figures refer to ocean-going vessels and do not include river cruise vessels
Supplementary notes
Data from 1985 to 2015 only refers to cruise lines that are CLIA members. Figures from 2016 onwards also include global ocean-going passengers of cruise vessels that are not CLIA members.
Citation formats
Number of global ocean cruise passengers 1985-2029
In 2025, the number of global cruise passengers increased by ****percent over the previous year, totaling ****Â million. This figure was forecast to grow steadily in the following years, reaching an estimated ****Â million in 2029.
What are the most popular cruise destinations worldwide?
Cruises travel to nearly all parts of the world, from local coastal destinations to remote places such as Antarctica. Some cruises may last only a few days, but others may last weeks or months as they travel across entire oceans or even take a trip around the world. In 2025, the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Bermuda were the most popular cruise destinations worldwide. That year, Central and Western Mediterranean countries reported the second-highest passenger volume.
Which are the global leading cruise companies?
Two of the largest cruise companies worldwide are Carnival Corporation & plc and Royal Caribbean Cruises, both based in the United States. In 2025, Carnival Corporation & plc's global revenue amounted to over ** billion U.S. dollars, the highest figure reported by the company to date. Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean’s global revenue also reached an all-time high, reaching at almost ** billion U.S. dollars.
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CLIA. (April 15, 2026). Number of ocean cruise passengers worldwide from 1985 to 2025, with a forecast until 2029 (in millions) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 05, 2026, from /statistics/385445/number-of-passengers-of-the-cruise-industry-worldwide/
CLIA. "Number of ocean cruise passengers worldwide from 1985 to 2025, with a forecast until 2029 (in millions)." Chart. April 15, 2026. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 05, 2026. /statistics/385445/number-of-passengers-of-the-cruise-industry-worldwide/
CLIA. (2026). Number of ocean cruise passengers worldwide from 1985 to 2025, with a forecast until 2029 (in millions). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 05, 2026. /statistics/385445/number-of-passengers-of-the-cruise-industry-worldwide/
CLIA. "Number of Ocean Cruise Passengers Worldwide from 1985 to 2025, with a Forecast until 2029 (in Millions)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 15 Apr 2026, /statistics/385445/number-of-passengers-of-the-cruise-industry-worldwide/
CLIA, Number of ocean cruise passengers worldwide from 1985 to 2025, with a forecast until 2029 (in millions) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/385445/number-of-passengers-of-the-cruise-industry-worldwide/ (last visited August 05, 2026)
Number of ocean cruise passengers worldwide from 1985 to 2025, with a forecast until 2029 (in millions) [Graph], CLIA, April 15, 2026. [Online]. Available: /statistics/385445/number-of-passengers-of-the-cruise-industry-worldwide/
