Record 19 Million Americans Projected to Cruise This Year
Wednesday, February 5th, 2025
Sailing into new waters. AAA is releasing a cruise forecast for the year ahead for the first time ever. This report is comparable to the travel forecasts AAA releases for major holidays. It examines the number of U.S. residents who will take an ocean cruise from a U.S. or international port.
- 72% of U.S. cruise passengers are heading to the Caribbean, making it by far the most popular destination. 6% are taking Alaska cruises and 5% will cruise in the Mediterranean.
- The Caribbean’s dominance this year is on par with its pre-pandemic numbers in 2018 and 2019.
- The Caribbean’s share dipped to 68% in 2022-23 as cruises to Alaska and the Mediterranean surged, but destination shares have returned to pre-pandemic norms over the past year.
- Work with a AAA Travel Agent. They can help set up all aspects of your trip and ensure you have proper documentation, such as passports, which are required for cruises to international destinations. AAA also offers additional benefits and savings that can be combined with those provided by the cruise lines.
- Reserve activities early. Whether it’s an excursion, specialty dinner, or spa treatment, your best bet is to reserve your spot ASAP. Popular cruise activities sell out fast!
- Consider getting travel insurance to protect your investment in case of a medical emergency or another interruption during your trip. Remember, most U.S. health insurance plans do not cover you at international destinations.
- Arrive the day before. If you’re flying into your port city, arrive a day or two before your ship departs. That takes the stress out of worrying about flight delays and cancellations and gives you time to explore your departure city. AAA travel agents can help book your flights so you have a great experience from the time you leave home.
- Have a parking plan. If you’re driving to your port city, decide ahead of time where you will leave your car. Most cruise ports offer parking right at the terminal, but like airports, those spots come at a premium price. To save money, look for off-site cruise port parking options offering a shuttle service. Another option is to look for hotels near the cruise port that offer “park & cruise” options. These packages allow you to stay at the hotel the night before your cruise and park your car there while you’re gone. The hotel will then take you to the cruise port on departure day and pick you up once you return.
- Download the cruise line’s app. You can check in for your cruise through the app, review the itinerary, complete the mandatory lifeboat drill, look at the daily program, and, in some cases, open your stateroom door, order food, make dinner reservations, and text your friends. Best of all, you don’t need the ship’s internet package to use cruise line apps - they are free to use onboard!
- Do your homework before packing. Check your cruise line’s list of prohibited items ahead of your trip. Each company has a different list, from irons and steamers to certain foods and beverages, so take the time to look up what you can and can’t bring on board. Otherwise, your items will be confiscated.
- Items that come in handy. If you’re going on a Caribbean cruise, sunscreen is a must, and bringing it from home saves you money. In general, sundries onboard are more expensive. If you take prescription medications, bring extra if there is a delay during your trip. Magnetic hooks are popular with passengers who need extra storage space. Since cruise cabin walls are metal, hooks are handy for hanging swimsuits and towels. Colorful beach towel clips are also helpful at the pool deck to keep your towel in place and help you identify your lounge chair when you come back from taking a dip!
- Embarkation dos and don’ts. Some cruise lines have scheduled embarkation times. Do arrive at your assigned embarkation time. Don’t try to get there early and hope they will let you on – they likely won’t. Don’t pack your passport or birth certificate in your suitcase. Always have your documentation, including a copy of your boarding pass. You will be denied boarding if you do not have proper identification when checking in at the port. If you check your suitcase with a porter, your bag may not arrive at your stateroom for a few hours. Pack a small carry-on with your swimsuit so you can change immediately and start the fun!
- Having fun? Run it back! If you’re enjoying your vacation at sea, look for the future cruise office onboard to book your next trip. There are often special promotions like onboard credits on top of the regular cruise line offers for bookings made onboard. Your travel agent back home will also be notified about your new booking. Just don’t wait until the last minute. The office gets busier as the final day of the cruise approaches, so stop by early in the trip or make an appointment if the office takes reservations.
