Wondering how the cruise industry is doing, almost two years on from the resumption of mainstream cruising in our region? The answer is: quite nicely. According to data released by Cruise Lines International Association , 1.25 million cruises were taken in 2023.The number slightly surpasses 2019 pre-pandemic levels, when 1.24 million Australians took to the seas. It is, however, still under the all-time high of 1.35 million achieved in 2018.
A disproportionate number of Aussie cruise passengers hail from New South Wales, followed at a great distance by Queenslanders. Victorians are third with just 10.9 per cent of the total: half the number of Queenslanders, despite a bigger state population. Worldwide, the news is even more impressive. According to CLIA, 31.7 million people hopped aboard an ocean cruise in 2023, which is a record. The optimism is reflected in new cruise ship orders. Eleven new cruise ships will launch this year, 18 next year, and 12 are on the order books for 2026.Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings , announced its biggest ship-build program ever earlier this year. In the decade up to 2036, it intends to launch eight vessels across the three brands.
Of course, the cruise industry constantly sails stormy seas. Geopolitical instability, which has already altered cruise-ship schedules in the Red Sea, appears to be increasing. An economic downturn would be a blow, and soaring fuel costs affect the cruise industry’s bottom line.