The 15 Largest Cruise Lines In The World (2026 Update)
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The largest cruise line in the world is Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), boasting a revenue of $22.86 billion.
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As of 2023, the global cruise line industry has a market size of $7.67 billion.
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The average person spends between $1,300 – $2,000 on a typical 7-day cruise with a mainstream cruise line.
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The global cruise line market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.2% through 2028.
Cruise lines, also known as passenger shipping corporations or organizations, provide leisure travel experiences without the need for air travel. The cruise industry has evolved significantly, with modern ships offering an array of amenities and activities to enhance passenger enjoyment.
Today, cruise ships are floating resorts, featuring luxurious accommodations, gourmet dining, entertainment, and diverse excursions. Many cruise brands cater to different preferences, providing unique experiences tailored to various demographics.
The top four cruise lines dominate the market, holding a projected combined market share of 87.6%. These established brands, many founded in the late 20th century, continue to thrive as cruise travel regains its popularity post-2020.
Cruise lines fall into three main categories: mainstream, premium, and luxury, ensuring options for every type of traveler. Here are the 15 largest cruise lines in the world:
Diving Deeper into the Top 15 Cruise Lines in the World
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Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
2023 Annual Revenue: $22.86 billion
Number of Passengers: 1.4 millionFounded in 1970 in Naples, Italy, MSC is a Swiss-Italian-owned shipping line that operates in all major ports globally. Their cruise division, MSC Cruises, focuses on holiday voyages for passengers.
MSC Cruises is the world’s largest privately held cruise company, commanding a 7.2% share of the cruise passenger market.
In 2023, MSC Cruises expanded its technological offerings with enhanced AI capabilities onboard, further improving guest experiences.
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2023 Annual Revenue: $12.2 billion
Number of Passengers: 5.8 millionFounded in 1972, Carnival Corporation is a British-American cruise operator and the world’s largest travel leisure company, boasting over 100 vessels across ten different brands.
The company operates as two entities, Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc, and has expanded significantly through acquisitions over the years.
Carnival continues to innovate, focusing on sustainability and enhancing passenger experiences through advanced technologies.
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2023 Annual Revenue: $8.8 billion
Number of Passengers: 3.3 millionEstablished in 1997, Royal Caribbean Group is an American-owned global cruise company headquartered in Miami, Florida. The group includes three cruise lines: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises.
Royal Caribbean Group also holds a 50% stake in TUI Cruises, catering to the German-speaking market.
Recent initiatives have focused on sustainable cruising and enhancing onboard technology for guests.
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2023 Annual Revenue: $4.844 billion
Number of Passengers: 1.3 millionNorwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), headquartered in Miami, Florida, operates three cruise lines: Norwegian Cruise Lines, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Despite facing challenges in the past few years, NCLH is actively working on financial recovery while focusing on enhancing guest experiences and sustainability.
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2023 Annual Revenue: $2.1 billion
Number of Passengers: 143,700Based in Switzerland and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Viking Cruises offers a range of travel experiences through its river, ocean, and expedition cruises.
The company operates 76 river vessels and 6 ocean ships, providing unique experiences across multiple continents.
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2023 Annual Revenue: $1.6 billion
Number of Passengers: 312,200A subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company, Disney Cruise Line launched its first ship in 1996. Headquartered in Celebration, Florida, the operation plans to expand its fleet with three additional ships by 2025.
Disney Cruise Line is known for its family-friendly experiences and immersive entertainment, maintaining a 2.8% market share.
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TUI Cruises
2023 Annual Revenue: $1.32 billion
Number of Passengers: 330,100A joint venture formed in 2007, TUI Cruises targets German tourists with premium cruising experiences. The fleet includes TUI Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, and Marella Cruises, all featuring tailored amenities.
TUI Cruises is committed to improving environmental sustainability across its operations, aiming for carbon efficiency improvements.
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Virgin Voyages
2023 Annual Revenue: $973.3 million
Number of Passengers: 111,100Founded by the Virgin Group and Bain Capital in 2015, Virgin Voyages debuted its first ship in 2020. With a commitment to modern cruising, the company is focused on delivering unique, adult-only cruising experiences.
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Genting Hong Kong: Dream Cruises
2023 Annual Revenue: $723 million
Number of Passengers: 264,100Dream Cruises, established by Genting Hong Kong, targets luxury travelers in Asia and debuted its first cruise in 2016. The company emphasizes luxurious offerings and unique experiences.
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Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
2023 Annual Revenue: $327.3 million
Number of Passengers: 110,700This UK-based cruise line has a rich history dating back to 1848. Now run by the fifth generation of the Olsen family, Fred Olsen focuses on personalized experiences, primarily operating within UK ports.
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Hurtigruten AS
2023 Annual Revenue: $334 million
Number of Passengers: 122,300Operating from Norway, Hurtigruten AS provides cruise services alongside ferry operations, focusing on expedition voyages to remote destinations like Antarctica.
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Marella Cruises
2023 Annual Revenue: $281 million
Number of Passengers: 102,900This British cruise line, re-established in 1995 after a brief closure, now holds about 1% of the global cruise market share, offering a varied fleet and exciting itineraries.
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Ponant/Paul Gauguin Cruises
2023 Annual Revenue: $233 million
Number of Passengers: 85,400Founded in 1988, Ponant operates a fleet of luxury ships, focusing on sustainable cruising and unique itineraries that include polar regions.
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Star Cruises
2023 Annual Revenue: $219 million
Number of Passengers: 80,200Headquartered in Hong Kong, Star Cruises operates primarily in the Asia-Pacific region, offering a variety of cruise options, including all-inclusive packages.
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Celestyal Cruises
2023 Annual Revenue: $175 million
Number of Passengers: 64,100Founded in 2014, Celestyal Cruises is the only Greek cruise company, offering itineraries that highlight the beauty of Greek, Turkish, and Cuban destinations.
Largest Cruise Lines FAQ
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How much does the average person spend on a cruise?
The average cruise costs approximately $237 per day. For a typical 7-day sailing with a mainstream cruise line, passengers can expect to spend between $1,300 and $2,000, covering both fare and onboard expenses.
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What is the most popular cruise line?
The most popular cruise line is Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), with an annual revenue of $22.86 billion. Following MSC is Carnival Corporation with $12.2 billion, and Royal Caribbean Group with $8.8 billion in annual revenue.
Author
Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.
