Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has set an aggressive growth course to 2033, increasing its estimated annual passenger capacity from about 2.8 million at the start of 2025 to more than 4.2 million by 2033, a 50 percent increase or approximately 5.5 percent each year, according to the 2025 Cruise Industry News Annual Report.
Royal Caribbean Group will grow its capacity from an estimated 8.5 million to 10.8 million guests, for a 27 percent increase over the 2025-2033 time period, or 3 percent per year.
MSC Cruises, including Explora Journeys, is closely behind Royal Caribbean’s growth curve, going from a 4.2 million passenger capacity at the start of the year to 5.2 million in 2033, and a 25 percent increase, or less than 3 percent per year.
Carnival Corporation will have the most modest growth over the time period, based on its current orderbook, going from an annual passenger capacity of 12.6 million at the start of 2025 to 13.9 million in 2033, for a 10 percent increase, or about 1.1 percent per year.
And while Carnival Corporation remains the largest company with a market share of 31.8 percent, based on its existing brands and fleets, the single largest brand by 2033 will be Royal Caribbean International with a market share of 18 percent and 24.6 per cent for the group as a whole.
MSC will have a market share of 11.8 percent and NCLH 9.7 percent.
The 2025 Cruise Industry News Annual Report is available in digital and printed formats. Order today by clicking here.
The Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees announced plans to fund an updated 20-year Strategic Master Plan and to continue to support the development of additional cruise infrastructure.
According to a press release, the plans were voted on Feb. 6, 2025, and come after a record year for cruise operations in 2024.
As the nation’s 4th-ranked cruise port, Galveston saw 3.4 million passenger movements through its three terminals last year.
The port is set to open a fourth cruise terminal in November, which will serve as a homeport for MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Galveston forecasts more than 400 sailings and almost 3.6 million passenger embarkations and debarkations will take place at the port this year.
The current master plan, adopted by the Wharves Board in 2019, includes plans to double the number of cruise terminals from two to four, to build an internal roadway to accommodate more port traffic and expand its cargo complex.
These major projects are either completed or in various stages of construction, the Galveston Wharves Board said.
“Our updated master plan will look at growth opportunities in all of our business lines – cruise, cargo and commercial,” said Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO.
“The board’s unanimous vote to support cruise infrastructure growth reflects the economic benefits that our cruise business provides and allows us to continue to invest in our cargo business,” he added.
The port’s cruise industry is a major economic engine for local and regional businesses, the Galveston Wharves Board said.
In 2023, cruise operations generated 4,547 jobs for Galveston area residents, $733 million in business revenues, $291 million in personal income and $25 million in state and local taxes.
“The updated master plan will evaluate all that we’ve accomplished to date and lay a foundation for continued growth based on new cruise and cargo forecasts and port and community goals,” Rees said.
“The master plan has served us well. It’s been our roadmap for major capital projects to grow our business and maximize port assets while managing potential community impacts.”
According to the Galveston Wharves Board, much has changed in the last five years, with the cruise business growing faster than forecast and construction costs continuing to rise.
“A big focus in the master plan update will be how we can continue to efficiently manage traffic on and around Harborside Drive as our cruise, cargo and commercial businesses grow. Our current master plan includes a 2.25-mile-long internal roadway, cueing lanes at cruise terminals and on-site parking garages,” Rees added.
The port also wants the updated plan to consider locations for the USS Texas, public areas on the waterfront and safely connecting the port’s waterfront commercial areas to downtown.
Several items in the current plan will be addressed, including dock and wharf improvements, development potential for port acreage on Pelican Island, drainage improvements and a public boardwalk, to name a few.
Master plan consultants from Bermello Ajamil and Partners Inc. will evaluate these projects, update cost estimates and identify new opportunities.
Consultants will hold workshops and public meetings to gather input from Wharves Board members, port partners and the community.
“Armed with this information, we’ll be prepared to continue to maximize our port assets and remain a strong community asset,” Rees said.
The Norwegian Bliss is currently returning to the United States following a drydock in Europe.
With the project done, the Norwegian Cruise Line vessel embarked on a trans-Atlantic crossing in England on Feb. 2, 2025.
Sailing from Southampton to Miami, the 13-night cruise is scheduled to make visits to destinations in Spain, France and Portugal before arriving in Florida.
The ship is then set to offer a weeklong cruise in the Caribbean before repositioning to the West Coast ahead of a summer deployment in Alaska and Canada.
As part of its two-week refurbishment project in Damen at Brest, the Norwegian Bliss underwent technical updates and routine maintenance, as well as class work.
The 2018-built ship also saw the creation of new public areas and venues onboard, including the Horizon Park.
Making its fleetwide debut onboard the Bliss, the new outdoor area serves as an entertainment and gathering space that offers lawn games, giant Jenga, reclining loungers for sunbathing and more.
The vessel underwent updates to its food and beverage offerings as well, with the expansion of two popular speciality dining restaurants: Cagney’s Steakhouse and Teppanyaki.
Palomar, which is described by Norwegian Cruise Line as an elevated seafood specialty dining venue, also made its debut on the ship.
After being first introduced on the Norwegian Prima in 2022, the restaurant replaced Ocean Blue onboard the Norwegian Bliss.
Other changes include updates to the vessel’s stateroom offerings, with the introduction of three-bedroom Premiere Owner’s Suites created in The Haven ship-within-a-ship complex.
These top-tier suites now include three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and a separate dining room, in addition to fully refurbished living areas, master bedrooms and outdoor balcony furnishings.
Similar to its sister ships, the Norwegian Encore and the Norwegian Joy, the Norwegian Bliss also saw part of its Observation Lounge being replaced with 26 new balcony cabins.
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