It’s been 40 years since the first Seatrade Cruise Global conference was held in New York City. That year, in 1985, there were 100 in attendance; this year’s, held at the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC), welcomed 12,000 attendees (with 121 countries represented), 280 speakers and 90 sessions. The growth is momentous and speaks to the popularity of today’s cruise market. During the State of the Cruise Industry Keynote, Cruise Lines International Association’s new President and CEO Bud Darr told the packed auditorium that 37 million passengers are expected to cruise in 2025, up from 34.6 million in 2024. “By 2028, we expect 40.2 million,” Darr continued. “I mean, this is a sign, not just that we’re getting bigger. This is a sign of great optimism.” How many people cruised in 1985? Two million.
Darr noted that to keep that momentum going, the cruise industry ecosystem must work together, including the travel advisors who, he said, “still sell over 70 percent of the tickets in the cruise industry.”
Part of that success is focused on continuing to stress how sustainable the industry is, but he says, that means relying on fuel and “we’re not in the business of producing new fuels. The industry is investing approximately $59 billion in ships, designed to run on fuels that don’t exist yet for us. It’s going to be the key factor.
“I recognize there’s some people that are going to be detractors. We’ll never convince all of them, but we can do a much better job of explaining who we are, what we do and how committed we are to good causes,” he said.
That said, when it comes to delivering an exceptional experience, cruises, said Darr, “deliver, with the guest experience getting better and better. We’re really good at responding to customers’ needs and I anticipate that to continue.”
And the future of cruising does indeed look pretty solid, with the intent to cruise at 82 percent. “Millennials,” said Darr, “are the most enthusiastic group that we surveyed. Thirty-six percent of the cruisers are under the age of 40. You know, this is something to pay attention to.” Additionally, he noted, 70 percent of those who have not cruised are considering taking a cruise. “That’s great opportunity in the market,” said Durr. “A third of the cruisers took their first cruise within the last two years.
“We’re a growing industry. We’re a resilient industry. We operate responsibly. We’re committed to doing things the right way and doing good around the world, and I know that’s going to continue,” said Darr.
