The cruise industry generated US$4.2 billion in revenue across 33 Caribbean destinations from 2023 to 2024, reflecting a 27% increase compared to 5 years prior, according to data from Business Research & Economic Advisors (BREA).
Leading the revenue were The Bahamas (US$654 million) followed by Cozumel Mexico ($483 million) and the USVI/ Virgin Islands (US$258 million).
Other top-earning destinations included the Dominican Republic (US$251 million), Saint Martin (US$237 million), and Puerto Rico (US$201 million).
In total, 29.4 million passengers visited these destinations, contributing to a combined spending of US$3.07 billion with an average spend per passenger of US$104.36. Spending per passenger rose across 26 of the 31 measured destinations, with 14 reporting averages US$100. Additionally, 3.9 million crew member visits accounted for US$229.5 million in spending.
Between 2023 and 2024, the industry supported 94,027 jobs with total wages of US$1.27 billion - a 19% rise from 2018.
Cruise shipping companies also made direct expenditures totaling US$968.3 million, averaging US$29.3 million per destination, further strengthening local economies throughout the Caribbean.