLIA #2 , Statista

04. The global cruise market is expected to expand by 9.29% from 2023 to 2027, reaching $35.87B in 2027.

05. In 2024, the worldwide cruise sector will produce $30.11B in revenue.

06. The US is projected to lead the cruise industry in terms of revenue, reaching $18.36B.

07. Offline sales channels are expected to account for 76% of global cruise industry revenue in 2027, surpassing online sales, which are projected to constitute 24%.

08. A cruise ship earns an estimated net profit of $291 per passenger. Consequently, a fully booked 7-day trip on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas could generate $9.8M in revenue, with profits of $1.7M.

09. In 2023, Carnival Corporation & plc’s global revenue reached $20.036B, a 108.38% surge from the previous year.

10. In 2023, Royal Caribbean Cruises reported a revenue of $13.173B, an 82.48% increase from the previous year.

11. In 2022, the number of businesses in the US cruise and travel agency franchise sector rose to 38 from 27 the previous year, with 42 expected to operate in 2023.

Sources: LoveTheMaldives , Statista #1 , Statista #2 , Statista #3 , MacroTrends #1 , MacroTrends #2

12. A total of 323 cruise ships are currently in operation globally.

13. There are 51 ocean and 27 river cruise lines in the world.

14. Ocean liners typically have an average passenger capacity of about 3,000 guests, while larger river cruise ships accommodate ~150 guests.

15. The largest cruise ships can accommodate 5,412 passengers in double occupancy, with a maximum capacity of 6,318 if all berths are filled.

16. In 2023, the worldwide cruise industry’s ocean-going vessels had an average passenger capacity of ~701,490, with projections indicating a rise to over 764,000 by 2025.

17. The average age of ships in the fleet of CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) members is 14.1 years.

18. As of April 2023, Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship, with a gross tonnage of 236,860.

19. In February 2023, Royal Caribbean was home to the world’s longest cruise ships, with Harmony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas, each exceeding 1,180 feet (360 meters) in length.

20. As of November 2022, Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas was the world’s most expensive cruise ship, with a construction cost of ~$1.43B. It’s the fourth-largest cruise ship globally, with a gross tonnage of 225,000.

Sources: Cruise Market Watch , LM&W, PA , CruiseMapper , Carnival , CLIA , Marine Insight , The Telegraph , Cruise Fever

21. In 2022, the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Bermuda topped the list of global cruise destinations, attracting approximately 9M passengers.

22. Port Canaveral in Florida, US, was the world’s busiest cruise port in 2022, recording approximately 4.1M passenger movements.

23. In August 2023, Tripadvisor’s most expensive luxury cruise was a 125-night global tour with Silversea Cruises’ Silver Wind, costing nearly $132,000 per person.

Sources: CLIA , Statista , Travel Weekly

24. The typical age of a cruise tourist is 46.5.

25. The average age of a Norwegian Cruise Line passenger is 52.5 years.

26. Royal Caribbean cruise passengers have a median age in the low 40s, skewing younger on 3–4 night cruises and older on cruises of 10+ nights.

27. Cruise trips typically last about seven days on average.

28. Of those who have cruised, 85% plan to cruise again.

29. Cruise vacations are gaining popularity among Millennials and Gen Xers, with 73% of those who haven’t cruised yet open to considering it.

30. Most travelers (73%) cruise with family from at least two generations.

31. Solo travelers typically book their cruises 1–12 months before departure.

32. In 2022, Carnival Corporation & plc carried 7.7M passengers worldwide.

33. In 2022, Royal Caribbean Cruises served over 5.5M passengers worldwide.

34. In 2022, Norwegian Cruise Line served roughly 1.66M passengers.

35. Norwegian Cruise Line was the highest-rated mega-ship operator in Condé Nast Traveler’s June 2023 survey, scoring 86.72.

36. Virgin Voyages was the highest-rated large-ship cruise operator in Condé Nast Traveler’s June 2023 survey, scoring 94.07.

37. Viking led June 2023’s midsize-ship cruise line ratings by Condé Nast Traveler with a score of 94.98.

38. Emerald Cruises led the June 2023 Condé Nast Traveler small-ship cruise line ratings with a 95.27 score.

39. Viking led the June 2023 Condé Nast Traveler river cruise line ratings with a 97.32 score.

Sources: Carnival Corp. , CLIA , Condé Nast Traveler , Cruise1st Blog , Norwegian Cruise Line , Royal Caribbean International , Royal Caribbean Press Center

40. Low-friction hull coatings are used on 96% of ships.

41. Cruise ships generate up to 90% of their freshwater onboard. They use advanced systems to conserve and repurpose water, avoiding reliance on resource-scarce areas.

42. A significant 60% of ships set to launch from 2023 to 2028 will use LNG fuel as their main propulsion source.

43. New ship classes are typically 20% more efficient than their predecessors.

Sources: CLIA

Stacking It All Up

That concludes our deep dive into cruise industry statistics.

If you think this information would benefit your audience, you’re welcome to share it. Just remember to link back to this page as a nod to our efforts.

How many people are there on a cruise ship?

How many cruise ships are there, how many cruise lines are there, how many cruises depart from north america, how much does a cruise ship make per trip.

A cruise ship earns an estimated net profit of $291 per passenger. Consequently, a fully booked 7-day trip on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas could generate $9.8M in revenue, with profits of $1.7M .

As a Digital PR specialist and a member of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), I have 5+ years of writing experience. Over the course of my career, my work has garnered significant attention, with features in numerous prominent publications such as The New York Times, Forbes, Inc., Business Insider, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, BBC, TechRepublic, Glassdoor, and G2.

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Information about the Port of Baltimore

In response to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse on the morning of March 26, 2024, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) provides the following information:

• The Port of Baltimore is among the top 20 ports in the United States by tonnage and number of containers handled, is 10th largest port for dry bulk, and is a major hub for the import and export of motorized vehicles.  
• As of 4pm on March 27, vessel tracking data show 3 bulk carriers, 2 general cargo ships, 1 vehicles carrier, 1 tanker, 4 Maritime Administration (MARAD) Ready Reserve Force vessels, and the container ship "DALI" behind the fallen bridge in the Baltimore harbor. There is 1 vehicles carrier in the port beyond the bridge. There are 9 bulk carriers, 1 vehicles carrier, and 2 general cargo vessels at anchorage beyond the bridge.  
• At least two cruise ships, one of which has a capacity of more than 2,000 passengers and more than 700 crew are scheduled to return to Baltimore. Many people will need to be reunited with their motor vehicles parked at the terminal in the harbor.  
• The Francis Scott Key Bridge carried 12.5 million vehicles in 2023, averaging more than 34,000 vehicles a day over the year. This is 15 percent of the total traffic for all 3 harbor crossings, and the diverted traffic would add 18 percent to the combined volumes for the Fort McHenry and Harbor Tunnels.  
• Trucks that carry hazardous cargo, which are not allowed in the I-95 and I-895 tunnels, and use I-695 to pass through the Baltimore region.  The shorter route on I-695 is over the Key Bridge and is 24.3 miles around the eastern and southern sides of Baltimore.  The longer route on I-695 is 27.5 miles around the northern and western sides of the Baltimore beltway rather than the 24.3 mile route around the eastern and southern sides of Baltimore and is more frequently congested. Population exposure is increased from over 38,000 people live within 1/2 mile of the shorter route to more than 100,000 people live within 1/2 mile of the longer route. The longer route is also more affected by peak period congestion.  
• Take a look at the port profile for Baltimore.  
• Explore the tabulations of the tonnage and value of commodities that move through the Port of Baltimore from the Freight Analysis Framework .

  Take a closer look at the map below .

Sources: Vessel location information is from the USDOT Volpe Center SeaVision system.  Vehicle counts are from the Maryland Transportation Authority FY 2024 Traffic and Toll Revenue Forecast Update, November 3, 2023.  The map, statistics on hazardous cargo routes, and tabulations of the Freight Analysis Framework are by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

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Cruise Ship Facts That Are Rarely Talked About

Posted: December 14, 2023 | Last updated: December 14, 2023

A Morgue Lurks Within Every Cruise Ship

Cruises are supposed to be about letting loose and having fun but there is often a dark side to cruises that passengers don't really see. Because a large portion of cruise goers usually tend to be older it's actually not uncommon for people to pass away while on ship.

One former crew estimated that around three people pass away every month on a cruise. Due to this, all cruise ships are required to have a morgue on board and usually has room for around three to six bodies.

