Cruise line

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MS Nieuw Statendam, a cruise ship owned by Holland America Line Nieuw Statendam approaching pier 26 in Port of Tallinn 12 June 2023.jpg
MS Nieuw Statendam, a cruise ship owned by Holland America Line

A cruise line is a company that operates cruise ships that operate on ocean or rivers and which markets cruises to the public. [1] Cruise lines are distinct from passenger lines which are primarily concerned with transportation of passengers. Though cruise packages provided by cruise lines vary, there are some features most have in common, such as accommodation, all meals and entertainment. They may include alcohol and shore excursions, sometimes on additional payment.

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Among cruise lines, some are direct descendants of the traditional passenger lines, while others were founded since the 1960s specifically for cruising. The business has been extremely volatile; the ships are massive capital expenditures with very high operating costs, and a slight dip in bookings can easily put a company out of business. Cruise lines frequently sell, renovate, or simply rename their ships to keep up with travel trends.

A wave of failures and consolidations in the 1990s has led to many companies being bought by much larger holding companies and to operate as "brands" within larger corporations. Brands exist partly because of repeat customer loyalty, and also to offer different levels of quality and service. For instance, Carnival Corporation & plc owns both Carnival Cruise Line, whose former image were vessels that had a reputation as "party ships" for younger travellers, but have become large, modern, yet still profitable, and Holland America Line, whose ships cultivate an image of classic elegance.

A common practice in the cruise industry in listing cruise ship transfers [2] and orders [3] is to list the smaller operating company, not the larger holding corporation, as the recipient cruise line of the sale, transfer, or new order. For example, Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line are the cruise lines whereas Carnival Corporation & plc and Royal Caribbean Group are considered holding corporations. This industry practice of using the brand, not the larger holding corporation, as the cruise line is also followed in the member cruise lines in Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) [4] and the member-based reviews of cruise lines. [5]

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cruise ship</span> Passengers ship used for pleasure voyages

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carnival Corporation & plc</span> British–American global cruise operating company

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Princess Cruises</span> Cruise line owned by Carnival Corporation & plc

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<i>Karnika</i> Cruise ship operated by Jalesh Cruises

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Costa Cruises</span> Italian cruise line

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">P&O Cruises Australia</span>

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Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is a cruise line trade association. It merged with International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) in 2006, forming an expanded organization incorporating the existing functions of both organizations. The merged organization, which uses the CLIA name, is located in Washington, D.C.

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MS <i>Koningsdam</i> Cruise ship operated by Holland America Line

MS Koningsdam is a Pinnacle-class cruise ship operated by Holland America Line (HAL), a division of Carnival Corporation & plc. Koningsdam is the lead vessel of HAL's Pinnacle class, which includes Nieuw Statendam (2018) and Rotterdam (2021), all of which were built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. Two years after the first steel was cut in February 2014 to commence construction, she was delivered to HAL in March 2016 and began operating the following month. At 99,863 GT, she became the largest ship ever commissioned for HAL upon her delivery.

<i>Carnival Venezia</i> Cruise ship

Carnival Venezia is a Vista-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc. Originally intended to serve the Chinese market, she debuted as Costa Venezia for sister brand Costa Cruises in Shanghai on 18 May 2019. At 135,225 gross tonnage (GT) and with a capacity of 4,208 passengers, she briefly became the largest ship in the Costa fleet until the debut of Costa Smeralda in late 2019.

References

  1. ↑ "Cruise line definition". Travel industry dictionary. Archived from the original on 24 April 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  2. ↑ "Ship sales and transfers". Cruise industry news. 22 November 2014. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  3. ↑ "Cruise ship orderbook". Cruise Industry News. 6 January 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  4. ↑ "Member Cruise Lines". Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  5. ↑ "Member reviews of cruise lines". Cruise Critic. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
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