Carnival Corporation acquires 50 percent of Costa Cruises, Europe's leading cruise company and takes 100 percent ownership of the Italian cruise operator three years later.

Carnival Corporation & plc is the world’s largest cruise company, having grown primarily through the acquisition of iconic brands. Its portfolio includes Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, and Cunard, all of which were major independent players before joining the Carnival family. They also own international brands like Costa Cruises (Italy), AIDA Cruises (Germany), and P&O Cruises (UK/Australia). In 2026, Carnival continues to operate these as distinct brands to cater to different market segments, ranging from "fun" contemporary cruising to ultra-luxury and traditional British refinement. While they share back-end logistics and corporate leadership, each line maintains its own unique identity and loyal following, allowing Carnival to dominate nearly half of the global cruise market share.