The European Cruise Council (ECC) represents the leading cruise companies operating in Europe and has 24 cruise members and 29 associate members.

The ECC promotes the interests of cruise ship operators within Europe, liaising closely with the EU Commission and the European Parliament. The Council also promotes cruising to a wider public audience to encourage expansion of the European cruise market.

The European cruise industry continues to increase its share of the global cruise market with 21.7 million passengers visiting a European port in 2008; 4.7 million passengers joined their cruise in Europe in the same year with the industry generating €32.2 billion of goods and services and providing more than 311,000 jobs.