carnivalcruise

 

Though Florida takes an overwhelming share of the amount of cruise embarkations in the U.S.–a staggering 60%–California’s chunk of the share has largely been driven by Long Beach, according to an industry study on North American cruise companies. Long Beach was the only California port to make the top 10. 

With 457,000 embarkations in 2012, the Port of Long Beach, which accounts for 55% of California’s cruise passengers, saw a 12% increase in activity. The only other California port that experienced an increase last year, San Francisco, saw a dramatic 35% rise in passengers due to the growing popularity of the Alaska market.

However, California’s share as a whole dropped for the fourth consecutive year with a 7% decline in passenger boardings. Having fell below one million passenger mark for the first time in in 2011 since 2003, it also did again in 2012 with only 837,000. The reason is a reduction in capacity for those wishing to take part in the western Mexico market, largely impacting the San Diego and Los Angeles ports. San Diego saw a 27% decline in embarkations while Los Angeles saw a 30% decline.

Long Beach’s cruise industry growth is expected to continue as Carnival announced in December of 2012 that it would be bring an additional ship to the port, increasing its passenger capacity and bring 104 more calls per year to the city.  

Read more:

2012 North American Cruise Industry Economic Study (Exec Summary)