It Might Sound Creepy but Crew Members Keep Record of Everything That Guests Do

The requirement that crew members be as hospitable and nice as possible to passengers, they don't usually get a chance to say everything they'd like to say. For this reason, cruise ships keep a log where they write down everything that happens while on a trip. These logs keep everything from something as big as a fire or injury to something as minimal as a comment a guest made.

It sounds weird but all of that information helps an incoming crew best prepare and spot potential hazards and how to manage them best. This log can also be used as a venting outlet for crew.

The Eerie Hidden Pools of Cruise Ships

If you have ever seen pictures from a cruise you will have noted that the pools are often the most crowded areas on the ship. Even though the ship is floating on water, people just gravitate toward the pools anyway. It turns out that most cruise ships have "secret" pools reserved for their staff only. Because these pools are dedicated to staff they are often much less crowded.

Guests can however be invited and of course, a guest would have to make quite the impression on the crew in order to be invited to the secret pool. The invite is actually harder to secure than you would think, considering some of the rules on board.

The Crew Speaks in Code to Keep Guests in the Dark

Passenger safety on board is paramount and maintaining that safety is not an easy task. Crew are sometimes forced to speak in code, so they don't incite panic while still being able to act quickly during an emergency. Some of these codes are used for dealing with medical emergencies, reacting to a fire, or responding if someone falls overboard. If you ever wondered about what code word is usually used for someone falling overboard, then it's "oscar."

This really makes a lot of sense since the last thing you really want is to terrify your passengers or cause a panic making it harder to do your job.

Gambling Rules on Board Aren't as Legal as You Think

Many cruise ships have casinos on board, and since most of the time you are traveling through international waters, it's completely legal. This also means that the cruise ship isn't necessarily subject to a single area's laws concerning gambling. The rules onboard will occasionally change depending on whatever country is closest.

Cruise ships might switch up the number of decks they use for blackjack, etc. and your odds of winning can change dramatically depending on where you are. Just be aware that the rules governing their games aren't set in stone, and can change.

Even Cruise Ships Are Vulnerable to Mysterious Accidents

The buck stops with the Captain at all times while on board which is a fantastic system when it works, and it typically does. It makes sense that one person with experience should calling the shots during an emergency. The last thing you would want is two or more people wasting time arguing over a decision in a crisis. That being said, even captains make mistakes, and sometimes those mistakes can be disastrous for a ship or its passengers.

It's not often that it happens which is why when it does it usually makes headlines. A few cruise ships have even been sunk due to a captain's decisions.

Sometimes Passengers Go Missing at Sea

Strange things happen while at sea, and one of those things is when people go missing. It sounds weird but people really do go missing on ships. Approximately 165 people reportedly went missing while on a cruise from 1995 to 2011.

There is speculation that the number is possibly higher. This is separate from passengers that fall overboard. We're talking about people who have just disappeared without a trace and were never seen again.

"I'm the Captain Now" - There's a Risk of Pirates Coming Onboard

On occasion you will hear about pirates taking over cargo ships or something like that but you don't often hear about cruise ships being boarded. Still, it does happen, and because of that the crew is trained for it.

In 2005 a cruise ship was targeted, and the crew used some kind of acoustic weapon to assault the pirates' eardrums. The attack was thwarted, and everyone on board went about enjoying their vacations.

No Fraternization With Guests

Where there are often hookups between crew members, they are strictly forbidden to fraternize with passengers while on board. This rule is mainly in place to protect the crew from being accused of anything inappropriate but it is also to protect the cruise company from being sued by a passenger.

The cruise company will have a much easier time cleaning up in-house than it would feilding a public lawsuit with a passenger.

You're Under Arrest

You have surely heard of the brig before but did you know there is one on a cruise ship and you don't have to be military to be thrown in it. It's a sort of jail cell on a ship, and it's reserved for passengers that break the law' get a bit too rowdy or in any way threaten the safety of other passengers or crew.

There is no judge or jury on a ship so if you're thrown in the brig, you'll most likely spend the rest of your vacation there or until the ship makes port and can offload you to the authorities. Sometimes this leaves you in a different country than the one you sailed from.

Rescuing Passengers Who Went Overboard Is Complicated

It's never good when someone goes overboard but on a cruise ship it can be especially complicated to initiate a rescue. If a passenger goes overboard during a cruise, you may see crew members throwing stuff over the side in order to mark where they are in the water.

