How Many Passengers Does The Average Cruise Ship Hold?

The average passenger capacity of a cruise ship is around 3,000 guests for ocean liners and 150 guests for larger river ships. The age distribution of passengers on a cruise ship greatly impacts the age distribution. Most major cruise lines operate ships with varying capacities, from grand mega ships to smaller intimate vessels. Factors determining the average number of passengers on a cruise ship include double occupancy, which refers to the standard number of passengers, and the weight of the ship.

The typical capacity of a cruise ship is 6,000 passengers, with most ships weighing 134,000 gross tons on average. As cruise ships become larger and more attractions are added, this number may increase. As of July 2024, there are 69 passenger ships with over 135,000 GT in service, with the first ships over that size being the Voyager-class from Royal Caribbean Group.

As of November 2022, there were 302 cruise ships operating worldwide, with a combined capacity of 664,602 passengers. Cruising has become a major part of the industry, and the average passenger capacity of a cruise ship is expected to grow steadily until 2026. Mega-ships have a space ratio of 29, similar to the recently retired Carnival.

In summary, the cruise industry has experienced significant growth in passenger capacity, with the largest ship, Symphony of the Seas, holding around 3,000 passengers.