Unprecedented Cruise Industry Boom: 21.7M Americans Set to Cruise in 2026
The cruise industry is witnessing unprecedented growth. According to AAA, a record-breaking 21.7 million Americans are projected to embark on ocean cruises in 2026. This marks a staggering 53 percent increase from pre-pandemic 2019 levels when 14.2 million Americans cruised. Impressively, this represents the fourth consecutive year of record-breaking growth for the cruise industry.
The latest forecast, released on January 21, 2026, indicates significant year-over-year growth. The number of cruisers is expected to rise to 21.7 million in 2026, up from 20.7 million in 2025 (which exceeded the original 19 million projection) and 19.1 million in 2024. The Caribbean continues to be the top destination, attracting 72 percent of all American cruisers.
Customer satisfaction remains exceptionally high, with 90 percent of cruisers rating their experience as ‘very good or excellent.’ Furthermore, 91 percent of American cruise passengers have taken multiple cruises, demonstrating strong loyalty to the cruise vacation format. The demographic breakdown is as follows:
- 65 percent of adult U.S. passengers are 55 or older
- 27 percent are aged 35-54
- 7 percent are 18-34
Travel experts are encouraging travelers to book during the current Wave Season (January-March 2026) to secure the best deals before they sell out, as demand continues to surge across major cruise lines.