princess cruise line flag

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Cruise Ship Registry, Flag State Control, Flag of Convenience

Cruise ship registry and flags, what is flag-state (control & responsibilities), flags of convenience - all of these are the subject of the following survey. We offer you a list of smaller and really big cruise ships sailing under foreign flags and some info about cruise ship registration by cruise line company (current operator for chartered ships).

What is "Flag State" (definition)

"Flag State" is the ship's registration country under whose laws it is registered/licensed. Just like any marine vessel, a passenger ship operates under its flag state laws (also used if the ship is involved in an admiralty case). Flag states have the authority and responsibility for a ship, exercising control over the ships. They inspect the ships regularly, certify equipment and crew, issue safety and pollution-related documents, etc.

Each of the flag states has its own ship register where all ships sailing under its flag need to be registered. Some countries even have more than one ship register.

What is "Flag State Control" (definition)

The cruise ship's flag state controls the vessel and its crew - an absolute authority. Ships have to comply with all the flag state's maritime rules and regulations, which are, of course in accordance with the international maritime rules and regulations by the IMO (International Maritime Organisation). The flag state has the absolute authority over the ship, for not complying with the norms the flag state can impose penalties on the ship and crew. Flag states are required to carry out regular inspections, to ensure safe and secure shipping of passengers and goods, to send detailed inspection reports to the IMO. The IMO has 167 Governments as members.

For cruise ships registered in the USA - the USCG (US Coast Guard), search and rescue operations. "The Officer in Charge Marine Inspections" - for the inspection of all US-flagged cruise ships (and other marine vessels) relating to construction/equipment/manning, casualties/accidents and for investigations of cases of misconduct/negligence/incompetence of officers and crew.

For cruise ships registered in the UK - the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) is the flag state control executive agency responsible for the implementation of the GB's and the International maritime law and policies. It operates through the UK's HMCG (Her Majesty's Coastguard) - safety control, coastal water monitoring, and testing, issues licenses to officers/crew, monitoring of the UK's AIS network (real-time ship tracking).

What is "flag of convenience" (definition)

"Flag of Convenience" is called the flag state of a merchant ship when registered in a state different from that of its owners. More than half of all merchant ships in the world are registered under flags of convenience, and according to the latest statistics - around 90% of all commercial marine vessels calling on US ports are under foreign flags. There's only one big sea cruise ship registered in the USA - ms Pride of America, and the sole reason for that is she sails in Hawaii exclusively, the whole year-round.

As the market always determines the prices, often choosing a flag state means minimizing costs to maximize the revenue. And for a cruise ship owner, making a choice between using the fiscal advantages of registering ships in the open registry (under "Flag of Convenience") and registration in a national/close registry means making a choice between good business and not so good business.

In 1922, W. Averell Harriman (American politician/businessman/diplomat) registered two of his American-owned ships under the Panamanian flag, the main reason being to avoid Prohibition. In 1948, E. Stettinius (former Secretary of State under Roosevelt) founded the Liberian ship registry, later followed by Bahamas and Bermuda, Malta and Portugal. Some countries (like Italy and Holland/Netherlands) have cruise ships registered in their national registries.

World's most popular cruise ships flags of convenience

• The list of Bahamas-registered cruise ships includes some of the largest passenger ships in the world from the fleets of RCCL, NCL, and Carnival.
• Under the Panamanian flag operate 2 major cruise ship companies - Carnival (CCL started the "Panama flag state" cruising experience with the Mardi Gras ship in 1972) and MSC Cruises (brand of the Mediterranean Shipping Company, one of the world's largest container shipping lines ).
• Bermudian Flag of Convenience and Cruise Weddings. Bermuda is offering its offshore registry for UK-owned ships since 1974. First, the P&O Cruises line changed its cruise ships' flags from London to Hamilton. Most of the Bermuda-flagged cruise ships (all registered in Hamilton ) are from the fleets of Princess, P&O, and Cunard. And the main reason for that is the Bermudian flag of convenience allows captains to perform onboard weddings (the Bermudian flag is, of course, British, but Bermuda's registry has different legislation).
• Under the Italian flag are Costa and AIDA, with all vessels being registered in Genoa .
• Under the flag of Malta are the RCCL brands Celebrity and TUI. In Malta ( Valletta ) are also registered the ships of Celestyal Cruises transferred away from the expensive flag of Greece.
• Under the royal flag of The Netherlands/Holland are all Holland America ships (a Carnival brand).
• Madeira ( Funchal ) is the offshore registry of Portugal, registered in Portugal ships are from the fleets of Classic International and Iberocruceros (Carnival's brand).
• There are no cruise ships registered in Liberia today. For many years, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity operated under the Liberian flag, but the dictator Charles Taylor changed all that. Under the Liberian flag of convenience, today sail many cargo ships, though.
• CCL-Carnival Cruise Lines is now the only major brand to split its ships between two flags of convenience (Panama and Bahamas), while the others usually stick to one.
• All Galapagos-based ships are Ecuador-flagged.

