AAA says a record 22.4 million Americans will cruise in 2027

It would be the fifth record year in a row, and Port Canaveral is gaining fast. Plus, a look at the Disney Wish’s Enchanted Pumpkin Tree show for Halloween on the High Seas.

Cruising keeps getting more popular, and next year could set another record.

A record 22.4 million Americans will take ocean cruises in 2027, according to a new forecast from AAA, Cruise Hive reported Wednesday, Oct. 21. That’s a 3.6% jump over 2026.

It would be the fifth year in a row that American cruising sets a record. Here’s what AAA expects, plus a look at a Halloween show on the Disney Wish.

How many Americans will cruise in 2027?

About 22.4 million, AAA projects. The number counts Americans cruising from U.S. ports and overseas, according to Cruise Hive.

This year is running ahead of schedule, too. Last October, AAA forecast 21.7 million American cruisers for 2026. It now expects 2026 to finish above that number, Cruise Hive said.

The growth since the pandemic is huge. The 2027 forecast is 57% higher than the 14.2 million American cruisers in 2019, AAA said.

AAA made the forecast with Tourism Economics, a travel data firm owned by Oxford Economics. These are projections, not final counts, so the real 2027 total won’t be known until the year is over.

Which cruise ports are the most popular?

Miami is still No. 1. Its share of American cruisers is expected to grow from 10.2% in the 2026 forecast to 11.2% in 2027, according to Cruise Hive.

Port Canaveral in Florida is No. 2, and it’s climbing faster. Its share is projected to rise from 8.8% to 10.4%.

Barcelona, Galveston and Southampton are also gaining. Fort Lauderdale slipped a bit, from 5.6% to 5.3%, Cruise Hive reported.

Where do Americans like to cruise?

The Caribbean, by a long way. It makes up 71% of projected American cruise bookings in 2027, down slightly from 72% in last year’s forecast, according to Cruise Hive.

That small dip doesn’t mean fewer people are sailing there, since the total number of cruisers is going up. Alaska is second at 7%, the same as last year.

The Mediterranean is growing, from 5% of bookings in 2026 to 6% in 2027.

Are shorter cruises getting more popular?

Yes. Seven-night trips are still the most common, but sailings of six nights or fewer keep gaining, AAA reported.

Just 39% of American cruisers booked those shorter trips in 2019. That grew to 45% in 2025, Cruise Hive said. Royal Caribbean and Carnival have both added more short cruises in recent years.

What does this mean for Disney Cruise Line?

Demand for Disney’s newest ships is high. Disney Cruise Line opened general booking for the Disney Believe on Monday, Oct. 19, as PNP reported.

The Believe’s maiden voyage leaves Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 18, 2027. Starting prices for that five-night trip ranged from $6,444 for an inside stateroom to $17,074 for Concierge, for two guests.

Disney is also bringing the Disney Wish to New York for seven sailings in fall 2027, several with Halloween on the High Seas, as PNP reported.

What is the Disney Wish Enchanted Pumpkin Tree show?

It’s a Halloween on the High Seas show built around Boo, the Enchanted Pumpkin Tree in the Wish’s Grand Hall, WDW News Today reported. Boo was introduced during the ship’s first Halloween season in 2022.

In the story, Boo was created by the Wishing Star, which is represented by the Grand Hall’s chandelier. She gave away all her pumpkins except one, which became Cinderella’s coach.

During the show, a storyteller works with the audience to light up the pumpkins with images from Cinderella’s story. Boo wakes up, her eyes open on the trunk and she talks about wishes.

The pumpkins show the Fairy Godmother, Jaq, Gus, Lady Tremaine and the stepsisters. At the end, everyone makes a wish together.

The show runs at select times, so check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, WDWNT said. The Disney Destiny has its own pumpkin tree, Solara.

Here’s the full show, from WDWNT POV:

So if you’re thinking about a cruise in 2027, you’ll have plenty of company. Book early, especially if you’re eyeing a holiday sailing.

Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.

Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Hat Tips:

• Cruise Hive, Calvin Musquez (Oct. 21, 2026), AAA’s 2027 cruise forecast, ports, destinations and trip lengths

• WDW News Today, Shannen Ace (Oct. 21, 2026), the Disney Wish Enchanted Pumpkin Tree show

• Pirates & Princesses (Aug. 25, Oct. 8 and Oct. 21, 2026), the Disney Believe prices and booking, and the Disney Wish New York sailings

• WDWNT POV on YouTube (Oct. 18, 2026), the pumpkin tree show video

AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.