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The World’s Top Cruise Destinations in 2016 + The World’s Busiest Cruise Ports

In May, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced the cruise industry had surpassed 2016 ocean cruise passenger projections, reaching 24.7 million cruise passengers globally up from a projection of 24.2 million.

For 2017, based on current new vessel launch schedule and expected regional deployment, CLIA is projecting another positive year of growth for the industry with a passenger forecast of 25.8 million.

So, inquiring minds want to know, where are these 25 million cruise passengers primarily going? Well, according to CLIA, these are the top ocean cruise destinations for 2016.

World’s Top Ocean Cruise Destinations in 2016

1. Caribbean (35 percent)
2. Mediterranean (18.3 percent)
3. Europe w/o Med (11.1 percent)
4. Asia (9.2 percent)
5. Australia/New Zealand/Pacific (6.1 percent)
6. Alaska (4.2 percent)
7. South America (2.5 percent)

Further, Cruise Industry News gives us a glimpse of the world’s busiest cruise ports.

Photo courtesy of the Port of Miami. Click for larger view.

World’s Busiest Cruise Ports for 2016

1. Miami: 4,898,000 passengers
2. Canaveral: 3,951,127 passengers
3. Everglades: 3,680,549 passengers
4. Cozumel: 3,637,321 passengers
5. Shanghai: 2,847,000 passengers
6. Barcelona: 2,683,594 passengers
7. Civitavecchia: 2,339,676 passengers
8. Nassau: 2,034,685 passengers
9. Canary Islands: 1,981,489 passengers
10. Balearic Islands: 1,957,429 passengers
11. U.S.V.I: 1,776,685 passengers
12. Galveston: 1,730,289 passengers
13. Grand Cayman: 1,711,565 passengers
14. Southampton: 1,700,000 passengers
15. St. Maarten: 1,668,863 passengers
16. Jamaica: 1,655,565 passengers
17. Venice: 1,605,660 passengers
18. Marseille: 1,597,213 passengers
19. Sydney (Australia): 1,309,000 passengers
20. Naples: 1,306,151 passengers
21. New Orleans: 1,070,323 passengers

Virtuoso Voyages w/ Azamara Club Cruises in Dubrovnik. Click for larger view.

Carol and I prefer to avoid the crowds.  In fact, if you’ve been a reader of our website for any period of time, you’ll know that I prefer smaller cruise ships and prefer to stay far, far away from the maddening crowd. Therefore, let me share a few tips that I glean from looking at these two lists:

1. The Caribbean has dominated ocean cruises for decades. The Caribbean ocean cruise season is in the winter months from December through April, and most of the millions and millions who will cruise the Caribbean are leaving from Florida.  When you sail from Florida, it is going to take you two days of sailing to get down into most of the islands.  So, unless you enjoy sitting on a cruise ship for four days out of your cruise, we advise that you consider the small-ship cruise lines that sail out of Puerto Rico.  CLICK HERE to find 41 small-ship cruises that embark out of San Juan, Puerto Rico.  And don’t forget, when you book any of these cruises, we’ve got complimentary perks to share on top of the cruise line’s best offers!
2. Europe and the Mediterranean follow closely behind the Caribbean as a popular cruise destination controlling 29.4% of the world’s cruise travelers.  Here, if you desire to avoid the crowds, concentrate on the shoulder seasons and avoid the busy summer travel months. We were just in Dubrovnik in early July. And while we loved the town, it was hot, hot, hot, and there were 10s of thousands of people jam-packed into the Old Town. NOT FUN!  CLICK HERE to find over 1,000 small-ship cruise experience in Europe.  After you click the link, you can further sort the list by the number of days you prefer, dates, and more. And don’t forget, when you book any of these cruises, we’ve got complimentary perks to share on top of the cruise line’s best offers!

These two regions cover 64% of all of the world’s cruise traffic.  However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider Asia, Australia/New Zealand/Pacific, Alaska, or South America.  In fact, one might argue that you go where the crowds are not.

Search 6580 Cruises Around the World

Come, try out our cruise search tool: CLICK HERE.

Once there, you will be able to search 6,580 different cruise itineraries from the world’s very best cruise lines.  And, with our handy search criteria tools, you will be able to zero in on the destination, dates, and cruise line of your choice.  And don’t forget, when you book any of these cruises, we’ve got complimentary perks to share on top of the cruise line’s best offers! Notice a recurring theme? 🙂

Carol and I are ocean and river cruise experts, and beyond our fabulous search tools, we’d be honored to bring you our personal advice and bring you access to our industry back-channels when it comes time to book your cruise.

For more information, or to book your next ocean or river cruise, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235, or use our convenient online information request (CLICK HERE) and we’ll reach out to you. 
 
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