Demand for cruises remains 'exceptionally strong'

Demand for cruise vacations is holding steady, according to a new survey.

Cruiseline.com and Shipmate released the results of their 2026 Member Survey, gathering cruise preference insights from more than 5,500 travelers. 

Of all survey participants, 78.2 percent reported they have at least one future cruise booked for 2026, 60.5 percent have at least one cruise booked for 2027, 13.6 percent have one for 2028 and 0.4 percent of participants reported having one cruise booked as far out as 2029. 

The top five cruise lines participants reported having a cruise already booked with are: Royal Caribbean International at 29 percent, Carnival Cruise Line at 24.2 percent, Princess Cruises at 19.1 percent, Celebrity Cruises at 18.8 percent and Norwegian Cruise Line at 17.7 percent. Other top-booked cruise lines are MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Viking, Virgin Voyages and Oceania Cruises.   

"The results of the 2026 Member Survey confirm that demand for cruise vacations remains exceptionally strong," says Jamie Cash, chief operating officer of Cruiseline.com and Shipmate. 

The Caribbean/Bahamas was the top cruise destination at 61.1 percent, followed by the Mediterranean at 17.6 percent, Alaska at 14 percent, Mexico (Pacific Coast) at 11.8 percent and Northern Europe/Baltic at 11.6 percent. When it comes to voyage length, 45.9 percent of travelers have booked a seven-night cruise, 41.5 percent have opted for eight- to 13-day itineraries, 29.2 percent will sail a longer 14-plus-day itinerary and 19.2 percent have booked a shorter two- to six-day cruise. 

Of those who reported not currently having a future cruise booked, 6.2 percent indicated they are considering or in the process of planning a future cruise. Just 1.1 percent of participants reported they have no plans to take a cruise vacation or make new bookings. 

Looking ahead, 70.3 percent of survey respondents plan to book more cruises in 2026 and beyond. Additionally, 13.3 percent of participants intend to book at least one more cruise for 2026, and 34.6 percent intend to book for 2027. And 32 percent of participants plan to book at least one cruise for 2028, and 24.5 percent are already planning to book for 2029. 

Of those who intend to book future cruises, the top five lines being considered are: Royal Caribbean International at 46.8 percent, Celebrity Cruises at 36.9 percent, Norwegian Cruise Line at 29.9 percent, Princess Cruises at 29.9 percent and Carnival Cruise Line at 28.5 percent. Other top lines reported being considered include MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Virgin Voyages, Viking and Margaritaville at Sea. 

Top destinations travelers for future cruises were the Caribbean/Bahamas (53.4 percent), Mediterranean (31.2 percent), Alaska (30.7 percent), Transatlantic (23.6 percent), Hawaii (21.7 percent), and Northern Europe (21.7 percent). When considering future cruise length, travelers are considering longer voyages, with 59 percent saying they intend to book cruises of eight to 13 days, 49.5 percent reported seven-day cruises, 34.5 percent said 14-day cruises and 12.1 percent are considering shorter two- to- six-day cruises.

Of the more than 5,500 survey respondents, 64 percent reported they have taken 10+ cruises, 16.9 percent have taken 6-9 cruises, 14.4 percent have taken 2-5 cruises, 2.9 percent have taken one cruise, and 1.8 percent said they have never cruised. 

The three cruise lines respondents reported they have sailed with include Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line. 82.9 percent of survey participants reported they have previously cruised in the Caribbean, with other top destinations including Alaska, the Pacific Coast (Mexico), and Europe (Mediterranean). 

“It's an exciting time for the industry, with more choices than ever for travelers to find the perfect cruise,” says Cash.

Travelers' preferences have shifted since the 2025 Member Survey, highlighting changing travel habits and priorities. Top highlights include: 

• Royal Caribbean International surpassed Carnival Cruise Line as the top cruise brand for future booked cruises. 
• More travelers are considering Margaritaville at Sea. 
• Intent to take Mediterranean cruises was up in 2026 versus last year, surpassing demand for Alaska cruises. Intent to take Transatlantic voyages was also higher for the year.  
• Interest in shorter cruises is up, fueled by more two- to six-day voyage options from cruise lines and new ships entering this market.

More travelers in 2026 reported they were considering a river cruise for a future vacation. Cruise line interest in this category shifted, with the top river brands being considered for bookings including Viking (62.3 percent), Celebrity River Cruises (36.1 percent) and American Cruise Lines (25.9 percent). The top river lines considered in 2025 were Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways. 

“The most compelling takeaway is how cruisers' preferences are evolving,” says Cash. “Travelers are becoming far more intentional and adventurous in their choices, branching out to new cruise lines, exploring destinations beyond the usual favorites and mixing in quick getaways alongside longer itineraries. They're also thinking further ahead more than ever, planning not just next year's cruise but for voyages years down the road."