Cruise line

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Cruise passenger count has increased about 7-fold since 1990, interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. 1990- Cruise ship passenger count - annually.svg
Cruise passenger count has increased about 7-fold since 1990, interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
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
Mein Schiff 4, a cruise ship owned by TUI Cruises Mein Schiff 4 (IMO 9678408), Rostock.jpg
Mein Schiff 4, a cruise ship owned by TUI Cruises

A cruise line is a company that operates cruise ships that operate on ocean or rivers and which markets cruises to the public. [2] 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 [3] and orders [4] 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) [5] and the member-based reviews of cruise lines. [6]

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cunard Line</span> British shipping and cruise line

The Cunard Line is a British shipping and cruise line based at Carnival House at Southampton, England, operated by Carnival UK and owned by Carnival Corporation & plc. Since 2011, Cunard and its four ships have been registered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

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

Cruise ships are large passenger ships used mainly for vacationing. Unlike ocean liners, which are used for transport, cruise ships typically embark on round-trip voyages to various ports of call, where passengers may go on tours known as "shore excursions".

Holland America Line N.V. (HAL) is an American-owned cruise line, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carnival Cruise Line</span> International cruise line

Carnival Cruise Line is an international cruise line with headquarters in Doral, Florida. The company is a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc. Its logo is a funnel shaped like a whale's tail, with a red, white, and blue color scheme. This trademark funnel design is built onto the line's ships. Carnival is ranked first on the list of largest cruise lines based on passengers carried annually.

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

Carnival Corporation & plc is a British and American cruise operator with a combined fleet of over ninety vessels across nine cruise line brands and one joint venture with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC). A dual-listed company, Carnival is composed of the Panama-incorporated, US-headquartered Carnival Corporation, and UK-based Carnival plc, which function as one entity. Carnival Corporation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, whereas Carnival plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange with an ADR listing on the NYSE. Carnival is listed in both the S&P 500 and FTSE 250 indices.

Windstar Cruises is a cruise line that operates a fleet of small luxury cruise ships. Its six yachts carry just 148 to 310 guests and cruise to 50 nations, calling at 150 ports throughout Europe, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, and Central America. In May 2014, Windstar added to its sailing yachts by adding the Star Pride power yacht, followed by Star Breeze and Star Legend in May 2015. The additional capacity opened up new itineraries such as voyages to Iceland, the Panama Canal, and Costa Rica and allowed Windstar Cruises to sail Tahiti year round.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P&O</span> British shipping and logistics company

P&O was a British shipping and logistics company dating from the early 19th century. Formerly a public company, it was sold to DP World in March 2006 for £3.9 billion. DP World currently operates several P&O branded businesses, P&O Ferries, Istithmar P&O Estates, and P&O Maritime Logistics. It also operates P&O Heritage, which is the official historic archive and collection of P&O.

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

Princess Cruises is an American cruise line owned by Carnival Corporation & plc. The company is incorporated in Bermuda and its headquarters are in Santa Clarita, California. As of 2021, it is the second largest cruise line by net revenue. It was previously a subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises. The line has 15 ships cruising global itineraries that are marketed to both American and international passengers.

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

Costa Crociere S.p.A., operating as Costa Cruises, is an Italian cruise line founded in 1948 and organized as a wholly owned subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc since 2000. Based in Genoa, Italy, the cruise line primarily caters to the Italian cruise market, but the company's 10 ships, which all sail under the Italian flag, provide itineraries sailing to countries globally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P&O Cruises</span> British-American owned cruise line

P&O Cruises is a British cruise line based at Carnival House in Southampton, England, operated by Carnival UK and owned by Carnival Corporation & plc. It was originally a subsidiary of the freight transport company P&O and was founded in 1977. Along with P&O Cruises Australia, another former subsidiary of P&O, it has the oldest heritage of any cruise line in the world, dating to P&O's first passenger operations in 1837.

Seabourn Cruise Line is a luxury small ship cruise line headquartered in Seattle, Washington. It is owned by Carnival Corporation & plc.

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

P&O Cruises Australia is a British-American owned cruise line with operational headquarters as part of Carnival Australia, based in Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AIDA Cruises</span> German cruise line

AIDA Cruises is a German cruise line founded in the early 1960s and organized as a wholly owned subsidiary of Costa Crociere S.p.A., which in turn belongs to Carnival Corporation & plc. Based in Rostock, Germany, AIDA Cruises caters primarily to the German-speaking market; as seagoing "club resorts", AIDA ships have on-board amenities and facilities designed to attract younger, more active vacationers. As of September 2023, the cruise line operates 11 ships.

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.

P&O Princess Cruises plc was a shipping company that existed between 2000 and 2003, operating the P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises Australia, A'Rosa Cruises, AIDA Cruises and Ocean Village branded cruise lines. The company was formed from the de-merged passenger services of the P&O and operated until 2003 when it was re-listed as Carnival plc following a merger with Carnival Corporation. Its registered office was in London.

<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 became the largest ship commissioned for the Costa fleet upon her delivery.

<i>Carnival Firenze</i> Cruise ship

Carnival Firenze is a Vista-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc. Originally debuting as Costa Firenze for sister brand Costa Cruises, she was initially commissioned for the Chinese market but was never deployed to Asia following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cruise travel in China. Named after Florence, the 135,156 gross tonnage (GT)-vessel was constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in Marghera and delivered in December 2020.

References

  1. ↑ "Growth of the Ocean Cruise Line Industry". Cruise Market Watch. December 2024. Archived from the original on 12 December 2024.
  2. ↑ "Cruise line definition". Travel industry dictionary. Archived from the original on 24 April 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  3. ↑ "Ship sales and transfers". Cruise industry news. 22 November 2014. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  4. ↑ "Cruise ship orderbook". Cruise Industry News. 6 January 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  5. ↑ "Member Cruise Lines". Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  6. ↑ "Member reviews of cruise lines". Cruise Critic. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
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