There aren't any landmarks in the ocean, meaning your brain doesn't have anything to refer to when trying to locate an overboard passenger from the top of a very high cruise ship.

Crew Members Are Drinking All Day on Cruises

If you have ever noticed your crew is especially happy or chatty it may be because they have had a couple of drinks themselves. Crew members get great discounts on alcohol and although most cruise lines say they randomly test their employees to ensure that they're not drinking while on the job, they still manage to sneak a few drinks here and there.

According to former crew members, it happens more than from time to time. Some former crew members have also come out and said that drinking among crew members is much more common than some cruise companies would have their passengers believe.

Disease Outbreaks Are More Common Than You Think

We all heard about outbreaks onboard cruise ships curing the 2020 pandemic. They got big news coverage as essentially floating petri dishes. Due to thousands of people situated together in a tight space the outbreaks seem to spread faster.

Even before the pandemic there were plenty of outbreaks. For example in 2014, around eight cruise ships and many of their passengers were hit with the norovirus. As a result there have been strict procedures and rules to limit the spread of sickness during an outbreak but the risk is always going to be there.

Crew Members Are Mostly From Outside of the USA

There are a lot of reasons that cruise lines don't tend to hire American workers and one of the reasons is that Americans wouldn't put up with the long hours required on a cruise ship. The typical work week in America is around 40 hours, compared to the sometimes 100-hour long work week on a cruise ship.

Together with different and less generous overtime rules as well as lower pay, it's not hard to see why there aren't as many Americans in the cruise industry.

Medical Care Can Be Spotty

Cruise ships aren't really required to operate to the same standards as other companies located on land in the U.S. and because of that the medical care available to passengers can sometimes be hit or miss.

It's common for cruise ships to hire doctors from countries with lower medical standards than in the U.S. and also have the facilities on board a cruise ship to be not quite as great as you'd find on land. Together with the fact that doctors on cruise ships basically can't be sued for malpractice, it leaves something lacking in the care like on a lot of cruise ships.

Where Does All The Waste Go?

Where does all the human waste go when you're on a ship and out at the ocean? It goes exactly where you might expect it to go, in the ocean. Cruise ships simply dump waste when they are around 12 miles from shore. They are required to treat it first but it still isn't great for the environment and it's quite gross.

Not all countries have the same laws either and this means that sometimes cruise ships will discharge waste when they're closer to shore in a country with more lax laws like recently when Canadians complained about U.S. cruise ships dumping near British Columbia.

Tight Quarters for the Crew

It goes without saying that rooms for crew members are much different than the rooms for guests on cruise ships. Crew quarters are very cramped in comparison and for the most part rooms are shared by multiple crew members.

That being said, crew members do have their own break areas and even have crew-only events, classes, and a pool for staff only. On the downside they don't really get to enjoy all of that stuff very often because they work such long hours.

Cruise Ships Wait For No One

You would think there would be some kind of system making sure every guest is accounted for when they cruise pulls away from port but there isn't. The cruise is not going to wait at port for a couple of passengers who failed to get back in time. If you're late getting back to the ship there is a good chance you will be watching from shore as your ship sails away.

That's why it's important that you always remember to get back to the ship well before it's scheduled departure. It's also a good idea to carry your documents and passport with you just in case you're left behind in a foreign country.

Preparing the Kitchen Is Done With Military Precision

To keep things running smoothly while feeding thousands of guests, it's no surprise that most cruise ship kitchens run their operations with military-like precision. With that many mouths to feed they have to ensure that they have enough food on board for everyone and stay within a budget working hard to eliminate waste.

Some kitchens are so precise that they can predict consumption down to a margin of two meals for a week. Sometimes crews even change up how much they order based on the nationality of their guests. For example, a ship with many Americans might order more ketchup than one with a majority of other nationalities.

Hiding Drinks Isn't Easy

Alcohol is always the most expensive part of any trip for good reason. There are really good margins for alcohol sales so it makes sense that there would be strict rules regarding their biggest money maker. Cruise lines force you to use the bars on the ship and for this reason, people have figured out how to smuggle their own booze onto cruises.

For these reasons guests get really inventive with the way they smuggle on alcohol. One way of sneaking alcohol on board a cruise ship involves filling a plastic bladder with booze in an effort to evade x-ray detection. People have also resorted to filling mouthwash bottles with alcohol and adding food coloring to dye them a specific color.

