Norwegian Cruise Line

File:Sunward at Pier A (7562495404).jpg

The cruise line was founded in 1966 by Norwegian Knut Kloster and Israeli Ted Arison, with the 8,666-ton, 140 m long cruise ship/car ferry, {{MS|Sunward|1966|2}},{{Cite news|url=http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/norwegian-cruise-line-celebrates-fifty-years|title=Norwegian Cruise Line Celebrates Fifty Years|newspaper=The Maritime Executive|access-date=2017-02-08}} which in 1966 operated as a car ferry between Southampton UK and Gibraltar, for that one short season only. The Sunward was first managed under the Arison Shipping Company, and marketed as Ensign Cruises. Arison soon left to form Carnival Cruise Lines, while Kloster acquired additional ships for Caribbean service, with the line renamed and marketed as Norwegian Caribbean Lines.

Norwegian pioneered many firsts in the cruise industry, such as the first exclusive private island, Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas,{{explain|date=May 2020}} the first combined air-sea program (marketed as "Cloud 9 Cruises"), which combined low-cost air fares with the cruise, Freestyle Cruising, which is a form of relaxed and informal cruising, and first shipline to develop new ports in the Caribbean, such as Ocho Rios in Jamaica.

File:"Skyward" - Miami, 1980.JPG

Norwegians's second and third ship, the {{MS|Starward||2}} and Skyward, were the first newly built ships designed for the cruise line.{{Cite book|last=Peter, Bruce.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/841016017|title=Knud E. Hansen A/S : 75 years of ship design|date=2012|publisher=Ferry Publications|isbn=978-1-906608-66-8|edition=1.|location=Isle of man|oclc=841016017}} Like the original Sunward of 1966, they had the capability to carry automobiles through a well-concealed stern door. Later, this area was turned into cabins and a two-deck movie theater, later to be used as a casino. Norwegian was responsible for many of the cruise innovations that have now become standard throughout the industry.

Norwegian would order two additional ships, that would be their first true cruise ships without any car carrying capacity. This would be the Southward in 1971, and an intended identical sister the Seaward, that would never be delivered to the line, and would be completed for P&O Cruises instead. The line would sell its original ship the Sunward in 1973, being too small and inadequate for the modern cruise market. They would purchase the former Cunard Adventurer in 1977, refitting her with the trademark NCL funnels, and renamed Sunward II.{{Cite book |last=Peter |first=Bruce |url= |title=Knud E. Hansen A/S : 75 years of ship design |date=2012 |publisher=Ferry Publications |isbn=978-1-906608-66-8 |edition= |location=Isle of man |oclc=841016017}}

File:SS Norway on "maiden" voyage.jpg

Norwegian made headlines with the acquisition of the liner {{SS|France|1961|6}} in 1979, rebuilding the liner as a cruise ship and renaming her Norway.{{Cite news|last=Kidd|first=Vernon|date=1979-10-14|title=Cruise Liners: Resort Hotels That Travel the World|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/10/14/archives/cruise-liners-resort-hotels-that-travel-the-world-caribbean-and.html|access-date=2020-06-04|issn=0362-4331}} The conversion cost more than US$100million.{{Cite book |last=Dawson |first=Philip S. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/43419400 |title=Cruise ships : an evolution in design |date=2000 |publisher=Conway Maritime |isbn=0-85177-660-4 |location=London |oclc=43419400}} At {{cvt|1,035|ft|8|in|0}} long and displacing 52,000 tons, the Norway was at the time significantly larger than any existing cruise ship, and exploited the extra space available by adding a greater-than-usual variety of onboard entertainment. Her success paved the way for a new era of giant cruise ships.

