A quiet revolution is underway in the world of cruise research. As cruise ships have grown from modest vessels to floating cities, the industry has not only expanded in scale but also in complexity.
Passengers projected in 2025
The global cruise sector is booming, with passenger numbers projected to reach 37.7 million in 2025, a staggering increase from just 9.9 million in 2001 1 . This growth has sparked equally rapid evolution in how scientists study the industry's impacts and trends. Welcome to the world of international cruise research powered by literature big data—a field where sophisticated analysis of thousands of research publications is helping us understand everything from passenger behavior to environmental sustainability, creating a smarter, more responsible future for marine tourism.
To understand where cruise research is going, scientists first needed to map where it has been. Using a powerful technique called bibliometric analysis, researchers have systematically examined over 400 scientific publications from 1996 to 2019, transforming them into a visual "knowledge map" that reveals hidden patterns and connections within the field 1 .
Fewer than 4 studies published per year
About 11 annual publications
Nearly 47 studies published each year 1
North American countries, particularly the United States, have led in both publication volume and research influence 1 .
| Region | Publication Contribution | Key Contributing Countries |
|---|---|---|
| North America | High (27% from US alone) | United States, Canada |
| Europe | High | Italy, Spain, Greece, UK |
| Asia | Growing | China, South Korea |
| Other Regions | Emerging | Australia, South America |
As the cruise industry has expanded, so too have the questions researchers are asking. The bibliometric analysis has identified several concentrated "hotspots" where scientific inquiry is most active 1 .
Studies examining what motivates people to choose cruise vacations and their satisfaction levels.
Examination of how Asian markets differ from traditional Western ones and their unique challenges.
The demographic profile of cruisers is evolving, with the average age dropping to 46.5 in 2025 from 50.4 in 2019 4 .
Studies on cruise diseases and risk management, particularly significant post-COVID-19.
Examines how infectious diseases spread in cruise environments and effective protection measures 1 .
| Research Area | Key Focus Questions | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise Tourism & Passenger Experience | What drives passenger satisfaction? How do different demographics experience cruises? | Essential for industry growth and customer retention |
| Environmental Impacts | How do cruises affect marine ecosystems? What sustainability measures are most effective? | Critical for environmental protection and regulatory compliance |
| Asian Market Development | What unique challenges and opportunities exist in Asian markets? | Important for understanding emerging markets |
| Luxury & Expedition Cruising | How are specialized cruise segments evolving? | Reveals industry diversification and premium experiences |
To understand how modern cruise research works, let's examine a landmark study that used big data to solve a very visible problem: urban traffic congestion caused by cruise activities.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the cruise industry was one of the fastest-growing sectors of tourism, with passenger numbers increasing by 67% between 2009 and 2019 5 . This growth created significant challenges for port cities, particularly regarding traffic congestion in already-crowded urban areas.
While the relationship between cruise activity and congestion was frequently discussed, there was little empirical evidence quantifying the problem—until researchers turned to big data for answers.
An international team of researchers designed an innovative approach that combined two massive datasets:
By analyzing these datasets together for 2019, researchers compared traffic patterns on days when cruise ships were present versus when they were not.
in areas immediately surrounding port terminals 5
| Data Type | Source | Observations Collected | Information Provided |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Identification System (AIS) | Ship Transponders | 10+ million | Ship location, identity, speed, docking status |
| Crowdsourced Traffic Data | Waze App | 68 million | Real-time traffic speed, congestion alerts, road closures |
The findings were striking: cruise activity caused an average 12% increase in urban congestion in the areas immediately surrounding port terminals 5 . This congestion spike occurred because multiple dynamics converge simultaneously when a ship docks:
The study also revealed that the congestion wasn't evenly distributed throughout the day but followed specific temporal patterns aligned with cruise ship schedules. The disembarkation process proved particularly disruptive, as passengers typically exit the ship simultaneously, creating sudden surges in transportation demand 5 .
This research demonstrated how big data could move the discussion beyond anecdotes to precise measurements, providing city planners and port authorities with empirical evidence to design targeted interventions.
Modern cruise researchers employ an array of sophisticated tools that go far beyond traditional surveys and observations. These technologies allow scientists to analyze the cruise industry with unprecedented scope and precision.
Software like CiteSpace transforms thousands of research articles into visual knowledge maps, identifying emerging trends and collaborative networks 1 .
Automatic Identification System data provides detailed information about ship routes, docking times, and port activities across the global fleet 5 .
Platforms like Waze provide real-time information about urban conditions, offering multidimensional insights into cruise impacts 5 .
Natural language processing applied to platforms like Twitter and review sites gauges public opinion about cruise experiences 3 .
As the cruise industry continues to evolve, so too does the research agenda. Bibliometric analysis has helped identify several emerging frontiers that will likely define the next decade of cruise research 1 .
Studies examining alternative fuels, energy efficiency, waste management, and ecosystem impacts.
Research on complex logistics spanning multiple countries and sectors, including manufacturing, tourism, finance, and logistics 1 .
Could optimize operations while minimizing environmental footprints.
Studies on implementation of the "Internet of Things", smart cabin technologies, and augmented reality experiences 1 .
Examines how digital innovation enhances passenger experiences while improving operational efficiency and safety.
Research on how the cruise industry can better prepare for and respond to health emergencies, natural disasters, and other disruptions 1 .
Particularly important in light of the COVID-19 pandemic experience.
As Asia represents one of the fastest-growing cruise markets globally, understanding its unique characteristics, challenges, and opportunities remains a high priority for both academics and industry leaders 1 .
The application of big data to cruise research has transformed our understanding of this complex industry, moving beyond speculation to evidence-based insights. By analyzing patterns across thousands of studies, researchers have identified the field's intellectual currents, collaboration networks, and emerging frontiers. Through innovative approaches like the congestion study, scientists are providing practical solutions to real-world problems while helping stakeholders balance economic benefits against social and environmental costs.
As the cruise industry sets sail toward a future marked by sustainable innovation and technological integration, big data will serve as its compass—guiding decisions, illuminating trends, and ensuring that this vibrant sector can continue to deliver memorable experiences to passengers while contributing positively to the destinations it visits. The journey of discovery has just begun, and each new dataset promises to reveal fascinating new vistas in our understanding of this dynamic industry.