The global cruise market is on track to nearly double in value over the next eight years, with a growing share of passengers under 40, according to a new forecast from Maximize Market Research.
The firm pegs the market at $19.41 billion in 2025 and expects it to hit $38.48 billion by 2034, a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%. Ocean cruise passenger volume reached roughly 37.2 million last year, up 7.5% from 2024. North America supplied more than 22 million of those travelers, and the Caribbean drew more than 16 million.
Roughly 35% of ocean cruisers in 2025 were younger than 40, per the report, which also credits first-time cruisers and multigenerational family trips with fueling demand.
Mainstream ships still account for the biggest slice of the market at 50% to 55%, followed by premium lines at 30% to 32%. Luxury ships hold about 15%, and the report says that segment is picking up affluent travelers who want smaller vessels, expedition sailings, and harder-to-reach ports.
North America remains the largest region, but the report points to Asia-Pacific and the Middle East as the growth markets to watch. Disney Adventure, the first Disney Cruise Line ship based in Asia, began sailing from Singapore in March, and Dubai continues to build itself up as a cruise hub.
Advisors will have plenty of new inventory to sell. The report counts 310 ocean ships in service in 2025 and nearly 80 ocean, expedition, and river vessels on order through 2036.
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