Are All Cruise Lines American-Owned? And how do we Canadians own part of one?
Cruising has been rising in popularity for years. It has long had the stereotype as the travel for senior citizens with 4:30pm dinners, mandatory dinner jackets, and a slow pace that will appeal to anyone with a strong pulse. However, cruising has worked hard to expand it’s offerings and improve it’s appeal to the younger generations – families, 20-somethings, and the recent retirees, that demand more excitement, more variety, and are willing to pay for easy travel.
The American-owned companies seem to have dominated the marketing and product innovation for these new cruising people, but if you’re looking for a company that isn’t American owned, it can be a challenge. Many of the companies that used to be independent are owned, or partially owned, by larger travel companies or investment firms.
The USA Owned Cruise Lines
Carnival Corporation owns:
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Princess Cruises
- Holland America
- Cunard
- P&O Cruises
- AIDA Cruises
- Costa Cruises
- Seaborn Cruises
Royal Caribbean Group Owns:
- Royal Caribean Cruises
- Celebrity Cruises
- Silversea Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings owns:
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Oceania Cruises
- Regent Seven Sears Cruises
The 3 Sort-Of American Owned Cruise Lines
This is where everyone’s definition of American or USA-Owned cruise lines may be a little bit different.
Virgin Voyages
is branded under the Richard Branson Virgin Empire, but is a partnership between Virgin Group and Bain Capital (a USA Private Investment firm).
Viking Holdings
was founded and still controlled by a family in Norway (but incorporated in Bermuda- most cruise companies are incorporated in lower tax nations) but has a small percentage that is owned by Capital Research Global Investors AND the Canadian Investment Pension Board.
So we all own a piece of Viking Holdings (a reported less than 5%) but so do investors in the United States. Neither firm – the American one or the CPPIB have any controlling stake, so maybe that cancels each other out.
Tui Group has three cruise brands:
- Mein Schiff (aka Tui Cruises) – 50/50 Tui & Royal Caribbean
- Hapag-Lloyd Cruises – 50/50 Tui & Royal Caribbean
- Marrella Cruises – Completely Tui owned.
Non-American Owned Ocean Cruise Lines
The biggest and most well known non-USA backed Cruise line is MSC Cruise Lines. MSC Group operates both it’s main mass market competitor MSC Cruises and their 2021 launched company Explora Journeys which offers a higher end experience geared more towards the luxury market.
One additional positive about MSC is that they use a model where there are multiple embarkation and debarkation points on their routes, which most USA companies avoid doing due to the The Jones Act & The Passenger Vessel Services Act – A USA rule that means most cruise ship passengers’ embarkation and debarkation are all on the same day.
Non-American Owned River Cruise Lines
It’s easier for me to name mainstream river cruises compared to ocean cruises as there are a few dominant larger brands with no American ownership that I know of.
AMA Waterways – An upscale river cruise company “offering culturally immersive journeys, fine dining, active excursions and personalized service along the world’s iconic rivers.”
Scenic River Cruises – An Australian-founded ultra-luxury river cruise line known for all-inclusive five-star experience, spacious ships, butler service and exclusive shore excursions
Emerald Cruises – A luxury brand with European and Southeast Asian river voyages with small yacht cruises.
Viva Cruises – A German based company with modern ships and more of a relaxed river cruise style.
Other Cruise Lines
This is by no means a comprehensive list, but a starting point. Others are: Star Clippers (Monaco), Swan Hellenic (Cyprus), Herbridean (Scotland), Saga (UK), Fred Olsen (UK), Aurora Expeditions (Australian), Aranui (South Pacific), Mitsui (Japan) and on and on and on!
The World of Cruising Is Much Bigger Than the USA brands, but they have made themselves the easiest, and often cheapest, to access and travel with. If you’re up for the challenge, look outside the stars and stripes for your next trip! Let me known which other lines you like that I didn’t alk about, or why you like the cruise lines that you do.
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