Key Aspects:
- AAA is projecting that a record 22.4 million Americans will take ocean cruises in 2027, a 3.6% increase over 2026 and the fifth consecutive annual record.
- The Caribbean remains the leading destination for American cruisers, accounting for 71% of projected passengers.
- Though 7-night itineraries remain the most popular, shorter sailings of 6 nights or fewer continue to rise in demand.
The cruise industry has experienced significant growth in recent years and it continues to gain momentum. AAA (American Automobile Association) has released its 2027 cruise forecast, predicting a record high number of American cruise passengers next year.
The organization projects 22.4 million Americans will take cruises domestically and overseas in 2027. This represents a 3.6% increase in cruise passengers over 2026 and the fifth year in a row the number of American cruisers is expected to set a record.
When Cruise Hive covered AAA’s 2026 projections last October, the organization forecast 21.7 million American cruise passengers throughout the year. AAA now estimates 2026 will finish above its earlier projection.
AAA reports a surge in cruise travel following the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The 22.4 million passengers projected for 2027 represent a 57% increase over the 14.2 million American cruise passengers reported in 2019.
Embarkation and debarkation ports saw a shift in popularity over the past year. Miami maintains its top spot as the most popular port, rising from 10.2% of passengers forecast for 2026 to 11.2% for 2027.
The second most popular port, Port Canaveral, also saw an increase in its percentage share. The Florida port rose from 8.8% for 2026 to 10.4% for 2027.
Other ports that saw an increase in popularity for 2027’s projections include Barcelona, Galveston, and Southampton. Fort Lauderdale, however, saw a slight decrease, dropping from 5.6% for the 2026 forecast to 5.3% for 2027.
The Caribbean Remains the Top Cruise Destination
The Caribbean is maintaining its place as the preferred destination for American cruisers in 2027. The region accounts for 71% of American cruise bookings in AAA’s forecast.
In the 2026 forecast, the Caribbean was predicted to account for 72% of American cruise bookings. The one-percentage-point decrease does not necessarily indicate fewer American passengers cruising in the Caribbean, as the overall number of cruise passengers is projected to increase.
Additionally, the Mediterranean appears to be growing in popularity among American cruisers. The region rose from 5% of projected bookings in 2026 to 6% in 2027.
Alaska, meanwhile, is the second most popular destination among American ocean cruise passengers. Holding steady from the 2026 projections, it accounts for 7% of the U.S. cruisers.
Shorter Cruises Continue to Gain Popularity
AAA has also reported that more Americans are taking shorter cruises. While 7-night cruises continue to be the most common option among cruisers, sailings of 6 nights or fewer have seen an increase in popularity.
The organization reported that, in 2019, just 39% of Americans booked these shorter itineraries. That number rose to 45% in 2025, though figures for 2026 and projections for 2027 were not provided.
This increase in demand for short getaways is further demonstrated by the actions of the cruise lines themselves. Cruise operators, such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival, have expanded their short cruise offerings in recent years.
The 2027 AAA cruise forecast was prepared in partnership with Tourism Economics, A Philadelphia area travel data and forecasting firm owned by Oxford Economics. Tourism Economics also prepared previous cruise forecasts for AAA.
It’s important to remember that these figures represent projections of what is expected based on data and not confirmed 2027 passenger totals. Those who are curious about the actual figures will have to wait until the end of 2027 to see how accurate the projections were.
