Record 19 Million Americans Expected to Cruise in 2025, AAA Reports

The Caribbean dominates as the top destination, with shorter cruises gaining popularity and Florida ports leading embarkations.

AAA's first-ever Cruise Travel Forecast projects a record 19 million Americans will take ocean cruises in 2025, a 4.5% increase from last year.
The Caribbean remains the most popular destination, accounting for 72% of U.S. cruise passengers, followed by Alaska (6%) and the Mediterranean (5%).
Shorter cruises lasting two to five days are growing in popularity, making up 18% of Caribbean itineraries this year compared to just 2% in 2023.
Florida's ports—Miami, Port Canaveral, and Fort Lauderdale—continue to dominate as the busiest in the world for cruise embarkations and debarkations.
While cruise travel has seen rapid post-pandemic growth, the pace is slowing, with 2025 marking the third consecutive year of record passenger volume.