Cruise Industry News and Trends

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of the cruise sector, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more on cruise operators, ships and their use of technology.

The cruise industry is navigating a new era defined by technological innovation, evolving traveler expectations, and global sustainability demands. At PhocusWire, we cover the latest cruise industry news and trends—tracking how cruise lines are modernizing operations, enhancing guest experiences, and leveraging digital tools to reshape maritime tourism.

Cruise line updates, maritime tourism trends, and industry analysis

Stay current with fleet announcements, itinerary strategies, and onboard technology transformations. From AI-driven personalization to frictionless boarding and next-generation entertainment, cruise companies are investing heavily in digital and operational enhancements to meet changing customer demands. Our coverage also explores how the cruise sector is aligning with broader travel trends, including sustainability and wellness.

andrea-kates-futureproofing-next
News / Technology
VIDEO: New Reality With... Andrea Kates of Futureproofing:Next
By PhocusWire | July 6, 2020
The next guest on the New Reality With... series is Andrea Kates, managing director at Futureproofing: Next, a U.S.-based community for corporate innovation. Read More
cardlytics-us-travel-spend
News / Online
Travel spending in the U.S. ticks up, led by alternative lodging
By Mitra Sorrells | July 2, 2020
Cardlytics, a platform that says it has insight into half of all U.S. card swipes, says travel spending is rebounding after bottoming out in April. Read More
McKinsey: Consumers to travel less in short- and long-term, vaccine vital to flying again
News / Online
McKinsey: Consumers to travel less in short- and long-term, vaccine vital to flying again
By Mitra Sorrells | May 26, 2020
McKinsey's latest weekly survey of U.S. consumers finds travel behind other categories as far as intent to spend now and in the future. Read More
Destination X - Reopening for tourism after coronavirus
News / Technology
Destination X - Reopening for tourism after coronavirus
By PhocusWire | May 19, 2020
How to reopen for tourism after the coronavirus outbreak is tricky, with concerns around social distancing - to name just one element - added to an existing visitor strategy. Read More
destination-x-smart-strategy-not promos
News / Online
Destination X - Smart strategies to do right now (instead of making promo videos)
By PhocusWire | May 12, 2020
There are some extremely important things destinations should be doing during this period of, for many, zero tourists coming in. Read More
Destination X - Using the new normal to limit visitors and manage overtourism
News / Technology
Destination X - Using the new normal to limit visitors and manage overtourism
By PhocusWire | May 5, 2020
Aside from reduced pollution and car accidents, the crisis brought on by COVID-19 may offer an opportunity to make some much needed (and politically difficult) changes to tourism policies. Read More
VIDEO: New Reality With... Clayton Reid of MMGY Global
News / Online
VIDEO: New Reality With... Clayton Reid of MMGY Global
By PhocusWire | April 28, 2020
The first guest on the New Reality With... series is Clayton Reid, CEO of MMGY Global, one of the leading marketing agencies devoted to the travel and entertainment industries. Read More
Scenarios for what the travel industry might be dealing with after COVID-19
News / Distribution
Scenarios for what the travel industry might be dealing with after COVID-19
By Linda Fox | April 24, 2020
For travel companies looking at how and when they might emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, outcome planning is a big part of the equation. Read More
Destination X - Getting business in order first for cruise
News / Technology
Destination X - Getting business in order first for cruise
By PhocusWire | April 21, 2020
If there is one segment of the travel, tourism and hospitality sector that will need help more than others in the months to come, it's probably the cruise industry. Read More
videc-barometer-coronavirus
News / Online
More than 530,000 travel and tourism industry workers laid off or furloughed
By Mitra Sorrells | April 15, 2020
A new online tool is tracking layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts across the global travel and tourism industry. Read More
investors-coronavirus-impact
News / Distribution
Investors on travel survivors, pent-up demand and bailouts
By Linda Fox | April 2, 2020
Seeking Alpha asked some of its marketplace authors to comment on the outlook for travel stocks, the likelihood of travel returning to pre-coronavirus levels and the segments that might come... Read More
sojern-trends-coronavirus
News / Online
Search data reveals some positive trends but industry should remain cautious
By Linda Fox | March 30, 2020
Sojern looks at search trends to analyze whether there are any signs of recovery for the travel industry. Read More
InPhocus, episode 3 - Living with the virus, thinking about a reset for tourism
News / Technology
InPhocus, episode 3 - Living with the virus, thinking about a reset for tourism
By PhocusWire | March 27, 2020
Destination specialist Doug Lansky to gives his account of contracting coronavirus and shares his perspective on the current climate for destinations and what could (or should) happen next. Read More
tui-group-q1-2020
News / Distribution
TUI alters forecast for 2020, 737 MAX grounding bites but digital investment continues
By Linda Fox | February 11, 2020
The tour operator estimated earnings before interest and income tax of between €850 million and €1,050 billion for the full year ending December 2020. Read More
cruise-sustainability-2020
News / Technology
Cruise industry joins maritime groups' call to develop zero-carbon technologies
By Mitra Sorrells | January 29, 2020
The Cruise Lines International Association has joined a maritime industry call for a new $5 billion research and development initiative to create zero-carbon technologies. Read More
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