Key Aspects:
- US cruisers will be setting sail in record numbers in 2026, with an estimated 21.7 million American guests taking cruises next year.
- The Caribbean is by far the top destination, but Alaska and the Mediterranean also remain popular.
- Interesting statistics highlight the ages of cruisers, which homeports are most popular, and other key factors in cruise industry growth.
Cruising is hot hot hot, as anyone who’s trying to book a last-minute cruise (or not even that last minute) understands when they start to wonder why so many sailings are sold out months in advance.
According to AAA – The Auto Club Group, 2026 is expected to have record numbers of American cruising, with 21.7 million people setting sail. This up 4.5% from the 20.7 million projection for 2025, and up more than 52% from 2019’s pre-pandemic numbers.
The higher numbers, which have grown steadily higher every year since the restart, are attributed to several factors:
- Strong consumer demand as more and more people discover cruising and set sail multiple times.
- Expanded and updated itineraries, particularly to new destinations or iconic favorites.
- Increased capacity across cruise ship fleets with larger and larger ships debuting from different homeports.
Of special note are projections on who, exactly is cruising, what types of ships they prefer, when they set sail, and where they prefer to visit.
“Cruising is surging, with travelers booking more voyages and exploring new destinations in record numbers,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA. “From quick Caribbean escapes to bucket-list Alaskan adventures, the excitement is undeniable. With more ships, expanded itineraries, and rising demand, cruising continues to be the go-to vacation for unforgettable experiences at sea.”
According to the report, 65% of adult US cruisers are over age 55, while 27% are ages 35-54, and just 7% are ages 18-34. Furthermore, nearly half are traveling as couples, while 20% cruise with children and 7% are solo travelers.
Larger ships are most popular in the most desirable cruising destinations, including the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and northern Europe. Smaller ships are deployed in Alaska as well as Europe, with expedition voyages especially popular in the Last Frontier and luxury ships dominating in the Mediterranean.
Of course, cruise fans know that there are great sailings to be found year-round, but seasons do vary in different regions. The most obvious is in Alaska, where most cruises are only offered from April through October.
The Caribbean is the opposite, with the busiest months November through March – though there are always great Caribbean itineraries available. In 2026, 72% of American guests will choose Caribbean itineraries, in part due to more available homeports along with shorter and more convenient itineraries.
In a surprising contrast, just 7% of American cruisers will set sail in Alaska. This is due to several factors, including the shorter sailing season, fewer and smaller ships offering Alaskan itineraries, and higher costs for visiting the region.
Holland America in Alaska (Photo Credit: Paul Brady Photography)
For US homeports, Miami is expected to hold the top title for popularity with 10.2% of American guests, while Port Canaveral is a close second with 8.8%. Fort Lauderdale is in third place (5.6%) followed by Galveston (4.1%) and Seattle (2.2%).
For Americans sailing from non-US homeports, Barcelona is the top choice with an expected 3.9% of travelers, followed very closely by Southampton (3.4%) and Rome/Civitavecchia (3.3%). Marseille (2.6%) and Singapore (2.2%) round out the list.
Will the Growth Continue?
Has cruising reached peak popularity or will it continue to rise? With 90% of US guests rating their cruise vacations as either good or very good and 91% being repeat cruisers, undoubtedly setting sail will continue to be the vacation of choice for millions of travelers.
Read Also: What Different Types of Cruises Can You Go On?
Multiple cruise lines are noting continued popularity for bookings into 2026, 2027 and beyond, with most cruises selling out before departure.
New cruise ships, such as the upcoming Carnival Festivale, Legend of the Seas, Norwegian Luna, and Disney Adventure, tempt passengers to return over and over to experience new features and fun.
Meanwhile, new private destinations such as Perfect Day Mexico tempt guests with future itineraries as well.
How many cruises do you have booked for 2026 and beyond? I’m at two for now, with more to come!
Appeared first on: Cruisehive.com
