Deep Sea Passenger Transportation NAICS 483112

Nov 12, 2025 - Some Retirees Opt for Full-Time Living on Cruise Ships

• Living full-time on a cruise ship has become a trend for recent retirees, but it comes at a significant cost. For one person, back-to-back seven-night cruises can average around $36,500 per year, while a couple could spend about $73,000 annually, based on rates of roughly $100 per person per day (per US News and World Report). This includes meals, entertainment, and travel, creating a continuously changing environment of recreational opportunities. In contrast, traditional retirement options are generally less expensive: independent living can start at around $18,000 per year, assisted living averages $54,000 annually, and skilled nursing facilities can exceed $108,000 per year, according to Assisted Living Locators. While retirement communities provide access to healthcare, mobility support, and social services, cruise-living retirees must plan for medical and mobility needs independently. Financial planning is crucial, as costs can escalate with premium cabins, shore excursions, and travel insurance.
• The global cruise industry carried 34.6 million passengers in 2024, up from 31.7 million the year before, with North America representing more than half of the total, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. The increase highlights the industry’s strong post-pandemic recovery, as demand remains high and booking volumes consistently exceed expectations. As a result, cruise lines have raised prices and strengthened cash flow, signaling a sector rebound. At the same time, the industry continues to grapple with the financial weight of pandemic-era borrowing. Debt levels remain elevated, and although companies are gradually improving debt-to-EBITDA ratios, servicing interest and refinancing obligations remain major challenges. The reliance on debt leaves cruise lines vulnerable to shifts in consumer demand or rising costs. Sustained passenger growth has been key to industry recovery, but the long-term outlook will depend on how it manages its debt burdens.

• Deep sea passenger transportation industry employment remained near 10-year-high levels, but is flat so far in 2025 with only 1% growth in May, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most of the employment gains for the past several years have been the result of cruise lines restaffing after the industry shut down entirely during the pandemic, and now a lot of those jobs have been refilled. Other factors contributing to the level-off in hiring include increased on-board automation through apps and kiosks, fewer new ships being put into service and less need for additional staff, and increases in onshore employment, such as call centers, logistics, marketing, and port services. Retention has also improved as the industry has stabilized, with existing crews staying on ships longer.
• The global cruise industry is expected to add 70 new ships between 2025 and 2033, increasing the number of available cruise vessels to more than 500, according to the latest Cruise Industry News Annual Report. Passenger capacity is forecast to increase about 23% from 34 million at the beginning of 2025 to 44 million by 2033. Demand for cruises has been strong, per the report, particularly in the North American market. Other trends for this year include increased purchases of shore excursions and specialty beverage and restaurant packages ahead of time, which usually translates into more onboard spending. The industry refers to the trend as a “fresh wallet” strategy, meaning vacationers tend to forget about their pre-departure spending and then spend more money onboard once the cruise is underway. The report also notes that cruise lines are increasingly prioritizing port destinations that generate the most revenue to maximize profits.