TOP 15 Best Cruise Lines With Most Recognizable Cruise Ships
Over the course of the last century, the concept of cruising has undergone a radical transformation. Gone are the days of opulent expeditions to Antarctica; in their place are floating hotels offering incredible amenities such as roller coasters, music performances, and a vast array of restaurants at sea. There are now a variety of cruise locations that fall into both of these categories, including quaint riverboat trips through medieval Europe and luxurious ocean or sea cruises to places like the Galapagos Islands and other remote locales. And even though the year 2020 has been a turbulent one for the cruise industry as a whole, the market has continued to expand.
As a result, we would like to draw your attention to some of the most reputable and well-known cruise lines in the world.
1. Carnival Cruise Line International
The port of Doral, Florida serves as the home base for the international operations of Carnival Cruise Line. It is a part of Carnival Corporation and plc, which is the parent company. His company uses a tricolor funnel, representing the colors of the funnels on his ships, as its emblem. The funnels are designed to look like the tail of a whale. Both in terms of the overall number of people that it transports on a yearly basis and the total number of ships that it has in its fleet, Carnival Cruise Line is the largest cruise line in the world.
The fleet of Carnival Cruise Line will consist of 23 ships by the time September 2020 rolls around.
Carnival, known primarily as an entertainment corporation, was the first major cruise line to market its vacations at a more affordable price. Carnival cruises are fun for people of all ages since they are decked out in the neon lights of Las Vegas.
Biggest vessel: Mardi Gras
Tonnage: 181 808 GT
340 meters in length
6 500 people can be accommodated at most.
2. P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises is a British cruise line that is run by Carnival UK and is owned by Carnival Corporation & plc. Its headquarters are located in Carnival House in Southampton, England, in the United Kingdom. It was initially a subsidiary of the shipping business P&O and was established in 1977 as part of the restructuring of P&O’s activities. P&O was the corporation that launched the company. It has the oldest legacy of any cruise line in the world, dating back to the first P&O passenger operations in 1837, which it shares with P&O Cruises Australia, another subsidiary also created by P&O. P&O Cruises Australia was also founded by P&O.
In 2000, P&O Cruises was separated from its parent company, P&O, and became a subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises. In 2003, following the merger of P&O Princess Cruises and the Carnival Corporation, P&O Cruises was acquired by its present owner, the Carnival Corporation. In 2018, the company held a 2.4% share of the market for cruise lines operating everywhere in the world.
P&O Cruises, which is possibly the most well-known name in the cruise industry, provides its passengers traveling to destinations in Asia, South America, the South Pacific, and the Middle East with a laid-back pace and an authentic feeling of opulence.
Biggest vessel: MS Iona
Tonnage: 184 089 GT
344,5 meters in length
Maximum number of passengers allowed: 5 206
3. P&O Australia
P&O Cruises Australia is a British-American cruise line that is co-owned by Carnival Australia and has its headquarters in Chatswood, which is located in the state of New South Wales in Australia.
It was a subsidiary of P&O Cruises in the UK at one point in time, but before that, it was a part of the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company. Because of this, it has a direct historical connection to the very first cruise ships ever built. As a result, it is one of the oldest cruise lines in the world, and it is now a part of the Carnival Corporation & plc. Carnival Australia is the company that operates it locally in Australia. At the moment, he runs three ships out of a variety of ports in Australia and New Zealand.
The name P&O Australia is synonymous with cruising, and the company is known for its architect-designed superliners as well as a superb selection of on-board facilities for passengers traveling throughout Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, and Asia.
Biggest vessel: Pacific Encounter
Tonnage: 109 000 GT
290 meters in length
Maximum number of passengers allowed: 2,600
4. Holland America Line; Holland America
An American-owned cruise company, Holland America Line is a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc and has its headquarters in Seattle, Washington, in the United States of America.
Holland America Line was a Dutch shipping line, passenger line, freight line, and cruise line that operated from 1873 to 1989. Its primary routes of operation were between the Netherlands and North America. The company was established in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. She was personally involved in the transportation of many hundreds of thousands of emigrants from the Netherlands to North America, which is an important part of the legacy of the company.
Over 400,000 individuals made the journey from Europe to the United States during the first quarter of the century that it was in operation. There are currently 15 Holland America ships sailing the world, each of which welcomes guests.
Since 1989, the Carnival Corporation has owned Holland America through its subsidiary, the Carnival Corporation.
Biggest vessel: MS Nieuw Statendam
Tonnage: 99 902 GT
The length is 299.75 meters.
Maximum number of passengers allowed: 2,666
5. Cunard
Cunard Line is a British cruise line that is run by Carnival UK and is owned by Carnival Corporation & plc. Its headquarters are located at Carnival House in Southampton, England, in the United Kingdom. Since 2011, Cunard and three of its ships have been registered in the city of Hamilton, which is located on the island nation of Bermuda.
