The number of cruise ships operating globally is a metric used to gauge the size and health of the cruise industry. It represents the total number of passenger-carrying vessels that offer multi-day voyages to various destinations.
Knowing the number of cruise ships is important for understanding the industry's capacity, potential economic impact, and environmental footprint. It also serves as a benchmark for comparing the size and growth of different cruise lines and assessing the overall health of the sector. Historically, the number of cruise ships has steadily increased over the years, driven by growing demand for vacation cruises and the introduction of new, larger vessels.