AAA forecasts a record 22.4 million Americans will take ocean cruises in 2027, up 3.6% from 21.6 million in 2026.
The projection would mark the fifth straight year of record U.S. cruise passenger volume. AAA said the expected total is 57% above 2019, when 14.2 million Americans cruised, following the industry’s return above pre-pandemic levels in 2023.
Florida’s three major cruise hubs — PortMiami, Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale — are expected to remain leading departure points for Caribbean itineraries. The Caribbean accounts for 71% of U.S. cruise passenger volume, according to AAA.
PortMiami is projected to lead the world’s cruise ports in 2027 with an estimated 11.2% share of passenger movements, ahead of Port Canaveral at 10.4%. At Port Canaveral, fiscal year 2027 projections call for 10.9 million passenger movements and 23 homeported ships, compared with 9 million movements and 20 homeported ships in fiscal 2026. Passenger movements count each embarkation and disembarkation.
New ships are also scheduled for Florida ports. Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas is due to begin sailing from Fort Lauderdale in November, becoming the third Icon-class ship based in Florida after Miami’s Icon of the Seas and Port Canaveral’s Star of the Seas. MSC World Atlantic is expected at Port Canaveral next fall, while Carnival Festivale is scheduled to begin sailing there in May 2027; each has capacity for more than 6,000 passengers.
Seven-night itineraries remain the most popular choice, though AAA said 45% of U.S. ocean cruise passengers are booking trips of six nights or fewer. AAA prepared its forecast with Tourism Economics using scheduled itineraries from virtually all major cruise vessels, along with economic and travel-sector trends.
