A cruise line is a company that operates cruise ships and markets cruises to the public. Cruise lines are distinct from passenger lines which are primarily concerned with transportation of their passengers. Cruise lines have a dual character; they are partly in the transportation business, and partly in the leisure entertainment business, a duality that carries down into the ships themselves, which have both a crew headed by the ship's captain, and a hospitality staff headed by the equivalent of a hotel manager.
Because of mergers and consolidations, a cruise line may also be a brand of a larger holding corporation. For example, as noted below, Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line are cruise lines within the larger parent corporation Carnival Corporation & plc. This industry practice of using the brand, not the larger parent corporation, as the cruise line is also followed in the member cruise lines in Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA); the listing of cruise ship sales, transfers, and new orders; cruise line market share; and the member-based reviews of cruise lines.
Cruise ships can cruise in oceans or rivers. The listing of cruise lines below includes separate lists for both areas. Cruise lines operating ocean and river ships can be found in both lists.
List of cruise lines by passengers
As of 2025[update], the cruise industry was estimated to be around US$23.8 billion with 72.5 million passengers per year. The following is a list of the largest cruise lines with over 1,000 passengers per year and their market share by passengers and revenue as of 2025 according to Cruise Market Watch. The list also includes the combined market share of each of the cruise line holding companies: Carnival Corporation & plc, Royal Caribbean Group, Mediterranean Shipping Company, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and TUI Group.
Legend:
- Bold: Major cruise company
- Italic: Subsidiary of a major cruise company
| Cruise line | Parent company | Headquarters | Passengers | Revenue | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (thousands) | % | (US$ millions) | % | |||
| Carnival Corporation & plc | United Kingdom / United States | 13,987.0 | 41.5 | 26,130.00 | 36.0 | |
| Carnival Cruise Line | Carnival Corporation & plc | United States | 6,762.0 | 20.1 | 7,294.30 | 10.1 |
| Princess Cruises | Carnival Corporation & plc | United States | 1,942.9 | 5.8 | 4,503.40 | 6.2 |
| P&O Cruises | Carnival Corporation & plc | United Kingdom | 1,464.9 | 4.4 | 3,964.30 | 5.5 |
| Costa Cruises | Carnival Corporation & plc | Italy | 1,412.6 | 4.2 | 2,464.30 | 3.4 |
| AIDA Cruises | Carnival Corporation & plc | Germany | 1,085.8 | 3.2 | 2,938.30 | 4.1 |
| Holland America Line | Carnival Corporation & plc | United States | 809.8 | 2.4 | 2,526.70 | 3.5 |
| Cunard Line | Carnival Corporation & plc | United Kingdom | 434.6 | 1.3 | 1,492.60 | 2.1 |
| Seabourn Cruise Line | Carnival Corporation & plc | United States | 74.4 | 0.2 | 946.10 | 1.3 |
| Royal Caribbean Group | United States | 9,105.3 | 27.0 | 18,010.00 | 24.8 | |
| Royal Caribbean | Royal Caribbean Group | United States | 7,150.1 | 21.2 | 10,765.40 | 14.8 |
| Celebrity Cruises | Royal Caribbean Group | United States | 1,761.4 | 5.2 | 4,507.70 | 6.2 |
| Silversea Cruises | Royal Caribbean Group | Monaco | 193.8 | 0.6 | 2,736.90 | 3.8 |
| Mediterranean Shipping Company | Switzerland | 3,447.9 | 10.2 | 5,474.6 | 7.5 | |
| MSC Cruises | Mediterranean Shipping Company | Switzerland | 3,375.3 | 10.0 | 5,296.30 | 7.3 |
