The cruise line industry is gloriously back in business and breaking pre-pandemic records, as reported by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). CLIA forecasts the number of passengers in 2023 will surpass 2019 numbers, with a projected 31.5 million passengers taking cruises this year, compared to
29.7 million in 2019. Despite the industry’s year-plus shutdown during the pandemic, the sector has resumed its status as one of the fastest-growing sectors of leisure travel and tourism and potential job recruitment.
There’s perhaps no better sign of cruise industry confidence in the future than seeing new cruise ships on order and under construction for this year, next year, in 2025 and beyond. New ships are on the books or underway at Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Cunard, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and others.