Carnival Cruise Lines (NYSE: CCL) is the largest operator of vacation cruise ships in the world. With 81 cruise liners carrying over 7 million passengers worldwide, the company commands around 49% of the global cruise industry^[1]. The company makes money from ticket sales as well as on-board revenue from gambling, shore excursions, bar revenues, and other amenities across brands including Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess, Costa, Holland America Line, P&O, AIDA, Cunard, and Seabourn.

Surveys estimate that there are some 127 million potential passengers for cruises in North America alone (defined as members of households with a minimum income threshold of $40,000, headed by a person at least 25 years old), and that half of these individuals have expressed an interest in taking a cruise. Yet, only about 17% of this captive market has ever taken a cruise, meaning there is room for greater market penetration and maturity. This represents a tremendous growth opportunity for CCL in the future. Europe also represents a large growth opportunity, as cruises currently make up a very small percentage of the overall vacation market in Europe.^[2]

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