| Explora Journeys | Mediterranean Shipping Company | Switzerland | 72.6 | 0.2 | 178.30 | 0.2 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings | United States | 3,160.8 | 9.4 | 10,220.10 | 14.1 | |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings | United States | 2,861.5 | 8.5 | 6,946.00 | 9.6 |
| Oceania Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings | United States | 183.9 | 0.5 | 1,588.00 | 2.2 |
| Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings | United States | 115.4 | 0.3 | 1,686.10 | 2.3 |
| Disney Cruise Line | Disney Experiences | United States | 1,039.10 | 3.1 | 2,827.90 | 3.9 |
| TUI Cruises | TUI Group (50%) and Royal Caribbean Group (50%) | Germany | 862.7 | 2.5 | 2,119.00 | 2.8 |
| TUI Cruises | TUI Cruises | Germany | 574.3 | 1.7 | 1,410.60 | 1.9 |
| Marella Cruises | TUI Cruises | United Kingdom | 247.9 | 0.7 | 608.90 | 0.8 |
| Hapag-Lloyd Cruises | TUI Cruises | Germany | 40.5 | 0.1 | 99.50 | 0.1 |
| Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Holdings | Switzerland | 254.8 | 0.8 | 3,011.50 | 4.2 |
| Virgin Voyages | Virgin Group | United States | 295.0 | 0.9 | 724.50 | 1.0 |
| Resorts World Cruises | Genting Malaysia Berhad | Singapore | 277.5 | 0.8 | 681.30 | 0.9 |
| Hurtigruten | Hurtigruten | Norway | 175.1 | 0.5 | 430.00 | 0.6 |
| Adora Cruises | China State Shipbuilding Corporation | China | 169.4 | 0.5 | 416.10 | 0.5 |
| Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines | Bonheur | United Kingdom | 107.8 | 0.3 | 264.70 | 0.4 |
| Margaritaville at Sea | Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville | United States | 93.7 | 0.3 | 230.00 | 0.3 |
| Celestyal Cruises | Searchlight Capital | Greece | 92.5 | 0.3 | 227.30 | 0.3 |
| Ponant Cruises | Groupe Artémis | France | 74.3 | 0.2 | 182.60 | 0.3 |
| Azamara Cruises | Sycamore Partners | United States | 62.7 | 0.2 | 443.30 | 0.6 |
| Phoenix Reisen | Phoenix Reisen | Germany | 59.0 | 0.2 | 144.90 | 0.2 |
| Saga Cruises | Saga plc | United Kingdom | 53.2 | 0.2 | 130.60 | 0.2 |
| Windstar Cruises | The Anschutz Corporation | United States | 47.0 | 0.1 | 115.50 | 0.2 |
| Crystal Cruises | A&K Travel Group | United States | 35.8 | 0.1 | 88.00 | 0.1 |
| Mystic Cruises | MysticInvest Holding | Portugal | 33.5 | 0.1 | 82.40 | 0.1 |
| Lindblad Expeditions | Lindblad Expeditions | United States | 30.4 | 0.1 | 74.50 | 0.1 |
| Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection | The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company | United States | 29.7 | 0.1 | 72.80 | 0.1 |
| American Cruise Lines | American Cruise | United States | 27.7 | 0.1 | 68.00 | 0.1 |
| Atlas Ocean Voyages | MysticInvest Holding | Portugal | 26.1 | 0.1 | 64.10 | 0.1 |
| Star Clippers | Star Clippers Ltd | United Kingdom | 22.3 | 0.1 | 54.90 | 0.1 |
| Quark Expeditions | Travelopia | United States | 22.3 | 0.1 | 54.70 | 0.1 |
| Swan Hellenic | Andrea Zito | United Kingdom | 13.2 | 0.0 | 32.40 | 0.0 |
| Scenic Luxury Cruises | Glen Moroney | United Kingdom | 12.1 | 0.1 | 29.80 | 0.1 |
| MOL Mitsui Ocean Cruises | Mitsui O.S.K. Lines | Japan | 12.0 | 0.0 | 29.90 | 0.0 |
| American Queen Voyages | Closed | United States | 11.6 | 0.0 | 28.50 | 0.0 |
| Emerald Cruises | Scenic Group | Switzerland | 8.7 | 0.0 | 21.50 | 0.0 |
| SeaDream Yacht Club | Atle Brynestad | Norway | 6.0 | 0.0 | 14.70 | 0.0 |
| Four Seasons Yachts | Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts | Canada | 5.5 | 0.0 | 13.40 | 0.0 |
| Hebridean Island Cruises | Rob Barlow | United Kingdom | 2.7 | 0.0 | 6.50 | 0.0 |
