The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) this week presented figures that point to a strong rise of cruise lines tourism in 2015, based on current bookings.

In 2015, theestimates show 23 million passengers travelling on cruise ships, while 61% of tour operators in North America report a hike in bookings for 2015 compared to last year. Cruises increasingly attract tourists since 1,000 new exotic destinations have been added to itineraries, especially in the emerging Asian market.

CLIA also revealed that cruise companies will invest more than four US$ billion in 2015, for 22 new ocean-liners, riverboats, explorer liners and vessels belonging to various other categories.