The results of the Cruiseline.com and Shipmate 2026 Member Survey are here, revealing fascinating insights into the cruising habits and preferences of our cruise-loving community. We anchored down with over 5,500 passionate travelers to get an inside look at the latest trends shaping the cruise industry today.

From go-to destinations like the Caribbean and the Mediterranean to crowd-favorite lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian, this data captures exactly how our community is cruising and where they want to set sail on their next adventure. This year’s survey serves as both a celebration of the cruising community and a valuable resource for travelers planning their next vacation.

Now, let’s make some waves as we take a deep dive into the 2026 Cruiseline.com and Shipmate survey results…

Member Survey Audience 

To better understand our audience, here’s a closer look at the backgrounds of survey participants and how they like to cruise.

Participant Demographics

Understanding who took our cruise survey helps put the findings in context. Here’s a snapshot of survey respondents’ demographic overview:

The largest share of participants fell into the 66+ age bracket (46.8%), followed by those aged 56–65 (32.3%), 46–55 (13.5%), and 36-45 (4.6%). Gender was nearly evenly split, with 52.5% identifying as Female and 46.9%% as Male.

As for lifestyle, 57.2% of participants reported being retired, 25.8% are part of a couple (working), 9.5% are single, and 7.5% reported being a family traveler. Geographically, most respondents hailed from North America, with 84.5% from the U.S. and 5.7% from Canada. We also had representation from the U.K. (4.4%), Australia (3%), broader Europe (1.5%), and beyond (0.9%).

Cruise History

Photo by Cruiseline.com

Number of Cruises Taken

It’s clear this community knows its way around a deck. The majority of survey participants are seasoned cruisers, with multiple sailings under their belt.

The number of cruises taken by respondents (both ocean and river) includes: 64% have sailed on 10+ cruises, 16.9% have taken 6-9 cruises, 14.4% have sailed 2-5 cruises, 2.9% have taken at least one cruise, and just 1.8% have yet to take their first cruise.

Cruise Lines Sailed

When asked which cruise lines they’ve sailed with (spanning mainstream, premium, river, and luxury categories), respondents revealed a diverse mix of preferences. The top ten cruise lines include:

1. Royal Caribbean 64.7%
2. Carnival Cruise Line 62.8%
3. Norwegian Cruise Line 46.7%
4. Princess Cruises 39.1%
5. Celebrity Cruises 37.7%
6. Holland America Line 22.9%
7. MSC Cruises 19.8%
8. Disney Cruise Line 11.3%
9. Viking 7.8%
10. Cunard 6%

Top Cruise Destinations

From tropical getaways to historic European ports, our survey takers have explored a wide range of destinations. The Caribbean and Bahamas topped the list as the most popular cruise region, with 89.2% of respondents sailing those sun-soaked waters.

Rounding out the top ten destinations cruised included:

1. Alaska 51.8%
2. Mexico – Pacific Coast 42.9%
3. Europe – Mediterranean 40.2%
4. Bermuda 31.3%
5. Canada/New England 30.4%
6. Hawaii 25.3%
7. Europe – Northern Baltic 22.5%
8. Transatlantic 21%
9. South America 15.6%
10. Australia/New Zealand 13.8%

Preferred Cruise Companions

Whether cruising as a duo or going solo, our members hit the water in a variety of ways. The majority prefer sailing as a couple (59.4%), while 20.6% opt for group travel with family/friends. Family travelers accounted for 12%, and solo cruisers made up 8%.

These varied preferences speak to one of cruising’s greatest strengths: it’s a vacation that works for everyone, whether you’re planning a romantic escape, a multigenerational adventure, or a solo journey.

 

Booking Preferences

Survey participants shared details about their preferred cruise booking timelines, methods, and key factors influencing their cruise vacation decisions.

How Far in Advance Do Cruisers Book?

Cruisers approach trip planning in various ways. Some lock in their vacations over a year in advance, while others prefer a spontaneous last-minute sailing within 90 days of departure.

When it comes to cruise booking timelines, this year’s data reveals a clear preference for planning and securing cruises well in advance. Travelers reported these preferences for booking timelines before sailing date:

• Last-minute bookings of three months or less: 3.3%
• 3–6 months: 14.7%
• 7–12 months: 44.4%
• 13–18 months: 25.7%
• 18+ months: 11.9%

How Are Bookings Made?

When asked about preferred booking channels, more than half of respondents (50.7%) reported booking directly with the cruise line, either online or by phone. Travel advisors remain a popular alternative, with 32.2% of cruisers booking through a local agent online/by phone, and 12.5% booking via a travel agent’s website. 2.2% reported using online travel agencies (such as Orbitz, Expedia, or Booking.com), while 2.8% cited other booking methods.

Preferred Cruise Length

Cruise length was a factor that varied among survey takers, shaped by personal schedules, budget, and travel goals. Among survey respondents, 38.5% ranked 7-day cruises as their top choice for trip duration. Following closely behind, 36.4% preferred 8–13-day sailings, while 19.4% favored longer voyages of 14 days or more. Shorter getaways of 2–6 days were the top pick for 5.9% of respondents.

