Seatrade Cruise Global 2025 celebrated its 40th anniversary with great success in Miami

Seatrade Cruise Global 2025 celebrates the conclusion of its 40th anniversary at the Miami Beach Convention Center, a significant milestone for the international cruise community. 

The event attracted more than 11,500 attendees from over 128 countries around the world, gathered in Miami, the birthplace of the global cruise industry. Leading industry professionals, cruise line executives, and more than 600 innovative exhibitors gathered to explore the future of cruising, making this year's Seatrade Cruise Global one of the best-attended editions to date.

Chiara Giorgi, Global Brand Director, comments on the event's success: “This year's Seatrade Cruise Global has been an exceptional celebration of our industry's journey over the past 40 years and has been our most inspiring edition to date. The enthusiasm and engagement of our attendees has been truly inspiring. We witnessed an incredible turnout of industry leaders and innovators passionate about forging the future of cruising. This year's inspiring discussions and groundbreaking exhibitors have highlighted the innovation, resilience, and creativity that define our industry.”

Conference Highlights
Seatrade Cruise Global 2025 offered a wide range of outstanding events, including a highly anticipated conference program. This year's theme, "Milestones," encouraged the cruise community to reflect on the evolution of the industry and anticipate future developments. The event featured 87 conference sessions, where 290 expert speakers explored emerging trends and delved into the key opportunities and challenges shaping the next era of cruise travel. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in dynamic discussions on topics ranging from evolving guest expectations to groundbreaking innovations and sustainability measures.

The inaugural session, "The State of the Global Cruise Industry," sponsored by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and held on Tuesday, April 8, brought together more than 2,500 delegates. Industry leaders shared their perspectives and expertise on the current landscape and future prospects for cruise travel, chaired by Anne Kalosh, Editor of Seatrade Cruise News. The session featured a panel of prestigious industry leaders, including Bud Darr, President and CEO of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA); Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group; Harry Sommer, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd; Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Group Cruises; and Josh Weinstein, President, CEO and Chief Climate Officer of Carnival Corporation & plc.

The panel discussed the cruise industry's biggest opportunities and challenges for 2025 and beyond, from shifts in supply and demand to opening new markets. Topics covered included record order books, AI-driven innovation, and the push toward fuels of the future. The discussion also touched on destination management, infrastructure investment, Europe's influence on policy, and Asia's growth potential.

Tomorrow's talent today

This initiative, aimed at cruise HR, training, and recruitment professionals, as well as educators and students from academic institutions related to the sector, took place on April 7. The program was designed to develop the next generation of talent in the cruise industry and offered a wide range of opportunities for those new to the sector to learn, explore opportunities, and connect with industry professionals to boost their careers.

Continuing the celebration of young talent, this year's revamped 20 Under 40 Program highlighted exceptional young talent within the global cruise industry. This initiative recognizes individuals under the age of 40 who have demonstrated significant impact, leadership, and dedication in their respective sectors, nominated by themselves or their peers.

Here you can find outstanding innovators who were celebrated.

Featured Exhibitors

The vibrant Exhibition Hall was buzzing with innovation, with more than 600 exhibitors from across the cruise industry showcasing cutting-edge products, innovative services, and cutting-edge technologies. As a testament to the show's value and impact, a diverse selection of global brands have already committed to returning in 2026, including Cachet, De Wave, DNV, DOF Robotics, Fincantieri, Port of Dover, Global Ports Holding, LG Electronics, Ports of Spain, and Bahamas.

Entertainment exhibition

New this year, attendees were treated to a feast for the senses with the Entertainment Showcase. This successful showcase provided a platform for artists to showcase their talents to prominent cruise line executives. In collaboration with talent agencies Don Casino, 2Funny Entertainment, and DCA Productions, an exceptional lineup of back-to-back performances was presented, offering a spectacular glimpse into the best of onboard entertainment.

The Retail Days – In collaboration with The Moodie Davitt Report

For the second consecutive year, Retail Days, held on April 8 and 9 in collaboration with The Moodie Davitt Report, successfully highlighted the critical role of onboard retail in enhancing the guest experience. The program included informative sessions on topics such as attracting the next generation, adopting a consumer-centric approach to cruise retail, technology adoption, and exploring key retail categories. This initiative highlighted the growing importance of retail in driving cruise line revenue and its pivotal role in the industry's evolution.

Networking with the cruise community

Seatrade Cruise Global offers a wide range of networking opportunities; from meetings in the Matchmaking Lounge, booked through the event app, to chance encounters at the Cruisin' Like it's 1985 Welcome Party, the event gave attendees the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and forge new partnerships.

Seatrade Cruise Global 2025 has once again proven to be the leading platform for driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and celebrating the cruise industry's extraordinary trajectory. Planning for the next edition is already underway, promising new advancements and continued growth for the industry.

Seatrade Cruise Global will return to the Miami Beach Convention Center from April 13-16, 2026.

Fuente: Seatrade Cruise Global.