Cruise ship flags of convenience vs national flag

The flag of convenience helps ship owners to evade their home nation's "inconvenient" rules/regulations, and often for reasons that are not so good. The negative impact is solely on the crew/staff who works on such ships.

• Lower standards of working conditions due to lesser regulations. The crew on such ships often work under stress, or under dangerous conditions, and often without compensation.
• The crew is deprived of basic rights, such as the right to form/join trade unions, and the right to demand proper pay/working conditions.
• A ship under the flag of convenience is under its flag state's jurisdiction, but ship records and other documents can be easily manipulated in cases of illegal trade (like smuggling, for example). Crew members could be charged for a criminal activity they were not even a part of.
• Generally, ships sailing under the flag of convenience offer lower salaries or pay crew/staff later than required.
• Insufficient or no compensation in cases of onboard accidents . Such ships have the right to refuse to pay compensation to a crew member and/or his/her family.
• Busy work schedule without the necessary rest time between assignments (compared to the standard).
• Uncertainty/stress - working on a flag of convenience ship can endanger your career, resulting in sickness, physical and mental impairments, and even bad work record if you decide to seek justice.

Open registry /flag of convenience states today account for more than 55% of the world's shipping.

Flag of convenience list of countries with an open registry

Currently, 27 countries have been declared "Flag of Convenience" states by ITF Global (International Transport Workers' Federation). Founded in 1896, the ITF currently represents a combined membership of around 5 mill workers from 148 countries. ITF (headquartered in London, UK) runs an international campaign against these countries through its "Fair Practices Committee" (seafarers' & dockers' unions).

ITF's list of "bad guys" (flag of convenience countries) includes:

• Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba
• Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda
• Cambodia, Canary Islands, Cayman Islands, Cook Islands, Cyprus
• GIS (German International Ship Register), Gibraltar
• Lebanon, Liberia, Luxembourg
• Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Myanmar
• Netherlands/Dutch Antilles
• St Vincent, Sri Lanka
• Tuvalu (Ellice Islands, Polynesia)
• Vanuatu (South Pacific).

As a rule, cruise ships under the flag of convenience have a multinational crew and are owned by large multinational companies.

What is the difference between closed and open registries?

"Open Registries" are organizations that will register foreign-owned ships. One of the first open registries is the Liberian and Panamanian registries, followed by the Bahamian and Bermudian, and more recently - those of Malta and Portugal.

"Closed (national) Registries" require that a cruise ship be owned and constructed by national interests and to be fully or partially crewed by its citizens. This usually increases the ship's construction and operating costs. Italy (Genoa) and The Netherlands (Rotterdam) are two of the national registries featuring big-size cruise liners owned by companies like HAL-Holland America, Costa, AIDA.

Flag states list of the largest ship registries in the world

Note: These are flag-states serving all types of ships (official data 2011).

• PAN-PANAMA (22,6 %) registry port Colon
• LBR-LIBERIA (11 %) registry port Monrovia
• MHL-MARSHALL ISLANDS (6%) registry port Majuro
• HKG-HONG KONG (5,8%)
• GRC-GREECE (5,3%)
• BHS-BAHAMAS (5%) registry port Nassau
• SGP-SINGAPORE (4,8%)
• MLT-MALTA (4,4%) registry port Valletta
• CHN-CHINA (3,5%)
• CYPRUS (2,5%) registry port Limassol
• SOUTH KOREA (1,6%)
• NORWAY (1,5%) registry port Oslo
• JPN-JAPAN (1,4%)
• GERMANY (1,4%)
• ITALY (1,3%) registry port Genoa
• ISLE OF MAN (1,3%) registry port Douglas
• INDIA (1,2%)
• DENMARK (1%)
• ANTIGUA & BARBUDA (1%)

When the Coronavirus crisis started (2020), Looyd's List ranked as "the world's top 10 flag states" the following countries:

