Largest Cruise Line Companies Corporate Owners
A concise survey of the world's biggest cruise line companies - the real owners of the best world cruise ships, and masters of the best travel cruise lines in the world. Paragraph links pertain to the company's official website. For detailed info about the world's leading and largest passenger cruise line companies - follow the integrated links below.
Carnival Corporation & plc - American-Panamanian passenger ship company, founded in 1972 - the world's largest cruise company, with almost 52% share of the market. Dual listed as Carnival Corp. (Doral-Miami FL, controlling the North America operations), and Carnival plc (Carnival UK for United Kingdom operations - the ex P&O Princess Cruises PLC, headquartered at Carnival House, Southampton, and Costa Cruises Group for the rest of Europe operations). Combined fleet of 106 cruise passenger ships (including 10 on order), more than 160,000 berths, over 10,000 employees and 75,000 crew, US $37,7 billion in assets, and US $14,8 billion revenue (data 2010). Owns 11 cruise brands (in brackets - the year of acquisition /establishment) - AIDA (2000), Carnival (1972), Costa (2000), Cunard (1998), Holland America (1989), Ibero (2007), P&O and P&O Australia (2003), Princess (2003), and Seabourn (1992). The Carnival's major stock-holder is the company founder's Arison family (47%).
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) - founded 1997 as an American-Norwegian ship cruise company, the 2nd largest in the world, with headquarters in Miami FL. RCCL controls over a quarter of the cruise market, with 58,000 employees, nearly US $20 billion in assets, and almost US $7 billion revenue (data 2010). Combined fleet of 46 cruise passenger ships (including 3 on order), of 5 distinct brands - Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity, Pullmantur (purchased 2006), Azamara Club (established 2007), CDF Croisières de France (est. 2008). RCCL also fully owns Air Pullmantur, and 50% of TUI Cruises (2009, a joint venture with TUI AG).
Apollo Global Management LLC (founded in 1990 as Apollo Advisors) - one of the world's largest private investment companies (over US $37 billion in assets, US $16 billion in companies, headquartered in NYC). The firm specializes in private equity funds (buyout transactions, and purchasing distressed securities), and capital markets (with hedge funds and real estate funds, corporate restructuring, and consolidations).
The Walt Disney Company - founded in 1923, and nowadays the largest and richest media conglomerate in the world. Headquartered in Burbank CA, and owning 6 major divisions, 10 subsidiaries (almost 150,000 employees, US $71 billion in assets, US $38 billion revenue - data 2010). Amongst the Disney's best known (and priced) assets are the ABC media, the ESPN cable network, and the Pixar Animation Studios, along with all the Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide.
Mediterranean Shipping Company SA (MSC, founded in 1970, owned by the Aponte family) - the 2nd largest shipping line in the world (by container ship capacity), with more than 555 vessels of almost 2,2 million TEU (including 11 under construction - some of the world's largest container ships ever built, with capacity 15,000 TEU each). The MSC shipping line serves 270 ports worldwide, with over 29,000 employees.
Genting Group (founded in 1964, headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) - a leading Asian multinational company (developing, operating and marketing in Tourism, 1,800 ha Resorts World Genting, Gaming (casinos), Real Estates, 54,000 ha Plantations, Power Generation, Oil-Gas, e-commerce, over 58,000 employees, US $5,1 billion revenue, US $13,5 in assets). One of the most famous tourist features of Malaysia is the "Genting Highlands" resort, with a world class casino and a theme park. Owns about 20% of Star Cruises (the world's 3rd largest operator).
NYK Line ("Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha", translated as "Japan Mail Shipping Line"), main headquarters Chiyoda, Tokyo, and regional in London, NYC, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Sao Paulo. Established 1870, a core Mitsubishi company, and currently the world's 10th largest cargo-container and shipping company. In the recent past, the majority of the Japan's merchant fleet sailed under its flag (1900-1950). Entered the passenger cruise ship business with one of the most expensive cruise lines in the world - its newly formed in 1989 subsidiary Crystal Cruise Lines. The NYK Line also operates the MS Asuka II (the ex MS Crystal Harmony), catering to the Japanese market exclusively. Financial data: revenue about US $25 billion, about 55,000 employees worldwide, with 240 offices in 26 countries.
P&O Princess Cruises PLC - a restructured company between 2000 and 2003, the succsessor of "Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company" (P&O, founded in 1837). Owner of 6 cruise brands and 22 cruise passenger ships. The company merged into Carnival plc in 2003.