Gen Z at Sea

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The average age of cruise passengers is trending younger: a 2025 report from the Cruise Lines International Association says that people age 20 to 29 now make up 20% of cruise passengers (and growing). These cruise fans make up part of Gen Z, loosely defined as people born from 1997 to 2012.

So, if you’re a member of Gen Z, where can you find your peers at sea? Or, if you’re in a different age group but want to cruise with your favorite Gen Zer, what type of cruise should you look for? We don’t mean to generalize about a group of individuals who certainly have their own personal tastes, but some travel industry research shows that members of Gen Z tend to appreciate certain qualities in a cruise.

For example, as witnesses to the Great Recession of 2008 and the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, members of Gen Z are generally careful with money. They want good value for their vacation dollars – and that makes cruising a natural choice. Shorter cruise itineraries may best fit the time and money Gen Z has available, such as 4- to 7-day voyages to the Caribbean, Alaska, or either coast of Mexico.

Gen Z also likes cruises that are port-intensive and rich in cultural, culinary, and scenic experiences. They grew up with the internet and don’t remember a society without social media. Cruising provides an opportunity to take fun, unique photos and videos to share with friends and other followers on apps like TikTok and Instagram.

Fixed dining times and seating charts are not for Gen Z; they appreciate the flexible dining options offered by many cruise lines. Plus, they tend to be adventurous about food and enjoy trying dishes from different culinary traditions. Ships with a wide variety of dining options – such as those from Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Virgin Voyages – may be especially appealing.

Social justice and environmental sustainability are important to Gen Z, so they may look toward ships that use cleaner fuels. Some small-ship cruise lines, like Hurtigruten and Ponant, use a combination of LNG (liquefied natural gas) and batteries to power their ships. LNG also powers some newer ships from big-ship cruise lines, such as Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, MSC, and Royal Caribbean.

For more information about scenic, port-intensive, flavorful, and environmentally conscious cruising for Gen Z (and others), talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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