Experts say that the cruise passenger is faithful to the experience of a cruise, but unfaithful to the shipping companies, since he likes to try new products and travel styles.
FITUR Cruises, the space dedicated to the world of cruises at the Madrid International Tourism Fair, has highlighted the great popularity and the significant increase that is being experienced in the number of cruise trips around the world. According to the industry’s own booking forecasts, more than 37 million passengers will embark on this tourist modality during 2025. In addition, experts in the sector have stated that the cruise passenger “is faithful to the experience of a cruise, but mostly unfaithful to the shipping companies, since he likes to try new products and travel styles.”
FITUR Cruises has held multiple activities and presentations aimed at both professionals and the general public, in which it has analyzed the latest developments and future trends in the sector. In the first two days, various events and talks scheduled at Cruise Campus have been highlighted where, in an innovative format, the world of cruises has been presented from all perspectives and angles, with great public success, and where enlightening data have been revealed about the trends and news, both of the shipping companies and travelers.
Among other presentations developed, UCM professor Frank Babingerse, analyzed the current moment and the challenges experienced by cruise ports; while the Baluma Cruises team, representatives in Spain of Celebrity Cruises and Azamara, presented the differentiating elements of Premium shipping companies. For its part, the popular shipping company Costa Cruises showed travel agents its product offer for 2025 and the suitability of its “All Inclusive” to enjoy “a worry-free cruise vacation.” This shipping company also organized a networking event. On the other hand, several talks were held that made known the current state of the cruise industry.
How is it and what is the cruise passenger looking for?
Jesús García, editor-in-chief of the Magazine Cruceroadicto.com, analyzed how it is and what the cruise passenger is looking for in 2025, indicating the reasons that encourage you to book a cruise detected among his readers and making it clear that “the cruise driver is faithful to the experience of a cruise, but mostly unfaithful with the shipping companies, since he likes to try new products and travel styles.” According to García, “the cruise passenger in 2025 is more demanding and conscious, increases spending, is more interested in ‘slow traveling’, tends to last minute getaways, the price being a determining factor; he looks for shipments close to home (no more than three hours), wants to have the feeling of being sustainable, increases workations, and is open to deseasonalization to avoid overcrowding.” On the other hand, in another of the presentations, the luxury cruise sector was analyzed. In this sense, from Emerald Spanic the keys to its marketing in the most effective way before an audience of travel agents were revealed.
FITUR Cruises will continue with its program of events and presentations in the coming days, with topics such as the redefinition of ultra premium cruises, the keys to the success and popularity of cruise excursions in Spanish, how to enjoy more on vacation, travel insurance, etc. In addition, during the weekend the popular Cruise Scavenger Hunt will be held, sponsored by Intermundial, in which the teams must solve clues and visit a series of cruise stops along the FITUR pavilions to qualify for a final draw where you can win cruise trips for two, excursion bonuses, or travel insurance.
FITUR Cruises 2025 has an important participation with leading shipping companies such as Costa Cruceros, Italy; Baluma Cruises, representatives in Spain of Celebrity Cruises (United States) and Azamara (United States); NCL Holding, with Norwegian Cruise Line (United States), Oceania Cruises (United States) and Regent Seven Seas (United States) and the shipping company Emerald Spanic, representatives in Spain of Emerald Cruises (Australia) and Scenic Luxury Cruises (Australia). Along with them, Shore2Shore, a company dedicated to excursions and tours for cruises in Spanish, will also be present.