| Total | 33,664,600 | 100% | 23,834.84 | 100% | ||
List of ocean cruise lines
Operational
| Name | Owner | Headquarters | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adora Cruises | China Cruises Limited | China | Carnival Corp. & plc remains a minority shareholder |
| AIDA Cruises | Carnival Corporation & plc | Germany | |
| American Cruise Lines | American Cruise | United States | River cruises, coastal cruises and paddle-steamer cruises. Based in Guilford, Connecticut |
| Ambassador Cruise Line | Njord Partners | United Kingdom | |
| Atlas Ocean Voyages | MysticInvest Holding | Portugal | Small cruise ships |
| Aurora Expeditions | Australia | Expedition cruising. Operates arctic cruises with Polar Pioneer | |
| Azamara Cruises | Sycamore Partners | United States | |
| Carnival Cruise Line | Carnival Corporation & plc | United States | |
| Celebrity Cruises | Royal Caribbean Group | United States | |
| Celestyal Cruises | Searchlight Capital | Greece | |
| Club Med | Club Med | France | Based in Paris, operates Club Med 2 staysail schooner |
| Costa Cruises | Carnival Corporation & plc | Italy | |
| Crystal Cruises | A&K Travel Group | United States | |
| Cunard Line | Carnival Corporation & plc | United Kingdom | |
| Disney Cruise Line | Disney Experiences | United States | |
| Dream Cruises | Resorts World Cruises | Malaysia | Ceased operations after Genting Hong Kong declared bankruptcy due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Restarted in as a brand of Resorts World Cruises. |
| Explora Journeys | Mediterranean Shipping Company | Switzerland | |
| Four Seasons Yachts | Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts | Canada | Yachts and small cruise ships |
| Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines | Bonheur | United Kingdom | |
| Hapag-Lloyd Cruises | TUI Group | Germany | |
| Hebridean Island Cruises | Rob Barlow | United Kingdom | Yachts and small cruise ships |
| Heritage Expeditions | New Zealand | Expedition cruising | |
| Holland America Line | Carnival Corporation & plc | United States | |
| Hurtigruten | Hurtigruten | Norway | Also marketed as Norwegian Coastal Express |
| Lindblad Expeditions | Lindblad Expeditions | United States | Expedition cruising |
| Majestic Line | United Kingdom | Yachts and small cruise ships. Offers Scottish island cruises | |
| Mano Maritime | Israel | ||
| Marella Cruises | TUI Group | United Kingdom | |
| Margaritaville at Sea | Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville | United States | |
| MOL Mitsui Ocean Cruises | Mitsui O.S.K. Lines | Japan | |
| MSC Cruises | Mediterranean Shipping Company | Switzerland | |
| Mystic Cruises | MysticInvest Holding | Portugal | |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings | United States | |
| Oceania Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings | United States | |
| Oceanwide Expeditions | Netherlands | ||
| Phoenix Reisen | Zurnieden family (private) | Germany | |
| Ponant Cruises | Groupe Artémis | France | |
| P&O Cruises | Carnival Corporation & plc | United Kingdom | |
| Paul Gauguin Cruises | United States | Branch of Regent Seven Seas Cruises till 2010, offers South Pacific cruises | |
| Pearl Seas Cruises | United States | Small cruise ships. Offers Great Lakes, New England and Cuba cruises | |
| Poseidon Expeditions | United Kingdom | Expedition cruising. Arctic cruises with nuclear icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy | |
| Princess Cruises | Carnival Corporation & plc | United States | |
