Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which owns numerous cruise companies, has announced significant expansion programme with orders for eight new generation vessels to join its subsidiaries including Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, the owner of cruise companies Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, has announced the purchase of eight new vessels, representing nearly 25,000 additional berths, with new classes of ships for each of its three brands and the construction of a multi-ship pier at Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s private island destination in the Bahamas and its top-rated Caribbean port of call. 

According to NCL Holdings, this decade-long strategy will enhance its product offering, guest experiences and operational infrastructure, supporting the company’s sustained leadership in delivering innovative cruise vacations. The new ships are scheduled for delivery over a 10-year period, between 2026 and 2036. 

Following the delivery of four Prima-Plus class ships from 2025 through 2028, Norwegian Cruise Line is expected to take delivery of four ships of about 200,000 gross tonnes and capacity of nearly 5,000 guests each, in the years 2030, 2032, 2034 and 2036 respectively.

The statement adds that the last one of Allura Class ships is scheduled to be delivered in 2025. Oceania Cruises is scheduled to take delivery of two 86,000-gross-tonne ships, each with a capacity of 1,400 guests in 2027 and 2029. Lastly Regent Seven Seas Cruises is scheduled to take delivery of two 77,000-gross-tonne ships, each with a capacity of 850 guests, in 2026 and 2029.

NCL Holdings adds that each new class ship will be designed in partnership with the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri.

“This strategic new-ship order across all three of our award-winning brands provides for the steady introduction of cutting-edge vessels into our fleet and solidifies our long-term growth. It also allows us to significantly leverage our operating scale, strengthen our commitment to innovation and enhance our ability to offer our guests new products and experiences, all while providing opportunities to enhance the efficiency of our fleet,” says Harry Sommer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. 

“We are likewise excited with the addition of a new pier at Great Stirrup Cay to support our increased capacity in the Caribbean and multiple ships to call on the island, enhancing our guest experience and bringing seamless and reliable access to our private island year-round,” adds Sommer.

“Over the years, our long-standing relationship with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has been rooted in a shared vision for the future of maritime travel, consistently setting new standards for innovation, luxury, sustainability, and guest satisfaction in the cruise industry. We are thrilled to work on these new build orders and deliver emblematic cruise ships that will embody our shared legacy of excellence for generations to come,” says Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director, Fincantieri.

“We expect that these strategic investments will secure our growth trajectory, significantly boost our earnings profile, and enhance shareholder value well into the future. With a favourable payment structure that includes pre-delivery financing and modest initial instalment payments for these ship orders, we still anticipate strong net leverage reduction of 1.5 turns by the end of 2024, relative to 2023, and expect the Company to continue reducing Net Leverage each year for the foreseeable future,” says Mark A Kempa, Chief Financial Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.