US passenger forecast
AAA projects that 22.4 million Americans will take ocean cruises in the United States and overseas in 2027. Cruise Hive reports that the forecast, prepared with Tourism Economics, is 3.6% above the 2026 estimate and would represent a fifth consecutive annual record. The figure remains a projection rather than a confirmed passenger total.
The Caribbean accounts for 71% of projected American bookings, compared with 72% in the 2026 forecast. Alaska remains at 7%, while the Mediterranean rises from 5% to 6%. Seven-night cruises are still the most common, although AAA reported that the share choosing trips of six nights or fewer increased from 39% in 2019 to 45% in 2025.
Miami is forecast to remain the most popular embarkation and debarkation port, increasing its share from 10.2% in the 2026 projection to 11.2% for 2027. Port Canaveral rises from 8.8% to 10.4%, while Fort Lauderdale slips from 5.6% to 5.3%. Barcelona, Galveston and Southampton are also projected to gain share.
Ship pipeline extends beyond a decade
Seatrade Cruise News reports that its mid-October orderbook contains 81 firm vessels with 221,752 lower berths. The ships are valued collectively at $94.6 billion, and the delivery pipeline stretches for more than a decade. The orderbook describes future vessels rather than ships already operating itineraries.