Carnival Share Price (CCL) - Buy CCL Shares

Carnival plc is the world's largest cruise operator, operating through 12 global brands and with a current fleet of around 100 vessels. The roots of the company began in the early 1970s when the Carnival Cruise Lines Company was founded in the USA. The result of mergers and acquisitions, most significantly the premium operator, Holland America Line, eventually led to the establishment of the Carnival Corporation in 1994. Carnival also operated a charter air line business in the late 1980s which was later divested and merged with Pan-America Airlines in 1997.

Currently one of the company's most recognisable brands is P&O Cruises, which was split off from the larger P&O ferry business in 2000 (under the brand 'P&O Princess') and merged with Carnival Corporation in 2001. The company also owns the historic Cunard Line, which currently operates the Queen Mary 2, the world's largest ocean liner, in addition to operating some of the world's largest other liners such as the Star Princess, Caribbean Princess and Carnival Destiny. Some of the company's other brands include AIDA (Germany), Ocean Village (UK), Princess Cruises (USA), Swan Hellenic (UK) and Iberocruceros (Spain). Despite a worldwide presence, two thirds of the company's revenue is generated in the North American market. The company is dual listed on the NYSE and the LSE with UK headquarters in London and US headquarters in Miami. In 2007 the company generated revenues of over £13 billion with a net profit of £2.4 billion.