Millennials and Gen Z Push Cruise Demand to New Levels

What do Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen X have in common? They are all showing heightened interest in cruising, indicating that the vacation-at-sea option is no longer the realm of the Boomer, a new study has found.

The narrowing of age gaps among cruise guests is just one of several key findings in the trend report “View from the Cabin: The Trends Shaping the Modern Cruise Experience,” released on September 9, 2025 by the loyalty technology provider arrivia.

Almost half of the 4,500 people surveyed for the report said they have already cruised, and nearly 30% plan to cruise again within the next two years.

Drilling down into the numbers, the report found that 36% of Millennials — those born between 1981 and 1996, plan to cruise in the next two years, the highest percentage among the three groups.

While Gen X and Boomers are still the most frequent cruisers overall, the younger generations are catching up.

The study appears to confirm data found in Cruise Lines International Association’s 2025 State of the Industry Report, which shows the average age of a cruise guest is 46.5, and adds that 36% of all cruisers are now under age 40.

Other trends that emerged in the study include the desire for shorter itineraries, and again, Millennials and Gen Z are leading the way. Overall, 18% of respondents said they are drawn to 2- to 4-day sailings versus 5- to 7-day voyages.

Millennials and Gen Z members pointed to the affordability of a shorter getaway because it enables them to vacation more often. There were loyalty elements tied to these findings as well, with 15% of active-cruiser respondents saying they would switch cruise brands to book shorter cruises.

Cruise lines are answering the call for shorter voyages. Royal Caribbean, for instance, has had eight ships sailing 3- to 5-night cruises from ports in Florida, Texas, and California during the last two years.

The loyalty tech provider that published the trends report, arrivia, handles loyalty programs in various industries, including airline, car rental, and hotel, and for cruise lines affiliated with its partner Westgate Cruise & Travel Collection.

“Cruise is no longer just an add-on in the loyalty mix,” said Jeff Zotara, Chief Marketing Officer at arrivia. 

“It delivers high-value, repeatable experiences that travelers are actively seeking. When integrated effectively, cruise can become a cornerstone of growth and a true loyalty differentiator,” added Zotara.

Private Island Destinations a Big Draw For All Age Groups

A cruise line’s ability to offer a private island experience is also a big incentive for cruisers, regardless of their ages.

Read Also: Which Cruise Lines Match Loyalty Programs?

A commanding 55% of those surveyed said that the opportunity to visit a private island influences their choice of cruise line, and one in four said they would alter their cruise selection in order to be able to visit a private island.

Private islands are extremely popular among cruise travelers, and cruise lines are investing hundreds of millions of dollars to create new destinations and upgrade and improve existing ones.

One example is Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key. Located on Grand Bahama Island, the destination, which opened in July 2025, cost about $500 million to build.

Other notable trends uncovered in the report include the abundance of multi-generational groups who choose cruise vacations. About 25% of Boomers who cruise do so with their adult children, and about 20% of Gen Z members who cruise do so with their parents.

River cruising was also highlighted in the report, which found that 63% of respondents are interested in that niche market.