Over 65,000 Irish people took cruises in 2026, Andy Harmer of the Crjuise Likne International Association told a trade gathering in Dublin.
The average age of Irish cruise passengers has decreased to 46.3 years in 2024 from 46.7 years in 2023.
Passenger numbers for Irish cruises saw an 11.3pc rise last year, reaching a total of 65,000, marking the highest figure recorded.
The Mediterranean remains the most preferred destination for Irish cruisers, with 61.3% of voyages, while the Caribbean follows at 17.7pc.
Northern Europe’s cruise journeys have experienced substantial growth, scoring a 25% increase in trips taken recently.
The average sailing duration for these trips stands at 7.9 days as the cruise line fleet surpasses 310 ocean-going vessels.
The year saw 26 new ship launches, including the MSC World America and Norwegian Aqua, with Royal’s Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel still pending.
Current restrictions in shipyard capacity limit global ocean ships to about 300, resulting in an annual growth rate of approximately 3.5pc to 5pc.
Andy Harmer shared: “Cruise is thriving among Ireland passengers, with the convenience and value-for-money a holiday at sea offers shining through. We’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone in Ireland for their support, including all the travel agents, who we will continue to back by investing in their training, resources and events.”
