The statistics used in this post have come from CLIA the Cruise Line International Association.
I started my cruising blog back in 2016, because I loved to cruise – but many of my friends knew nothing about cruising and weren’t willing to give it a try!
They had many preconceived ideas. They were convinced cruises were very boring, only for retirees, and that all cruises had strict dress codes and shared dining.
Some even thought that cabins didn’t have their own private bathrooms – madness!
The name of my original blog started in 2016? Cruising Isn’t Just For Old People.
I soon found that the name didn’t really work for me, it was far too hard to type accurately – Emma Cruises is far easier!
In this article we look at who was actually cruising in 2024 – and why the age range on board may surprise you.
The Average Cruise Passenger Is 46.5 Years Old
Cruising is no longer a holiday only suitable for your grandparents!
Onboard you will find a mix of families, couples and solo travellers across many generations.
Sure, some cruise lines have an older passenger demographic, but as I often say:
There is a cruise line to suit everyone, but not every cruise line will suit every person.
Emma Cruises
It is very important to choose a cruise line that suits you and your families likes and dislikes.
36% of Passengers Are Under 40
Multi generational families like mine find that a cruise is a great holiday to suit everyone, no matter their age.
On my first cruise in 2005, my Gran was in her 70s, my parents/aunties and uncles were in their forties,.
Me, my brother and my cousins ranged from 9 to 13.
My first Alaska trip onboard Norwegian Spirit was a great start to my cruising adventures. It taught me very early on what a versatile holiday cruising is.
Many other families with millennial and Gen Z age groups obviously agreed with us, and have grown up and continued to cruise with their own families.
My first cruise was with Norwegian Cruise Line, and I loved their flexible approach to dining and all the exciting things I could do onboard.
Other lines like Royal Caribbean or MSC also appeal to families because there is so much entertainment for all ages onboard.
Have a look at some of the amazing activities I tried onboard Norwegian Prima here:
Baby Boomers & Retirees
- 18% of cruisers are aged 60–69
- Only 15% are over the age of seventy.
Older cruisers tend to have more disposable income to spend, and find them a great way of seeing the world, particularly if they are less mobile than they used to be.
The fact that you only have to unpack once, and the destinations seem to come to you may make them less tiring. It also takes away all the worry of organising the travel yourself.
Some older cruisers prefer traditional, smaller cruise ships to the more modern mega ships.
Think Cunard, Holland America Line or Fred.Olsen. Of course, unless the ship is adult only, you will still find families with children onboard – but they do seem to have an older passenger demographic.
I cruised with Fred.Olsen, a traditional cruise line with an older passenger demographic. Apart from the seasickness, I loved it.
Find out more about that here:
Generation X
Generation X, born between the mid 60s and the 1980s are sandwiched in the middle of it all.
- 14% are 40–49
- 17% are 50–59
This age group are often cruising with older children/young adults – or they have left the kids at home and are looking for an adult only experience.
Two-Thirds Are Gen X or Younger
- 67% of passengers fall into the Gen X or younger bracket.
This shows just how diverse the cruise audience has become. It is a huge shift from the old stereotype of cruising just being for old people!
No matter how old you are, there is probably a cruise full of people just like you!
Before You Go
Find out why more young people than ever are cruising here:
Are Cruises For Young People? Why are more young people cruising Than Ever?
Find out my eight top choices for young adults cruises here:
8 Of The Best Cruise Lines For Young Adults – By Price
Book a Cruise (I’ve Launched My Own Travel Agency)
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That’s why in 2026, I launched my own agency and built a team of real cruise experts who love cruising as much as I do.
We combine great prices with personal service. Just click the button below and we’ll find you the perfect cruise. No request is too big or too small, we’re here to help.