Top Cruise Booking Criteria

When selecting a specific cruise to book, travelers weigh a range of considerations, from ports of call to the price tag.

Deals and pricing topped the list as the single most important booking factor, cited by 33.6% of respondents. The destination came in second, with 33% naming it their number one criteria. The cruise line itself ranked third, influencing 24.8% of cruisers. Ship selection is a deciding factor for 20.9% of participants, while the ship plays the primary role in booking decisions for 6.8%.

Future Cruise Plans 

Our 2026 cruise survey results offer an inside look at travelers’ plans, including where they are already booked and the cruises they are considering. From destination preferences and cruise line loyalty to trip length and future booking intentions, these results reveal how travelers are approaching life at sea.

Booked Cruises for 2026 and Beyond

A remarkable 92.8% of survey participants already have at least one cruise on the books for 2026 or beyond. Of those who haven’t committed to a booking yet, 6.2% are actively considering/planning a cruise vacation, while just 1.1% reported no plans to cruise in the foreseeable future.

Survey takers reported they already have at least one cruise booked for the following years:

• 2026: 78.2%
• 2027: 60.5%
• 2028: 13.6%
• 2029: 0.4%

Some of our community members are super planners, with multiple cruises already booked for 2026 and beyond. 31.9% have 2+ more cruises booked for 2026, 59.8% reported having 2+ voyages booked in 2027, and even 13.7% reported multiple sailings booked for 2028.

Which Cruise Lines are the Most Booked?

These are the five cruise lines that our survey takers are booked on for future cruises in 2026 and beyond:

1. Royal Caribbean International 29%
2. Carnival Cruise Line 24.2%
3. Princess Cruises 19.1%
4. Celebrity Cruises 18.8%
5. Norwegian Cruise Line 17.7%

Rounding out the list of other top lines booked are MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Viking, Virgin Voyages, and Oceania Cruises.

Where Are Cruisers Heading?

The Caribbean and Bahamas reigned supreme as the most-booked cruise destination, with 61.8% of respondents setting sail for the region. Survey takers are also booked on future cruises to: Europe – Mediterranean (17.6%), Alaska (14%), Mexico – Pacific Coast (11.8%), Northern Europe (11.6%), Transatlantic (10.8%), Canada/New England (7.1%), Bermuda (6.4%), Hawaii (6%), and South America (4.5%).

How Long Are These Booked Cruises?

Classic 7-night sailings are the most popular choice, selected by 45.9% of respondents. Other cruise lengths booked include 8-13 nights (41.5%), 14+ nights (29.2%), and short 2-6 nights (19.2%).

 

Future Cruise Booking Intentions

Are Travelers Planning to Book More Cruises?

The short answer? Absolutely. 70.3% of respondents plan to make additional cruise bookings for 2026 or beyond. 24.8% reported they are still weighing their options and are undecided, and 4.9% have no plans for future cruise bookings.

20.8% of those who intend to cruise say they are still planning 2+ cruises for 2026. 67.2% are planning multiple voyages for 2027, 63.8% are planning 2+ cruises for 2028, and even 46% are planning multiple cruises as far out as 2029.

Which Cruise Lines Are Travelers Considering?

Royal Caribbean topped the list of cruise lines being considered for future bookings, with 46.8% of survey takers eyeing the brand. 

The other top ten cruise lines that travelers reported they are planning to book future sailings include: Celebrity Cruises (36.9%), Norwegian Cruise Line (29.9%), Princess Cruises (29.9%), Carnival Cruise Line (28.5%), MSC Cruises (21.9%), Holland America Line (17.4%), Virgin Voyages (11.8%), Viking (9.6%), and Margaritaville at Sea (5.5%).

Where Do Travelers Want to Go Next?

One of the most compelling takeaways from this year’s survey is the growing appetite for cruise destinations beyond the Caribbean. While the Caribbean/Bahamas remains the clear top choice at 53.4%, the numbers also suggest that cruisers are increasingly curious to explore new corners of the world.

Other top cruise destinations cruisers are considering include the Mediterranean (31.2%), Alaska (30.7%), Transatlantic (23.6%), Hawaii (21.7%), Northern Europe (21.7%), Canada/New England (19.8%), Bermuda (17.9%), Mexico – Pacific Coast (17.4%), and South America (16.1%).

What Length of Cruise is Being Most Considered?

Are cruisers considering longer voyages than before? It appears so. While the 7-night sailing has historically been the sweet spot for most cruisers, data from the 2026 survey tells a different story. 59% of respondents ranked 8–13-night cruises as the preferred trip length being considered.

The classic 7-day cruise itinerary was the second most chosen length considered (49.5%), while 34.5% reported 14+ night cruises as their top pick. 12.1% reported short 2-6-day cruises as the ideal length.

River Cruising

River cruising continues to gain traction from travelers worldwide. This intimate style of cruising offers a scenic way to discover the world’s most breathtaking waterways. This year’s survey uncovered some fascinating trends in how cruisers are thinking about and planning river cruise vacations.

