Texas Joins Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, and California in a Cruise Tourism Boom: Record Growth and Massive Port Upgrades Set to Wow U.S. in 2025!

Published on November 21, 2025

In 2025, the U.S. cruise tourism industry is experiencing an exciting surge, with Texas joins Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, and California to make waves. These states are collectively boosting their cruise tourism sectors through record growth and massive port upgrades. Florida, already the leader in cruise tourism, continues to invest in expanding its ports, while states like Texas are rising fast with new terminal developments. From California’s international marketing campaigns to New York’s massive terminal improvements, each state is positioning itself as a top destination for cruise passengers. This collaboration ensures that 2025 will be a landmark year for cruise tourism, with more ships, more itineraries, and unforgettable experiences awaiting travelers. With port upgrades and increasing passenger traffic, these states are ready to deliver an exciting new chapter for the cruise industry.

Galveston, Texas: A Rising Cruise Hub in 2025

Texas is making significant strides in the cruise tourism industry, particularly through the expansion of Port of Galveston, which is positioning itself as a key cruise hub in the U.S. With strategic investments and an expanding infrastructure, Galveston is set to welcome even more cruise lines and passengers in 2025.

Port of Galveston Expands for Growth

In 2025, Galveston will debut its fourth cruise terminal in a $156 million expansion project, aimed at increasing its capacity to accommodate more ships and passengers. This major development underscores the port’s commitment to becoming a major player in the cruise industry, particularly with its proximity to Houston and its ability to tap into a market of 50 million potential passengers within a 12-hour drive. The expansion will allow the port to handle more cruise calls, enhancing its appeal to major cruise lines.

Solid Passenger Growth and Projections

In 2024, the Port of Galveston served over 1.5 million passengers, a solid indicator of its cruise tourism potential. For 2025, the port forecasts an increase in cruise traffic, with expectations of over 400 sailings and 1.75 million passengers. Early 2025 reports already show a 7.6% increase in passenger traffic compared to the same period in 2024, suggesting that Galveston is on track for continued growth in the cruise sector.

Cruise‑Line Partnerships and Itinerary Deals

Galveston is attracting top cruise lines, including MSC Cruises, which will homeport its ship, MSC Seascape, at the port for 2025. In addition to MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line also operate from Galveston, contributing to the port’s growth strategy. With these established cruise lines and a new terminal, Galveston is poised to become a premier cruise departure point in Texas.

Florida: The Unquestioned Titan of Cruise Tourism

Florida has been the undisputed leader in U.S. cruise tourism for years. It continues to be the epicenter of the cruise industry, and 2025 is set to be no different. The state is investing heavily in port upgrades and expanding its home-porting capabilities, making it the primary cruise hub for North America and beyond.

Port Canaveral: The Surge in Passenger Numbers

Port Canaveral, one of Florida’s crown jewels, is experiencing exponential growth. In March 2025 alone, it reported 925,994 passenger movements, marking an impressive 16% increase compared to the previous year. With the projected number of passengers reaching a staggering 8.4 million in fiscal year 2025, up from 7.6 million in 2024, Port Canaveral is on track to solidify its place as a top global cruise hub.

Home-porting for major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Carnival Cruise Line has played a pivotal role in this surge. The port’s strategic investments in infrastructure, dredging, and expansion projects ensure that it remains highly competitive in the international cruise market. Florida’s strategy focuses on creating seamless travel experiences while continuing to enhance port operations, which helps maintain its unrivaled status in global cruise tourism.

PortMiami: Crushing Records and Setting New Milestones

PortMiami, famously known as the “Cruise Capital of the World,” has continued to set and break records. In April 2025, it shattered its own record by handling 72,401 passengers in a single day. This milestone only highlights the growing appeal of the port, with 2025 seeing yet another peak in passenger numbers. Florida’s seaports collectively welcomed 22.4 million cruise passengers during the 2023-2024 fiscal year, setting a high standard for other cruise hubs across the world.

The state’s investment in new terminals, dredging projects, and additional home-porting options is paying off. Florida’s robust infrastructure and marketing efforts, combined with the state’s diverse cruising options, are contributing to its sustained dominance in cruise tourism.

Example Itinerary:

The 7-night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise departing from Port Canaveral in December 2025 is just one example of Florida’s capacity to handle popular itineraries. This cruise, offered by Royal Caribbean, highlights Florida’s unique ability to cater to high-demand routes, solidifying its role as a cruise tourism leader.

Louisiana: Expansion with Strategic Marketing and Investments

Louisiana, though not as dominant as Florida, is quickly becoming a significant player in the cruise tourism sector. The state’s growth strategy focuses on combining smart marketing with infrastructure investments to boost the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) into prominence.

Port NOLA: Growth in Passenger Movements and Strategic Campaigns

Port NOLA has seen a remarkable increase in passenger numbers, with a record 165,000 passenger movements in March 2025. The port surpassed its previous monthly high and is well-positioned to continue its upward trajectory. In 2024, it handled over 1.2 million passengers, demonstrating a strong growth trend.