• Panama, with total GT 234,735 million tons, total DWT 350,511 million tons, total vessels 9596
• Liberia (187,801M / 299,328M / 4295)
• Marshall Islands (170,971M / 276,365M / 4313)
• Hong Kong (130,306M / 206,273M / 2739)
• Singapore (96,101M / 142,956M / 4914)
• Malta (82,443M / 116,279M / 2588)
• Bahamas (64,127M / 77,341M / 1474)
• China (61,065M / 91,718M / 5130)
• Greece (38,042M / 65,755M / 1527)
• Japan (28,689M / 42,933M / 3852)

The following infographic shows 2015 statistical data about the number of commercial vessels (passenger and cargo ships) registered in foreign states compared to those carrying the boat's national flag.

Cruise Ship Registry

Cruise ships registry choices are made by cruise lines (or ship operators when the vessel is on charter). The main factors determining their decision are:

• flag-state's capabilities to deliver the services the company needs
• flag's reputation in the worldwide community of major international shipping companies
• flag-state's performance (how a cruise ship is prioritized by port states)
• seafarers pool (officers and crew) able to meet the flag's needs
• the number of fees (charges) and taxes (country's tax rates).

In summation, because the cruise shipowner immediately becomes subject to all safety/labor/environmental laws of the flag-state, the majority of nations with the most popular open registries tend to be countries with the laxest safety/labor/environmental codes, low tax rates, very cheap port fees.

Why most cruise ships are registered in Bahamas/Panama, and not in USA?

The Bahamas (port of Nassau) is the No 1 registry of cruise ships worldwide and the world's 3rd largest ship registry after Panama and Liberia. Why cruise lines do not enjoy the idea of having their ships registered in the United States and prefer to operate ships registered in other countries?

The biggest of the largest in the cruise travel industry (Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Disney) along with major shipping companies (like Chevron, Texaco and Exxon - the parent company of Esso and Mobil) prefer The Bahamas as flag-state/flag of convenience (see the definitions below) over USA simply because for a "Bahamian" ship US labor laws do not apply.

On any marine vessels registered in the Bahamas there are no codes about the number of hours a seafarer may work or his/her days off, no minimum wages, staff can be punished by the captain in case of complaining about issues (such as safety or food quality, for example). In other words, while on the ship, the captain has the absolute authority. This is the classic maritime law. Similar "benefits" offer Panama and Liberia as flag states.

• Princess Cruises

Princess boat flag ?

By Scotto97 , June 6, 2015 in Princess Cruises

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Has anyone made a Princess "Seawitch" boat flag? It would look great and promote the brand here on Lake Mead which we frequent quite often in our SeaRay cruiser.

When I mention this to Princess Reps, they love the idea and promise to pass it along, but so far I haven't heard they are for sale either online or onboard.

The standard size is 18" x 12"

I'm considering having a sign shop look into making one, but wonder if someone else has beat me to it

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Do you mean a Seawitch flag to display on a pleasure craft or a flagpole?

AE_Collector

Don't the tenders have them?

I have wanted one for years. To me it would be the perfect souvenir. I have asked and Princess does not sell them. But I want a bigger one than 18 x 12. More like 40 x 20.

I have a Seawitch tender flag and it measures 11X38 inches.

I have had boat flags made at Gettysburg Flag. No minimum and you pick colors and upload logo.

I have wanted one for years. To me it would be the perfect souvenir. I have asked and Princess does not sell them. But I want a bigger one than 18 x 12. More like 40 x 20. Chris

I have a really big one -- 72 x 116. Are you interested?

Colo Cruiser

Yes I want a boat flag.

I'm pretty sure uploading a Trademarked or Copyrighted logo to them is illegal.

I was wondering about that aspect.

I am suprised that Princess does not sell them in the stores on the ship and on line. I think it would be a money maker.

Prepare to be sued. ;):):D

Princess probably doesn't want their flags on something like this ...

I don't know, at least the shiny side is still up. :eek:

I have a really big one -- 72 x 116. Are you interested?   SilverBird

Yes. email me. cefrance at Comcast dot net

notentirelynormal

I don't know about that. I thought they would be upset with us using their ship photo to put on our t-shirts. Nope. They told me how to download the picture. We have often put a picture of the ship we were sailing on.

There's nothing wrong with using a picture of the ship, but any sort of art, like a logo, is illegal without permission from the owner.

I know, nothing's likely to happen. I'm just saying it as a FYI. My wife is in an art career, so I deal with this from time to time.

Thanks for the great ideas.

