It’s actually no surprise at all to see cruise lines now tapping into the gaming industry to stay ahead. But, well, this is not an entirely new idea. After all, who will not want to take advantage of an industry like gaming that, according to GlobeNewswire, has a market size of more than $221.24? And that’s not all. The institution believes the sector will continue to grow at a CAGR of about 6.5% in the next few years, which is partly because of the rise of engaging games like Aviator.
Think of a scenario where you’re lounging on a sun-drenched deck, a gentle sea breeze brushing against your face as you engage in some aviation-themes games like Aviator. Or better still, imagine participating in competitive esports tournaments with other players as you experience endless ocean stretches through the ship’s window. This is definitely something many gamers would like, and thankfully, it’s already happening.
Where have we come from?
Well, as we have already mentioned, themed cruises are not a thing of yesterday. For those who’re so much into hard rock music and partying, you must have heard about Kriss Kruise. At times, this ship would sail around the Caribbean for about seven days, with up to 2,300 fans enjoying this music genre on board. It hasn’t been different for the gaming industry.
In fact, with the continued popularity of online platforms, cruise lines now have new ways of engaging travellers. For example, we may see several adopting popular online games like Aviator to make the sailing experience even more immersive. By the way, are you actually aware that this game alone has over 12 million monthly players? This is such a huge number to ignore.
Of course, we can’t ignore the contributions of companies like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line that have dabbled in gaming events in the past. Actually, just recently, Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed a partnership with Light & Wonder that would see progressive table games come to its fleet.
According to the company’s vice president, Ian Donald, this collaboration would help them link gaming experiences across their vessels and help them provide guests with more excitement and entertainment. These sentiments agreed with Niaz Nejad, the gaming company’s managing director, who confirmed that they prioritized offering engaging gaming experiences both on land and at sea.
Another partnership of this kind happened towards the end of last year (2024) when Aristocrat Gaming collaborated with Princess Cruises. Now, for those who love thematic slot games, this is something worth your consideration. The partnership brings themed slot gaming zones, popularly known as Buffalo Zones, to the sea.
Why are gaming cruises a hit?
We have already hinted at how gaming has become popular, with titles like Aviator drawing the attention of millions of fans. In fact, this is no longer a niche hobby – it’s become a mainstream passion, and cruise lines seem to understand this quite well. Have we mentioned that Exploding Topics approximates the number of gamers worldwide to be more than 3.32 billion?
This already gives cruise lines a significant opportunity to attract new audiences to their fleet. Actually, by integrating games, they are able to cater to a demographic that’s often overlooked by traditional vacation offerings. But you can actually be sure that it’s not just about the games.
A recent Statista survey revealed that up to 82% of respondents had made new friends through gaming. Now, these cruises offer a unique opportunity to connect with new communities. Well, as much as you may be used to online interactions, these cruises offer a very rare opportunity for game interactions. Think of it this way: You are discussing a popular aviation-themed game like Aviator or teaming up for a League of Legends match over the waters. The experience must just be one of a kind.
To make matters even better, some of these cruise lines can allow you to meet your favorite streamers through their lineup of special guests. It’s like playing Call of Duty alongside Symfuhny, who’s been playing Modern Warfare II and Warzone 2.0 since they were released. Such rare opportunities can feature exclusive content like sneak peeks at upcoming releases – a level of access that’s hard to find anywhere else.
What can we expect in the future?
Seeing many industries tapping into the growing popularity of gaming should not surprise you at all. With almost 40% of the world’s population in this industry, you’d definitely want to provide experiences that align with its fans. Plus, don’t forget that more people may actually join the sector, given its continued innovation. For instance, who ever thought that integrating aviation themes through games like Aviator would ever be possible? However, that is already happening and could encourage the sector’s growth even further.
Therefore, it follows that as the gaming industry evolves, cruise lines will also follow suit by adopting high-speed internet and advanced gaming setups to offer more engaging experiences. And, of course, we can’t fail to mention the aspect of inclusiveness, where cruises will be able to cater to diverse audiences, from families to solo cruises.
As you can actually see, gaming-themed cruises offer an unprecedented level of immersion. After all, where else can you enjoy a sunset over the ocean while your team secures a victory in Apex Legends? By bringing gamers together in such a unique setting, these cruises create memories that last long after the ship docks.
