63-558: Norwegian Cruise Line ( NCL ) is an American cruise line founded in Norway in 1966, incorporated in the Bahamas and headquartered in Miami. It is the fourth-largest cruise line in the world by passengers, controlling about 8.6% of the total worldwide share of the cruise market by passengers as of 2021. It is wholly owned by parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings . The cruise line
126-445: 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. 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. In anticipation of sailing again, Norwegian
189-601: A Russian icebreaker. Silja Opera ' s cruises from Helsinki were not very popular, and in October 2004 she began making cruises from Stockholm to Tallinn (via Mariehamn in order to have tax-free sales on board). These too failed to find popularity, and in February 2005 she was transferred back to cruising from Helsinki. Around this same time her white-dominant livery was changed to one closely resembling her Sally -era livery, but with blue stripes instead of black. With
252-570: A US-flagged operation under the brand name NCL America. In 2003, the company announced the purchase of the American-flagged liners United States and Independence . 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. On February 1, 2011,
315-520: A cruise ship at Wärtsilä Helsinki New Shipyard . She did not become a "real" cruise ship as her cardecks were not built in. During conversion there was a fire on board, but it was extinguished by the shipyard staff. Renamed Sally Albatross , the ship entered service for the new Sally Cruise brand in May 1986. She was mainly used for cruising around the Baltic Sea from Helsinki. In 1987 Rederi Ab Sally
378-548: 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. 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
441-653: A five-year period. 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
504-560: 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. In December 2016, Norwegian Cruise Line announced it had reached an agreement with the Cuban government. 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
567-538: A new livery. On 27 June 2015, Celestyal Crystal collided with the tanker STI Pimlico in the Dardanelles off Gallipoli , Turkey. Three people sustained minor injuries. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic all cruises from March 16, 2020 to March 6, 2021 were suspended. Following the acquisition of the new Celestyal Journey , Celestyal Crystal was phased out, ending her last cruise on 20 August 2023. It
630-633: A new pier in Alaska's Icy Strait Point . 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
693-537: A new ship in 1987, the new Seaward , NCL's first new build since 1971 . Norwegian parent company Kloster would transfer two of the recently acquired Royal Viking Line ships to Norwegian, which became the Westward and Sunward (III). Kloster would acquire Royal Cruise Line in 1989–90, and would eventually transfer the Westward to their fleet. Norwegian would also continue with further orders of new ships in
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#1732801978725756-522: A reputation as a ship of bad luck amongst the public (she had after all burnt out completely once and partially sunk only a few years later, in addition to smaller mishaps), and this was not helped when in September 2003 she collided with three cargo-ships in Saint Petersburg , resulting in minor damage to all parties. Less than two months later, in almost precisely same spot, she collided with
819-429: A result, the ship burned extensively for three days. All workers and crew (and an American actress who had been on board) were rescued by the fire brigade and a crane operator from the shipyard and there were no deaths. The burnt-out hull was first towed to Mäntyluoto , Finland, where she was partially scrapped, leaving only the hull below cardeck intact. After this the remains were towed into Naantali , Finland where
882-497: A second agreement for the construction of two new vessels, 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. Two more vessels were ordered on July 14, 2014, and they entered service in 2018 and 2019 as
945-661: Is implementing new health and safety measures, including installing H13 HEPA air filters. 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. 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. As of April 2024, 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
1008-872: The Blue Lady and later beached at Alang , Gujarat , India, in August 2006 with claims that she had not been cleaned of toxic materials. 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. In August 2007, Star Cruises sold 50% of Norwegian for $ 1 billion to US-based Apollo Management to strengthen Norwegian's financial position. In 2007, Star Cruises sold Orient Line's Marco Polo to Transocean Tours , and Orient Lines ceased operations in early 2008. Following an initial public offering and corporate reorganisation in 2013, Norwegian
