Cruise crews: Most ships have 1 staff member for 2-3 guests

9/9/23 8:00PM

Seas the day

‍Interestingly, the more costly cruises seem to be the ones that are really setting sail, with the luxury cruise market expecting to carry over 1 million guests in 2023, up from 600,000 in 2019. Customers appear willing to trade up for a voyage that’s a tad more bon, perhaps fitting the trend of what some have called "revenge travel". Some of the most sophisticated ships even offer a personal butler service and access to the only Nobu at sea.

But, apart from fine dining or particularly exotic locations, the biggest differentiator when you’re out at sea? How many crew members there are to help you have the time of your life. Data from Cruisewatch reveals that most cruise ships have to maintain at least 1 crew member for every 2-3 passengers.

More hands on deck

‍The largest cruise ships in the world tend to fit right in that sweet spot between 2 and 3 passengers per crew member. Royal Caribbean’sOasis of the Seas hosts a crew of 2,395 for its 5,400 customer capacity, a passenger-crew ratio of 2.3. At the smaller end of the cruise ship spectrum, boats like the Crystal Esprit — a boutique, all-suite ship that was sold by Crystal Cruises in its 2021 offering — afford an unrivaled level of service, boasting 1.5x as many crew members as guests.

‍Cruising back

‍Although many had to take extraordinary measures to weather the storm, the share prices of the “big 3” — Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line — have all soared this year, up 92%, 100% and 37% respectively. Although not everyone's first choice of vacation, the combination of travel, entertainment and relaxation all rolled into one package was, in hindsight, probably a cocktail that would always be desirable. Reports of the death of cruises were greatly exaggerated.

Jake Lahut

PAIN AT THE PUMP

4/29/26

Analyst: US could see $5 gas by Memorial Day, $6 per gallon on the table

Gas could hit $5 per gallon by Memorial Day, $6 by later in the summer: “Nothing’s impossible at this point.”

Gas station in front of the Gordie Howe International Bridge under construction.

Tom Jones4/29/26

The UAE’s OPEC exit will hit the group in the barrels

After just shy of 60 years in OPEC, its membership even predating its status as a nation-state, the United Arab Emirates yesterday announced its shocking departure from the oil production group, effective May 1, as the knock-on effects of the Iran war continue to play out across the Middle East and the energy landscape.

For context, the UAE produces the third-highest amount of oil in the group, per April data and OPEC’s latest set of annual statistics.

According to the cartel’s 2025 Annual Statistical Bulletin, the OPEC group was collectively exporting some 19 million barrels of crude oil a day last year, with the United Arab Emirates accounting for some 14% of that daily output.

UAExit means UAExit

The nation, whose energy minister told Reuters yesterday that the decision was taken “after a careful look at current and future policies related to level of production” and wasn’t made following discussions with any other country, made up a healthy share of the group’s total confirmed crude oil reserves, as well.

Of the 12 nations in the core group, which was founded by just five oil superpowers back in September 1960, only two (Iraq and Saudi Arabia) exported more barrels of crude oil daily, pumping out 3.36 million and 6.05 million barrels, respectively, each day to nations around the world.

For its part, the UAE said it will “continue its responsible role by gradually and thoughtfully increasing production, in line with demand and market conditions,” per the official state news agency. Clearly, the nation now wants a little more control of just how much oil it can pump around the world, with the UAE having to eat a large proportion of lost revenues due to its healthy abundance and OPEC restrictions.