2024 Cruise Bookings Soar, Exceeding Pre-Pandemic Levels

A recent report from United States cruise operators and travel agents indicates a surge in bookings for 2024 voyages, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and reaching record highs. According to Reuters.com, travelers from various income brackets are enthusiastically booking cruises, with the appeal of open sea vacations being perceived as more cost-effective than land-based alternatives.

The recommendation for potential passengers is to secure bookings promptly, as cruise lines are poised to increase prices in response to occupancy levels nearing pre-pandemic totals. Analyst Patrick Scholes from Truist Securities anticipates that cruise bookings will continue to set records in 2024.

Cruise Compete CEO Bob Levinstein notes that the market is exceptionally robust, particularly at the high end, with a surge in demand for luxury cruises. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) predicts that approximately 35.7 million travelers will cruise in 2024, representing a six percent increase from the record levels of 2019.

Scholes reveals that cruise bookings for November 2024 are about 20 percent higher compared to the same period in 2019. The strong demand has led some cruise lines to run out of inventory, prompting them to open bookings for 2026 and beyond to meet customer demand.

Royal Caribbean CEO Jason Liberty acknowledges the accelerated demand, stating that bookings for 2024 consistently outpace 2019 levels. Interestingly, major cruise lines are reporting an increase in first-time passengers, along with repeat customers doubling in some instances. Even online travel companies are capitalizing on the cruise boom by launching new platforms to cater to the growing demand.

Booking.com Managing Director Ben Harrell highlights the loyalty of cruise enthusiasts, with data indicating that the majority of people who have cruised are likely to cruise again, making the industry ripe for continued growth.