Who Founded Carnival Cruise Line?

Ted Arison, an Israeli businessman who co-founded Norwegian Cruise Lines in 1966 with Knut Kloster, founded Carnival Cruise Line in 1972. The company was initially a private company, but later became the largest brand owned by Carnival Corporation plc. Arison and his friend Meshulam Riklis, who owned Boston-based American International Travel Service (AITS), set up the new company as a subsidiary of AITS. AITS was to market and promote the new cruise line.

Carnival Cruise Line aimed to make cruising accessible and enjoyable to the average American vacationer. Arison’s vision was to create a more casual experience for travelers. The company began operating in 1972 with a boatload of vision, a single secondhand ship, and just enough fuel to make a one-way trip.

The company began operating in 1972 with a boatload of vision, a single secondhand ship, and just enough fuel to make a one-way trip. Arison’s vision was to make cruising accessible and enjoyable to the average American vacationer.

Carnival Corporation, parent company of Carnival Cruise Line and other great brands, is the global leader in the cruise industry, leading the way in innovative cruise experiences. Micky Arison, chairman of the world’s largest cruise ship operator, Carnival Corp, spent 34 years as CEO of Carnival, helping grow its fleet from two to over 200 ships.