| Quark Expeditions | United States | Expedition cruising | |
| Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings | United States | |
| Resorts World Cruises | Genting Malaysia Berhad | Singapore | |
| Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection | The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company | United States | Yachts and small cruise ships |
| Royal Caribbean International | Royal Caribbean Group | United States | |
| Saga Cruises | Saga plc | United Kingdom | |
| Sail Croatia | United Kingdom | Yachts and small cruise ships | |
| Scenic Luxury Cruises | Glen Moroney | United Kingdom | Expedition and small cruise ships |
| Seabourn Cruise Line | Carnival Corporation & plc | United States | |
| SeaDream Yacht Club | Atle Brynestad (private) | Norway | Yachts and small cruise ships |
| Silversea Cruises | Royal Caribbean Group | Monaco | |
| Star Clippers | Star Clippers Ltd | United Kingdom | Yachts and small cruise ships |
| StarCruises | Resorts World Cruises | Malaysia | Ceased operations after Genting Hong Kong declared bankruptcy due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Restarted in as a brand of Resorts World Cruises. |
| Swan Hellenic | Andrea Zito | United Kingdom | Expedition cruising |
| TUI Cruises | TUI Group and Royal Caribbean Group | Germany | |
| UnCruise Adventures | United States | Small cruise ships | |
| Variety Cruises | Greece | Yachts and small cruise ships | |
| Viking Line | Finland | Cruiseferries | |
| Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Holdings | Switzerland | Small cruise ships |
| Virgin Voyages | Virgin Group | United States | |
| Windstar Cruises | The Anschutz Corporation | United States | Yachts and small cruise ships |
Defunct
| Name | Headquarters | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Admiral Cruises | United States | Defunct 1992. Acquired by Royal Caribbean Group. in 1988 but ceased operations in 1992. |
| American Classic Voyages | United States | Defunct 2001. Bankrupt |
| Birka Cruises | Finland | Defunct 2020. Subsidiary of Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö, operated the Birka Gotland. After 49 years on the Baltic Sea, ceased operations due to the Coronavirus pandemic on July 20, 2020 |
| Blue Star Line | United Kingdom | Defunct 1998. Merged and sold into P&O Nedlloyd |
| Celebration Cruise Line | United States | Defunct 2015. |
| Chandris Cruises | Greece | Defunct 1996. |
| Classic International Cruises | Australia | Defunct 2012. Liquidated |
| Commodore Cruise Line | United States | Defunct 2001. Bankrupt |
| Croisières de France | France | Defunct 2017. |
| Crown Cruise Line | United States | Defunct 2001. |
| Cruise & Maritime Voyages | United Kingdom | Defunct 2020. Ceased operations due to the Coronavirus pandemic |
| Cruise West | United States | Defunct 2010. |
| Cunard-White Star Line | United Kingdom | Absorbed into Cunard Line in 1949 |
| Dolphin Cruise Lines | Greece | Defunct 1997. Merged into Premier Cruise Line |
| Eastern Cruise Lines | United States | Defunct 1955. Name revived in 1965 and merged into Admiral Cruises in 1986 |
| EasyCruise | Greece | Defunct 2010. Sold to Hellenic Seaways |
| Effoa | Finland | Defunct 1990. |
| Epirotiki Line | Greece | Defunct 1995. Merged its operations with Sun Line. Most well known for losing three of its cruise ships between 1988 and 1991, including the MTS Oceanos in 1991 |
| Fathom | United States | Defunct 2019. |
| Festival Cruises | Greece | Defunct 2004. Bankrupt |
