As of 2026, Carnival Cruise Line officially operates the largest fleet of ships under a single brand name, with roughly 27 to 28 vessels in active service. However, if you are looking at "corporate" ownership, Carnival Corporation & plc is the undisputed giant, owning several brands including Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, and Costa Cruises, totaling over 90 ships globally. Royal Caribbean International is the closest competitor in terms of single-brand fleet size, with around 26 to 27 ships, though they often hold the title for the "largest ships by tonnage" (like the Icon and Oasis classes). Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) follows with a fleet of about 19 to 20 ships. Carnival’s strategy has long focused on having a high volume of ships stationed across numerous U.S. homeports, allowing them to maintain the lead in terms of the sheer number of hulls currently carrying passengers across the oceans.