North American Cruise Industry’s Output Fell 12 Percent in 2009

North American cruise lines, their employees and passengers generated $35.1 billion in gross output in the U.S. last year, a 12 percent decrease from the year before, according to an annual report prepared for CLIA by Business Research & Economic Advisors.

CLIA said cruise lines responded to a poor economic environment with lower prices and other incentives. As a result, total gross revenue declined 11.4 percent. Net capacity (available bed days) among CLIA members in 2009 rose 3.8 percent. The study showed 13.4 million people cruised on CLIA member lines in 2009, a 4.8 percent increase.

Of the 13.4 million passengers, 8.9 million embarked from U.S. ports. Florida embarkations grew by nearly 3 percent, for a total of 59 percent of the U.S. total, due to gains in Port Everglades, Tampa and Jacksonville.

According to the report, direct spending increases in Massachusetts, Maine, Louisiana, Maryland and Alabama reflected increased cruise activity. Declines in Hawaii and Alaska were due to redeployment of cruise ships.