Key trends shaping the cruise industry in 2020

CLIA issued its 2020 State of the Cruise Industry report taking an in-depth look at the impact of cruising and the trends across the industry, including environmental sustainability, responsible tourism and unique passenger offerings. The cruise industry has cemented its role as a mainstream vacation choice with about 32 million guests expected to sail in 2020.

Key trends 2020

-Environmental sustainability: Environmental sustainability is central to responsible tourism and another example of where the cruise industry is leading the way. CLIA members have committed over $22 billion in new, energy-efficient ships and technologies to minimize environmental impact and make progress towards our goal of reducing the rate of carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 as compared to 2008.

LNG – 44% of new build capacity will rely on LNG fuel for primary propulsion.
ECGS (scrubbers) – 68% of global capacity currently utilizes EGCS, while 75% of non-LNG new-builds will have EGCS.
Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems – 100% of newbuilds will have these systems in place.
Shore power – 88% of new build capacity will have or be configured to add this ability.

Environmental sustainability is central to responsible tourism and another example of where the cruise industry is leading the way. Our members have committed over $22 billion in new, energy-efficient ships and technologies to minimize our environmental impact and make progress towards our goal of reducing the rate of carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 as compared to 2008,

...says Kelly Craighead – President and CEO, Cruise Lines International Association.

-Destination stewardship: In collaboration with local communities, the cruise industry is exploring new and creative ways to manage the flow of visitors and implement the highest standards of responsible tourism.

Partnerships with local governments
Staggered arrivals and departures
Excursion diversification
Shore power
Local passenger spending

-Cruise and stay: 65% of cruise passengers spend a few extra days at embarkation or debarkation ports.

-The plastic-free passenger: More than eight of ten cruise passengers recycle (82%) and reduce using single-use plastics (80%) while traveling. Seven out of ten cruisers forego plastic straws.

-Generation cruise positive: More than 66% of generation x and 71% of millennials have a more positive attitude about cruising compared to two years ago.

-Lone cruisers: Cruise lines are responding to a shift in passenger demographics by offering studio cabins, single-friendly activities, eliminating single supplements and solo-lounges.

-Micro travel: Many cruise lines offer bite-sized cruises over a three-to-five-day period offering incredible itineraries and travel to exciting destinations.

Cruise deployment by region