Cruising Hits Record Highs

This year we are taking more passengers to Alaska than ever on—brace yourself—10 cruises, hosted by leaders like Chuck Swindoll, Amy Grant and Gaither Homecoming. And, our overall 2017 passenger count is the highest in Inspiration’s nearly four decades of Christian travel. The good news doesn’t end there, according to our Cruise Director, Charlie Spencer. “Across the industry, cruise numbers keep going up,” he says.

Last year, Alaska saw 1,857,500 out-of-state visitors during the summer travel season, a new record and a 4% increase over 2015. “This year is already on-track to break that record—and a significant number of those travelers will be on Inspiration events,” says Spencer. Over half of Alaska’s visitors every year arrive via cruise ships.

But it’s not just Alaska. The influential travel industry journal Skift reports that the industry has seen higher passenger counts worldwide. Last year, 24.7 million people took a cruise, an increase of 6.5% over 2015 and a number higher than initially forecast.

The announcement quotes Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO of the Cruise Lines International Association. She cites the industry’s ability to personalize guest experience as the source of its strength. “Never before have I been a part of or seen an industry that is so good at listening and reacting to what its customers want, and this is why we are going to see our industry continue to grow,” says D’Aoust.

The article lists the following statistics related to cruise destinations. Of the total number of cruise passengers in 2015, the majority sailed the Caribbean. Alaska is still a relatively uncommon location. Here’s how the numbers break down:

• The Caribbean (35% of 2016 cruisers)
• The Mediterranean (18.3%)
• Europe (11.1%)
• Australia/New Zealand (6.1%)
• Alaska (4.2%)
• South America (2.5%)

We’re encouraged and excited over the growing interest in cruise travel, and already have several new opportunities (to Alaska and beyond) planned for 2018. Are you a recent convert to cruising? Please share your experience with our travel community!