The Caribbean continues to be the backbone of the cruise industry with 42 percent of the global cruise capacity deployed in 2026, up 12 percent from 2025, and with a record 16.5 million guests, according to the 2026 Cruise Industry News Annual Report
This year, more than 200 ships from more than 40 cruise lines sail in the Caribbean, departing from 11 different U.S. ports in addition to Caribbean turn-around ports, including San Juan, Bridgetown, Pointe-a-Pitre, Fort de France and La Romana.
The Caribbean growth is supported by the expansion of the homeports with additional and larger terminals, as well as the development of more and enhanced private island destinations in the Bahamas, and the expansion and upgrades of many ports of call.
Royal Caribbean International is the largest brand in the Caribbean in terms of guest capacity with a 30 percent market share and 67 percent of capacity deployed there.
Carnival Cruise Line is second largest with a 25 percent market share and 71 percent of its guest capacity deployed in the Caribbean.
MSC Cruises is third largest with a 10 percent market share and 37 percent of its capacity, followed by Norwegian Cruise line also with a 10 percent market share and 53 percent of its capacity deployed.
Norwegian Cruise Line has the highest year-over-year capacity increase with 55 percent; MSC has a 23 percent increase from 2025; Royal Caribbean, 9 percent; and Carnival 0.2 percent.
With its proximity to the United States, which is by far the largest cruise market, ease of access, agreeable climate and infrastructure, the Caribbean has commanded the lion’s of the market ever since the modern industry launched out of Miami in 1966 and that trend is expected to continue.
