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.

VIDEO: New Reality With... Rohit Talwar of Fast Future
News / Technology
VIDEO: New Reality With... Rohit Talwar of Fast Future
By PhocusWire | August 17, 2020
The next guest on the New Reality With... series is Rohit Talwar, CEO at Fast Future, one of the world's leading organizations looking at the fields of futures and foresight. Read More
Virtual connections: Building relationships with travelers to generate future demand
Opinion / Online
Virtual connections: Building relationships with travelers to generate future demand
By Chris Blaine - Sojern | August 6, 2020
In a COVID-19 world, social media is not only an inexpensive way to reach large numbers of people, but a powerful opportunity to engage with potential customers and influence them to choose your... Read More
travel-to-nowhare-cruise-air
News / Online
Will “trips to nowhere” become a short-term solution for travel-hungry consumers?
By Mitra Sorrells | August 6, 2020
Several airlines in Asia and cruise lines in Europe are offering trips that start and end from the same point, with no stops in between. Read More
REPORT: How data partnerships can speed up recovery
From Our Partners / Technology
REPORT: How data partnerships can speed up recovery
By Marisa Garcia | August 3, 2020
As travelers begin to once again pack their bags, it's not only necessary to keep them informed an safe, but also to know more about them and to keep them engaged through relevance and personalization... Read More
InPhocus, episode 17 - Destinations, it's over to you now
News / Technology
InPhocus, episode 17 - Destinations, it's over to you now
By PhocusWire | July 10, 2020
With the Destination X series now paused as the industry attempts to get back on its feet (AKA "recovery mode"), we wanted to reflect with its producer Doug Lansky on how the series had been received... Read More
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