The leisure cruise industry`s dynamic passenger growth continued in 2005, according to statistics compiled by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Based on full-year statistics from…
The leisure cruise industry`s dynamic passenger growth continued in 2005, according to statistics compiled by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Based on full-year statistics from CLIA`s member-line fleets, the cruise lines carried a record 11.18 million worldwide passengers in 2005, a 6.9 percent increase over passenger totals for 2004. North American passenger totals grew by 9 percent during the same period, to 9.67 million guests, up from 8.87 million in 2004.
For the fourth quarter of 2005, worldwide passengers increased to 2.84 million guests, up 10.6 percent from the 2.56 million who sailed in 2004. North American guest totals for the fourth quarter grew 8.8 percent to 2.38 million, up from 2.19 million in 2004.
The 2005 passenger figures are new statistics released today by CLIA, whose 20 member cruise lines represent over 97 percent of the cruise capacity marketed in North America. CLIA-member cruise lines enjoyed equally high utilization rates, posting a 103 percent occupancy factor for 2005, identical to the occupancy achieved in 2004.
The reason for the industry`s robust growth can be stated simply: cruises represent the consumer`s very best vacation value, said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA. More and more leisure travelers are enjoying the variety of pleasures found aboard today`s ships, which include superb service, sensational cuisine, and diverse amenities and facilities.
CLIA`s passenger carryings statistics for 2005 also include:
- Itineraries of one to five days accounted for a 34 percent share of the cruise market; itineraries of six to eight days accounted for 52 percent; nine- to 17-day itineraries accounted for 13 percent and itineraries of 18 days or longer accounted for 0.3 percent of the market.
- The average length of a cruise in 2005 was 6.95 days versus 6.90 days in 2004.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