File:Norwegian Dream1.jpg

With an aging, small ship fleet by the late 1980s compared to the larger modern ships being built for competitors Carnival and Royal Caribbean, Norwegian attempted to catch up with an order of a new ship in 1987, the new Seaward, NCL's first new build since 1971.{{Cite book |url= |title=Innovation and specialisation : the story of shipbuilding in Finland |date=2017 |publisher=Nautilus |first1=Kalle|last1=Id |first2=Bruce|last2=Peter|first3=Pia Barnholdt|last3=Kristoffersen |isbn=978-87-90924-68-3 |location=Lyngby }} Norwegian parent company Kloster would transfer two of the recently acquired Royal Viking Line ships to Norwegian, which became the {{MS|Westward||2}} and {{MS|Sunward|1991|2}} (III).{{Cite web |date=2018-10-11 |title=The Former Norwegian Cruise Ships, Where Are They Now? |url=https://www.cruisehive.com/the-former-norwegian-cruise-ships-where-are-they-now/27081 |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=Cruise Hive |language=en-US}} Kloster would acquire Royal Cruise Line in 1989–90,{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=C. I. N. |date=1989-12-01 |title=Kloster Acquiring Royal Cruise Line |url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/15224-kloster-acquiring-royal-cruise-line.html |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=www.cruiseindustrynews.com |language=en-gb}} and would eventually transfer the Westward to their fleet. Norwegian would also continue with further orders of new ships in the early 1990s, not competing with large-sized cruise ship building trend of competitors, but with the smaller with the Dreamward and Windward to offer better flexibility with itineraries.{{Cite book |last=Peter |first=Bruce |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1003587263 |title=Cruise ships. A design voyage. |date=2017 |publisher=Ferry Publications |isbn=978-1-911268-08-6 |location=Narberth |oclc=1003587263}}

The line would continue to acquire second hand ships in the mid-1990s, with the addition of the Leeward in 1995. In 1996 the Crown Odyssey, which was part of NCL's subsidiary line Royal Cruise Line, was transferred and became the Norwegian Crown. In 1997 Norwegian acquired Majesty Cruise Line, and added their two ships, which became the Norwegian Majesty and Norwegian Dynasty. During this time Norwegian would rename all its ships with the "Norwegian" prefix (excluding SS Norway), and change its livery for the second time to a dark blue funnel with gold NCL logo.{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=C. I. N. |date=2020-08-01 |title=Fleet Retrospective: Norwegian Cruise Line's 2000 Vessel Lineup |url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23310-fleet-retrospective-norwegian-cruise-line-s-2000-vessel-lineup.html |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=www.cruiseindustrynews.com |language=en-gb}}

Norwegian has expanded to other parts of the world, including Alaska, Europe, Bermuda, and Hawaii. Between 1997 and 2001, the company also operated cruises out of Australia under the name Norwegian Capricorn Line and acquired Orient Lines in 1998.{{Cite book |last=Ward |first=Douglas |url=https://archive.org/details/berlitz2006compl00doug/page/384 |title=Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2006 |publisher=Berlitz |year=2006 |isbn=981-246-739-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/berlitz2006compl00doug/page/384 384] |url-access=registration}}

Norwegian was sold by Kloster to Star Cruises in 2000, a subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong, part of the Malaysia-based Genting Group.{{Cite web|url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/norwegian_cruise_line.htm|title=Kloster Cruise / Norwegian Cruise Line|last=Asklander|first=Micke|work=Fakta om Fartyg|language=sv|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729190522/http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/norwegian_cruise_line.htm|archive-date=29 July 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=2007-12-11|df=dmy-all}} Under the new ownership a new concept was introduced with the newly completed ship, Norwegian Sky, freestyle cruising. This concept freed passengers from fixed formal dining times, instead there was relaxed attire, several distinct dining options, relaxed disembarkation and more lounges, bars, theatres and other entertainment and activity options, a change that would have a ripple effect across the cruise industry.{{Cite book |last=Saunders |first=Aaron |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/904209672 |title=Giants of the seas : the ships that transformed modern cruising |date=2013 |publisher=Seaforth Publishing |isbn=978-1-4738-5310-2 |location=Barnsley |oclc=904209672}}