Louisiana’s efforts to promote cruise tourism are bolstered by the state’s “My Louisiana” marketing campaign, which seeks to attract international tourists by highlighting the state’s rich cultural heritage and diverse attractions. This combination of cultural allure and enhanced port facilities is expected to boost the state’s cruise tourism numbers further in 2025.

Strategic Planning for Future Expansion

Louisiana’s tourism strategy for the years ahead focuses on substantial investments in both cruise tourism events and infrastructure. This forward-thinking approach is expected to bring even more international cruise visitors, with plans to make the state an increasingly attractive destination for major cruise lines.

Example Itinerary:

While specific 2025 itineraries are still emerging, Louisiana’s cruise tourism sector is already drawing major cruise lines such as Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line, ensuring the state will remain competitive as more cruise routes are developed in the coming years.

Maryland: Enhancing Convenience and Streamlining Operations

Maryland may not be the largest cruise tourism hub, but its steady and consistent growth, coupled with a strong commitment to infrastructure improvement, is positioning it as a key player in the cruise sector.

Port of Baltimore: Expanding Cruise Operations

The Port of Baltimore is undergoing a continuous expansion, with increased cruise operations and higher passenger embarkations each year. The Cruise Maryland terminal has seen a significant uptick in passengers, as major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line continue to operate from this port.

In 2025, Carnival Pride will embark on 7-night and 9-night itineraries to the Bahamas and Bermuda from the Port of Baltimore, a move that will help increase the state’s cruise tourism numbers. Maryland’s investments in port infrastructure, paired with its focus on convenience and efficiency, ensure that the state’s cruise sector continues to grow.

Strategic Investments for Growth

Maryland is focused on expanding the Cruise Maryland terminal to accommodate larger ships, allowing the state to remain competitive in an ever-growing industry. This, combined with its ongoing marketing efforts, will help Maryland solidify its place in the competitive cruise tourism market.

Example Itinerary:

Carnival Cruise Line’s 5-night Bahamas and 9-night Bermuda cruises departing from Baltimore in 2025 will offer passengers a seamless and efficient cruising experience, helping Maryland maintain its competitive edge in the market.

New York: A Modernized Approach to Cruise Tourism

New York is making significant strides in its efforts to enhance cruise tourism. The state is investing in the modernisation of its infrastructure, ensuring that it can accommodate larger ships and provide passengers with world-class cruising experiences.

Manhattan Cruise Terminal: Investing in the Future

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) has announced a comprehensive Master Plan for the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. This plan includes improvements such as shore-power electrification, replacing aging piers, and enhancing accommodations for larger vessels. These upgrades will allow New York to handle a higher volume of cruise passengers, ensuring that it remains one of the world’s top cruise destinations.

Port Expansion: A Focus on Capacity and Sustainability

New York’s strategy to expand its cruise terminals is designed to bring in new cruise lines and expand its offerings. New investments in the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, along with a new cruise terminal planned for Buffalo’s Outer Harbor, are part of New York’s ambitious plan to position itself as a top cruise tourism destination for the future.

Example Itinerary:

The Norwegian Breakaway, operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, will continue offering Caribbean and Bermuda itineraries from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal in 2025. This serves as a testament to New York’s ability to handle larger vessels and cater to a diverse array of itineraries, further solidifying its position as a competitive cruise destination.

California: Innovative Marketing and Infrastructure Upgrades

California is increasingly becoming a key player in the U.S. cruise tourism market. By investing in port upgrades and launching broad tourism marketing campaigns, the state is working to increase its cruise tourism numbers in 2025 and beyond.

Port of San Diego: Growing Partnerships for Success

The Port of San Diego has entered into a partnership with Holland America Line for the 2025-26 cruise season, marking a significant boost to the state’s cruise tourism offerings. This collaboration is expected to bring approximately 389,000 passengers, enhancing the port’s position as a major player in the industry.

Port of Los Angeles: Expanding Facilities for Larger Ships

The Port of Los Angeles continues to invest heavily in infrastructure upgrades to support larger ships. Although specific passenger counts for 2025 are not yet available, the port’s ongoing expansion suggests significant growth potential in the coming years. California’s ports are expanding their capacity to handle larger vessels and cater to a growing number of cruise passengers.

California’s Global Marketing Campaign

California has launched an international marketing campaign to target Canadian travelers, positioning the state’s major ports as key cruise departure points. The campaign promotes California’s top destinations, highlighting the stunning coastal landscapes and world-class facilities that make it a prime location for cruise tourism.

Conclusion: The Future of U.S. Cruise Tourism is Bright

In conclusion, Texas, along with Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, and California, is leading the charge in the 2025 cruise tourism boom. With record growth, massive port upgrades, and strategic investments, these states are positioning themselves as top global cruise hubs. As they enhance infrastructure and attract major cruise lines, 2025 is set to be a game-changing year for the U.S. cruise industry, offering unmatched travel experiences for all.