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News | Baltimore-bound cruise passengers arrive in…

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News | Baltimore-bound cruise passengers arrive in Norfolk

NORFOLK — It is safe to say that most of the Carnival Legend cruise passengers did not think their vacation would end this way.

The sun had not yet risen as the cruise ship — which departed Baltimore’s port several days ago — docked at 4 a.m. Sunday at the Half Moon Cruise and Celebration Center. Downtown was quiet, many still asleep or attending a sunrise Easter service, as an impressive fleet of charter buses circled the cruise center. By 6:45 a.m., the ship’s passengers were working on their next phase of travel. For many, that meant a four-hour bus ride back to Baltimore.

Ships typically return to the port from which they leave, but when disaster struck midway through the cruise, staff had to work fast to find a port available to receive vacationers. The solution: Norfolk.

During the trip, officials closed the Port of Baltimore to all incoming and outgoing ship traffic after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday morning when it was struck by a container ship. The bridge carrying Interstate 695 collapsed in moments, sending several vehicles into the Patapsco River.

Last week, Carnival Cruise Line announced the ship will operate out of Norfolk, and Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas will do the same. Each ship can carry more than 2,000 people.

Lines of sun-kissed cruise-goers towing suitcases began to form as the sun crested over the horizon, many donning Carnival-themed attire and fresh sunburns.

The weather Sunday morning in the Mermaid City was likely much different than conditions they were enjoying in the Bahamas just days ago. Cab drivers parked alongside buses, waiting on customers, and some spoke to each other about how Sunday was likely to be a money-maker as cruise passengers opted to rent cars or fly back to Baltimore instead of braving the bus ride.

Sandy Crow, of Manassas, and her sister Kathy Grant, stood outside Nauticus, waiting for Crow’s husband to pick them up. Crow said she heard about the bridge collapse from another passenger.

“What a tragedy,” she said.

Crow said she has been to Norfolk before, highlighting the Norfolk Mac and Cheese Festival, and the two had been celebrating a sisters’ trip together over the past week. After finding out about their future arrival in Norfolk, Crow said driving home was the preferred option.

“The captain and the whole crew was so good communicating with us. Within a day, we knew we where were going to be. It was all handled beautifully,” Crow said. “It’s about three hours (to Manassas). It’s better than taking a bus for four or five hours, and then it would be another two hours. My husband just said, ‘I’ll just drive down there.’”

As cruise ships reroute to Nauticus, the Port of Virginia is ready to receive diverted cargo traffic from the Port of Baltimore. The collapsed bridge blocks the only channel in and out of the port on the Patapsco River.  The port will be unable to receive shipping traffic until the channel is cleared , and stands to lose an estimated $15 million per day in economic activity.

Some passengers who spoke to The Virginian-Pilot said they heard the news of the tragedy from the captain, and the crew handled it the best they could. Despite the tragedy, many said the trip was still a good one although it is ending differently than they had originally planned.

For other passengers, the trip does not even end in Baltimore. Jackie Plum and her family took their Spring Break trip out of Baltimore, but they are actually from Michigan.

“When they announced that the the bridge collapsed, I think the cruise ship handled it really well. They made it as stress free as possible,” she said. “We kind of changed our plans at the last minute because so (the reroute) is adding, like, an extra four hours to our drive. Now, we have to go four hours back to Baltimore and then eight hours to Michigan. We were trying to get off the ship as fast as we can, and at the last minute, we decided to rent a car at the airport.”

For the foreseeable future, Norfolk will be welcoming more passengers, including a Royal Caribbean cruise later this week on April 4.

“You know what? Stuff happens,” Crow said. “The only thing I’m upset about is people lost their lives.”