File:Norwegian Star in Warnemünde.JPG – first new build under Star Cruises ownership]]

With the financial backing of Star Cruises, the struggling Norwegian Cruise Line was able to begin to replace much of its older and second hand fleet with new ships. In addition to the Norwegian Sun, Star Cruises had ships already on order for their own fleet at Meyer Werft, which would be transferred to Norwegian during construction, with the first two debuting as the Norwegian Star in 2001 and Norwegian Dawn in 2002. These would be followed by an accelerated new build program, adding four more new ships over a five-year period.{{Cite web |title=25 years of cruise ship construction in Papenburg |url=https://www.meyerwerft.de/en/press/press_detail/25_years_of_cruise_ship_construction_in_papenburg.jsp |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=MEYER WERFT |language=en}}

In 2002, Norwegian purchased the half-complete hull of the first Project America ship, at the time under construction at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, US, which was towed to Germany to be completed at the Lloyd Werft shipyard. Subsequently, Norwegian acquired the rights to move two ships built entirely outside the United States under the US flag, making it possible to start a US-flagged operation under the brand name NCL America.{{cite news |date=November–December 2002 |title=Star buys Project America |publisher=Bnet |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCP/is_3_24/ai_94223341 |url-status=dead |access-date=2008-04-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050519075702/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCP/is_3_24/ai_94223341 |archive-date=2005-05-19}}{{cite web |date=2003-01-18 |title=Project America rides again |url=http://www.marinelog.com/DOCS/NEWSMMIII/MMIIIJan18a.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705050347/http://marinelog.com/DOCS/NEWSMMIII/MMIIIJan18a.html |archive-date=July 5, 2008 |access-date=2008-04-14 |publisher=MarineLog.com}} In 2003, the company announced the purchase of the American-flagged liners {{SS|United States||2}} and {{SS|Independence||2}}. In their July 2007 fiscal report, Norwegian noted the sale of Independence, renamed SS Oceanic some time before. On July 1, 2010, the SS United States Conservancy struck a deal to buy SS United States for $3 million.{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2021 |title=A Brief History of the SS United States' 20 Years in Philadelphia |url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2016/02/03/a-brief-history-of-the-ss-united-states-20-years-in-philadelphia/ |website=Philadelphia Magazine}} On February 1, 2011, the ownership was officially transferred to the SS United States Conservancy.{{Cite news |title='Big U' gets a 20-month lifeline |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/feb/2/big-u-gets-a-20-month-lifeline/ |access-date=2019-10-17 |newspaper=The Washington Times |language=en-US}}

A boiler explosion in May 2003 forced Norwegian to withdraw the Norway from service, later being laid up in Bremerhaven, Germany, until 2005, when she was towed to Port Klang Malaysia with the claimed intent to use her as an anchored casino or slow overnight casino cruises on her remaining boilers. Instead, she was sold for scrap and renamed the {{SS|Blue Lady||2}}[http://www.ssmaritime.com/norway.htm SS Norway ex France] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901133443/http://www.ssmaritime.com/norway.htm|date=September 1, 2009}}. Ssmaritime.com. Retrieved on October 17, 2011. and later beached at Alang, Gujarat, India, in August 2006 with claims that she had not been cleaned of toxic materials.{{cite news |date=2006-08-02 |title='Toxic ship' cleared for breaking |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/2/hi/south_asia/5237334.stm}} On September 11, 2007, the India Supreme Court issued an order permitting her to be broken up at Alang, despite the presence of large amounts of hazardous asbestos remaining on board.[http://www.maritimematters.com/norway.html Maritime Matters: France, Norway] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725072713/http://www.maritimematters.com/norway.html|date=July 25, 2009}}{{cite web |date=2007-09-11 |title=Indian court says 'Blue Lady' can be broken up |url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?section=subcontinent&xfile=data/subcontinent/2007/september/subcontinent_september432.xml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901060132/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?section=subcontinent&xfile=data%2Fsubcontinent%2F2007%2Fseptember%2Fsubcontinent_september432.xml |archive-date=September 1, 2009 |publisher=Khaleej Times Online |df=mdy-all}}

