Growth of the Ocean Cruise Line Industry
Worldwide, the ocean cruise industry experienced an annual passenger compound annual growth rate of 6.3% from 1990 to 2025.
While the COVID-19 pandemic brought the ocean passenger cruise industry to a standstill for nearly two years, it also prompted the accelerated retirement of numerous older ships. Simultaneously, new additions to fleets adopted a more modern and environmentally friendly approach. By 2023, passenger numbers already surpassed the pre-COVID levels of 2019.
Between 2024 and 2025, a total of 15 new ships, with a combined passenger capacity of 38,629, are set to be added (refer to the tables below). This influx will bring the worldwide ocean cruise passenger capacity to 704,200, spread across 370 ships. These vessels are projected to carry a total of 33.7 million passengers by the end of 2025, representing a 4.9% increase over 2024 and a 22.4% increase over 2019.
| 2025 New Build Ships | Est. Date | Passenger Capacity | |
| TUI Cruises | Mein Schiff Relax | Q1 | 4,000 |
| MSC Cruises | World America | Q1 | 5,400 |
| Norwegian | Aqua | Q1 | 3,571 |
| Asuka/NYK | Asuka III | Spring | 744 |
| Royal Caribbean | Star of the Seas | Q2 | 5,610 |
| Oceania | Allura | Q2 | 1,200 |
| Viking Ocean | Viking Vesta | Q2 | 998 |
| Ritz-Carlton | Luminara | Q3 | 456 |
| Princess | Star Princess | Q3 | 4,300 |
| SunStone (Aurora Expeditions) | Douglas Mawson | Q3 | 186 |
| Four Seasons | Four Seasons I | Q4 | 180 |
| Celebrity | Xcel | Q4 | 3,260 |
| Windstar | Star Seeker | Q4 | 224 |
| Disney | Adventure | Q4 | 6,000 |
| Disney | Destiny | Q4 | 2,500 |
| 38,629 | |||
Sources: Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., Carnival Corporation and plc, NCL Corporation Ltd., Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), and proprietary Cruise Market Watch Cruise Pulse data.