Micky Arison

Micky Arison has been Chair of the Board of Directors of Carnival Corporation since 1990 and Chair of the Board of Directors of Carnival plc since 2003.

As the world’s largest travel and leisure company, Carnival Corporation (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) has nine cruise brands, which are based throughout North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, and include: Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America, Princess, Seabourn, AIDA, Costa, Cunard, P&O UK, and P&O Australia.

Arison grew up in the cruise business—leaving college at the University of Miami and joining Carnival Cruise Lines, the company founded by his father, Ted Arison, in 1971.

Following a two-year stint in the Carnival Cruise Lines sales department, he became Reservations Manager in 1974 and Vice President of Passenger Traffic in 1976—attracting younger travelers and those who had never taken a cruise before with competitively priced packages and shorter itinerary options. He was named President of the company in 1979. Under Arison's direction, Carnival, became the industry leader by expanding its fleet through new ship construction and entering new market segments through acquisitions. In 1987, the company went public, generating $400 million for future expansion. In 1989, he engineered the acquisition of the Holland America Line to enter the premium cruise market. He also led the company’s acquisitions of ultra-luxury leader Seabourn; Cunard, operator of the world’s most famous ocean liners; Costa Cruises, Europe’s number one cruise company; and P&O Princess Cruises, one of the most recognizable names in travel.

In 2013, Carnival appointed longtime Carnival Board Member Arnold Donald President and CEO, with Arison continuing to serve as Chairman. He also is a member of the Cruise Lines International Association Global Executive Committee and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association.

Arison’s contributions to the cruise industry have been recognized by a wide range of international organizations. He has been named an “Officer of the French Legion of Honor” – the country’s highest civilian honor – by French President Jacques Chirac, received an honorary doctorate in naval architecture from the University of Genoa, and was awarded the Decoration of Commander, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland by the President of the Republic of Finland. He has also been awarded the insignia of “Onorificenza al Merito della Repubblica Italiana” by the president of Italy, which confers that country's highest title on a civilian.

Outside of cruise, Arison is the Managing General Partner of the National Basketball Association’s Miami Heat franchise and has served as Chairman of the league’s board of governors.