Samuel Cunard was given the first contract with the British Transatlantic Steamship Mail in the year 1839. The following year, in 1840, he and shipowner Sir George Burns founded the British North American Royal Steamship Company in Glasgow. Lord Inverclyde’s descendants currently hold the title of Lord Inverclyde. Samuel Cunard also received the first contract with the British Transatlantic Steamship Mail. Robert Napier, a well-known Scottish steamboat designer and constructor, is going to be in charge of operating four of the pioneering rowing steamers that will be traveling between Liverpool and Halifax and Boston. Cunard maintained its position as the operator of the transatlantic crossing that was deemed to be the quickest for the most of the following 30 years. Despite this, Cunard fell further and further behind its main competitors, the White Star Line and the Inman Line, in the 1870s. In 1879, in order to increase their capital and better compete with its rivals, the firm was reformed into the Cunard Steamship Company, Ltd.
Stepping back in time to the glory days of ocean travel while aboard a Cunard ship is like doing it with a time machine. Cunard is well-known for its high standards of luxury and elegance, and it is considered to be the epitome of a bygone age in the world of cruising.
Biggest vessel: Fincantieri 6274
Tonnage: 113 000 GT
The length is 322,51 meters.
Maximum number of passengers allowed: 3,000
6. Seabourn Cruise Line
The city of Seattle, in the state of Washington, is home to the headquarters of the luxury cruise line known as Seabourn. The cruise line offers trips to destinations all over the globe, ranging from brief itineraries in the Caribbean lasting only seven days to extended journeys lasting more than a hundred days. It is part of the World’s Leading Cruise Lines marketing group, which also includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises, and AIDA Cruises. It is owned by Carnival Corporation, which is a part of the World’s Leading Cruise Lines marketing group.
At the moment, the fleet of the corporation is made up of five ships and two ships that are identical twins.
On a Seabourn cruise, you will feel as though you are captaining your very own private yacht. These are quaint ships since there are fewer than 300 apartments on board. The guests enjoy big open decks, pleasant places, and the individualized attention of an exceptional crew throughout their stay.
The MV Seabourn Ovation is the largest vessel.
Tonnage: 41 865 GT
210 meters in length
Maximum seating capacity is 604 people.
Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc are the owners of the cruise line known as Princess Cruises. The business was established in Bermuda, although its headquarters are located in Santa Clarita, in the state of California. It is currently the second largest cruise line in terms of net revenue, having reached that position in 2018. It was a subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises in the past, but it is now owned by the Holland America Group, which is a part of Carnival Corporation & plc. Carnival Corporation & plc is the entity that exercises executive responsibility over the Princess Cruises brand. The line has 18 ships that travel the world’s oceans, providing service to customers from the United States as well as passengers from other countries.
The ship, Pacific Princess, owned by the firm became well-known after appearing in the American television series “The Boat of Love,” which brought the company to national attention. The Royal Princess, which was the first ship to bear the name “Royal Princess” and was also the largest ship ever constructed for Princess Cruises at the time, became the company’s flagship in May of 2013.
The concept of a cruise holiday is what Princess Cruises is most well-known for, making it one of the most recognizable names in the industry. Since its inception in 1965 with a single ship, Princess Cruises has grown into an outstanding fleet of ships.
The MS Island Princess is the largest vessel.
Tonnage: 91 627 GT
Distance: 294 meters
Maximum number of passengers allowed: 2,214
8. Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International (RCI), also formerly known as Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL), is a brand of cruise line that was established in 1968 in Norway. Since 1997, Royal Caribbean International has been organized as a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group. It is the largest cruise line in terms of revenue and the second largest in terms of passenger numbers. It has its headquarters in Miami, Florida, in the United States. Royal Caribbean International has a 19.2% share of the worldwide cruise market in terms of passengers and a 14.0% share of the industry in terms of revenue in 2018. He is the owner and operator of the world’s four largest passenger ships. This line now services twenty-four ships, with an additional six ships on order as of January 2021.
Royal Caribbean Cruises have one of the newest and most cutting-edge fleets in the market. They also provide some of the most unique amenities that any cruise company has to offer, such as the observation capsule, which has already gained a lot of notoriety.
The Symphony of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship.
Tonnage: 228 081 GT
The length is 361,01 meters.
Maximum number of passengers allowed: 6,680
9. Norwegian Cruise Line
American cruise line Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), usually known simply as Norwegian, was established in 1966 and has its headquarters in Miami. The company is officially incorporated in Bermuda. In terms of the number of passengers carried, it is the third largest cruise line in the world, and as of 2018, it controlled around 8.7% of the overall market share for cruise passengers across the globe. The parent corporation, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, has complete ownership of the business.
The Freestyle Cruising concept was first presented to the cruise industry by Norwegian Cruise Line, which is considered a pioneer in the cruise business. NCL has a history that spans 48 years of pushing the limits of what is considered to be a traditional cruise.
Biggest vessel: Norwegian Encore
Tonnage: 169 116 GT
333.44 meters in length
The maximum number of passengers allowed is 3,998.
10. MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises is a global cruise company with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, where it is also registered. In 1989, it was established in Naples, which is located in Italy. It is a subsidiary of Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. (MSC), which is the world’s second-largest operator of container transportation services. In addition to being the largest privately-owned cruise line in the world, MSC Cruises is also the fourth largest cruise line in the world after Carnival Corporation & plc., Royal Caribbean Group, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, accounting for 7.2% of all passengers carried in 2017. As of 2017, the company employed approximately 23,500 people globally and had offices in 45 countries.