In August 2007, Star Cruises sold 50% of Norwegian for $1 billion to US-based Apollo Management to strengthen Norwegian's financial position.{{cite web|url=http://www.cruisebusiness.com/news.php?u=20070817175042|title=Apollo invests $ 1 billion in NCL Corp to take 50% stake|date=2007-08-17|publisher=Cruise Business Review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929005655/http://www.cruisebusiness.com/news.php?u=20070817175042|archive-date=September 29, 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=2007-08-17}} In 2007, Star Cruises sold Orient Line's Marco Polo to Transocean Tours,{{Cite web |title=NCL Announces Farwell Season of Marco Polo |url=http://www.orientlines.com/news/prhome.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318035134/http://www.orientlines.com/news/prhome.html |archive-date=March 18, 2013 |access-date=2007-12-11 |work=Orient Lines press release |df=mdy-all}} and Orient Lines ceased operations in early 2008.{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=Doug |date=2008-03-31 |title=The End of Orient Lines |url=http://dougnewmanatsea.wordpress.com/2008/03/31/the-end-of-orient-lines/ |access-date=2008-04-01 |work=At Sea with Doug Newman}}

Following an initial public offering and corporate reorganisation in 2013, Norwegian was made a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH),{{Cite web|url=http://www.nclhltdmedia.com/static-files/a544d245-5ef4-4f37-a08e-f7bac168c65e|title=Company History|website=nclhltdmedia.com|publisher=Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings|access-date=31 December 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2013/01/17/norwegian-cruise-ipo-prices/1843051/|title=Norwegian Cruise Line IPO soars 31%|date=January 17, 2013|work=USA Today|access-date=May 11, 2016}} while Norwegian's previous owners Genting Hong Kong, Apollo Management and TPG Capital exchanged their stakes in Norwegian for shares in the newly listed NCLH.{{Cite report|url=https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/N/NASDAQ_NCLH_2012.pdf|title=FORM 10-K (Annual Report)|date=February 20, 2013|publisher=Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.|access-date=January 1, 2019}}

Norwegian reported in February 2008 that the Pride of Aloha, one of the two remaining NCL America ships, would be withdrawn from service in May of the same year. Initial reports suggested she would be transferred to the fleet of Star Cruises,{{cite web |date=2008-02-11 |title=NCL Corporation Announces Adjustments to Hawai'i Fleet |url=http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/pressroom/pressRelease.html?storyCode=PR_021108 |access-date=2008-04-14 |work=NCL press release |publisher=Norwegian Cruise Line}} but it was later announced that she would return to the Norwegian international fleet as the Norwegian Sky,{{cite web |date=2008-05-06 |title=It's official: Pride of Aloha rejoins NCL international fleet as Norwegian Sky |url=http://www.cruisebusiness.com/news.php?u=20080506191733 |access-date=2008-05-07 |work=Cruise Business Review |publisher=Cruise Media Oy Ltd}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} while the Norwegian Majesty and Norwegian Dream would be sold to Louis Cruise Lines.{{cite web |last=Joshi |first=Rajesh |author2=Lowry, Nigel |date=2008-04-14 |title=NCL close to offloading cruiseship trio |url=http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/ncl-close-to-offloading-cruiseship-trio/20017522772.htm;jsessionid=C139FEAE5B7ACF39DD67C12590103669 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080426034919/http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/ncl-close-to-offloading-cruiseship-trio/20017522772.htm%3Bjsessionid%3DC139FEAE5B7ACF39DD67C12590103669 |archive-date=April 26, 2008 |access-date=2008-04-14 |publisher=Lloyd's List}}

Two ships in this Epic class were ordered by NCL in November 2006, with an option for a third vessel that was not exercised. A dispute between NCL and STX initially resulted in the construction of both ships being placed on hold until a new agreement was reached. The agreement called for completion of the first ship; the second ship was cancelled in 2008.{{Cite web |date=2009-07-27 |title=Cruise Business Review |url=http://cruisebusiness.com/cbr_old/news.php?u=20081218161224 |access-date=2022-05-29 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727172341/http://cruisebusiness.com/cbr_old/news.php?u=20081218161224 |archive-date=27 July 2009 |url-status=dead}} The sole remaining ship, Norwegian Epic, was delivered to NCL on 17 June 2010.

