The participation of the cruise sector in the international number of tourists corresponds to approximately 2% and revenue of cruise corporations represents about 3% of the total international tourism receipts (Kester, 2002 Klein, 2005 Dowling, 2006). Brida and Zapata (2010) reported an average annual growth rate of 7.4% in the number of worldwide cruise passengers taking cruises over the period 1990-2008. Cruise tourism has experienced an important expansion over the past twenty years. The global cruise industry generates an estimated $38 billion a year in passenger expenditure and is the fastest growing sector of the tourism industry. Key Words: Cruising, cruise-experience, market, trendsĬruise Tourism is becoming an increasingly popular ‘leisure choice’ worldwide. This paper examines the cruise industry’s past, present and future. Cruise ships are getting bigger and offering more amenities while the cruise market is expanding with cruise companies placing more focus on the cruise experience. The cruise market is expected to continue to grow in the future especially in Asia. Modern ships are also considered much of a “floating Resort” with a complete staff in addition to the regular cruise ship crew. Since 2004, there are several cruise ships which have a carrying capacity of over 3,000 passengers and displacing over 100,000 tons. It includes itineraries to transatlantic destinations, where engineers and sailors designed cruise ships that can survive different sea-related conditions. The rapid growth of cruising over the last twenty years in the travel and tourism industry prompted cruise lines to build modern ships that cater to the needs of a growing number of cruise passengers.
Cruise ships can now cost more than a billion dollars, the voyage itself and the amenities, which can be found on-board, are all essential parts of the cruise experience. This makes a cruise a vacation not only an escapade to remember but also as an excellent option for a family holiday.
The famous Titanic is one of the ancestors of cruise ships today, which houses fine dining areas, well-appointed staterooms, and other amenities needed by the passengers on-board. THE CRUISE INDUSTRY: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTUREĪssociate Professor of Hospitality Management, Department of Business Administration, Tennessee State University, Avon Williams Campus - 330 10 th Ave North, Nashville, TN, USA 37203
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