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2016 Cruise Numbers Exceed Expectations

Aidaprima
AIDAprima in Hamburg

Published May 23, 2017 5:32 PM by The Maritime Executive

The cruise industry has surpassed 2016 ocean cruise passenger projections, reaching 24.7 million cruise passengers globally up from a projection of 24.2 million. 

For 2017, based on current new vessel launch schedule and expected regional deployment, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is projecting another positive year of growth for the industry with a passenger forecast of 25.8 million.

Much of the industry’s growth can be attributed to the continuing development of the Asian market, with ocean capacity rising to 9.2 percent in 2016, a 38 percent increase from 2015. The increased capacity in the region, combined with travelers in this region going on shorter, and more frequent cruises, has kept this marketplace at the top of emerging markets within the cruise industry.

Top Cruise Destinations in 2016

Caribbean (35 percent)
Mediterranean (18.3 percent)
Europe w/o Med (11.1 percent)
Asia (9.2 percent)
Australia/New Zealand/Pacific (6.1 percent) 
Alaska (4.2 percent)
South America (2.5 percent) 

New Ships

Globally, the 2016 CLIA fleet was comprised of 458 ships and welcomed nine new ocean ships and 17 new river vessels for a total of 26 new ships. These new ships represent an additional 28,000 passenger capacity.

AIDA Cruises: AIDAprima
AmaWaterways: AmaStella
AmaWaterways: AmaViola
Amadeus by Luftner: AMADEUS Silver III
American Cruise Lines: America
APT Group: RV Samatha
Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Vista
CroisiEurope Cruises: MS Elbe Princesse
CroisiEurope Cruises: MS Daniele
CroisiEurope Cruises: MS Deborah
Crystal Cruises: Crystal Mozart
Emerald Waterways: Emerald Belle
Holland America Line: ms Koningsdam
Regent Seven Seas: Regent Seven Seas Explorer
Royal Caribbean International: Harmony of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International: Ovation of the Seas
Scenic Tours: Scenic Amber
Scenic Tours: Scenic Azure
Scenic Tours: Scenic Spirit
Scenic Tours: Scenic Aura
Seabourn: Encore
Star Cruises (Genting HK): Genting Dream
Tauck River Cruises: ms Grace
Tauck River Cruises: ms Joy
TUI Cruises: Mein Schiff 5
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection: Ganges Voyager II