The first two Breakaway-class ships entered service in 2013 and 2014 as Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway. On October 17, 2012, Meyer Werft and Norwegian reached a second agreement for the construction of two new vessels,{{Cite web |title=Norwegian Cruise Line to Build Two New Next Generation Freestyle Cruising Ships |url=https://www.nclhltd.com/news-media/press-releases/detail/326/norwegian-cruise-line-to-build-two-new-next-generation |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. |date=October 25, 2010 |language=en}} slated for delivery in October 2015 and 2017, respectively. The project was under the code name "Breakaway Plus Class", with the vessels expected to be 163,000 gross tons and hold 4,200 passengers. The Norwegian Escape entered service in November 2015 and Norwegian Joy in 2017.{{cite web |date=2012-10-17 |title=Norwegian Cruise Line to Build Third New Ship |url=http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/news.cfm?ID=5034 |access-date=2013-04-27 |publisher=Cruisecritic.co.uk}} Two more vessels were ordered on July 14, 2014, and they entered service in 2018 and 2019 as the Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore, respectively.{{cite web |date=July 14, 2014 |title=Norwegian Cruise Line Orders Two New Ships |url=http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/11329-norwegian-cruise-line-orders-two-new-ships.html |access-date=May 11, 2016 |work=cruiseindustrynews.com}} Dream Cruises ordered two modified Breakaway Class ships in 2015, they were launched in 2016 and 2017 as Genting Dream and World Dream.

The sale of the Norwegian Dream was subsequently cancelled.{{cite web |date=2008-09-30 |title=No Dream for Louis Cruises |url=http://www.cruisebusiness.com/news.php?u=20080930102316 |access-date=2008-09-30 |work=Cruise Business Review |publisher=Cruise Media Oy Ltd}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} The Norwegian Dream became the Superstar Gemini for Star Cruises, from January 2013.{{Cite web |date=2012-09-29 |title=SuperStar Gemini to undergo massive US$50mil refurbishment |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2012/09/29/superstar-gemini-to-undergo-massive-us50mil-refurbishment |access-date=2019-10-17 |website=The Star Online |language=en}}

On June 1, 2012, Norwegian announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement to exercise its option to purchase Norwegian Sky. The purchase price was roughly $260 million, financing being provided by the seller.{{cite web |date=2012-06-01 |title=Norwegian Signs Memorandum of Agreement for Purchase of Norwegian Sky |url=http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/7354-norwegian-cruise-line-signs-memorandum-of-agreement-for-purchase-of-norwegian-sky.html |access-date=2013-04-27 |publisher=Cruise Industry News}}

In December 2016, Norwegian Cruise Line announced it had reached an agreement with the Cuban government.{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article119444373.html|title=Sailing soon from the U.S. to Cuba: ships from Norwegian and Royal Caribbean|date=December 7, 2016|work=Miami Herald|language=en}} In May 2017, the Norwegian Sky was the first Norwegian Cruise Line vessel to ever visit Cuba. The Norwegian Sky made weekly trips from Miami to Havana, making Norwegian the only line sailing that route weekly.{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2017/05/02/norwegian-cruise-line-begins-cuba-cruises/101203516/|title=Norwegian Cruise Line kicks off voyages to Cuba|work=USA Today|access-date=2017-05-02|language=en}} Norwegian continued operating Cuban routes until June 2019, when they came to a halt following new restrictions from the Trump Administration.{{Cite web|title=Norwegian once saw big promise in Cuba. Now the U.S. ban forced it to cancel cruises |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-travel-cruises-cuba-ships-canceled-20190606-story.html |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Los Angeles Times |date=June 6, 2019 |language=en-US}}

File:Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Terminal B at PortMiami (March 11, 2024) 02.jpg (March 2024).]]

