Carnival plc (NYSE: CUK) is one of the world’s leading cruise operators, offering leisure travel services to millions of passengers each year. Through its portfolio of brands, the company provides passenger cruises that combine accommodations, entertainment, dining, shore excursions and onboard amenities. Carnival’s vessels range from contemporary “fun ships” to premium and luxury experiences, catering to a broad spectrum of travelers from families and couples to solo adventurers.
Founded in 1972 by Ted Arison, the company has grown through organic fleet expansion and strategic acquisitions. Over the decades, Carnival plc has assembled a diverse lineup of cruise brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (UK and Australia), Cunard, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises and Seabourn. Each brand maintains its own identity and target market, while leveraging the company’s centralized operations, purchasing and safety standards.
Carnival plc serves guests on itineraries that span every major ocean and region, including the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska, Australia, Asia and South America. The company’s ships call on hundreds of ports worldwide, partnering with local tour operators to curate shore excursions and cultural experiences. Operating under a dual-listed structure with a U.S. parent company, Carnival plc is headquartered in Southampton, England, and maintains offices in major cruise hubs around the globe.