Camila Mojica took her first cruise in over a decade after seeing Virgin Voyages on TikTok.

She and her boyfriend took the trip in March to celebrate their graduate school semesters coming to an end. Mojica used to take cruises with her family but hadn’t vacationed at sea since she was about 12.

Now 24, she was drawn to Virgin for its food and its no-kids policy. “And I’d never been to the (Dominican Republic),” the Orlando-based social media manager told USA TODAY. “I’m from Puerto Rico (and) it was my first time going there, so I thought it’d be a fun little getaway.”

Mojica is among a number of Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) and millennial (born between 1981 and 1996) travelers showing increased interest in cruises, ranging from new young adult-friendly lines like Virgin to more established brands.

According to daily surveys conducted by Morning Consult Intelligence, 19% of Gen Z respondents were considering a purchase from Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, or Disney Cruise Line in March 2025, up from 15% two years prior.

That metric increased from 21% to 25% among millennials. The figures are based on results from an average sample of more than 117,000 people.

Why are Gen Z and millennial travelers setting sail?

Among travelers who cruised in the previous two years, 22% were millennials and 14% were Gen Z, according to Cruise Lines International Association’s 2024 State of the Cruise Industry Report.

Randy Marsden, Head of Cruise at Fora Travel, said many of their clients are first-time cruisers ranging from Gen Z to Gen X. According to Marsden, those guests are “basically people who … originally thought that cruising wasn't meant for them, and are now starting to see these products that are catered to them, and even seeing like the older, more established cruise lines offering new things on board to appeal to younger travelers.”

That includes Virgin Voyages. The cruise line, with its sleek design, balcony hammocks and Instagram-friendly onboard spaces, has been a hit with younger guests.

“Virgin Voyages was designed for modern travelers, which just happens to coincide with what younger generations are looking for in a vacation,” the line’s Chief Operating Officer Michelle Bentubo told USA TODAY in an email.

The cruise line’s customer base “naturally skews a bit younger,” which she attributed to the cruise line rivaling land-based vacations.

“Take dining, for example – you make reservations just like you would on land in your favorite city,” Bentubo said. “Both our culinary experiences and entertainment were designed to be bespoke and have a convivial, connective and meaningful purpose to them. We’re a little bit different in our approach and sailors love that.”

Still, Virgin has broad appeal. The line’s average age ranges from late 40s to early 50s, depending on the itinerary, according to Bentubo.

Marsden also pointed to increasingly reliable Wi-Fi as a draw, allowing young professionals to sign on from sea. Virgin, for its part, has offered cruise passes aimed at remote workers.

Fora Travel clients among those ages have shown interest in other lines, including MSC Cruises, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Four Seasons Yachts and Royal Caribbean, according to Marsden.

Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group – parent company of Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises – said one of every two customers is a millennial or younger during a July earnings call.

“This attractive traveler continues to gain share within our customer base at a faster pace than any other generation,” he said.

Virgin’s Bentubo noted, “There’s this outdated idea of cruising only appealing to older demographics, but there’s a product within the industry for everyone.”

Which cruises are most popular with younger cruisers?

That depends. Virgin’s shorter itineraries skew younger than longer sailings, according to Bentubo. The line defines short cruises as ranging from four to six nights and mid-length sailings as seven to nine nights, while longer cruises are 10 or more nights.

Norwegian Cruise Line, for its part, has seen a big jump in demand from Gen Z and millennial passengers since the first quarter of 2024 “specifically sailing Asia and South Pacific cruises as longer, port intensive voyages to immersive destinations have been on the rise for this demographic,” a spokesperson said in an email. The cruise line could not share an exact percentage for the increase.

Gen Z, millennials seek value

Younger travelers have shown interest in other major players, too. Jan Swartz, executive vice president of Strategic Operations at Carnival Corp., said demand from those passengers, including Gen Z and millennials, “has picked up in recent years.” The company’s average guest is 43 years old.

“These younger travelers are attracted to the great value cruises offer compared to land-based vacations,” she said in an email. “Cruises provide all-inclusive experiences – from fun-filled, action-packed family vacations to relaxing, indulgence-filled getaways – at an outrageous value that resonates well with younger guests looking to make their vacation dollars go further.”

The pricing model – which bundles meals, accommodations and entertainment – was part of the draw for Mojica on Virgin, too. She and her boyfriend spent around $1,200 on their five-night cruise. “And that was really worth it for me because I would have spent so much money on food in a regular place, equivalent to what I ate on that ship,” she said.

Even so, she noted that cruises are not always cheap. Younger travelers still building their careers, for instance, may gravitate toward other kinds of vacations where they have more control over individual costs.

Swartz noted Carnival Corp.’s variety of brands – including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn – also “means we have something for everyone.” For example, on Carnival – known as the “Fun Ship” with activities ranging from deck parties to Family Feud Live and onboard roller coasters – 50% of guests are millennials.

Norwegian’s spokesperson noted that the line has built its offerings with a wide range of travelers in mind. Many of the activities on the new ship, Norwegian Aqua, from its combined water slide and roller coaster to its Aqua Game Zone with both classic arcade and virtual reality offerings, “are designed for guests across many generations to be able to enjoy together,” the spokesperson said. The cruise line also expanded its solo cabin offerings and added pickleball courts amid its rise in popularity.

In addition to social media, Mojica has seen the trend play out in real life and has a friend who regularly takes cruises with lines like Virgin and Royal Caribbean. “That generation they were appealing to before, obviously they’re getting a little older, so (the cruise lines) have to start appealing to a younger audience, and I think they’re doing a good job of that.”