| Hamburg Atlantic Line German Atlantic Line Hanseatic Tours | Germany | Defunct 1997. Merged into Hapag-Lloyd Cruises |
| Home Lines | Italy | Defunct 1988. Merged into Holland America Line |
| Ibero Cruises | Spain | Defunct 2014. Merged into Costa Cruises |
| Imperial Majesty Cruise Line | United States | Defunct 2009. Became Celebration Cruise Line |
| Island Cruises | United Kingdom | Defunct 2015. |
| Italian Line / Italian Cruises | Italy | Defunct 2002. |
| Majesty Cruise Line | Norway | Defunct 1997. Merged into Norwegian Cruise Line |
| Norwegian America Line | Norway | Defunct 1995. Merged into Cunard Line |
| Norwegian Capricorn Line | Australia | Defunct 2000. Merged into Star Cruises |
| Ocean Village | United Kingdom | Defunct 2010. |
| Orient Lines | United States | Defunct 2008. |
| Orion Expedition Cruises | Australia | Defunct 2013. Taken over by and merged with Lindblad Expeditions |
| P&O Cruises Australia | Australia | Defunct 2025. Merged into Carnival Cruise Line |
| Peter Deilmann Cruises | Germany | Defunct 2015. |
| Polar Star Expeditions | Canada | Defunct 2011. Ceased operations after major damage to MV Polar Star |
| Premier Cruise Lines | United States | Defunct 1993. |
| Pullmantur Cruises | Spain | Defunct 2020. Ceased operations due to the Coronavirus pandemic |
| Renaissance Cruises | United States | Defunct 2001. |
| Royal Viking Line | Norway | Defunct 1998. Merged into Cunard Line |
| Sally Cruise | Finland | Defunct 1992. Merged into Silja Line |
| Shaw, Savill & Albion Line | United Kingdom | Defunct 1975. |
| Sitmar Cruises | Italy | Defunct 1988. Merged into Princess Cruises |
| Swedish American Line | Sweden | Defunct 1984. |
| Transocean Tours | Germany | Defunct 2020. German branch of Cruise & Maritime Voyages. Ceased operations due to the Coronavirus pandemic |
| Van Gogh Cruises | United Kingdom | Defunct 2009. |
| Western Cruise Lines | United States | Defunct 1986. Merged into Admiral Cruises |
| White Star Line | United Kingdom | Defunct 1934. Merged with Cunard Line to form Cunard-White Star Line |
| Windjammer Barefoot Cruises | United States | Defunct 2007. Bankrupt |
Shipping line still in service
The following is a list of defunct ocean cruise lines where their shipping line is still in service.
| Name | Status | Headquarters | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltic Shipping Company | No longer operates cruise ships | Russia | Engaging in construction of 116 vessels for various purposes including 4 passenger ferries |
| Black Sea Shipping Company | No ships in operation | Ukraine | |
| Club Cruise | No longer operates cruise ships | Netherlands | Continues to charter cruise ships to other companies |
| Far East Shipping Company | No longer operates cruise ships | Russia | Operator of marine shipping, roll-on/roll-off, rail transportation and port handling. |
| Finnlines | No longer operates cruise ships | Finland | Operator of ro-ro and passenger services |
| Kristina Cruises | No ships in operation | Finland | Last cruise ship Kristina Katarina sold off in 2013. Company is concentrating on selling cruises on other ships as a tour operator |
| Majestic International Cruises | No ships in operation | Greece | |
| Ocean Cruise Line | No ships in operation | United States | |
| Ocean Star Cruises | No ships in operation | Mexico | Last cruise ship Ocean Star Pacific sold for scrap in 2014 |
| Silja Line | No longer operates cruise ships | Finland | Operator of cruiseferrys |
List of river cruise lines
Operational river lines
The following is a list of operational river cruise lines.
