There are 51 ocean cruise lines and 27 river cruise lines. Cruise lines are either for sea or river, and distinct from passenger lines, which only transport passengers.   Cruise lines provide entertainment, food, tours, etc.   They carried 31.7 million passengers in 2023. 18 million from North America. 7.7 million from Western Europe. 35.7 million total expected in 2024. Other fast-facts. Global economic impact in 2019 = $154.5 billion. 34% of all passengers in the Caribbean and 18% in the Meditarranean. Largest ports in million passengers per year. Miami  5.1 Port Canaveral  4.3 Cozumel  3.9 Port Everglades  3.5 Nassau  3.3 Shanghai  3.3 Barcelona  2.5 Civitacchia  2.4 Pursuing net zero carbon emissions by 2050. 47,000 travel agent members. #1 is Carnival Corporation, operating over 100 ships under this name, plus Holland American, Princess, Seabourn, P&O, Costa Cruises and Aida.  Carries 42% of all cruise passengers, with 37.1% of total revenues. #2 is Royal Caribbean Group, 23.6

   Day 4 Saturday, only 2335 steps. Then on Sunday, caught a taxi to Pier 66, Port of Seattle.  The Norwegian Encore. Normally, check-in takes an hour or two or more.  Taxi took us to baggage, where the porter handled it.  I had a walking cane, so I noticed that if you looked old with a cane, you can insinuate yourself into the priority lane, which usually has almost no one.  The standard line had at least 100 yards of people waiting to proceed.  In only a few minutes, we were whisked through the process. Our first lunch.  Mine included roasted tomato soup and a blue-cheese wedge salad, with a Chardonnay and Johnny Walker Black Label.  We bought the liquor package that allows up to 15 drinks/person/day. Walked around.  Takes a while to get anywhere, for there are 20 decks, and hallways are really long. The ship was supposed to depart at 4pm, so we sat at the front of the Observatory Deck to have the best view to sea.  Gooney Bird.  I think. I had Dewars White Label on rocks to start.