About 16 million people are anticipated to travel on cruises this year, thats an increase of 6.6 percent over 2010’s total cruise passengers.  Europe, the Caribbean and Alaska as among the top destinations.

Bob Sharak of the Cruise Line Industry Association informed a press conference that they are very optimistic about 2011. The cruise industry has been trying to recover very quickly, most especially during the recent economic downfall.

According to CLIA, which is the largest cruise industry group in North America, almost three-quarters of the cruise passengers in the previous year came from the United States and Canada and 26 percent were from international areas.

The CLIA’s prediction is based on its previous number of passengers, as well as current bookings for 2011.

Sharak acknowledged exhilarating new ships, rising global passengers, new destinations, as well as the cruises’ positive outlook for 2011.

While CILA released its report on Thursday, the Cunard Line’s new cruise liner named Queen Elizabeth set off to its maiden call in New York. It was set to meet with its sister ships, Queen Mary and Queen Victoria, for a fireworks display in New York Harbor.

Walt Disney Co’s new 900 million dollar cruise liner with 4,000 passenger capacity rolled out last week in Florida. It is set to have its maiden Caribbean cruise on January 26.

The largest cruise ship in the world, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas was launched in 2009. The ship can carry more than 6,000 passengers.

Sharak said that although North Americans and Europeans make up most of the cruise passengers, only small percentage of the residents of those areas took cruises in 2010. However, he added that they have lots of room to grow as the cruise lines are looking up to get new markets in China, Brazil, and Russia, including new destinations in Asia, Mediterranean and the Greek Islands.