| Name | Headquarters | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1AVista | Germany | River cruises in Europe |
| AmaWaterways | United States | River cruises in Europe, Asia and Africa |
| American Cruise Lines | United States | Paddle-steamer cruises on US rivers |
| Aqua Expeditions | Peru | Privately owned by Francesco Galli Zugaro, eco-friendly river cruises on Amazon and Mekong rivers |
| A-ROSA Flussschiff | Germany | River cruises in Europe, offered ocean-going cruises with A-Rosa blu 2002–04 |
| Australian Pacific Touring (APT) | Australia | Privately owned (McGeary family), river cruises in Europe, Asia and Africa, shares many ships with AmaWaterways |
| Avalon Waterways | United States | River cruises in Europe, Egypt, Asia and South America |
| Century Cruises | China | Operates along the Yangtze river |
| CroisiEurope | France | Privately owned (Schmitter family), river cruises in Europe and Asia |
| Crystal Cruises | United States | Owned by Genting Hong Kong, river cruises in Europe |
| DouroAzul | Portugal | Owned by Mystic Invest, river cruises in the Douro, Portugal |
| Emerald Cruises | Switzerland | |
| Emerald Waterways | United States | Owned by Australian river cruise operator Scenic, river cruises in Europe and Asia |
| European Waterways | United Kingdom | Operates converted trading barges on European Rivers |
| Grand Circle Cruise Line | United States | Owned by Grand Circle Corporation, river cruises in Europe |
| Great Lakes Cruise Company | United States | Privately owned (Conlin family), Great Lakes and river cruises in USA and Canada |
| Hansa Touristk | Germany | Privately owned (Kilian family), offers ocean and river cruises (Europe, Asia) |
| Heritage Line | Vietnam | River cruises in Asia |
| Lüftner Cruises | Austria | Privately owned (Lüftner family), river cruises in Europe |
| Nicko Cruises | Germany | Owned by Mystic Invest, river cruises in Europe and Asia |
| Orthodox Cruise Company | Russia | River cruises in Russia |
| Pandaw River Expeditions | Vietnam | River cruises in Asia |
| Paradise Cruises | Vietnam | Ha Long Bay |
| Phoenix Reisen | Germany | Privately owned (Zurnieden family), river cruises in Europe, Egypt, Asia and South America |
| Plantours Kreuzfahrten | Germany | Offers ocean and river cruises (Europe, Asia) |
| President Cruises | China | Operates along the Yangtze river |
| Reisebüro Mittelthurgau | Switzerland | Owned by Twerenbold Group, river cruises in Europe |
| Riviera Travel (DBA Riviera River Cruises) | United Kingdom | Luxury river cruises in Europe on the Rhone, Rhine, Danube, Douro, Seine, Main and Moselle. Travel Brand of the Year 2017. |
| Sanctuary Retreats | United Kingdom | River cruises in Asia |
| Scenic | Australia | Owned by coach tour operator Transit Scenic Tours, river cruises in Europe and Asia |
| Tauck River Cruises | United States | Privately owned (Tauck family), river cruises in Europe |
| The River Cruise Line | United Kingdom | River cruises in Europe |
| Uniworld River Cruises | United States | River cruises in Europe, Egypt and Asia |
| Victoria Cruises | United States | The only American-based cruise line operating along the Yangtze River |
| Victoria Mekong Cruises | Vietnam | Partnership between Vietnam-based hospitality managers Thien Minh Group and Wendy Wu Tours |
| Viking River Cruises | Switzerland | River cruise line of Viking Cruises with operating HQ in Basel, Switzerland, marketing HQ in USA (California) |
| Viva River Cruises | Switzerland | Owned by Scylla AG (Tauck), river cruises in Europe |
| Vodohod | Russia | Owned by UCL Holding, river cruises in Russia |
| Yangtze Gold Cruises | China | Operates along the Yangtze River |
| Sardinha do Tejo | Portugal | Operates in Tejo River |
Defunct river lines
The following is a list of defunct river cruise lines.
| Name | Headquarters | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| American Queen Steamboat Company | United States | Ceased operations in Feb 2024. 4 riverboats sold to American Cruise Lines in Apr 2024. |
| DDSG | Austria | |
| Transocean Tours | Germany | From 2014 to 2021, German branch of Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Ceased operations due to the Coronavirus pandemic July 2020 |
| TUI FlussGenuss | Germany | Former river cruise branch of TUI Group, ceased operations in 2014 |
See also
- List of ferry operators
- List of cruise ships
- List of largest cruise ships
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