Cruise Reservations Up 4.5%

Photo: Getty Images

As 2025 begins, post-pandemic travel continues to surge. AAA expects a record number of Americans to take a cruise this year. For those who want to stay on solid ground, destinations that are similar to tried-and-true spots, locations portrayed in TV shows and movies, and destinations in cooler climates are among the most popular.

AAA projects 19 million Americans will go on ocean cruises this year, a 4.5% increase over 2024, when 18.2 million Americans went on cruise vacations. 2025 is expected to be the third straight year of record cruise passenger volume. The cruise industry has rebounded following the COVID-19 pandemic more strongly than other travel segments, and cruise demand growth has exceeded hotel demand growth the last two years.

The cruise industry, which was impacted more severely than other travel segments by the pandemic, has experienced a remarkable rebound. In 2022, cruise volume rebounded to 84% of 2019’s level, then surged to a new high in 2023, nearly 20% above the pre-pandemic baseline. That number has continued to climb since, with 2025 projected to surpass 2019 by 34%.

“Cruising has rebounded in spectacular fashion after being hit hard during the pandemic. It has wide appeal because there’s truly something for all generations on board a cruise ship. You can choose from a wide array of cruise lines, itineraries and destinations, and different types of ships, from small vessels that carry fewer than 200 people to mega ships with room for 9,000. Cruising offers good value for the money and it’s easy – you only have to unpack once!” says Doreen Loofburrow, Senior Vice President of Travel for AAA Oregon/Idaho.

Most of those cruising in 2025 want to soak up the sun. The Caribbean is the most popular destination with 72% of U.S. cruise passengers heading there. Alaska (6%) and the  Mediterranean (5%) are other top cruise destinations. And 17% of those cruising will visit other destinations around the world.

Shorter Caribbean cruises are rising in popularity. Even though most cruise itineraries are 6 to 8 days, 18% of Caribbean cruise itineraries this year are 2 to 5 days, compared to only 2% in 2023.

Florida is home to the three busiest cruise ports in the world: Miami, Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale, based on embarkation and debarkation. Miami landed the world’s largest cruise ship with the debut of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas last year, and this summer, Port Canaveral welcomes the Icon’s sister ship, the equally large Star of the Seas.

The Port of Seattle is the largest and fastest-growing cruise market on the West Coast. Seattle serves eight major cruise lines. Most sail to Alaska, but cruises also depart to Hawaii, Asia and the Panama Canal.

Other travel trends for 2025 include:

Dupes

Visits to alternatives to popular iconic places are on the rise. The goal is to avoid those popular hot spots that are on everyone’s bucket lists and discover destinations that offer similar experiences without the huge crowds and high prices. Examples include Slovenia or Portugal instead of Italy; Paros, Greece instead of Santorini; Antwerp, Belgium instead of Paris; and Liverpool instead of London. Warsaw and Krakow in Poland can be alternatives to Berlin and Prague, respectively.

Set-Jetting

Planning trips around TV shows, movies and online video content is more popular than ever. Some of the shows that generate significant tourism to the locations depicted are:

Emily in Paris – travelers want to see the sites frequented by Emily and her friends on this Netflix series. Parts of season four were set in Italy.

White Lotus – set in Hawaii and Italy. The show’s third season premiers in February and is set in Thailand.

The Crown, Bridgerton – travelers want to visit London, Bath and Windsor to follow in the footsteps of their favorite characters.

Ted Lasso – London’s Richmond borough. Travelers want to drink a pint in Ted’s favorite pub, visit his front door, and see the AFC Richmond training grounds.

The Tourist – season one was set in the Australian outback and season two in Ireland at locations around Dublin and in the Irish countryside. Travelers can follow in the footsteps of Elliot and Helen.

Yellowstone – fans are visiting Montana and Wyoming to see the majestic scenery and get a taste of ranching, cowboys and horses, just like the Dutton family.

The Perfect Couple – much of this Netflix series was shot in Nantucket, Massachusetts depicting this high-end town and its beautiful beaches.

Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon – travelers flock to locations used for filming these HBO shows including Dubrovnik, Croatia (where King’s Landing was shot), Northern Ireland, England, Iceland, Morocco, Portugal and Spain.

The Goonies – even though this movie came out in 1985, fans still come from all over the world to visit Astoria and see the fictional town of Goondocks.

Off-peak Travel

With the surge in travel following the pandemic, a growing number of travelers want to plan their trips to avoid crowds. Travel in the off-seasons or shoulder seasons (think spring and fall, or times that avoid a destination’s peak season) mean lower costs and fewer crowds.

Cool-cations

More travelers are requesting cool- and cold-weather destinations to escape rising temperatures and avoid crowds. Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Scotland, Ireland, The Alps, and the Madeira Islands in Portugal often have relatively cool weather even during the summer months.

