What's Fresh in Cruising for 2024

In 2024, cruise ship routes will encompass the globe like never before, aboard vessels that are more eco-friendly and opulent than ever before.

Cruisers are now venturing beyond the typical week-long journeys, with blockbuster, months-long world cruises gaining significant traction and visibility—just ask those following Royal Caribbean's 274-night Ultimate World Cruise on TikTok. Younger travelers are also taking to the seas; thanks to social media and other influences, more Millennials and Gen-Xers are cruising in 2024 than in years past, many for the very first time, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

With cruise lines focusing more on remote destinations, offering superior, sustainable dining options, and appealing to families even on upscale ships, the coming year promises excitement on the open waters—no matter your age. Over 300 vessels will navigate the world's oceans in 2024, including the first-ever cruise ship equipped with engines compatible with green methanol, alongside Royal Caribbean’s new flagship, Icon of the Seas, which can accommodate over 7,000 guests.

Here are five cruise trends to keep an eye on in 2024.

World cruises gain even greater popularity

While Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise aboard the 2,490-passenger Serenade of the Seas captures TikTok's attention, it’s just one of many options for adventurers eager to embark on a grand, multi-month journey. World cruises are continuing to sell out well ahead of time, so it's wise to start planning for 2025, 2026, and beyond. Oceania Cruises features sought-after 180-day itineraries; Cunard's traditional world cruises on genuine ocean liners are renowned for their elegant British charm; and ultra-luxury lines like Seabourn, Silversea, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises offer journeys paired with champagne and caviar. Don't miss Viking's world cruises, which come with excursions at every port and start at about $55,000 per person.

Expeditions venture even further

As travelers embark on their post-COVID journey to seek out new adventures, the expedition cruise industry is thriving. Adventurous cruisers are exploring new destinations that are coming into the spotlight. For example, HX Expeditions (formerly known as Hurtigruten Expeditions) has just wrapped up its inaugural season of sailings that combine Senegal, the Cabo Verde islands, Gambia, and the seldom-visited Bissagos islands of Guinea-Bissau, with more sailings in West Africa scheduled for this year and next. Beyond the increasingly popular Arctic, Antarctica, and Greenland voyages, places like Madagascar, the Seychelles, and Indonesia’s Raja Ampat are also becoming regular stops on cruise itineraries. In 2024, Kimberley in Western Australia is expected to be a hotspot, with more ships than ever transporting travelers to its stunning red-rock cliffs, waterfalls, and crocodile habitats. In Antarctica, Lindblad Expeditions introduces a seven-night fly-in and cruise option that allows you to bypass the famously turbulent Drake Passage.

Culinary experiences (on land and at sea)

Cruise lines are increasingly committed to sourcing sustainable products from the regions they visit. For instance, Holland America Line has recently unveiled a Global Fresh Fish program, which incorporates 100% fresh, sustainable seafood across its fleet. As part of this initiative, the line’s “fresh fish ambassador,” the renowned Masahuru Morimoto from Iron Chef, is operating pop-up restaurants on board, allowing guests to order dishes like crispy fried whole fish accompanied by wasabi mashed potatoes, among other highlights. For its West Africa cruises aboard the 280-passenger MS Spitsbergen, HX Expeditions has enlisted a chef from Togo to prepare traditional dishes such as jollof rice. Food tours on land are also gaining popularity. British cruise line Cunard is set to launch its 3,000-passenger Queen Anne this spring, featuring exclusive shore excursions like a Norwegian “fjord dining” experience at a goat cheese farm.

Emphasis on environmental sustainability

As the cruise industry aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, there is a significant push to invest in and adopt more renewable fuel sources. Over thirty trials using biofuels derived from materials like manure and vegetable oil were conducted on ships in 2023, with more planned for 2024. With an emphasis on improved energy efficiency and utilizing onboard desalinization systems for water, cruise ships and their operations are becoming increasingly sustainable and efficient each year. Of the eleven major new ocean-going vessels launching in 2024, six will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is recognized as the cleanest fossil fuel. Most new ships are capable of using shore power connections to avoid running their engines while in port. Notably, 2024 will see the debut of the first cruise ship that can operate on green methanol once it becomes widely available. For the time being, the Mein Schiff 7, from German line TUI, will run on low sulfur fuel. Future ships designed for methanol operation are already on order with companies like Disney, Celebrity, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Luxury accommodations designed for families

Family travel is gaining traction in the cruising world, particularly when it comes to multigenerational adventures. Luxury line Explora Journeys is set to launch its second 922-passenger ship, Explora II, this year, featuring a dedicated children's program that emphasizes marine education, along with family-friendly suites that include kid-sized bathrobes and slippers. Meanwhile, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will introduce its second vessel, the 456-passenger, LNG-operated Ilma, in 2024, which will also offer a Ritz Kids program (available for an additional fee). Additionally, when Disney Cruise Line unveils its new 4,000-passenger, LNG-powered ship, Disney Treasure, it will feature a restaurant themed after the Disney film Coco, a live performance inspired by Moana, and two lavish two-bedroom suites, one drawing inspiration from Aladdin and the other from The Jungle Book.