In February 2017, Norwegian ordered 4 new ships from Fincantieri under the codename Project Leonardo, to be delivered in 2022–2025. These ships would have around 140,000 gross tonnage.{{cite web |title=Fincantieri: A New Class of Ships For Norwegian Cruise Line |date=2017-02-16 |url=https://www.fincantieri.com/globalassets/comunicati-stampa/price-sensitive/fincantieri-a-new-class-of-ships-for-norwegian-cruise-line.pdf |website=fincantieri.com |access-date=15 April 2025}} In July 2018, NCL confirmed that they had ordered 2 more ships to be delivered in 2026–27. On December 9, 2019, the keel of the first ship was laid down and named Norwegian Prima. It was launched in August 2021 and commenced sailing in the same month of 2022. The second ship was named Norwegian Viva in early 2022 and expected to be completed by 2023.

On May 2, 2017, Norwegian Cruise Line announced a new PortMiami Terminal.{{cite web|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/16816-portmiami-set-to-develop-new-terminal-for-norwegian.html|title=PortMiami Set to Develop New Terminal for Norwegian|last=Staff|first=CIN|date=May 4, 2017}} The construction began on May 1, 2018, and was completed in fall 2019.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/18674-norwegian-cruise-line-holdings-announces-new-terminal-at-portmiami.html|title=Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Announces New Terminal at PortMiami|last=Staff|first=CIN|date=2018-03-07|access-date=2018-03-09|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=8753|title=Norwegian Cruise Line to Build More Leonardo-Class Cruise Ships - Norwegian Cruise Line|website=www.cruisecritic.com|language=en-us|access-date=2018-07-12}} In December 2018, Norwegian revealed plans to build a new pier in Alaska's Icy Strait Point.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/20039-norwegian-to-build-pier-at-icy-strait-point-in-alaska.html|title=Norwegian to Build Pier at Icy Strait Point in Alaska|last=Staff|first=C. I. N.|date=2018-12-06|website=www.cruiseindustrynews.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-12-06}}

In March 2020, the Miami New Times reported that managers at Norwegian had prepared a set of responses intended to convince customers wary of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to book cruises, including "blatantly false" claims that the coronavirus "can only survive in cold temperatures, so the Caribbean is a fantastic choice for your next cruise", that "scientists and medical professionals have confirmed that the warm weather of the spring will be the end of the coronavirus", and that the virus "cannot live in the amazingly warm and tropical temperatures that your cruise will be sailing to."{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/03/12/norwegian-cruise-line-managers-urged-salespeople-spread-falsehoods-about-coronavirus/|title=Norwegian Cruise Line managers urged salespeople to spread falsehoods about coronavirus|date=2020|newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{cite web |last1=Cardona |first1=Alexi C. |title=Leaked Emails: Norwegian Pressures Sales Team to Mislead Potential Customers About Coronavirus |url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/coronavirus-norwegian-cruise-line-leaked-emails-show-booking-strategy-11590056 |publisher=Miami New Times |access-date=12 March 2020 |date=March 11, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Gander |first1=Kashmira |title=Could Coronavirus Really Be Killed by Hot Weather? Scientists Weigh In |url=https://www.newsweek.com/could-coronavirus-really-killed-hot-weather-scientists-weigh-1486709 |publisher=Newsweek |access-date=12 March 2020 |date=February 11, 2020 |quote=Dr. Ravinder Kanda, senior lecturer in evolutionary genomics at Oxford Brookes University, U,.K., told Newsweek: "Little is known about the seasonal dynamics of this particular virus—we cannot take it for granted that the warmer weather will simply drive the virus out of existence."}}{{cite web |last1=Gunia |first1=Amy |title=Will Warmer Weather Stop the Spread of the Coronavirus? Don't Count on It, Say Experts |url=https://time.com/5790880/coronavirus-warm-weather-summer/ |publisher=Time |access-date=12 March 2020 |date=February 28, 2020 |quote=Dr. Nancy Messionnier of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warned against assuming the number of cases will slow as the weather warms. “I think it’s premature to assume that,” she said during a call with reporters on Feb. 12. “We haven’t been through even a single year with this pathogen.”}}{{cite web |last1=Farber |first1=Madeline |title=Will the coronavirus die out as the weather warms? |url=https://www.foxnews.com/health/coronavirus-die-out-warm-weather-trump |publisher=Fox News |access-date=12 March 2020 |date=February 20, 2020 |quote="We hope that the gradual spring will help this virus recede, but our crystal ball is not very clear. The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus, and we know respiratory viruses are often seasonal, but not always. For example, influenza (flu) tends to be seasonal in the U.S., but in other parts of the world, it exists year-round. Scientists don’t fully understand why even though we have been studying [the] flu for many years,” Dr. William Schaffner, the medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, told Fox News in an email.}}