Live Event Travel

Fans are eager to travel to see their favorite performer, take in a show at an iconic venue, or see a natural marvel like a solar eclipse. In 2024, Taylor Swift spurred travel to see her Eras show, and concert goers flocked to Las Vegas to see acts such as U2, Phish and The Eagles at The Sphere.

As we enter 2025, traveling to attend marquee events around the world shows no sign of slowing down. From international concerts to sporting events, music festivals to historic events, travelers are planning trips around a live event and then extending their vacation to take in the host city and its culture, sites and restaurants.

Locations of special events in 2025 include:

Bath and Hampshire, England: Experience the hometowns of cherished novelist Jane Austen, the sites of numerous events marking the 250th anniversary of her birth.

Tucson, Arizona: the U.S.’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy turns 250 with Southwestern flair and culinary events.

Rome – Jubilee Year: The Jubilee Year, or Anno Santo, is a rare and spiritual event that takes place in Rome, Italy in 2025. Pilgrims from around the world will flock to Rome for this extraordinary event and take in a variety of ceremonies and events.

FIFA Club World Cup: this event comes to the U.S. from June 14 to July 13 this year, bringing together the best football clubs from around the world to compete for the prestigious title. Whether you’re a die-hard soccer fan or just love the excitement of global sports, this tournament is sure to be a highlight of the summer.

Major musical artists are hitting the road in the U.S. and around the world this year including Coldplay, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and SZA, Post Malone, and Ed Sheeran.

Booking travel

Now’s the time to make plans for spring break, if you haven’t done so already. Things fill up fast, especially for those traditional warm weather and beach destinations. For summer travel, there’s still time to book; however, for cruises, booking this time of year can often get you the best deals. For domestic summer travel, book at least 2–3 months in advance, and for international summer travel, book 4–6 months in advance.

You’ve booked a cruise – now what?

If you’re one of the 19 million Americans going on a cruise this year, AAA Travel has expert advice to ensure your trip is smooth sailing.

• Reserve activities ahead of time. Whether it’s an excursion, specialty dinner, or spa treatment, your best bet is to reserve your spot ASAP. Popular cruise activities sell out fast! And while you’re planning ahead, consider getting travel insurance to protect your investment in case of a medical emergency or another interruption during your trip.
• Arrive the day before. If you’re flying into your port city, arrive a day or two before your ship is scheduled to depart. That takes the stress out of worrying about flight delays and cancelations, and it gives you time to explore your departure city. AAA travel agents can help book your flight through the cruise line which can be a convenient way to plan your trip. When you purchase airfare through cruise lines including Carnival, Princess, and Royal Caribbean, they will assist in the event of a travel disruption and help with ground transportation and other arrangements.
• Pick your parking spot. 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 like airports, those spots come at a premium price. To save some money, look for off-site cruise port parking options that offer a shuttle service. Another option is to look for 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. The hotel will then take you to the cruise port on departure day and pick you up once you return.  
• Download the cruise line’s app. You can check in for your cruise through the app, review the itinerary, complete the mandatory lifeboat drill, look at the daily program, and in some cases, open your stateroom door, order food, make dinner reservations, and text your friends. Best of all, you don’t need the ship’s internet package to use cruise line apps – they are free to use onboard!
• 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.
• Items that come in handy. If you’re going on a Caribbean or warm weather cruise, sunscreen is a must and bringing it from home saves you money. In general, sundries onboard are more expensive. If you take prescription medications, bring extra in case there is a delay during your trip. Magnetic hooks are popular with passengers who need extra storage space. Since cruise cabin walls are made of metal, hooks come in handy for hanging swimsuits and towels. Colorful beach towel clips are also useful at the pool deck to not only keep your towel in place but help you identify your lounge chair when you come back from taking a dip!
• Embarkation dos and don’ts. Some cruise lines have scheduled embarkation times. Do arrive at your assigned embarkation time. Don’t try to get there early and hope they will let you on – they likely won’t. Don’t pack your passport or birth certificate in your suitcase. 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 pier, you will be denied boarding. If you check your suitcase with a porter, your bag may not arrive at your stateroom for a few hours. Pack a small carry-on with your swimsuit so you can change right away and start the fun!
• Having fun? Book your next cruise on board! If you’re enjoying your vacation at sea, look for the future cruise office onboard to book your next trip. There are often special promotions like onboard credits on top of the regular cruise line offers for bookings made onboard. Your travel agent back home will also be notified about your new booking. Just don’t wait until the last minute. The office gets busier as the final day of the cruise approaches, so stop by early in the trip, or make an appointment if the office takes reservations.

Source: AAA