What percentage of cruise passengers are highly satisfied with their cruise experience?

Around 95% of all cruisers rate their experience as satisfying, with a 45% claiming the highest Extremely Satisfying ranking, and a 80% of them convinced that taking a cruise trip is an excellent opportunity to sample destinations and geographical areas before visiting them on a future land-based vacation.



According to the 2025 and 2026 reports from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and AAA, the cruise industry maintains some of the highest satisfaction ratings in the travel sector, with approximately 90% to 92% of passengers rating their experience as "very good" or "good." Even more impressive is the "intent to cruise again" metric, which remains at a staggering 82% to 84%. This high level of satisfaction is attributed to the "all-inclusive" nature of modern ships, which simplifies travel logistics by combining lodging, transportation, and dining into one package. Furthermore, the 2026 data shows that 31% of cruisers in the last two years were "first-timers," indicating that the industry is successfully converting new travelers into loyal fans. While "highly satisfied" specifically refers to the top-tier rating, the consistent growth in repeat passengers—with many sailing two or more times per year—proves that the combination of value and diverse onboard experiences continues to meet or exceed expectations for the vast majority of global travelers.

People Also Ask

Anyone travelling some distance to join their cruise ship, or taking a shore excursion in distant lands will have had the thought cross their mind - “What if I don't make it to the ship in time?” It is estimated that around 5% of passengers will miss their ship once in their cruising lifetime.

MORE DETAILS

How Common is it to Get Sick on a Cruise? 15% of people have reported feeling seasick while onboard. In our experience we can add an other 10% of passengers that will suffer from other illness, such as colds, flu and hangovers.

MORE DETAILS

In reality, one or two people go overboard each month out of roughly 2.5 million who cruise during the same time frame.

MORE DETAILS

Thanks to chest-high railings surrounding the passenger decks, it's very difficult to fall from a cruise ship – but people do.

MORE DETAILS

In 2023 thus far, there have been 10 overboard incidents affecting 11 people, according to data compiled by Ross Klein, a social work professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland, who runs a cruise safety website. Nine of those eleven people died as a result.

MORE DETAILS

Studies have shown that quick application of hand sanitizers does not kill the norovirus. It takes about 30 seconds of hard rubbing with hot water and soap to kill it. The cause of most cruise line norovirus outbreaks is contaminated food or water. The way it spreads is through physical contact.

MORE DETAILS

Respiratory Illnesses. Respiratory illnesses are the most common medical complaint on cruise ships.

MORE DETAILS

Cruise ships leave passengers behind frequently. If you stick to shore excursions that are sold by your cruise and the tour is delayed in returning to the ship, the ship will be held in port. If you explore a port on your own, you will also be on your own if you miss your ship's departure time.

MORE DETAILS

If a disappearance occurs, the vessel must conduct a reasonable search immediately. They will return to the person's last known location at sea. They will adjustment for current, sea conditions, and current. If the person is not found quickly, then a search and rescue mission will be conducted.

MORE DETAILS

From a survey of 1,883 Americans, the group learned that 66%—a full two-thirds—of Americans have never been on a cruise. The reason?

MORE DETAILS

Do people cruise alone? Yes, people cruise by themselves for a number of reasons. Many widows and widowers set sail on their own, as do cruisers whose friends don't have the money or vacation time to tag along. Other travelers simply want some me time.

MORE DETAILS

Well, the average cruise passenger is 47 years old. While the average cruise passenger is 47, they only make up 15% of that demographic. Younger passengers like the Caribbean, as the average age of that passenger, is 43. Finally, the average age of a world cruise passenger is 62.

MORE DETAILS

How Common is it to Get Sick on a Cruise? 15% of people have reported feeling seasick while onboard. In our experience we can add an other 10% of passengers that will suffer from other illness, such as colds, flu and hangovers.

MORE DETAILS

You can get norovirus from an infected person, from contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. The virus causes your stomach or intestines or both to get inflamed (acute gastroenteritis). This leads you to have stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea and to throw up.

MORE DETAILS

Ship exhaust contains harmful constituents, including metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, many of which have toxic, possibly cancer-causing properties, Kennedy said: “It's dangerous it's not a healthy thing for us to be exposed to.”

MORE DETAILS

The best location to book your cabin will be in the center of the cruise ship and on the lower deck. The lower you go down, the less rocking you will experience during your trip. If you suffer from any motion sickness, this area is ideal for you.

MORE DETAILS

Within the last 111 years, over 20 cruise ships and ocean liners have sunk.

MORE DETAILS

Are cruise ships safe? Let's cut right to the chase: Yes, cruise ships are generally safe as long as you use common sense and remember that vessels are not impervious to accidents, illness or people who just don't know how to behave.

MORE DETAILS

For 2023, the passenger capacity is forecast to grow another 18 percent, with the full fleet sailing, plus new ships entering service, offset by the retirement of older ships and some brands that ceased service during the pandemic.

MORE DETAILS