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.

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
Amid sustainability concerns, cruise industry urged to wake up
News / Online
Amid sustainability concerns, cruise industry urged to wake up
By Yeoh Siew Hoon - WIT  | January 15, 2020
Just as the word “sustainability” has taken the aviation world by storm, with flight shaming impacting air travel, cruise companies are also bracing themselves for potential backlash against their... Read More
The digital travel revolution, next-gen consumers and the role of insurance
From Our Partners / Technology
The digital travel revolution, next-gen consumers and the role of insurance
By PhocusWire | January 6, 2020
Over the course of two interviews, PhocusWire spoke to Beth Godlin, president at the Aon Travel Practice, about a wide range of issues in the travel industry. Read More
Day trip like a local - Cunard boosts shore excursions via Cool Cousin deal
News / Online
Day trip like a local - Cunard boosts shore excursions via Cool Cousin deal
By Mitra Sorrells | December 24, 2019
Cunard is partnering with travel tech startup Cool Cousin to offer curated destination guides for each of its ports. Read More
Hot 25 Startups 2020: Cruisewatch
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Startups 2020: Cruisewatch
By PhocusWire | November 18, 2019
Cruisewatch scans more than 25,000 cruise sailings for good bargains, maintains a price history for five years, reads through 250,000 cruise reviews and alerts users when the price drops. Read More
startup-stage-cruise-director
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: CruiseDirector creates new online platform for booking no-fee luxury cruises
By Mitra Sorrells | November 13, 2019
CruiseDirector is an online platform for travelers to book luxury ocean, river, yacht and expedition cruises with no booking fees and a best price guarantee.  Read More
uplift-carnival-cruise-partnership
News / Online
Uplift adds Carnival Cruise Line to growing list of payment option partners
By Mitra Sorrells | November 12, 2019
Carnival Cruise Line is the newest travel brand to offer financing through Uplift. Read More
Despegar reports growth in bookings and revenue, optimism from recent partner agreements
News / Distribution
Despegar reports growth in bookings and revenue, optimism from recent partner agreements
By Mitra Sorrells | November 7, 2019
Argentina-based Despegar reports gross bookings up 26% and revenue up 19% in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the same period a year earlier.    Read More
Why zero‐friction is the future of the travel industry
From Our Partners / Online
Why zero‐friction is the future of the travel industry
By Facebook Business | October 24, 2019
The modern traveler expects nothing less than a frictionless experience and the travel companies that deliver this have the best chance of thriving in the future. Read More
The influencer marketing metrics travel brands are missing
Opinion / Online
The influencer marketing metrics travel brands are missing
By Rachel Jean-Firchau - Nativo | October 4, 2019
Influencers aren’t publishers, they’re people. While they might have incredible reach, most are focused on awareness and storytelling, not on driving bookings or conversions. Read More
REPORT: Building lifetime value in travel through travel recommendations
From Our Partners / Online
REPORT: Building lifetime value in travel through travel recommendations
By Marisa Garcia - PhocusWire | October 3, 2019
We explore the power of personal recommendations in the travel sector, as well as the best way to convert travelers to brand advocates and how to best use tools like NPS to drive new customer... Read More