86.3% of travelers reported they have previously taken a river cruise, while 13.7% reported they have not. Top river cruise brands previously sailed include Viking (47.1%), AmaWaterways (13.1%), Avalon Waterways (8.2%), American Cruise Lines (6.4%), Scenic (6%), and Uniworld Cruises (6%).

Over half of survey respondents (53%) said they are considering booking a river cruise. As for timing, 57.2% reported they are undecided about when they will take a river voyage. 25.7% are planning to book a river cruise 18 months or more in advance, 13.8% expect to cruise within the next 7–12 months, and 3.3% will river cruise in the next 2–6 months.

When it comes to choosing a river cruise line, 62.3% reported Viking as the top river cruise line they were considering. River-brand newcomer Celebrity River Cruises (launching in 2027) made quite a splash at number 2, with 36.1% of survey respondents saying they were considering the brand. Other top river lines being considered by travelers include American Cruise Lines (25.9%), AmaWaterways (13.1%), and Avalon Cruises (8.6%).

Our Thoughts on the 2026 Cruise Survey Results

To get a picture of some of the trends and notable changes reported by our survey takers, we took a closer look at how the 2026 results compared to the findings of the 2025 survey. Upon examination, several shifts in cruiser preferences have emerged, pointing to exciting new travel trends on the horizon. Here are some of our top takeaways:

• Royal Caribbean International has overtaken Carnival Cruise Line as the most-booked cruise brand among survey participants, with 29% vs 24.2%. Last year, Carnival accounted for 28.5% of booked cruises reported, vs. Royal’s 27.6%.
• Margaritaville at Sea is turning heads as a rising cruise brand, earning a spot among the top 10 cruise lines travelers are actively considering for future sailings. The brand knocked Disney Cruise Line from number ten in 2025 as a top brand being considered for future bookings.
• Cruisers are considering new destinations when it comes to future booking plans:
  • The Caribbean gained significant traction in regions being considered, at 53.4% this year vs. 45% in 2025.
  • Mediterranean cruises are seeing a surge in demand this year, with booking intent at 31.2%, climbing above Alaska sailings at 30.7%. This was flipped in 2025, with 29.4% reporting they wanted to book a future Alaska cruise and 25.9% reporting they wanted to book a future Mediterranean cruise.
  • Transatlantic voyages are also generating greater interest, rising from 20.2% in 2025 to 23.6% in 2026.
• While the vast majority of our survey takers report being interested in cruises of 7 days or more, interest in short 2-6-day cruises continues to rise. In 2025, 5.4% of survey takers said they were considering short cruises. This year, that number rose to 12.1%. We believe expanded itinerary options from major cruise lines and homeports, and the growing appeal of quick, accessible escapes among travelers, drive this change. Moreover, the introduction of new ships like Utopia of the Seas, offering short 3- and 4-day itineraries, has been a major factor in the growing popularity of quick getaway cruises, whereas previously most short-duration options were limited to older ships.
• River cruising is attracting more attention in 2026, with a slight uptick in overall interest. There was a notable shuffle among river cruise lines that travelers reported being interested in sailing. The largest worldwide river-cruise brand, Viking, was once again the top brand under consideration. However, the announcement for the launch of Celebrity River Cruises in 2027 has shaken the category, along with the growing popularity of American Cruise Lines. This is a shift from 2025, when Viking, AmaWaterways, and Avalon Waterways were the top-considered river brands.

Thank You!

A massive thank you to all who participated in the 2026 Cruise Survey. We appreciate you sharing insights into your travel experience and your future cruise plans. We love nothing more than hearing about which cruise lines, destinations, and adventures you have on your travel agenda!

We also thank everyone who has taken the time over the past year to write a review of their cruise experience. Cruise reviews help both new and experienced cruisers plan their upcoming vacations. If you’ve cruised recently, we invite you to share your experience by writing a cruise review.

For those planning future cruises, don’t forget to join the Roll Call for your cruise. Not sure what a roll call is? Learn more here.

Want to stay on top of the best deals and cruise news, delivered right to your Inbox? Sign up for our emails today!

Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to download the Shipmate app! As the #1 cruise app with more than 2 million downloads, it’s the ultimate companion for your cruise journey. Beyond tracking all your past and future cruises in one place, Shipmate offers powerful tools to help you save and plan:

• Cruise Price Alerts: Get notified whenever the price of your sailing drops.
• Advanced Deal Searching: Find the best cruise fares with powerful filters and historical pricing data.
• Roll Calls: Meet fellow travelers on your specific sailing before you even step onboard.
• Community Chat: Ask all your cruise questions in one place and interact with other cruisers.
• Comprehensive Planning Tools: Access ship deck plans, cruise countdowns, packing checklists, and detailed port guides with reviews and photos.
• Shore Excursions: Find and book shore excursions for ports of call worldwide.

Thank you again to our fantastic community of cruisers! We Love You!

Source: Cruiseline.com