CruiseStar
How many cruise ships are operating, how much capacity do they hold, and are mega-ships taking over the fleet? This focused reference uses CLIA's latest fleet and environmental datasets to give writers clear, citable answers. For passenger volume and demographics, use the broader cruise industry statistics roundup, then browse individual ships in CruiseStar's catalog.
Last reviewed September 14, 2026. CLIA members represent about 91% of global oceangoing lower-berth capacity, so these are broad industry indicators rather than a registry of every passenger vessel.
Cruise ship fleet numbers at a glance
- CLIA projected 325 member oceangoing ships in service during 2026
- Those ships represent about 690,000 lower berths
- The 2025 fleet contained 310 ships and 637,847 lower berths
- 106 ships, or 34.2% of the 2025 fleet, had fewer than 1,000 lower berths
- 119 ships, or 38.4%, had 1,000 to 2,999 lower berths
- 85 ships, or 27.4%, had at least 3,000 lower berths
- The 2025 fleet's average age was 15.2 years
- CLIA's March 2026 orderbook listed 60 oceangoing ships through 2037
The 2026 estimate comes from CLIA's 2026 industry report announcement. Historical details come from the 2025 environmental technologies and practices dataset.
How many cruise ships are there in 2026?
CLIA expected its member lines to operate 325 oceangoing ships with roughly 690,000 lower berths in 2026. Lower berths measure two guests per cabin where applicable; they are not the same as maximum occupancy, which can include third and fourth passengers in a room.
The comparable 2025 environmental profile counted 310 ships and 637,847 lower berths. CLIA said its members represented about 90% of global oceangoing capacity in that edition. A global total that includes nonmembers will therefore be higher than the member-fleet count.
Most cruise ships are not mega-ships
In the 2025 fleet, 106 ships had fewer than 1,000 lower berths, 119 carried 1,000 to 2,999, and 85 carried 3,000 or more. That means 72.6% of vessels were small or midsize by CLIA's categories, while 27.4% were large ships.
Large ships carry a disproportionate share of passengers, which is why the ships people see most often in advertisements can make the whole fleet look bigger than it is. Compare actual onboard differences in Icon of the Seas vs Oasis of the Seas, rather than assuming every modern ship has the same scale.
Cruise ship orderbook statistics
CLIA's March 2026 orderbook showed 60 oceangoing ships with about 193,000 lower berths scheduled from 2026 through 2037, representing approximately $71 billion in investment. The 2026 delivery class included eight oceangoing vessels and three coastal vessels, adding about 20,600 lower berths at a stated investment of $6.6 billion.
An orderbook is not the same as net fleet growth. Older ships can leave service, projects can move, and delivery dates can change. Writers should preserve the report date and call these scheduled or expected ships rather than ships already operating.
Cruise fleet age and capacity
The average age of the CLIA fleet was 15.2 years at the start of 2025. Average age does not describe the age of the typical passenger's ship because large new vessels can carry far more guests than small older ships.
Capacity also depends on the definition. Lower berths generally mean double occupancy, while maximum guest capacity includes additional berths. Use one measure consistently when comparing ships or fleets.
Fuel-flexible engines and shore power
CLIA counted 19 ships capable of using LNG as their primary propulsion fuel in its 2025 reporting, representing 6.7% of reporting ships but 12.6% of reporting capacity. The capacity share is larger because the technology is concentrated in newer, larger vessels.
More than 61% of the CLIA fleet was equipped for shore power in 2025, with the share projected to reach 72% by 2028. A shore-power-ready ship can switch off engines in port only where the terminal has compatible electrical infrastructure.
Water and wastewater systems
The 2025 dataset said 279 ships, 98.2% of reporting vessels, could produce fresh water onboard. It also tracks advanced wastewater treatment, ballast-water management, exhaust systems, and other equipment by both vessel count and capacity.
Technology installed on a ship is not proof that it operates in the same mode on every itinerary. Fuel availability, port infrastructure, maintenance, and local requirements all affect use, so capability and utilization should remain separate claims.
How to cite these fleet statistics
Name CLIA as the underlying source, include the measurement year, and say 'CLIA-member fleet' when precision matters. Suggested citation: CruiseStar, 'Cruise ship fleet statistics 2026: size, capacity, and orderbook data,' updated September 14, 2026.