# Cruise Industry Passenger Growth > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cruise-industry-passenger-growth > Updated: 2026-08-05T06:19:13.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 4. The global cruise sector kept expanding after the pandemic, with the Cruise Lines International Association reporting a record 37.2 million passengers in 2025 – a 7.5 % rise over 2024’s 35 million and the highest figure ever recorded. Projections show 38.3 million passengers in 2026 and 42.1 million by 2029, while the ocean‑vessel fleet is expected to grow from 310 to 327 ships, accompanied by a surge in European river‑cruise activity. The United States remains the largest market; Germany and France follow, with France handling 583 600 cruise passengers in 2025 – a modest 2 % increase – and MSC Croisières holding 45.7 % of French bookings. German tourism officials anticipate a 3 % revenue rise for the 2025/26 season, driven largely by cruise growth and Mediterranean beach travel. The Maldives are emerging as a popular exotic cruise destination. Investor confidence rose in 2026 as French asset manager Amundi boosted its Carnival Corp stake by 33.5 % in Q1, taking ownership to over four million shares and prompting a US$0.15 per‑share dividend scheduled for 7 August 2026. New vessels broaden the market: Transcend Cruises launched the MS Connect, the first river‑cruise ship built solely for charter groups; AIDA Cruises announced a 2027 “Crime & Sea” themed cruise; and TUI’s “Mein Schiff” brand will run four adults‑only voyages in 2027. Analysts forecast the global fleet to rise to about 540 vessels by 2037, lifting total passenger capacity toward 50 million, with flagship deliveries such as Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas and the hydrogen‑powered Viking Libra slated for the coming years. ## Claims - In 2024 about 35 million passengers worldwide took a cruise. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Amundi increased its stake in Carnival Corp. by 33.5 % in Q1 2026. (single source) - Carnival plans a dividend of US$0.15 per share on 7 August 2026. (single source) - Transcend Cruises launched MS Connect, the first river cruise ship dedicated to charter and group market, on 3 August 2026 in Dordrecht, Netherlands, with capacity for 120 guests. (single source) - AIDA Cruises scheduled a 2027 “Crime & Sea” themed cruise in January featuring author Sebastian Fitzek aboard AIDAnova. (single source) - TUI’s “Mein Schiff” will operate four adults‑only cruises in 2027, two from Hamburg to Norway and two to the Mediterranean. (single source) - The global cruise fleet is projected to grow from 459 ships to about 540 by 2037, raising passenger capacity toward 50 million. (single source) - Viking Libra, launched on 19 March 2026, is the world’s first hydrogen‑powered cruise ship. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-05: Cruise Industry Hits Record 37.2 Million Passengers in 2025 CLIA reports a record 37.2 million cruise passengers in 2025, with fleet growth and a surge in river cruises. Germany sees modest revenue gains, while French travelers book costly world‑tour itineraries, and M 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cruise-industry-hits-record-372-million-passengers-in-2025 ### 2026-08-03: Cruise industry adds new ships, themed voyages and investor boost Cruise travel surged to 35 M passengers in 2024; ARAG detailed traveler rights, Amundi boosted its Carnival stake by 33.5 %, Transcend launched the first charter‑focused river ship, AIDA announced a 2027 crime‑ 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/carnival-corp-gains-major-stake-increase-from-amundi-as-cruise-industry-expands ### 2026-07-30: French Cruise Market Expands as World Voyages Gain Traction France's cruise market hit 583 600 passengers in 2025, with MSC Croisières taking 45.7 % of bookings; global cruise travel reached a record 37 million passengers, while world‑wide round trips attract growing, ( 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/french-cruise-market-expands-as-world-voyages-gain-traction ### 2026-07-28: Cruise Industry Sets Record Passenger Numbers, Growth Projected Through 2029 Cruise passenger numbers hit a record 37 million, with forecasts of 38 million this year and over 42 million by 2029. The U.S. leads the market, followed by Germany, driven by an all‑inclusive model that boosts 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cruise-industry-sets-record-passenger-numbers-growth-projected-through-2029 --- Cite as: Cruise Industry Passenger Growth. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cruise-industry-passenger-growth