I've got some direction on how to proceed and will post a picture when it's done.

Princess would be crazy to spend money suing me for flying the flag on my Sea Ray cruiser. They should be paying me for the free advertising

Perhaps I'll send them a bill.........Lol !

Thanks for the great ideas.   I've got some direction on how to proceed and will post a picture when it's done.

There is a special flag for 50th anniversary.

So, you have a choice...

Princess clip-art used to be available online for travel agents to

use in advertising, but now it is password protected.

You can still get a large sea witch logo by upscaling a pdf, and converting

it in something like photoshop bridge.

I don't really remember the house pennant, but I think it is simply

a sea witch.

Thanks for the great ideas.   I've got some direction on how to proceed and will post a picture when it's done.   Princess would be crazy to spend money suing me for flying the flag on my Sea Ray cruiser. They should be paying me for the free advertising   Perhaps I'll send them a bill.........Lol !

Let us know how it works out.

I don't think you will have any problems as we flew one for years on a Sumerset Houseboat. Like you said, it is advertising.

KruzeKrazy!

If you're not using the logo for commercial gain it should be ok.

From time to time, I see folks walking around the ship

in some group 't' shirts.

Often with the princess logo, and often with the ship name.

The blah-blah-blah family cruise on crown princess.

I am always shocked that the trademark symbol is not placed

after the ship name! After all, a princess ship name is a trademark.

But seriously, I have never heard of anyone being ask to remove

the shirts because of trademark or copyright issue.

So many things are problems on cruise critic, but not in the real world.

I never said it was a problem on Cruise Critic either. Please do not embellish my advice. My post you quoted was in response to the suggestion of having a third party print a Princess flag. Nothing more, nothing less.

I understood what you were saying, some comments are made to stir up trouble.

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About Princess Cruises

What’s included in a princess cruise, princess cruises loyalty program: captain’s circle.

Princess Cruises is a U.S. cruise line owned by Carnival Corp., which also owns and operates other lines including Carnival, Holland America and Cunard.

First launched in 1965, Princess Cruises offers passengers the opportunity to sail all over the world, including to North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia and Antarctica.

Here’s a quick overview of some of Princess Cruises' key features.

Cabin types: Princess Cruises ships feature room types that are standard across most cruise lines. These include interior, ocean view, balcony, mini-suite and suite rooms. Princess Cruises’ inside rooms are contemporary and well-furnished, as are its higher-end offerings. 

Main U.S. routes: You’ll find Princess Cruise ships throughout the U.S., though routes are heavily season-dependent. Look for Caribbean cruises out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and for destinations along the West Coast, out of Los Angeles.  

Loyalty program: Captain’s Circle is the name of Princess Cruises’ loyalty program, which provides elite benefits based on how much you’ve cruised with the line. 

Princess Cruises destinations

Princess Cruise offers a large array of itineraries and destinations. Its sailings range in length from two-day getaways to a 116-day journey that travels around the globe, and it stops in seven continents and 330 ports of call.

» Learn more: Do you need a passport for a Caribbean cruise?

Princess Cruises prices

Princess ships tend to be a little more upscale than some other options, which means it can be more expensive to travel on one. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily be paying luxury prices.

Prices for rooms can vary dramatically based on when you travel. The cost is higher during the holidays. For example, a seven-day Western Caribbean cruise leaving from Fort Lauderdale can cost as little as $548 for an interior room. However, if you’re traveling during the winter holidays, the price skyrockets up to $1,178 for the same room.

What is the best Princess cruise ship?

There are a total of 15 vessels on this cruise line, with two more ships planned for sailings in 2024 or later.

Many of the line’s ships score well with reviewers, including the Discovery Princess ship, which is one of six Royal Class vessels. These vessels feature a larger atrium (the social hub of the ship), private poolside cabanas, a glass-bottomed over-water SeaWalk and more staterooms with balconies.

» Learn more: How to plan a cruise in 6 steps

What is the newest Princess Cruises ship?

The Discovery Princess is the newest ship. It debuted in 2022 and can carry up to 3,660 guests. However, according to Princess Cruises news, the Sun Princess will soon take the title of newest ship with its inaugural voyage in 2024.

While most cruises include many services and amenities with the base fare, not everything comes at that rate. There are some extras that you may need to pay more for.

Here’s what comes with each fare package on a Princess cruise:

The Princess Standard fare includes your cabin, use of facilities, all meals, snacks and entertainment. 

