Like so many leisure-based industries, the cruise industry took a big hit in the recession of 2009, causing many regulars and travel agents to ‘abandon ship’. Since that gloomy period, the cruise industry has made quite the comeback, welcoming more and more passengers aboard entertainment vessels with each passing year and becoming the fastest-growing category in the leisure travel market.
According to a cruise study published on The Statistics Portal, the industry has grown by nearly 15 billion U.S. dollars over the last half of a decade. Although this growth spurt was impressive, growth is nothing new to the U.S. cruise lines. In fact, according to an extensive market analysis conducted by Cruise Market Watch, the cruise industry has been steadily growing since the early 90’s, from less than 5 million annual passengers to more than 25 million. With such steady growth and a consistent stream of revenue, market research predicts the United States cruise market to bring in a whopping 31 billion dollars by the year 2020.
Who’s Cruising?
In 2016, a record-breaking 24.2 million global passengers boarded a cruise ship. That outstanding record was broken again the following year, with 25.8 million passengers. That’s a whole lot of people, but who are these passengers?
A common misconception is that those who embark on exciting and luxurious cruises are retired and wealthy, but that’s far from true. Cruise passengers are of all ages and come from all walks of life, which is part of what makes the experience so unique and unforgettable.
In a report released by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (or the F-CCA), it was the younger generations that favored cruises over any other type of land-based vacation — specifically the millennials, generation X, and Gen Y.
Another type of traveler that prefers to take a cruise over a traditional land-based trip are families with children under the age of 18.
Why Are Cruises So Popular?
If you’ve never been on a cruise yourself, you might be wondering what makes this type of vacation so appealing to millions of individuals worldwide. We’ve pulled the top reasons from various different surveys and reports to give you a solid understanding as to why the cruise industry is able to achieve such phenomenal and consistent growth.
Variety
When you choose to cruise, you choose to embark on an adventure with an endless combination of different activities and experiences. Unlike a trip to the coast or camping in the mountains, you’re not limited in the types of entertainment available. On a cruise, you can participate in a wide range of activities aboard the ship, or you can step off the boat at different ports to traverse unfamiliar lands and experience new cultures.
Whether you’re searching for a relaxing and luxurious getaway, an exciting adventure, or both, you’ll find the perfect mix of activities on a cruise.
Competitively Priced
Cruising is a popular vacation choice because it is often much cheaper than other luxury vacations. According to inCruises, “cruises are already 30% to 50% less than a typical land or resort vacation”.
Family-Friendly
Thanks to the wide variety of activities and entertainment, a cruise is the perfect vacation for the entire family. Parents can relax by the pool, enjoy a massage, and take in the beautiful scenery while the kids pick and choose from an array of age-appropriate activities on board.
Convenient and Inclusive
Unlike other vacations, going on a cruise doesn’t require a tremendous amount of planning and preparation, which makes it incredibly convenient. All you have to do is pick the perfect cruise line for you, pack your bags, and make it to the ship on time! Once you’re on board, the crew takes care of the rest.
Experience It For Yourself
Experience the fastest-growing attraction in the leisure travel market and find out why the cruise industry is so popular. Book a cruise today and experience the adventure yourself!
