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Topic

Cruise Industry

The stern of the Carnival Splendor docked in San Francisco, with Panama listed below its name as the ship's port of registry rather than a U.S. city.

Why Cruise Ships Don't Fly the American Flag

Nearly every major cruise line is incorporated in Panama, Liberia or Bermuda, with ships flying Panama, Bahamas or Maltese flags instead of the Stars and Stripes. It's a structure worth billions in avoided U.S. tax, and it sets the wages of the crew who serve you.

Business  · 1 Oct 2026, 14:36  · Priya Raman