Eliza Noe, [email protected]

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• Number of cruise passengers from North America 2016-2022

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• Number of global ocean cruise passengers 2009-2027
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• Main global cruise destinations 2019-2022, by number of passengers
• Revenue of the cruises industry in the U.S. 2019-2028
• Revenue growth of cruises in the U.S. 2019-2028
• Direct economic impact of the cruise industry in the U.S. 2021, by spending type
• Cruise line operator industry's market size in the U.S. 2012-2022
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• Number of cruise passengers from the U.S. 2016-2022
• Growth rate of the cruise passenger volume from the U.S. 2017-2022
• Busiest cruise ports worldwide 2019-2022, by passenger movements
• Share of U.S. travelers planning a cruise trip October 2021-June 2023
• Net income of Carnival Corporation & plc 2008-2023
• Net income of Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 2007-2023
• Revenue of Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2023
• Net income of Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2023
• COVID-19 impact on revenue of leading cruise companies worldwide 2020-2022
• Best-rated mega-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Best-rated large-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Best-rated midsize-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Best-rated small-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Best-rated river cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023

Other statistics that may interest you Cruise industry in the United States

• Premium Statistic Number of global ocean cruise passengers 2009-2027
• Premium Statistic Number of global ocean cruise passengers 2019-2022, by source market
• Premium Statistic Main global cruise destinations 2019-2022, by number of passengers
• Premium Statistic Revenue of the cruises industry in the U.S. 2019-2028
• Premium Statistic Revenue growth of cruises in the U.S. 2019-2028
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• Premium Statistic Cruise line operator industry's market size in the U.S. 2012-2022
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• Premium Statistic Number of cruise passengers from North America 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of cruise passengers from the U.S. 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Growth rate of the cruise passenger volume from the U.S. 2017-2022
• Premium Statistic Busiest cruise ports worldwide 2019-2022, by passenger movements
• Premium Statistic Share of U.S. travelers planning a cruise trip October 2021-June 2023

Cruise companies

• Premium Statistic Revenue of Carnival Corporation & plc worldwide 2008-2023
• Premium Statistic Net income of Carnival Corporation & plc 2008-2023
• Premium Statistic Revenue of Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 1988-2023
• Premium Statistic Net income of Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 2007-2023
• Premium Statistic Revenue of Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2023
• Premium Statistic Net income of Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2023
• Premium Statistic COVID-19 impact on revenue of leading cruise companies worldwide 2020-2022

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• Basic Statistic Best-rated mega-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Basic Statistic Best-rated large-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Basic Statistic Best-rated midsize-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Basic Statistic Best-rated small-ship cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023
• Basic Statistic Best-rated river cruise lines by travelers worldwide 2023

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• Premium Statistic Italy: ports of the cruise industry 2017, by passenger traffic share
• Premium Statistic Home in/out cruise passenger distribution in Mediterranean ports 2019, by country
• Premium Statistic Number of ocean cruise passengers in France 2011-2016
• Premium Statistic Number of cruise passengers disembarking at European ports 2017
• Premium Statistic Number of ocean cruise passengers from Switzerland 2011-2021
• Basic Statistic Cruise sector: number of passengers embarking in Europe in 2017, by country
• Premium Statistic Employment in the musical instrument and supply stores industry in the U.S. 2013-2023
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• European cruise market: cruise passenger distribution 2017, by source country
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• Italy: ports of the cruise industry 2017, by passenger traffic share
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17 reported hurt after river cruise ship hits a concrete passageway on the Danube in Austria

Seventeen passengers were hurt when a Bulgarian river cruise ship lost steering and hit the sides of a lock on the Danube in Austria, the apa news agency reported Saturday. Eleven of the injured were taken to hospitals.

The ship with 142 passengers aboard, most of them from Germany, temporarily lost power to its electronics system and became unsteerable as it passed through narrow locks at 9:45 p.m. Friday, apa reported.

The ship’s power was restored but not before the bow and stern struck the concrete sides of the lock passage near the town of Aschach, a few miles upriver from Linz.

The ship sustained minor damage and continued to its next port. The cause of the loss of electrical power was under investigation.

Local News | Carnival cruise passengers to return to Norfolk…

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Local news | key bridge collapse live updates: temporary alternate channel, easter memorials for victims, local news | carnival cruise passengers to return to norfolk instead of baltimore after key bridge collapse.

Carnival Cruise ships will be rerouted to Norfolk, Virginia, after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge closed the Port of Baltimore for the foreseeable future.

Cruise passengers in the middle of a seven-day trip to the Bahamas on the Carnival Legend that was scheduled to return to Baltimore on Sunday will instead disembark in the southeastern Virginia city, according to Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

Passengers will receive complimentary bus transportation back to Baltimore, a distance of about 233 miles, Duffy said in a news release late Tuesday.

In addition, future cruises on the Carnival Legend and Carnival Pride, including one scheduled to leave on Sunday, will depart and return from the southeastern Virginia city.

