Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Orders Eight Vessels for Three Brands

It’s going to be a busy few years for the three NCL Holdings brands after the company placed the largest newbuild order in its history – a total of eight vessels, representing nearly 25,000 additional berths, with new classes of ships for each of its three brands.

The new ship orders are scheduled for delivery over a 10-year period, between 2026 and 2036.

Simultaneously, the company announced construction plans for a multi-ship pier at Great Stirrup Cay, its private island destination in The Bahamas.

“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,” said Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

“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.”

Here’s how the new orders break down:

Following the delivery of four Prima-Plus class ships between 2025 and 2028, Norwegian Cruise Line will take delivery of four approximately 200,000-gross-ton ships, each with a capacity of nearly 5,00 guests in 2030, 2032, 203, and 2036. (The newbuilds are subject to financing.)

Building on the success of its 1,200-passenger Allura-class ships – the last one being delivered in 2025 – Oceania Cruises will take delivery of two 86,000-gross-ton ships, each with a capacity of 1,450 guests in 2027 and 2029. (NCL Holdings expects the four-ship NCL order to replace a separate, two-ship order for Oceania Cruises initially placed to secure availability with the shipyard.)

With its 744-passenger Explorer Class ships already delivered, Regent Seven Seas will take delivery of two 77,000-gross-ton ships, each with a capacity of 850 guests, in 2026 and 2029. 

All the ships will be built by Fincantieri, and details regarding amenities, staterooms, dining, recreation, efficiency, sustainability, and more will be revealed in the coming months. Each brand will design its new ship class with a focus on creating the largest, most efficient, and innovative vessels in its respective fleet.

Additionally, the new ship designs are expected to advance the company’s decarbonization goals.

NCL Holdings has obtained export credit financing with favorable terms to fund 80% of the contract price of each of the two Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises ships, subject to certain conditions. The ship orders for Norwegian Cruise Line remain subject to financing, currently underway.

Great Stirrup Cay pier plans
The new pier development at Great Stirrup Cay is slated to begin this summer and be completed by late 2025 with an investment of approximately $150 million. The pier will be constructed to simultaneously accommodate two large vessels in the brands’ current and future fleets.