Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) expects passenger volumes to reach the levels of 2019, when 29.7 million passengers took a cruise next year.

The forecast, which is based on its baseline scenario, was presented as part of its 2022 state of the industry report. It said that almost six million passengers had taken a cruise since the industry was able too recommence operations last year and that 80% of those had said they intended to cruise again. The figures was the same as before the pandemic.

In 2020, the number of passengers had plummet to 5.8 million from the previous year, while the number of jobs the industry supports contracted by 51% to some 576,000 and the industry’s economic impact plummeted by 59% to $63.4 billion.

CLIA forecasts that its member lines - which do not include e.g. Viking and Hurtigruten - will introduce 16 ships this year. The lines will have 272 ships in service this year, with an average capacity of 2,126 passengers per ship, CLIA said.