GITNUXREPORT 2025

Digital Transformation In The Cruise Industry Statistics

Cruise industry embraces digital transformation to enhance passenger experience and safety.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

55% of cruise companies have adopted artificial intelligence (AI) for customer service automation

Statistic 2

72% of cruise operators use data-driven marketing campaigns based on passenger preferences

Statistic 3

80% of cruise lines utilize predictive maintenance systems for vessel upkeep and safety

Statistic 4

40% of cruise ships are using data analytics to optimize fuel efficiency and route planning

Statistic 5

78% of cruise passengers prefer to use digital channels for their bookings and inquiries

Statistic 6

58% of cruise companies have implemented contactless payment systems onboard

Statistic 7

70% of recent cruise bookings are made through online platforms

Statistic 8

60% of cruise operators use virtual reality (VR) for marketing and virtual ship tours

Statistic 9

52% of cruise companies are experimenting with blockchain for secure data sharing and payments

Statistic 10

35% of cruise ships have implemented facial recognition technology for crew and passenger identification

Statistic 11

55% of onboard staff use digital tablets for operational tasks and guest service management

Statistic 12

49% of cruise companies are developing or utilizing apps for managing onboard health and safety protocols

Statistic 13

90% of cruise line executives see digital transformation as critical for future growth

Statistic 14

57% of crew members are trained using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) tools for maritime safety and operations

Statistic 15

47% of cruise ships are equipped with advanced cybersecurity measures to prevent onboard cyberattacks

Statistic 16

61% of cruise companies plan to increase their digital transformation budgets in the next year

Statistic 17

36% of cruise lines use digital twin technology to simulate ship operations and improve maintenance

Statistic 18

44% of cruise companies have adopted cloud computing solutions to streamline operations and data management

Statistic 19

58% of cruise ships now include digital health monitoring systems for passengers

Statistic 20

55% of cruise companies are investing in training crew members on digital tools and systems

Statistic 21

69% of cruise lines are exploring or implementing green digital technologies to reduce emissions

Statistic 22

50% of cruise lines are developing virtual assistants to handle passenger inquiries

Statistic 23

45% of cruise ships have integrated IoT sensors to monitor ship systems and passenger safety

Statistic 24

49% of cruise companies are investing in automation technologies to reduce onboard labor costs

Statistic 25

58% of cruise ships now feature automated check-in kiosks, reducing boarding times

Statistic 26

54% of cruise liners are exploring automation of cabin management systems for energy efficiency

Statistic 27

65% of cruise lines have invested in mobile app development to enhance guest experience

Statistic 28

74% of cruise passengers value real-time communication updates via onboard apps

Statistic 29

80% of cruise lines are utilizing big data analytics to personalize passenger experiences

Statistic 30

88% of cruise passengers expect their onboard Wi-Fi to be reliable and fast

Statistic 31

65% of cruise lines report increased revenue due to digital upselling strategies via onboard apps

Statistic 32

67% of passengers are more likely to book a cruise with digital check-in options

Statistic 33

43% of passengers are interested in virtual reality excursions and port tours before their cruise

Statistic 34

65% of cruise companies have integrated social media platforms for customer engagement and support

Statistic 35

60% of cruise passengers want more personalized experiences facilitated by digital tools

Statistic 36

66% of passengers express a preference to use digital menus and ordering systems for dining

Statistic 37

75% of cruise passengers use mobile devices to access onboard entertainment options

Statistic 38

69% of passengers reported that digital engagement enhances their onboard experience

Statistic 39

62% of cruise operators are deploying AI chatbots for guest inquiries and support

Statistic 40

81% of cruise passengers are open to augmented reality (AR) experiences during their voyage

Statistic 41

73% of cruise passengers actively use social media to share their travel experiences

Statistic 42

49% of cruise ships have implemented onboard digital marketplaces for shopping and services

Statistic 43

63% of cruise passengers prefer digital check-in and e-documents over paper forms

Statistic 44

67% of cruise companies have digitalized their customer feedback collection processes

Statistic 45

52% of passengers have experienced mobile-enabled safety briefings and instructions

Slide 1 of 45

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

78% of cruise passengers prefer to use digital channels for their bookings and inquiries
65% of cruise lines have invested in mobile app development to enhance guest experience
58% of cruise companies have implemented contactless payment systems onboard
70% of recent cruise bookings are made through online platforms
74% of cruise passengers value real-time communication updates via onboard apps
45% of cruise ships have integrated IoT sensors to monitor ship systems and passenger safety
80% of cruise lines are utilizing big data analytics to personalize passenger experiences
60% of cruise operators use virtual reality (VR) for marketing and virtual ship tours
55% of cruise companies have adopted artificial intelligence (AI) for customer service automation
88% of cruise passengers expect their onboard Wi-Fi to be reliable and fast
65% of cruise lines report increased revenue due to digital upselling strategies via onboard apps
52% of cruise companies are experimenting with blockchain for secure data sharing and payments
67% of passengers are more likely to book a cruise with digital check-in options

As the cruise industry sets sail into the digital age, recent data reveals that an astounding 78% of passengers prefer booking and querying via digital channels, while 80% expect fast, reliable onboard Wi-Fi—signaling a transformative wave where technology is redefining the voyage experience from booking to port and beyond.

Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence

55% of cruise companies have adopted artificial intelligence (AI) for customer service automation
72% of cruise operators use data-driven marketing campaigns based on passenger preferences
80% of cruise lines utilize predictive maintenance systems for vessel upkeep and safety
40% of cruise ships are using data analytics to optimize fuel efficiency and route planning

Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Interpretation

While the cruise industry is boldly sailing into the digital age with AI-powered customer service, data-driven marketing, predictive maintenance, and route optimization, it's clear that navigating the high seas of technological innovation requires both a steady hand and a compass tuned to data.

Digital Transformation and Technologies Adoption

78% of cruise passengers prefer to use digital channels for their bookings and inquiries
58% of cruise companies have implemented contactless payment systems onboard
70% of recent cruise bookings are made through online platforms
60% of cruise operators use virtual reality (VR) for marketing and virtual ship tours
52% of cruise companies are experimenting with blockchain for secure data sharing and payments
35% of cruise ships have implemented facial recognition technology for crew and passenger identification
55% of onboard staff use digital tablets for operational tasks and guest service management
49% of cruise companies are developing or utilizing apps for managing onboard health and safety protocols
90% of cruise line executives see digital transformation as critical for future growth
57% of crew members are trained using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) tools for maritime safety and operations
47% of cruise ships are equipped with advanced cybersecurity measures to prevent onboard cyberattacks
61% of cruise companies plan to increase their digital transformation budgets in the next year
36% of cruise lines use digital twin technology to simulate ship operations and improve maintenance
44% of cruise companies have adopted cloud computing solutions to streamline operations and data management
58% of cruise ships now include digital health monitoring systems for passengers
55% of cruise companies are investing in training crew members on digital tools and systems
69% of cruise lines are exploring or implementing green digital technologies to reduce emissions
50% of cruise lines are developing virtual assistants to handle passenger inquiries

Digital Transformation and Technologies Adoption Interpretation

As the cruise industry navigates the digital seas, with 78% favoring online booking and 90% of executives seeing digital transformation as vital for growth, it's clear that embracing cutting-edge tech—from VR ship tours to blockchain security—is no longer optional but essential for smooth sailing in the digital era.

Operational Efficiency and Automation

45% of cruise ships have integrated IoT sensors to monitor ship systems and passenger safety
49% of cruise companies are investing in automation technologies to reduce onboard labor costs
58% of cruise ships now feature automated check-in kiosks, reducing boarding times
54% of cruise liners are exploring automation of cabin management systems for energy efficiency

Operational Efficiency and Automation Interpretation

As the cruise industry navigates the digital seas, nearly half are harnessing IoT to bolster safety and efficiency, while automation steadily steers them toward calmer, cost-effective waters—charting a course where onboard convenience and operational costs are both sailing smoothly.

Passenger Experience and Engagement

65% of cruise lines have invested in mobile app development to enhance guest experience
74% of cruise passengers value real-time communication updates via onboard apps
80% of cruise lines are utilizing big data analytics to personalize passenger experiences
88% of cruise passengers expect their onboard Wi-Fi to be reliable and fast
65% of cruise lines report increased revenue due to digital upselling strategies via onboard apps
67% of passengers are more likely to book a cruise with digital check-in options
43% of passengers are interested in virtual reality excursions and port tours before their cruise
65% of cruise companies have integrated social media platforms for customer engagement and support
60% of cruise passengers want more personalized experiences facilitated by digital tools
66% of passengers express a preference to use digital menus and ordering systems for dining
75% of cruise passengers use mobile devices to access onboard entertainment options
69% of passengers reported that digital engagement enhances their onboard experience
62% of cruise operators are deploying AI chatbots for guest inquiries and support
81% of cruise passengers are open to augmented reality (AR) experiences during their voyage
73% of cruise passengers actively use social media to share their travel experiences
49% of cruise ships have implemented onboard digital marketplaces for shopping and services
63% of cruise passengers prefer digital check-in and e-documents over paper forms
67% of cruise companies have digitalized their customer feedback collection processes
52% of passengers have experienced mobile-enabled safety briefings and instructions

Passenger Experience and Engagement Interpretation

With over 80% of cruise lines leveraging big data and 88% expecting reliable Wi-Fi, the industry is steering towards a digital voyage where seamless connectivity and personalized experiences are no longer luxury but the new standard—making it clear that in the cruise industry, staying offline is the real obstacle.