The Princess Plus fare includes all the amenities of the Princess Standard fare but also provides Wi-Fi service to one device, crew gratuities, premium beverages (including most alcoholic drinks), fitness classes, food delivery and two nights of dining at a casual sit-down restaurant.

The Princess Premier package includes all of the above, with Wi-Fi available on multiple devices, a superior drink package, two nights of specialty dining, unlimited casual dining, a photo package and reserved seating at shows. 

» Learn more: The best ways to book a cruise

The Captain’s Circle is the loyalty program for Princess Cruises, and after you complete your first cruise, you’re automatically a member with Gold tier status.

Captain’s Circle levels

The Captain’s Circle levels are Gold, Ruby, Platinum and Elite. Here’s how to reach each tier as well as the benefits you’ll receive.

How to earn: Complete one Princess cruise. 

Best benefits: Preferential pricing, members-only events. 

How to earn: Complete three cruises or 30 cruise days.

Best benefits: Vacation protection upgrade, shoreside access to priority phone line.

How to earn: Complete five cruises or 50 cruise days. 

Best benefits: 50% off Wi-Fi package, priority boarding, early access to dining reservations, exclusive member lounge, 10% discount on spa treatments. 

How to earn: Complete 15 cruises or 150 cruise days. 

Best benefits: Early access to new itineraries, 10% off-shore excursions, complimentary mini-bar setup, complimentary laundry services, priority embarkation and disembarkation.

(Top photo courtesy of Princess Cruises)

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Ruby Princess

Ship specifications.

City San Francisco

City Los Angeles

Ruby princess itineraries, 16 night hawaiian islands, 7 night inside passage (roundtrip vancouver), 7 night inside passage (with glacier bay national park), 3 night pacific coastal, 11 night mexican riviera, 7 night classic california coast, 5 night west coast getaway with san diego, princess cruises fleet.

Sun Princess

Grand Princess

Diamond Princess

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Regal Princess

Royal Princess

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Princess Cruises Cancels 9 Sailings on Its Newest Ship After Inaugural Voyage Gets Delayed

What to know if you've booked a trip that's now been canceled.

Princess Cruises has pushed back the inauguration of its newest ship and canceled several sailings for next year in the process.

The cruise line delayed the delivery of its next ship, the Star Princess , by about two months, pushing the start date from July 29, 2025, to Sept. 26, 2025, according to the company . The setback means Princess has been forced to cancel nine different cruises.

“Despite our collective dedication and relentless pursuit to deliver the ship in late July, it has become evident that additional time is required to ensure the Star Princess is delivered to the highest standards expected by our guests,” John Padgett, the president of Princess Cruises, said in a statement.

Travelers who were set to sail with the company on the brand-new ship can either receive a full refund of the cruise fare or choose to rebook on a future cruise and receive an onboard credit, which will depend on the cruise they choose. 

Passengers can rebook on any Princess cruise, including a future cruise on the Star Princess or on the Sun Princess , which launched this year.

Going forward, Princess will schedule its new inaugural voyage for the Star Princess on Oct. 4, 2025, sailing an 11-day route along the Mediterranean roundtrip from Barcelona. That will be followed by a 7-day trip on the Mediterranean on Oct. 15 and a 14-day transatlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale on Oct. 22. The ship will then spend time in the Caribbean.

These cruises open for sale on April 30.

When finished, the Star Princess will feature room for 4,300 guests across 21 decks, and come complete with more than 29 different bars and restaurants, a multi-level glass-enclosed covered deck called The Dome, a two-story spa, an infinity pool, and more. The ship will be the second in Princess’ Sphere Class of ships, joining the Sun Princess .

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure .

Which cruise lines does Carnival own? Here’s a list of cruise lines owned by Carnival Corp.

Carnival Corporation & PLC owns and operates many popular cruise brands, including namesake brand Carnival Cruise Line, also the corporation's largest.

Nine cruise lines fall under the Carnival umbrella, making it the largest parent company in the cruise industry. You've likely heard of Carnival Cruise Line but may be less familiar with the smaller brands in the group.

Here's a full list of cruise brands owned by Carnival Corporation & PLC.

For more cruise guides, news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Aida Cruises

Aida might not be familiar to you, but that's by design. It caters fully to a German-speaking market, which means North Americans might find it difficult to mingle with fellow passengers and crew if they sailed on one of the line's 12 ships.

Aida's vessels are painted with the line's trademark faces, featuring yellow eyes, blue eyeshadow and bright red lips.