As the cruise industry struggles to reroute ships, at least one expert doesn’t think the damage done to the travel ship business — nationally or in Baltimore — will likely be permanent.

Carolyn Spencer Brown, a travel journalist, consultant and former editor of Cruise Critic, an online review website, said that the industry has rebounded from the losses it incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic resulting from social distancing mandates and well-publicized reports of shipboard illness.

“Cruises for the next few months are fully booked,” Brown said. “In the short-term, the cruise lines are scrambling like mad to figure out how to reroute their ships and how to minimize the inconvenience to travelers.

“The long-term effect will depend on how the bridge is rebuilt. Baltimore is never going to be a superpower port, but it has a lot to offer. It has the capacity to be a bigger cruise port than it is now.”

According to the Cruise Lines International Association, Baltimore is the nation’s 29th busiest port, moving about 378,000 passengers annually. Twelve ships were scheduled to dock at the port 115 times during 2024, the Association said.

The Port of Baltimore’s Cruise Maryland Terminal is home to four cruise lines: Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and American Cruises.

Royal Caribbean is currently in the midst of a 12-night Caribbean cruise aboard the Vision of the Seas that departed March 23 and was scheduled to return to Baltimore April 4. The cruise line wrote in an email on Tuesday that “our port logistics team is currently working on alternatives for Vision of the Seas’ ongoing and upcoming sailings” and that updates would be communicated to passengers.

Norwegian, a relatively new line at the port which provides cruises between Baltimore and New England and Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean, operates a fall and winter schedule and had no cruises scheduled immediately for Baltimore.

American’s cruises currently are departing from Washington, according to a spokeswoman; the earliest departures from Baltimore are not on the schedule until May.

Before Tuesday, the Port of Baltimore was responsible for 400 jobs and generated about $63 million in revenue annually for local businesses, according to a report issued last September by the Maryland Port Administration.

U.S. President Joe Biden has pledged federal resources to rebuild the Key Bridge.

More than 40 million people live within a six-hour drive of Baltimore, according to the Port Administration; Brown said that if the new bridge were taller, it could generate additional cruise business for the city.

“The biggest ships haven’t been able to come to Baltimore because they couldn’t pass under the bridge,” she said.

“What Baltimore offers is a very wonderful experience that is close to home. Cruising down the Chesapeake Bay is magical. You see parts of the bay you’ve never seen before.”

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2 Holland America crew members die after 'incident' on cruise ship in the Bahamas

• Two crew members on a Holland America cruise ship died during an "incident" in the engineering space.
• In a statement, the cruise line said it was "deeply saddened" by the incident.
• The Bahamas Maritime Authority is investigating the deaths.

Two crew members aboard a Holland America cruise ship died during an 'incident' in the ship's engineering space.

In a statement released by Holland America, the cruise line said the unnamed crew members had died Friday whilst the Nieuw Amsterdam liner was at the small island of Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.

"All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts and prayers are with our team members' families at this difficult time," the statement said.

"The safety, security and welfare of all guests and crew are the company's absolute priority."

Authorities were notified and the cause of the deaths is being investigated, the cruise line said. Crew members are also being offered counseling.

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Holland America later added that the Bahamas Maritime Authority was leading the investigation.

The ship, which can carry over 2,000 people, set sail out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 16 March for a seven-night cruise.

Cruise ships are an incredibly popular form of vacation. In 2019 alone, the global cruise industry welcomed more than 29 million passengers and in 2022, the global cruise market was valued at $7.67 billion.

Deaths on board cruise ships are rare, however.

According to reports, a total of 623 people died on cruise ships between 2000 and 2019. Of these fatalities, 66 were crew members, and 557 were passengers.

Eighty-seven percent of these deaths occurred while on the sea, while the other 13% occurred while the ships were docked. Statistics also show that 97 passengers and crew members died due to cardiac issues, 72 died due to accidentally falling overboard, and 60 died due to jumping overboard. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic there were numerous outbreaks on cruise ships.

The Ruby Princess, operated by Princess Cruises, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, became infamous in 2020 as the source of many of Australia's early cases when thousands of passengers were allowed to disembark in Sydney. There were 900 infections on the ship and 28 people died.

Watch: Cruise ship captain breaks down 8 cruise ship disasters in movies and TV

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