Caribbean cruise forecast points to 21 million passengers by 2031
Tourism Economics forecast Caribbean cruise passenger volumes could reach about 21 million by 2031 at an FCCA conference in San Juan.
Caribbean cruise passenger volumes could reach about 21 million by 2031, according to a Tourism Economics presentation at the 32nd Annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Cruise Conference & Trade Show in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The presentation put Caribbean passenger volumes at about 13 million in 2026, compared with 11 million in 2019. It said the global cruise industry received about 37 million passengers in 2025 and forecast 46 million by 2031.
Michael Greve, Practice Lead for Port Development & Investment Advisory at Tourism Economics, and Michele Reiser, Senior Business Development Manager at Tourism Economics, presented the session. They said cruise tourism’s effects include passenger spending, employment, transport providers and suppliers.
The FCCA and Oxford Economics are conducting an economic impact study that is expected to examine gross domestic product contributions, capital investment and port-level economic activity. The presentation also said about 80 cruise ships are on order, while luxury cruise deployment and capacity in the Caribbean increased 41% over the past three years.
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