Carnival Cruise Line

Past and Present – Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line is an international cruise line with its headquarters in Doral, Florida, USA. Carnival Cruise Line is one of ten cruise lines owned by the world’s largest cruise ship operator, the American-British Carnival Corporation & plc. The other members of the group are AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, P&O Cruises Australia, Princess Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line and Carnival CSSC.

Carnival Cruise Line was founded in 1972 by Ted Arison. To finance his new venture, Arison turned to Meshulam Riklis, who owned the Boston-based American International Travel Service (AITS). Arison and Riklis set up the new company as a subsidiary of AITS.

In 1974 Riklis sold his interest in the company to Arison for just $1, but this was subject to Arison taking over the substantial company debts. The split enabled Arison to enter into new relationships with independent travel agents. He promoted his cruises to fun-loving younger people. The format was very successful financially and is still used to this day.

Carnival Cruise Lines commenced sailings from Miami with their first ship the Mardi Gras in 1972, a former transatlantic liner purchased from Canadian Pacific Line. Carnival would adapt and evolve the original green Canadian Pacific livery for their new logo.

In 1982, Carnival introduced their first purpose-built ship, the Tropicale. This was the first ship to feature the companies iconic winged funnel, designed by Joe Farcus. The funnel, shaped like a whale’s tail, with a red, white, and blue color scheme features in the company logo and this trademark funnel design is found on all the companies vessels. As of January 2022, Carnival Cruise Line operates a fleet of 24 ships.