Study shows interest in small-ship cruising is booming

Analysis of Australian online search behaviour indicates growing interest in small-ship cruising, suggesting increasing consumer demand for more intimate cruise experiences.

The research examined four years of Australian search data from 2022 to 2025, reviewing aggregated search volumes across multiple small-ship, river and expedition cruise operators, along with broader category search terms.

Search demand for 19 small-ship and luxury cruise brands — each operating vessels carrying fewer than 250 passengers — increased by 64% over the past two years, with consistent year-on-year growth recorded across operators.

Brand searches in 2025 were 22% higher than in 2024.

Study shows interest in small-ship cruising is booming