
Big ships, big fun: AAA projects 21.7 million Americans will set sail on ocean cruises next year, a 4.5% increase over 2025, and a world record. The industry credits "strong consumer demand, expanded itineraries, and increased capacity across major cruise lines."
So, who's hitting the high seas? Older people and young families, according to data.
According to AAA, 65% of adult U.S. cruisers are 55 and older, while 27% are aged 35–54, and 7% fall between 18–34.
Cruising is also something people tend to do in groups, unlike a traditional family vacation. Nearly half of U.S. cruise passengers travel as couples, 20% cruise with children, 7% sail solo, and the remainder explore the seas in groups. Or as a cruise line press release states, "Whether it’s a romantic escape or a multigenerational adventure, cruising brings people together."
Data shows mega-vessels are rising in popularity, basically floating islands with everything you could need on board, including spas and bars and games and restaurants, dance clubs, theaters, anything and everything. The largest cruise ships in the world are currently Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas and its sister ship, Icon of the Seas.
Each of these ships feature 20 decks and 2,805 cabins. Unpack once and be on a resort that just so happens to stop at new locations along the way. A user named Leonardo Decafrio wrote on cruisefever.net, “I think it's one of the easiest vacations to plan. Like once you select your ship and route that’s 90% of your planning done. Boom. Most of the big stuff is sorted from the get-go. You pick your ship and where it’s going, and a huge chunk of the work is already done for you."
And once people get on board, they tend to be seeking warm climes. The Caribbean is by far the most popular cruise destination for Americans, capturing 72% of U.S. cruise passengers, per AAA. Miami, Port Canaveral, and Fort Lauderdale, all in Florida, are the busiest cruise ports in the world. 7% of U.S. passengers are expected to take Alaska cruises next year, and 5% are projected to cruise in the Mediterranean.
"The Caribbean’s popularity is also bolstered by the increase in shorter-length cruises, which passengers like because they’re convenient and cruise lines like because they can schedule more itineraries and sell more cabins," AAA reports.