On March 14, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a No Sail Order for cruise ships. Concurrently Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings implemented a suspension of all cruise voyages across its three brands (Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises), with all 28 ships in port or at anchor and all passengers disembarked by March 28, 2020. This suspension has subsequently been extended through June 30, 2020.{{rp|S-1}}

On May 5, 2020, in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) said there is “substantial doubt” about its ability to continue as a “going concern” as it faces a liquidity crisis over the next twelve months.{{cite web |last1=Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. |title=Preliminary prospectus supplement: $350,000,000 ordinary shares |url=http://www.nclhltdinvestor.com/static-files/db891b9a-9720-4a2d-8a6d-20eb0619555f |website=nclhltdinvestor.com: SEC filings |access-date=5 May 2020 |page=see page S-6 |quote=The factors described above, in particular the suspension of cruise voyages and decline in advanced bookings, as well as debt maturities and other obligations over the next year, have raised substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, as the Company does not have sufficient liquidity to meet its obligations over the next twelve months, assuming no additional financing or other proactive measures.}}{{rp|S-6}}

By the next day, NCLH was able to secure over $2.2 billion of additional liquidity in oversubscribed capital markets transactions, but at a price: (1) $400 million in common stock at $11 per share; (2) $675 million in senior secured notes due 2024 at a 12.25% interest rate; (3) $750 million in exchangeable notes due 2024 at 6% interest rate, and exchangeable at any time into common shares at $13.75; and (4) $400 million private investment from a global private equity firm.{{cite web |title=Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. successfully secures over $2 billion of additional liquidity in oversubscribed capital markets transactions |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/norwegian-cruise-line-holdings-ltd-successfully-secures-over-2-billion-of-additional-liquidity-in-oversubscribed-capital-markets-transactions-2020-05-06 |website=market watch |access-date=6 May 2020 |date=6 May 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Duberstein |first1=Billy |title=Norwegian Cruise Line bites the bullet and raises more money: Why that's good and bad |url=https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/05/06/at-least-one-private-equity-firm-believes-norwegia.aspx |website=motley fool |access-date=6 May 2020 |date=6 May 2020}} On May 7, 2020, NCLH CEO declared that the company has secured enough liquidity to get through potentially 18 months of zero revenues and may resume cruising later in 2020.{{cite web |last1=Helen Coster, Joshua Franklin |title=Norwegian Cruise Line has enough cash for 18 months of no revenue - CEO |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-norwegian-liquidity-ceo-exclusive-idUSKBN22J2PN |website=reuters.com |access-date=7 May 2020 |date=7 May 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Clifford |first1=Tyler |title=Norwegian Cruise Line CEO: 'We expect to sail sometime in 2020' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/07/norwegian-cruise-line-ceo-we-expect-to-sail-sometime-in-2020.html |website=cnbc.com |access-date=7 May 2020 |date=7 May 2020}}

