While industry revenues have nearly doubled over the past 10 years, carrying nearly twice as many passengers in 2002 as in 1993, passenger spending per cruise, based on estimated gross revenues, was up 11 percent in 2002 compared to 1993.

Cruise Industry News (CIN) estimated gross revenue for the North American-based cruise industry was $11.3 billion in 2002, compared to $6 billion in 1993. Thus, over a 10-year period, revenues nearly doubled as the cruise lines carried 7.6 million passengers in 2002, compared to 4.5 million in 1993.

The average spending per passenger, including cruise fare and onboard spending, was $1,486 in 2002 compared to $1,333 in 1993. According to CIN’s estimates, gross revenue per passenger was at its second lowest level in the 10-year span in 2002.