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.

TLabs Showcase - Cayole
News / Online
TLabs Showcase - Cayole
By Kevin May | March 4, 2011
TLabs Showcase on travel startups featuring US-based online cruise agency Cayole. Read More
A Room 77 for cruise? That may be CabinGuru, but not yet
By Kevin May | March 1, 2011
Room 77 took some attention away from fellow Silicon Valley luvvie Hipmunk (at least until today) when it unveiled its long awaited hotel search last week. Read More
Online cruise retailer to deregister its stock
By Dennis Schaal | February 18, 2011
Cruise retailer Online Vacation Center Holdings provided notice to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that it intends to deregister its common stock. Read More
Technology experience on a cruise almost as important as the cabaret
By Kevin May | January 11, 2011
Clearly what kind of technology is available on cruise ships is becoming a significant marketing play for companies when trying to sell a trip. Read More
TLabs Showcase - CruiseCompare
News / Online
TLabs Showcase - CruiseCompare
By Kevin May | December 20, 2010
TLabs Showcase on travel startups featuring UK-based cruise metasearch engine CruiseCompare. Read More
Apple iTravel now sets its sights on cruise holidays
News / Online
Apple iTravel now sets its sights on cruise holidays
By Kevin May | December 2, 2010
Make no mistake, Apple is taking the travel sector VERY SERIOUSLY with its ideas for iTravel. Read More
Is this the best cruise agency website in the world?
News / Online
Is this the best cruise agency website in the world?
By Kevin May | September 24, 2010
Cruise operators have done plenty to spruce up their websites in recent years yet innovation amongst the online travel agencies has been less prominent. Read More
Best pre-launch travel homepage of the year?
News / Online
Best pre-launch travel homepage of the year?
By Kevin May | September 13, 2010
Go and check it out quickly, as the company - CruiseAmour - is just about to launch its cruise online travel agency and the holding page will no doubt disappear. Read More
A video you will never find on a cruise website
By Kevin May | September 7, 2010
Watch in amazement or, indeed, terror as this video clip captures the moment a cruise ship is hit by a series of heavy waves at sea. Read More
TLabs Showcase - MeetOnCruise
News / Online
TLabs Showcase - MeetOnCruise
By Kevin May | June 9, 2010
TLabs Showcase focus on startups featuring US-based MeetOnCruise. Read More
Cruise website takes The Daily Show approach to online marketing
By Kevin May | June 8, 2010
You have to hand it to cruise online travel agent Cruisenow.com for simply trying something different - creating fake news reels for YouTube in the style of Jon Stewart's The Daily Show. Read More
US travel agency pushes into Canada with Avoya Travel website
News / Online
US travel agency pushes into Canada with Avoya Travel website
By Dennis Schaal | June 8, 2010
America's Vacation Center made a push for Canadian travelers with the official launch of a new website, Avoya Travel, which it dubs, "Canada's Vacation Centre." Read More
TravelSupermarket adds ferry metasearch
News / Online
TravelSupermarket adds ferry metasearch
By Kevin May | April 15, 2010
With uncanny timing, given the problems affecting UK airspace today, Travelsupermarket says it has integrated metasearch for ferry crossings in and out of the UK. Read More
Royal Caribbean builds cruise app to track kids and plan activities - but with a twist
News / Online
Royal Caribbean builds cruise app to track kids and plan activities - but with a twist
By Kevin May | April 5, 2010
Cruise line Royal Caribbean has built an iPhone app to allow passengers on its flagship Oasis of the Seas vessel to manage their entire trip (and family) from a handset. Read More
Top ten technology gadgets for the modern cruise ship
News / Online
Top ten technology gadgets for the modern cruise ship
By Viewpoints | March 26, 2010
From RFID and comms systems to biometrics and the TV-cum-cabin porthole, what are the best pieces of technology every cruise ship should have? Read More