🏛️ Cruise industry leaders from across the value chain will convene in Washington, D.C. for the CLIA’s Cruise Caucus, a congressional fly-in event designed to highlight the role cruise plays in supporting American jobs, communities, and the U.S. economy.
🤝 The event will feature insightful conversations with CLIA leaders and U.S. policy makers, focused on the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of the cruise industry.
🔗 Registration is open through May 25 — secure your spot using the link below before registration closes!
/cruise-caucus/cruise-caucus-2026-registration/Site/Register?utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_t0ltj5uvnf
🛳️ #WeARECruise
📈 The growth opportunity in cruise is real!
➡️ In the 2026 State of the Cruise Industry Report, it was revealed that 75% of non-cruisers are open to taking their first cruise within the next few years. This signals a huge potential for creating new repeat cruisers.
🔗 Visit the link to 2026 State of the Cruise Industry in our bio for more information.
🛳️ #WeARECruise
📈 When asked to compare their cruise sales outlook this year versus last, nearly half of travel advisor respondents (48%) expect a sales volume increase of 6% or more, and 62% anticipate some level of positive growth overall. Travel advisors are in daily conversation with travelers, so their optimism carries real weight.
🔗 Visit the link to explore the full findings of the State of the Cruise Industry Report 2026: /resources/state-cruise-industry-report-2026?utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_opu35bvlle
🛳️ #WeARECruise
💵 The economic impact of the cruise industry extends far beyond the ships.
❓Did you know that 64% of cruise travelers book at least one night's hotel stay as part of their trip? That translates to real dollars flowing into local restaurants, businesses, and tourist attractions, creating a meaningful economic impact for the port communities around the globe.
🔗 Visit the link to 2026 State of the Cruise Industry in our bio for more information.
🛳️ #WeARECruise
➡️ Jobs are at the core of the cruise industry; it’s the people who keep the industry running.
❓But who are they? They include seafarers, terminal agents, local business owners in port communities, and many others. Each plays a vital role in sustaining operations and provides financial livelihoods for themselves and their families.
The numbers speak for themselves:
🌏 1.8 million jobs supported by cruise worldwide
🇪🇺 445,000 jobs supported by cruise in Europe in 2024
🇺🇸 333,000 jobs supported by cruise in the USA in 2024
🇨🇦 24,000 jobs supported by cruise in Canada in 2024
🔗 Visit the link to 2026 State of the Cruise Industry in our bio for more information.
🛳️ #WeARECruise
👏 A big congratulations to Class 4B from @virgen.del.mar School, winners of the first-ever edition of All Aboard! in Santa Cruz de Tenerife!
🛳 All Aboard! is an international educational initiative led by CLIA that introduces students to the vast world of work opportunities onboard a cruise ship, spanning more than 400 professions in total. This year, more than 250 schoolchildren from across the city took part, showcasing their creativity and teamwork through collaborative collages made from recycled materials, bringing together both innovation and environmental awareness. The initiative was made possible with the support of the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife @tenerifeports , the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council, and MSC Cruises.
💬 @CLIAGlobalCEO Bud Darr congratulated the winners, noting that through this engaging program, students "learned about the people skills, teamwork, creativity, and care that make Cruise possible every single day."
⏩️ Programs like this are exactly how we inspire the next generation, and this class proved they are more than up to the challenge.
🛳️ #WeARECruise
➡️ The cruise industry generated $198.8 Billion USD in global economic impact in 2024 – and that number means something.
👷 It's the seafarers building careers at sea.
🏗️ It's the shipbuilding communities whose skilled tradespeople bring these ships to life.
⚓️ It's the port workers and communities that see real benefit every time a ship arrives.
💵 It's the local businesses at destinations that depend on this industry.
🔗 Visit the link to 2026 State of the Cruise Industry in our bio for more information.
🛳️ #WeARECruise
👏 Looking back on this year’s CLIA European Summit in Funchal, Madeira, it was a gathering that left a lasting impression. Leaders and partners from across the industry came together for meaningful dialogue, valuable connections, and a shared vision for the future of cruise travel, set against the backdrop of an island with deep maritime roots.
🎥 Revisit the key moments in our recap video, from the conversations that mattered most to the stunning coastal scenery that made this year’s summit one to remember.
