Carnival Corporation chief Micky Arison is to be granted the Freedom of Southampton.
The honour is due to be confirmed at a special meeting of the city’s council next Wednesday.
It will be conferred on Carnival chairman and chief executive Arison for the role he has played in the city’s economic prosperity and being “instrumental in assisting Southampton becoming the cruise capital of (northern) Europe”.
The Hampshire port is base for Carnival UK and the company’s P&O Cruises and Cunard brands.
Arison said: “It is indeed an honour for me to be recognised in this way by the City of Southampton.
“I am proud to have played a part in the expansion of the cruise industry in Southampton and look forward to continuing to work and invest together for the prosperity of this great city.’’