The world’s fast growing cruise source markets are Scandinavia (184.6%), Australia (130.3%), Brazil (84.8%), Germany (80.5%) and France (67.7%), according to a Cruise Lines International Association survey of its 63 member lines. CLIA estimates 21.3 million passengers cruised on member ships in 2013, and predicts a positive 2014 with 21.7 million passengers forecast.

It says fleet capacity will also grow with member lines launching 24 new ships in 2014-2015.

This will increase passenger capacity by 37,546 and bring the CLIA fleet total to 410 ships.

North America remains by far and away the world’s biggest cruise market (55% passenger source share) and is still growing strongly with a 15% increase over the past five years.

Australia is ranked in the top five with a 3.6% market share and 130% growth since 2009.

Only the Scandinavia and Finland region recorded a higher growth rate (184%.

Australasia also sits among the top four cruise destinations in terms of ship deployments, CLIA said.

Australia and New Zealand now account for 6% of all global itineraries, behind the Caribbean (37%), the Mediterranean (19%) and Northern Europe (11%).

CLIA Australasia General Manager Brett Jardine said:  “Cruising just keeps going from strength to strength down under and we look forward to another big year ahead.”

Top Ten CLIA Cruise Passenger Source Markets in 2013: