19 million Americans expected to cruise in 2025, and Florida has the 3 busiest cruise ports
All aboard! After years of predicting gas prices and traffic for major holidays, now motor club AAA is forecasting a record high in cruise travel for the third consecutive year.
"AAA forecasts 19 million Americans will go on ocean cruises in 2025," the company said in a release Sunday. "This is a 4.5% increase over 2024 when 18.2 million Americans went on cruise vacations. It's also 34% more than the pre-pandemic peak of 14.2 million in 2019."
A surge after the pandemic, combined with cruise lines going for bigger ships, short itineraries and private islands has led to record-breaking numbers, Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA said.
'Cruise lines have introduced larger ships, which accommodate more guests and have an incredible range of amenities on board. It's at the point now where the ship itself can be the destination," Haas said. "Many of these vessels sail on short 3–4-night itineraries, which allows for more frequent sailings and the opportunity to sample cruising while visiting a private island.'
The most popular cruise destination? The sunny Caribbean, with 72% of American cruise passengers compared to Alaska cruises (6%) and Mediterranean (5%).
Florida is home to the three busiest cruise ports in the world, AAA said, based on embarkation and debarkation.
Miami, Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale top the list, with Miami jumping to No. 1 in "world's largest cruise ships" after the Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas last year. Its equally large sister ship, Star of the Seas, is coming to Port Canaveral this summer.
Man overboard? What should you do if you fall overboard on a cruise ship? How often does it happen?
Miami: 10.3%
Port Canaveral: 8.3%
Fort Lauderdale: 5.2%
Galveston, Texas: 4.2%
Barcelona, Spain: 3.9%
Southampton, England: 3.7%
Rome/Civitavecchia, Italy: 3.6%
Marseille, France: 2.6%
Seattle, Washington: 2.2%
New York City, New York: 1.0%
AAA also offered tips on how to cruise without care.
Reserve activities early. Popular cruise activities sell out fast, so reserve your excursion, specialty dinner, or spa treatment ASAP.
Consider getting travel insurance. Most U.S. health insurance plans do not cover you at international destinations.
Arrive the day before. That takes the stress out of worrying about flight delays and cancelations, and it gives you time to explore your departure city.
Have a parking plan. If you're driving to your port city, decide ahead of time where you will leave your car. Most cruise ports offer parking right at the terminal, but it can be pricey. Look for off-site parking options that offer a shuttle service or hotels near the cruise port that offer 'park & cruise' options. These packages allow you to stay at the hotel the night before your cruise and park your car there while you're gone.
Download the cruise line's app. You can check in for your cruise, review the itinerary, complete the mandatory lifeboat drill, look at the daily program, and sometimes open your stateroom door, order food, make dinner reservations, and text your friends. Cruise line apps are free to use onboard whether you bought the internet package or not.
Do your homework before packing. Check your cruise line's list of prohibited items ahead of your trip. From irons and steamers to certain foods and beverages, each company is different, so take the time to look up what you can and can't bring onboard or your items will be confiscated.
Bring items that come in handy.
Sunscreen
Extra prescription medications
Magnetic hooks for extra storage space
Colorful beach towel clips to keep your towel in place at the pool and help you find your spot more easily
Embarkation dos and don'ts.
Do arrive at your assigned embarkation time, if you have one.
Don't try to get there early and hope they will let you on. They probably won't.
Don't pack your passport or birth certificate in your suitcase.
Do always have your documentation with you, including a copy of your boarding pass. If you do not have proper identification when you are checking in at the port, you will be denied boarding.
Do pack a small carry-on with your swimsuit so you can change right away, as checked luggage may not arrive at your stateroom for a few hours.
Having fun? Do it again! While you're enjoying your vacation at sea, look for the future cruise office onboard for special promotions to book your next trip.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Cruise passenger volume to set new record for 3rd year, AAA says
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