This Year, 19 Million Americans Are Expected to Go on Cruises. Check Out AAA’s Breakdown of the Most Popular Ports.
AAA recently announced that an unprecedented number of Americans are anticipated to take cruises this year.
The organization forecasts that in 2025, about 19 million Americans will embark on cruise vacations, marking an increase from 18.2 million last year and from 16.9 million in 2023. This is AAA’s inaugural forecast for the cruise industry, conducted in collaboration with Tourism Economics and focusing specifically on ocean cruises.
Stacey Barber, AAA Travel’s vice president, stated in a news release, “The resurgence we’re seeing in the cruise sector is truly remarkable, yet not surprising. Many first-time cruisers become regulars for a good reason. Cruising caters to everyone, regardless of age, and since most of the trip costs are settled in advance, travelers can immerse themselves in enjoyment and create wonderful memories with family and friends.”
What Are the Top Cruise Destinations?
According to AAA, the Caribbean remains the favorite destination by a significant margin, attracting 72% of U.S. cruise travelers. Alaska comes in second with 6%, while 5% of cruisers are heading to the Mediterranean.
AAA mentioned, “The Caribbean’s popularity this year mirrors its strong performance from before the pandemic in 2018 and 2019.” They noted that the Caribbean’s share had dipped to 68% in 2022-23 due to a rise in cruises to Alaska and the Mediterranean, but now its market share has returned to pre-pandemic levels over the past year.
Moreover, there are now more short-cruise options available, with 18% of Caribbean sailings lasting between two to five days. In comparison, such itineraries only made up 2% of cruises in 2023. This variety is likely influenced by the region’s dominance in the cruise industry, offering an abundance of cruise lines and ports to choose from.
Which Cruise Ports Are the Busiest?
Last year, Miami led the list of the busiest cruise ports, accounting for 10.3% of embarkations and debarkations. The Orlando-area Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale followed with shares of 8.3% and 5.2%, respectively. Rounding out the top five are Galveston, Texas (4.2%) and Barcelona, Spain (3.9%).
Other ports making the top 10 include Southampton in England, France’s Marseille, and Seattle.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter based in Nashville.