In anticipation of sailing again, Norwegian is implementing new health and safety measures, including installing H13 HEPA air filters.{{Cite web|last=Settembre|first=Jeanette|date=2020-06-02|title=Norwegian Cruise Line reopening with medical-grade air filtration used in airplanes|url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/norwegian-cruise-line-reopening-medical-grade-air-filtration|access-date=2020-06-04|website=FOXBusiness|language=en-US}} The company is also working with the CDC and the new color-coding system to indicate each ship's COVID-19 status, and to repatriate Norwegian crews still stuck aboard their vessel.{{Cite web|last=Oliver|first=David|title=CDC creates new color-coded system to designate ships with potential coronavirus exposure|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2020/06/03/coronavirus-cdc-creates-new-color-coded-system-mark-covid-19-ships/3133193001/|access-date=2020-06-04|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}

Even though the company lost $4 billion and furloughed 20 percent of its staff, it doubled the salary of its chief executive, Frank Del Rio, to $36.4 million.{{Cite news|last=Gelles|first=David|date=2021-04-24|title=C.E.O. Pay Remains Stratospheric, Even at Companies Battered by Pandemic|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/24/business/ceos-pandemic-compensation.html|access-date=2021-04-25|issn=0362-4331}}

File:GreatStirrupCayPano (cropped) (cropped).jpg

Norwegian owns two private islands in the Caribbean: Harvest Caye in Belize and Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.{{cite news |date=23 November 2016 |title=Norwegian Cruise Line unveils Harvest Caye to first visitors |url=https://www.sanpedrosun.com/travel-and-tourism/2016/11/23/norwegian-cruise-line-unveils-harvest-caye-first-visitors/ |access-date=10 June 2017 |work=The San Pedro Sun}}

Norwegian Cruise Line subsidiary lines over the years:

• Royal Viking Line (1984–1994){{Cite news |date=1993-12-15 |title=COMPANY NEWS; KLOSTER TO SELL 2 CRUISE LINES FOR $565 MILLION |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/15/business/company-news-kloster-to-sell-2-cruise-lines-for-565-million.html |access-date=2022-05-29 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |agency=Reuters}}
• Royal Cruise Line (1989–1996)
• Norwegian Capricorn Line (1997–2001)
• Orient Lines (1998–2008){{Cite web |last=Staff |first=C. I. N. |date=1998-05-15 |title=NCL to Purchase Orient Lines |url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/14343-ncl-to-purchase-orient-lines.html |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=www.cruiseindustrynews.com |language=en-gb}}
• NCL America (2004–2008)
• Oceania Cruises (2014–present){{Cite web |last=Sloan |first=Gene |title=Norwegian Cruise Line to buy Oceania, Regent Seven Seas |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2014/09/02/norwegian-cruise-oceania-regent/14954771/ |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises (2014–present)

{{As of|2024|4|df=US}}, Norwegian Cruise Line operates 19 cruise ships, with eight on order. It has also previously owned or operated 19 other ships. All its ships are flagged to the Bahamas, except for the Pride of America, which operates cruises within the United States and is flagged and registered in the US, as well as being owned by a US-registered subsidiary, NCL America.

Ships which NCL had options on using but never took up for various reasons.

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Norwegian Cruise Line}}

{{Wikivoyage}}

• [http://www.ncl.com/ Official website]
• [http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/cruiseline.cfm?CruiseLineID=24 Cruise Critic NCL review]
• [http://www.nclhltdinvestor.com/ Website for NCLH investor information]

{{Finance links

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{{Former Subsidiaries of Norwegian Cruise Line}}

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Category:1966 establishments in Norway

Category:Companies based in Miami-Dade County, Florida

Category:Cruise lines

Category:Private equity portfolio companies

Category:Shipping companies of Norway

Category:Shipping companies of the United States