Source: adapted from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
The Caribbean and the Mediterranean are regional and complementary markets accounting for more than 70% of the global capacity of the cruising industry (measured in bed-days). They are complementary in the sense that the Caribbean is dominantly serviced during the winter while the Mediterranean experiences a summer peak season. An important factor behind the popularity of both the Caribbean and Mediterranean is that the distances between port calls are relatively short and involve a wide variety of cultural experiences.