The
North American cruise industry generated $35.7 billion in gross
U.S. economic output and supported 348,000 jobs in the US,
according to a Cruise Lines International Association report.
Total cruise industry
spending increased 10% in 2006, with $17.7 billion spent in direct
purchases by the cruise lines in the U.S. for goods and services,
including food, beverages, fuel, equipment, business services, port
services, vessel maintenance and repairs. That total also included
spending by crew and passengers on goods and services related to
cruising.
Embarkations from U.S.
ports increased 4%, to 9 million, and accounted for 75% of total
global embarkations. By the end of 2006, the industry's fleet had
increased to 151 vessels with a combined capacity of 249,691 lower
berths.
With indirect economic
impacts, such as transportation services to deliver finished
products to the cruise lines and utilities needed to run
manufacturing equipment, the total economic impact generated by the
industry was $35.7 billion.
Every state felt the
economic impact, but 10 states benefited from 79% of direct
purchases and 83% of total employment and income. Florida,
California, Texas, Alaska, New York, Hawaii, Georgia, Washington,
Illinois and Massachusetts were the largest recipients.
The report found that
in 2006, 12 million people worldwide took a cruise vacation, a 7%
increase over 2005. U.S. residents accounted for 78% of the
industry's total passengers.
The top 10 U.S. cruise
ports by cruise embarkations in 2006 were: Miami, Port Canaveral,
Fla.; Port Everglades, Fla.; Galveston, Texas; Los Angeles; New
York; Tampa; Long Beach, Calif.; Seattle; and Honolulu.