71% of cruise travelers chose sailings in this area

71% of cruise travelers chose sailings in this area Cruise travel is projected to hit another record in 2027 as Americans embrace vacations at sea, with the Caribbean remaining the top choice.

Key points

• The Caribbean is by far the top destination for 2027, with 71% of passengers projected to cruise there.
• Barcelona and Galveston, Texas, rounded out the top five, with 4.4% and 4.3%, respectively.
• A record number of Americans are projected to take cruises in 2027, hitting a new high for the fifth straight year, according to AAA.
• Florida is home to the top three ports, with Miami projected to see the highest share of embarking and disembarking passengers at 11.2%.
• Alaska came in second place with 7%, followed by the Mediterranean at 6%, according to the forecast.

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In practice, a record number of Americans are projected to take cruises in 2027, hitting a new high for the fifth straight year, according to AAA.

Meanwhile, the membership organization projected that 22.4 million U.S. Passengers will set sail on ocean voyages in its 2027 cruise forecast, compiled in cooperation with Tourism Economics. That marks a 3.6% growth from the previous year, and a 57% jump from 2019.

"Many travelers are prioritizing shared experiences with family and friends, and they like knowing how much they're spending on a vacation before the trip even starts, " AAA remarked in a news release. "Over 90% of U.S. Cruise passengers rate their experience as good or very good, and that's why the industry has strong repeat business, with 93% of travelers booking again." Where are the most popular destinations?

Meanwhile, the Caribbean is by far the top destination for 2027, with 71% of passengers projected to cruise there.

"Cruise lines have made investments in private islands in the Caribbean, offering passengers exclusivity and additional amenities, " AAA observed. "They've additionally deployed mega vessels in the region which hold at least 4, 500 passengers and offer a wider range of activities, entertainment, and dining options. The Caribbean's proximity to U.S. Ports is another reason why so plenty of Americans book these trips."

Alaska came in second place with 7%, followed by the Mediterranean at 6%, according to the forecast. The rest of the world created up the remaining 16%. What are the busiest cruise ports?

Florida is home to the top three ports, with Miami projected to see the highest share of embarking and disembarking passengers at 11.2%. The South Florida city was followed by Port Canaveral in the Orlando area at 10.4% and Fort Lauderdale at 5.3%.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected]. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

For now, 71% of cruise travelers chose sailings in this area remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.