(Idaho State) If you plan on sailing the high seas this year, you won’t be alone. According to new projections by AAA, 19 million Americans will go on ocean cruises this year, a 4.5% jump from last year and the third straight year of record cruise passengers.
“Cruising was really the last segment to recover from the pandemic, but now we’re seeing a strong upward trajectory,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “There is so much variety in itineraries and ship amenities that there is truly a cruise option for everyone.”
This year’s cruise passenger volume is anticipated to be 34% higher than pre-pandemic levels.
AAA notes that larger cruise ships and shorter voyages also make it possible for first-time passengers to have an abbreviated cruise experience if they prefer. But once you’ve tried it out for yourself, it may become one of your favorite ways to vacation.
“Whether for graduations, family reunions, or romantic getaways, once people go on a cruise, they seem to find plenty of ways to make a shipboard celebration the perfect choice for their next big occasion,” Conde said.
Home to three of the busiest ports in the world (Miami, Port Canaveral, and Fort Lauderdale), nearly a quarter of all American cruise passengers (23.8%) will embark in Florida this year.
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72% of U.S. cruise passengers are heading to the Caribbean this year, making it the most popular destination by far. 6% will take an Alaska cruise, while 5% will explore the Mediterranean.
“Many cruise lines have their own private islands in the Caribbean, and they can also quickly adapt to ‘plan B’ if a particular island or port is dealing with a weather concern,” Conde said. “No matter where you travel, you can easily enhance your trip by pairing your cruise with a land tour.”
Cruise tips
- Purchase travel insurance to protect your vacation. An experienced travel agent can help.
- Reserve activities ahead of time. The most popular activities – excursions, spa visits, and dinner schedules, sell out fast!
- Arrive the day before – staying overnight makes the boarding process easier the next day.
- Download the cruise line’s mobile app for easy access to the mandatory lifeboat drill and daily activities, and in some cases, to order food or to open your cabin door.
- Review your cruise line’s list of prohibited items before you travel.
- Arrive at your scheduled time to board the ship, ready to present your boarding pass, passport, and other documentation.
“Toiletries and other items are more expensive onboard, so bring what you can, along with an appropriate supply of medications,” Conde said. “Magnetic hooks can also be really handy – cabin walls are metal, and you can use that to your advantage to free up some space on the ground.”
AAA’s 2025 travel trends
Many Americans continue to view travel as essential to their quality of life. Some of the top travel trends for this year include:
- Off-peak travel – vacation in the off-season or “shoulder season” to avoid bigger crowds.
- Dupes – destinations similar to popular places, but that skip the crowds. Think Slovenia or Portugal instead of Italy, Antwerp instead of Paris, or Liverpool instead of London.
- Cool-cationing – destinations with cooler spring and summer temperatures, such as Norway, Iceland, and even Antarctica.
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- Live event travel – as the Taylor Swift “Eras” tour and The Sphere in Las Vegas have demonstrated, people are excited about the unique and extraordinary. Sporting events, music festivals and historic events will capture the attention of many travelers this year.
- Catch some new waves – the fjords of Norway, the stark landscape of Antarctica, and other cruise options take travelers beyond the traditional – but many families will still choose the Caribbean for their getaway.
- Smaller group travel – some vacationers are looking for more immersive experiences in smaller groups and quieter settings.
- TV/Movie/Social Influence – people want to explore the scenery and locations from their favorite TV shows, movies, and online content.
Trending destinations include:
- Portugal
- Japan
- Alaska
- Norway
- Costa Rica
- Iceland
- United Kingdom
This year’s most popular countries include:
- Italy
- United Kingdom
- France
- Spain
- Greece
- Portugal
- Croatia
- Iceland
- Japan
- Costa Rica
“As you daydream about your travel adventures this year, an experienced travel agent can take the headache and hassle out of the equation,” Conde said. “That way, you can focus on the excitement of looking forward to your trip.”