MSC Cruises is a market leader in the cruise business and has one of the most inventive and cutting-edge fleets at sea. Each ship in the MSC Cruises fleet features a signature combination of cutting-edge design and the classic elegance that is associated with the MSC Cruises brand.
Biggest vessel: MSC Virtuosa
Tonnage: 181 541 GT
331,43 meters in length
Maximum allowable number of passengers: 6,334
11: Celebrity Cruises (in a sentence)
Royal Caribbean International is the sole owner of the cruise line Celebrity Cruises, which has its headquarters in Miami, Florida, in the United States. Greek business Chandris Group established Celebrity Cruises in 1988. In 1997, Celebrity Cruises joined with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line to form Royal Caribbean Celebrity Cruises. The “X” symbol that is found on the funnel of all Celebrity ships is represented by the company’s signature emblem, which is the Greek letter chi, which stands for “Chandris.”
Great design and ample space in the staterooms have become synonymous with Celebrity Cruises as the industry standard. With Celebrity, you can party like a celebrity while taking advantage of the resort’s expansive pools, unique nightlife, beautiful spas, and glass-walled dining areas.
Biggest vessel: Celebrity Apex
Tonnage: 130 818 GT
306 meters in length
Maximum number of passengers allowed: 3,405
12. Costa Cruises
Costa Crociere SpA, also known as Costa Cruises, is an Italian cruise company that was established in 1854. Since 2000, Costa Cruises has been constituted as a wholly owned subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc. The cruise company largely caters to the needs of Italian vacationers and operates out of Genoa, which is located in Italy. However, the company’s fourteen ships, all of which sail under the flag of Italy, allow access to the many countries throughout the world.
The original name of the company was Giacomo Costa fu Andrea, and it was established in 1854 by Giacomo Costa. At the time of its founding, the company ran cargo ships that transported olive oil and linens.
Biggest vessel: Costa Smeralda
Tonnage: 185 010 GT
337 meters in length
Maximum number of passengers allowed: 6,554
13. Disney Cruise Line (disambiguation)
The Walt Disney Company owns and operates Disney Cruise Company, which is a cruise line. Disney Cruise Line is a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company. Magical Cruise Company Limited was established in 1996 in conjunction with the launch of the first Disney Magic ship. The company’s registered office is situated in London, England; however, its operational headquarters are situated in Celebration, Florida.
There are now four ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. These ships are the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy. The years 2022, 2024, and 2025 will each see the addition of one ship to the fleet. The initial vessel was given the name Disney Wish. Castaway Cay is a private island in the Bahamas that was designed specifically to serve as an exclusive port of call for Disney Cruise Line ships. Disney Cruise Line also owns Castaway Cay. Lighthouse Point, Bahamas, a second private destination that will open in the late 2022 or early 2023 time frame, is now under construction and is located on a 700-acre location at the southern extremity of Eleuthera Island, Bahamas. The Disney Cruise Line Terminal, also known as Terminal 8, is located in Port Canaveral, Florida, and is operated by Disney Cruise Line.
Biggest vessel: Disney Fantasy
Tonnage: 129 750 GT
339.8 meters in length
Maximum number of passengers allowed is 4,000.
14. Viking Cruises
Viking is a cruise line firm that offers excursion cruises, river cruises, and ocean cruises. The company’s administrative offices are located in Basel, Switzerland, while the marketing headquarters are located in Los Angeles, California.
Since 2015, Viking Cruises has expanded its fleet to include ocean-going ships. The all-new Viking Jupiter, which made its debut in February 2019, is the company’s most recent ocean-going ship. Viking Cruises was originally a river cruise service. Each of the ships has a capacity for 930 guests, all of whom are accommodated on the balconies of their respective cabins. Even though Viking Ocean is not an all-inclusive cruise line, guests do receive complimentary services such as one free excursion to each port (the ships sail primarily in Northern Europe, but there are Mediterranean routes during the off-season), beer and wine with lunch and dinner, and unlimited access to Wi-Fi.
Viking River Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, and Viking Expeditions are the three different branches that make up the corporation. It operates a fleet of 76 river vessels and 6 ocean-going vessels as of February 2020, and it offers river and ocean trips throughout the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, Russia, Egypt, China, and Southeast Asia.
Biggest vessel: Viking Mississippi
Tonnage: 47 800 GT
137 meters in length
Maximum allowable number: 386 passengers
15. Marella Cruises
Marella Cruises, formerly known as Thomson Cruises, is a cruise line based in the United Kingdom that is run by TUI UK and offers vacations in the Caribbean, Asia, and Europe. The fleet of the corporation is comprised of six ships, each of which can accommodate between 1,100 and 2,000 passengers. These ships sail across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and the Caribbean, in addition to making occasional excursions to Asia.
Biggest vessel: Marella Explorer 2
Tonnage: 71 545 GT
248 meters in length
The maximum number of passengers allowed is 1,814.