👏 Our sincere thanks, once again, to our sponsors for their generous support of CLIA European Summit 2026:
🇵🇹 Local Hosts | @portosdamadeira & Governo Regional da Madeira
💎 Diamond Sponsor | @weatrina
⚪️ Platinum Sponsors | @crumandforster , @lloydsregister Register, @tapairportugal , & @wartsilacorp
🛳️ #WeARECruise
🏆 Last night at the CLIA Cruise360 conference in Fort Lauderdale, we proudly celebrated the induction of the 2026 CLIA Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Award class. The ceremony, hosted by Charles Sylvia, ECC, CLIA Vice President of Industry & Trade Relations, recognized individuals and organizations whose contributions have significantly advanced the cruise industry.
💬 "The 2026 Hall of Fame honorees have helped build the modern cruise industry and strengthen the travel advisor community at the heart of its success." - @cliaglobalceo Bud Darr
👏 CLIA congratulates the CLIA Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Award Inductee Class of 2026:
⭐ Lifetime Achievement Award | Dondra Ritzenthaler, ECC - Chief Executive Officer, Azamara Cruises
⭐ Lifetime Achievement Award | Rick Mazza, President and CEO, Travelsavers/Nest
⭐ Travel Agency of the Year | Nexion Travel Group
⭐ Elite Cruise Counselor of the Year | Wendy Franz, ECC, Trevello Travel Group
🛳 #WeARECruise
🌴Another productive day in Fort Lauderdale! From General Session II to a series of dynamic workshops and the opening of the Cruise360 trade show floor, the agenda offered meaningful opportunities for travel advisors, partners, and cruise lines to connect, learn, and collaborate.
➡️ @cliaglobalceo Bud Darr spent considerable time on the trade show floor, engaging with attendees through thoughtful discussions and some fun photo opportunities along the way.
🏅The day will conclude with the highly anticipated CLIA Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Awards & Gala Dinner, consistently a highlight for many attendees, so stay tuned for more information and updates on that!
🛳️ #WeARECruise
🛳️ Cruise360 is officially underway in Fort Lauderdale! CLIA President & CEO Bud Darr welcomed a room full of travel professionals during today's General Session I, sharing key insights from the newly released 2026 State of the Cruise Industry.
🗺️ Bud underscored the cruise industry's global impact, including $198.8 billion in economic impact and 1.8 million jobs supported worldwide, while pointing to strong demand ahead, with 90% intent to return to cruise and a new generation of travelers entering the market, with the average cruiser now under 40 years of age.
👏 A key moment came as Bud spotlighted travel advisors, emphasizing their vital role in both the travel experience and cruise distribution: “Travel advisors play a unique and crucial role in selling cruise.”
🌎 Marking Earth Day, Bud spotlighted the cruise industry’s work to advance sustainability: “This is an industry focused on doing the right things, doing things responsibly.”
🍃 New ships entering service are increasingly more energy efficient than previous generations and nearly all new ships are designed with fuel-flexible engines as cruise lines continue to increase the uptake of lower-emissions fuels, onshore power connectivity, energy efficiency technologies, and other environmental technologies.
📉 The cruise industry remains committed to pursuing net zero emissions by 2050, recognizing that achieving this goal will require ongoing collaboration across sectors, infrastructure development, and the availability of competitively priced alternative fuels at scale.
🔗 Learn more about how the cruise industry is embracing challenges and becoming more sustainable through investments, innovation, and collaboration ➡️ /environmental-sustainability?utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_rdwfzgct8f
We look forward to the week ahead with all of our valued CLIA Travel Agency and Agent Members, partners, and special guests at Cruise360! 🛳️ #WeARECruise
🧭 On the final day of Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, CLIA’s VP of Strategic Communications, Andrea Hoffman, and Patrick Gerrity, Principal at Pat Gerrity Maritime Advisors, presented CLIA's Cruise Port Compass: Master Class Series and Cruise Port Development Guide.
The session offered a first look at what the program includes, why it matters now, and how it helps destinations strengthen planning, support smarter investment, improve port-city integration, and align more closely with the needs of cruise lines, communities, and travelers.
The preview concluded with an audience Q&A, underscoring the program’s collaborative approach and its role in shaping more resilient, future-ready cruise destinations.
🛳️ #WeARECruise #STCGlobal