The line became part of Carnival Corp. in 2003, when the corporation merged with P&O Princess Cruises, which included Aida, P&O, P&O Australia and Princess.

Carnival Cruise Line

Founded in 1972 by Ted Arison, Carnival Cruise Line started out with just one secondhand ship, Mardi Gras. Since then, it has grown to be the industry's largest cruise brand with more than two dozen vessels currently in operation, all of which were built specifically for the line (including one of its newest, also named Mardi Gras in honor of the original ship).

Carnival refers to its fleet as the "fun ships," offering a lively onboard atmosphere that focuses on pool parties, game shows and original entertainment. It prides itself on friendly service and a plethora of casual yet delectable dining venues. The line is an excellent choice for families, and it offers both short and long voyages at a variety of price points that make cruising affordable for most travelers.

Related: All you need to know about Carnival

Costa Cruises

Carnival Corp. took full ownership of Italian line Costa Cruises in 2000 after originally obtaining just 50% in 1997. The brand largely serves the Italian cruise demographic in the Mediterranean. In 2022, following the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, Carnival Corp. transferred some of Costa's ships to Carnival Cruise Line, touting "Fun Italian Style" and offering North Americans a taste of what Costa has to offer.

Like its North America-based counterparts, Costa sails ships that include several restaurants, bars and entertainment venues but with an Italian flare – right down to gondola decor and pasta galore.

Cunard Line

The Carnival parent company took over a majority stake in Cunard in 1998, but the brand's history began in 1840, when a Canadian war veteran established a fleet of steam-powered ferries and, later, ocean liners.

Throughout the years, Cunard vessels have been responsible for serving in wars, transporting immigrants and running transatlantic routes between the U.S. and Europe. The line started out offering necessary transportation but eventually pivoted to the luxurious leisure travel for which the line is known today.

On board, try a fencing class, learn flower arranging, or enjoy a full-service afternoon tea with real clotted cream served by white-gloved waiters.

Related: All you need to know about Cunard

Holland America Line

Acquired by Carnival Corp. in 1989, Holland America also carries a rich history dating back to 1873. It initially sailed transatlantic voyages that ferried immigrants between The Netherlands and New York City.

The line currently relies heavily on its heritage to inform its current identity. On board, passengers will find excellent food, music and customer service, all of which tend to draw slightly older passengers and multigenerational family groups.

Related: All you need to know about Holland America

P&O Australia

P&O Australia was acquired by Carnival in 2003, and it remains the only cruise line in the world that caters entirely to Australian passengers who enjoy fun-in-the-sun cruises.

With just three ships in its fleet, the line is small but specific, offering round-trip voyages from Sydney and Brisbane in Australia and sailing throughout the Australia and New Zealand regions.

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises is the U.K. counterpart to P&O Australia, providing a fun and affordable cruise experience for Brits.

It features an onboard vibe that's slightly more upscale than sister brand Carnival but at a similar price point and with decidedly English touches, such as an absolutely scrumptious — and free — afternoon tea.

Like several of Carnival Corp.'s other brands, the line came under the umbrella in 2003 during the P&O Princess Cruises merger.

Princess Cruises

Princess was rolled under the Carnival umbrella in 2003 when Carnival Corp. combined with P&O Princess Cruises.

Princess' ships walk the line between courting older passengers with their connection to popular 1980s television show "The Love Boat" and staying current with technological advancements that include the industry's first fleetwide wearable, the OceanMedallion . As a result, the line appeals to a variety of passengers of all ages, including couples hoping to share a romantic vacation.

Related: All you need to know about Princess

Seabourn Cruise Line

In 1992, Carnival Corp. acquired a 25% stake in Seabourn before purchasing the entire brand outright in 2001. The luxury cruise line, which includes things like alcohol, Wi-Fi and gratuities in its fares, sails a fleet of lovely ships with a focus on high-end furnishings and next-level service.

Seabourn also began offering expedition sailings with a couple of vessels that were built specifically for cruises to rugged, far-flung and less-traveled destinations that include the Arctic and the Galapagos.

Related: All you need to know about Silversea

Carnival Corp. FAQ

Does carnival own royal caribbean.

No. Royal Caribbean International is owned and operated by the Royal Caribbean Group, which also includes Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises , among other brands.

Does Carnival own Disney Cruise Line?

No. Disney Cruise Line is owned by The Walt Disney Company.

Is Princess owned by Carnival?

Yes. Princess Cruises is owned and operated by Carnival Corporation & PLC.

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