Cruise Conglomerates
These entities are a combination of multiple business entities operating in entirely different markets under one corporate group, typically involving a parent company and numerous subsidiaries. Such conglomerates are very common within the cruise industry. We can categorize cruise conglomerates into three major groups, each with its own set of pros and cons and, of course, its own set of rules that directly and indirectly affect all their crew members.
We have classified the conglomerates based on revenue and annual passenger percentages, utilizing actual and updated data from various official sources. If you believe any information to be incorrect, please feel free to contact us.
Carnival Corporation & plc
Carnival Corporation, originally founded as Carnival Cruise Line in 1972, experienced steady growth throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In 1987, the company made its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange, using the generated capital to finance future acquisitions. Between 1989 and 2022, Carnival Corporation acquired several prominent cruise lines, including Holland America Line, Seabourn, Costa Crociere, Cunard Line, P&O Cruises, P&O Australia, AIDA, Princess Cruises and used to own Adora Cruises as well. In 1993, the name Carnival Corporation was adopted to distinguish the parent company from its flagship cruise line subsidiary.
Since 2003, Carnival Corporation has held titles such as the largest fleet, largest passenger capacity, most favored brands, highest revenue, and highest annual passenger count, despite not operating the largest ships in the industry.
Passengers per year
0
+
Current fleet:
Royal Caribbean Group
As of March 2024, Royal Caribbean Group, formerly known as Royal Caribbean Cruises, stands as the world’s second-largest cruise line operator. The Royal Caribbean Group fully owns three esteemed cruise lines: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. Additionally, the company holds a 50% stake in the TUI group, which encompasses TUI Cruises, Marella Cruises, and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
In terms of fleet size, Royal Caribbean Group boasts five of the largest cruise ships in the world, with an additional four ships currently under construction
Passengers per year
0
+
Current fleet:
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH)
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) is recognized as the third-largest cruise operator globally. Established in 2011, NCLH emerged when its primary subsidiary, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), was still under the ownership of the Genting Hong Kong group. Over the years, NCLH steadily expanded its capital and shares. In December 2018, Genting concluded its long-standing relationship with NCLH by divesting its remaining stakes in the company.
This sale marked the conclusion of a partnership that had endured for more than a decade. Importantly, this transaction facilitated NCLH’s acquisition of Prestige Cruise Holdings, the parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. This move ultimately led in the formation of the NCLH entity as it is known today.
Passengers per year
0
+
Current fleet:
TUI Group
TUI Group is a joint venture with the Royal Caribbean Group, which holds a 50% stake in its cruise segment. Together, they operate 18 cruise ships across three brands. The flagship brand, TUI Cruises, has a fleet of seven ships named Mein Schiff 1 through Mein Schiff 7. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises specializes in luxury and expedition cruises for German-speaking markets, while Marella Cruises offers short cruises on five ships, catering to the United Kingdom and Asian markets.
Passengers per year
0
+
Current fleet:
What about sister-companies?
Some cruise lines operate as sister companies, maintaining separate identities while collaborating under a shared ownership structure. Unlike large conglomerates, these lines focus on distinct market segments while benefiting from shared resources and expertise. For example, Ponant and Paul Gauguin Cruises cater to luxury expedition and South Pacific cruising, respectively, with Ponant providing operational support to Paul Gauguin. Similarly, MSC Cruises, known for mainstream cruising and as the biggest privately owned cruise line in the world, has established Explora Journeys as a separate luxury brand, targeting high-end travelers with an upscale, yacht-like experience. These partnerships allow each brand to specialize while leveraging the strengths of their sister company.
If you found this article insightful, please share it on your social media!
WhatsApp
Facebook
Threads
LinkedIn
X
Telegram