The Forbes magazine released The World's Billionaires list for 2016. Among the richest people in the world are the owners and shareholders of the major cruise line companies. As you can see from the list three families rule the global cruise ship industry. Gianluigi Aponte and his wife Rafaela established MSC shipping company in 1970 which operates today around 500 vessels. Sammy Ofer, the founder of Royal Caribbean split his wealth among his two sons, Eyal and Idan. Ted Arison, the founder of Carnival Corporation transferred  his wealth to his son Micky Arison (richest man in Florida) and his daughter Shari Arison (richest woman in Israel)

Here is the list of Richest people in Cruise industry according to Forbes:

Number 1 - Gianluigi Aponte and Rafaela Aponte MSC

Net Worth $9 Billion

With Net Worth of $9 Billion the owners of the shipping and cruise company MSC Gianluigi Aponte and his wife Rafaela hold the 135 place on Forbes richest people in the world. 

MSC has a fleet of 480 vessels and is the world's second largest container shipping company and fourth largest cruise company with 12 cruise ships in the MSC Cruises fleet. The Italian couple are Swiss citizens and rank number 2 richest people in Switzerland. 

Number 2 - Eyal Ofer, Royal Caribbean Corporation 

Net Worth $8.4 Billion

Eyal Ofer is son of the Royal Caribbean founder Sammy Ofer who passed away in 2011 and was once richest man in Israel. He is real estate and shipping magnate and chairman of Ofer Global group, based in Monaco. His business empire is concentrated in global real estate and shipping industry. His interests include stake in publicly traded Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines where for 15 years he has been a director. Ofer is chairman of Global Holdings a real estate company.

His fortune is estimated at $8.4 Billion making him the richest man in Cruise Ships industry and 135 richest man in the world.

Number 3 - Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation

Net worth $7.5 Billion

The Chairman of the world's largest cruise ship operator Carnival Corporation, Micky Arison is on 167 place on Forbes list with Net worth of $7.5 Billion.

In 1972 Micky Arison father, Ted Arison, cofounded Carnival Cruise Lines purchasing one ship and Micky joined the new firm. In 1995 he become owner of the NBA Basketball team Miami Heat. 

He is the richest man in Florida, and 62nd richest man in US.

Number 4 - Leon Black, Apollo Global Management

Net worth $4.7 Billion

The founder of the private equity company Apollo Global Management, Leon Black fortune is estimated at $4,7 Billion placing him as 324 richest man in the world and 113 in United States. The self made billionaire inherited from his father $75,000 losing a big chunk on trading commodities. This was a wakeup call for Mr. Black teaching him a lesson about doing his homework. In 1990 he started Apollo Global Management that become multinational company with over US$162 billion of investor commitments. The company owns 20% of Norwegian Cruise Lines, CORE Media Group (American Idol), Claire's, Caesars Entertainment Corporation.

Number 5 - Kok Thay, Genting Group

Net worth $4.5 Billion

Kok Thay, is chairman of Genting Group, multinational company with continued global expansion in the cruise industry and gambling sector. According to Forbes his fortune is estimated at $4,5 Billion which makes him 6th richest man in Malaysia. Genting Group operates Star Cruises, owns 28.0% of Norwegian Cruise Line, and has recently purchased luxury cruise brand Crystal Cruises for $550 million

Number 6 – Shari Arison, Carnival Corporation

Net worth $3.9 Billion

Micky Arison sister, Shari inherited her fortune from her father Ted Arison, the founder of Carnival Corporation. She is the richest woman in Israel with net fortune of $3,9 Billion. 

The Tel-Aviv philanthropist  has position herself as a force for good in business by investing in  green projects such as green shopping mall in Israel and a $100 million venture for maximizing the efficiency of large urban water systems.