Leading forecast food trends in the cruise industry worldwide 2024

A December 2024 survey of global distributors and suppliers of food and beverage on cruises analyzed the leading food trends expected to take off in the cruise industry in the coming years. According to the study, health and wellness foods and functional foods were expected to represent the leading food trend, as indicated by around 44 percent of respondents. Emerging cuisines and flavors followed in the ranking, mentioned by almost 38 percent of the sample. 

How many people go on cruises every year?

While the number of cruise passengers worldwide declined sharply with the impact of COVID-19, it bounced back in 2023, peaking at nearly 32 million. When breaking down the number of global cruise passengers by source market, North America reported the highest figure, with over 18 million passengers traveling from that region in 2023.

What are the most popular cruise destinations worldwide?

Both before and after the onset of the pandemic, the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Bermuda were by far the leading global cruise destinations based on the number of passengers. In 2023, they welcomed nearly 13 million travelers. Meanwhile, the Central and Western Mediterranean ranked as the leading cruise destinations for European passengers that year, followed by Northern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.