Americans Planning Cruise Vacations to Hit Record High
WASHINGTON, DC – For the fifth year in a row, the number of Americans planning cruise vacations is expected to hit a record high. AAA projects 22.4 million people in the U.S. will go on domestic and international ocean cruises in 2027, a 3.6% increase over 2026. This year is also expected to end with higher than projected numbers, as more travelers turn to cruising for its convenience, value, and variety.
“Cruising offers a unique type of vacation because you unpack once and visit multiple destinations with meals and entertainment included,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “The key is finding the right cruise that meets your needs, and that’s where travel agents come in. Working with an advisor ensures you’re booking a ship with amenities and activities that fit your interests and lifestyle.”
AAA advises travelers to book early before desirable cabins sell out and download the cruise line’s app ahead of your trip to familiarize yourself with the features. For Alaska cruises, start planning your vacation even earlier, since that season is shorter, and inventory is limited.
n cooperation with AAA, Tourism Economics prepared the 2027 cruise forecast based on scheduled cruise itineraries covering virtually all major cruise vessels, the economic outlook, and travel sector trends. This forecast relies on cruise-related analytics from Cruise Intelligence Platform (Tourism Economics’ proprietary database for the cruise industry), economic forecasts prepared by Oxford Economics, and assumptions on the future path of the tourism industry.
