The cruise industry has quietly become one of the most fascinating — and technologically advanced — corners of the travel sector. Once viewed as a niche for retirees and sun-seekers, it’s now riding a powerful wave of innovation, luxury, and digital transformation. From ultra-high-end yachts to fully connected smart ships, cruising has evolved into a microcosm of where travel is headed next.

In this episode, we unpack the major trends shaping the modern cruise market — and explore what makes it such a compelling space for travelers, technologists, and investors alike.

From the luxury side of the industry, global hospitality icons like Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Belmond, and Aman are extending their brands into the water, bringing the same elevated design and service ethos that they’re known for on land.

At the same time, around-the-world itineraries and the rise of residential cruise lines — floating communities where travelers actually live aboard — are blurring the lines between hospitality, real estate, and adventure.

Then there’s the family dimension. Cruising has become a top choice for multi-generational travel — offering everything from kids’ discovery camps to Michelin-level dining for grandparents — all within a single, self-contained experience.

And while sustainability is often a buzzword across the travel industry, cruising may actually be leading the way. From LNG-powered vessels and advanced waste treatment systems to experiments with alternative fuels and onboard recycling ecosystems, major cruise operators are investing billions to minimize their environmental footprint.

But perhaps the most underappreciated story — at least for the digital crowd — is the astonishing level of connectivity that exists onboard. In many ways, cruise lines have already built what other sectors of travel are still chasing — a truly connected trip experience, where data flows across every stage of the customer journey.

In today’s conversation, we’ll bring together several leaders from across the sector to explore the forces driving this boom.

Welcome aboard!

Follows

Gilad Berenstein – host

Cara Whitehill - host

Shane Buksh — guest

Thatcher Brown — guest

Sam Chamberlain — guest

Captain Bill Wright — guest

Go Deeper

• State of the Cruise Industry Report 2025 - Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
• Inside the Strange and Lonely Test Run of a New Cruise Ship - Wall Street Journal [$]
• Next Growth Phase for Cruises and a New Sustainability Test - Skift
• Virtuoso’s New Vice President of Global Cruise Shares Current and Future Trends - Travel Age West
• Gen Z and millennials fuel cruise industry rebound - Hospitality Today