Norwegian Cruise Line, the third largest cruise line in the world, was founded in Norway. The company was founded by Knut Kloster from one of Norway’s most well-known shipping firms, Kosters Rederi A/S, and Ted Arison, the man who went on to found Carnival Cruises. The line was originally called Norwegian Caribbean Line and introduced their first ship, Sunward, in 1966. Sunward initially operated as a cruise ship and car ferry that sailed between Southampton UK and Gibraltar for a short time. When Arison left the company to found Carnival Cruise Line, Kloster acquired additional ships and renamed the company as Norwegian Caribbean Lines.
Sunward began offering weekly trips to the Caribbean in December 1966. Two more ships, Starward and Skyward, followed in 1966 and 1968 respectively, also with the capability to carry automobiles. The cruise line ordered two additional ships, Southward and Seaward, that would be their first actual cruise ships with no car carrying capability. Southward was delivered in 1971 and became the first in the fleet to offer 14-day sailing to the Caribbean, but Seaward was never delivered to the line and was completed for a separate cruise line.
In 1977, the cruise line purchased Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, becoming the first cruise line to have a private island exclusive to its passengers. The company name was changed to Norwegian Cruise Line in 1987 and continued to expand into the 90s. During this time, the cruise line began renaming all its ships with the “Norwegian” prefix strengthening its brand. The cruise line also changed its livery to a dark blue funnel with the gold NCL logo.
In 2000, NCL was acquired by Genting Hong Kong Limited. In 2001, the first purpose-built Freestyle Cruising vessel was introduced. Freestyle Cruising is a form of relaxed and informal cruising that was so well received, all NCL ships are now constructed with the concept in mind. Freestyle cruising includes no set dining times, relaxed attire, various dining options, more lounges, bars, theaters, and other activities and entertainment.
In 2007, private equity group Apollo Management, LP and TPG Capital purchased a 50% stake in Norwegian Cruise Line. The ownership stake was sold for $1 billion cash equity investment. In 2013, NCL became a publicly owned company traded under NCLH. In 2014, the company acquired Prestige Cruises International, Inc., the parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas. In 2016, Norwegian Cruise Line opened its second private destination, Harvest Caye in Belize.
Currently, Norwegian Cruise Line operates 20 ships from multiple ports throughout the world. The ships can be combined into nine classes of vessels with similar amenities. A new-class will be introduced with three new ships which are expected to debut in 2026, 2027, and 2028. Four more ships, representing a new class, are also on order, pending financing. Those ships are expected to debut between 2030 and 2036.
Next week, we will begin exploring each class of Norwegian ship.