Has the cruise industry recovered from the pandemic?

1968 again

An incumbent who drops out of the race for re-election and a candidate who gets shot; this year’s US presidential election bears similarities to that of 1968. Lyndon Johnson had won the 1964 election by a landslide and was expected to win another term. But in April 1968 he withdrew from the race, under pressure over the Vietnam war and his own failing health. Vice president Hubert Humphrey was immediately touted as Johnson’s successor, although Robert Kennedy put up a strong showing in the primaries before being shot soon after winning the nomination for California. He died a day later. Less remembered about the 1968 election is how close Ronald Reagan came to being the Republican nominee – 12 years before he eventually succeeded.

Bruising for cruising

There were protests in Majorca and Alaska against cruise ships. Has the cruise industry recovered from the pandemic? Number of passengers originating on each continent:

                                    2019 / 2023

North America       15.4m