The Russian Ship owner/manager, Sovcomflot, have been rumored to be looking at a new venture in the Cruise Industry according to Cruise Business Review. This venture would greatly diversify their business portfolio. Sovcomflot owns and manages everything from ice Breakers to bulk product tankers.
If they go through with it, they would join MSC Shipping and Hapag Lloyd as other maritime industry powerhouses that have cruise business ventures.
To have a large impact and be successful, new lines require a lot of capitol upfront. Its far easier to have large companies with lots of maritime experience to help launch a successful line.