1071-505: The Bahamas from July 1995 onwards. In March 2000 the ship was chartered for three years to Star Cruises (owners of Norwegian Cruise Line) who renamed her Superstar Taurus and used her on various cruises around Asia , mostly cruising from Japan . In December 2001 Star Cruises broke the charter contract and the ship was once again in the hands of Silja Line. Superstar Taurus sailed back to Europe, and between February and June 2002 she
1134-447: 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. 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
1197-596: The Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore , respectively. 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. The Norwegian Dream became the Superstar Gemini for Star Cruises, from January 2013. On June 1, 2012, Norwegian announced the signing of
1260-511: The cruiseferry MS Viking Saga . The bow and stern modules were built at Wärtsilä Turku Shipyard and the middle part was made at Wärtsilä Perno Shipyard . The modules were assembled together and the ship was launched in Perno and the hull was tugged after to Turku Shipyard for outfitting. In 1979-1981 the Baltic ferry operators Silja Line and Viking Line brought several new cruiseferries to
1323-583: The 1990s has led to many companies being bought by much larger holding companies and to operate as "brands" within larger corporations. Brands exist partly because of repeat customer loyalty, and also to offer different levels of quality and service. For instance, Carnival Corporation & plc owns both Carnival Cruise Line , whose former image were vessels that had a reputation as "party ships" for younger travellers, but have become large, modern, yet still profitable, and Holland America Line , whose ships cultivate an image of classic elegance. A common practice in
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#17328019787251386-691: 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. 2008–present October 2015 1992–1993 2003–2007 Ships which NCL had options on using but never took up for various reasons. Norwegian owns two private islands in the Caribbean: Harvest Caye in Belize and Great Stirrup Cay in
1449-632: The Bahamas . Norwegian Cruise Line subsidiary lines over the years: Cruise line A cruise line is a company that operates cruise ships that operate on ocean or rivers and which markets cruises to the public. Cruise lines are distinct from passenger lines which are primarily concerned with transportation of passengers. Though cruise packages provided by cruise lines vary, there are some features most have in common, such as accommodation, all meals and entertainment. They may include alcohol and shore excursions, sometimes on additional payment. Among cruise lines, some are direct descendants of
1512-520: The Caribbean, such as Ocho Rios in Jamaica . Norwegians's second and third ship, the Starward and Skyward , were the first newly built ships designed for the cruise line. 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
1575-643: The Helsinki — Stockholm route into a popular cruise route. In June 1982, the ship was sold by Rederi Ab Sally to Suomen Yritysrahoitus , who chartered her back to Sally. In 1985 the Viking Saga hit bottom near Sandhamn in the Stockholm archipelago, and had to be docked in Stockholm. After MS Olympia replaced her on the Helsinki — Stockholm route in April 1986, the Viking Saga was rebuilt for use as
1638-521: The Sally ships have been involved in a total of three serious accidents. The Viking Saga was the first genuine cruiseferry in Finland — Sweden traffic. The interior and exterior design of her and her sister was heavily influenced by those of GTS Finnjet of 1977. The Viking Saga and Viking Song , alongside Silja Line's contemporary MS Finlandia and MS Silvia Regina , were instrumental in turning
1701-531: 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 . Norwegian made headlines with the acquisition of the liner SS France in 1979, rebuilding the liner as a cruise ship and renaming her Norway . The conversion cost more than US$ 100million. At 1,000 ft (305 m) long and displacing 52,000 tons,
1764-468: The abandoned Vuosaari shipyard (where she arrived on 20 April) where the most necessary repairs were made. After inspection it was determined that the cost to repair the damage would be around 200 million FIM ($ 35 million USD ). In October 1994 the ship was towed to La Spezia , Italy where she was repaired and rebuilt for international cruise traffic. She was then chartered to Norwegian Cruise Line who renamed her Leeward and put her on cruises in
1827-547: The brand, not the larger holding corporation, as the cruise line is also followed in the member cruise lines in Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the member-based reviews of cruise lines. Celestyal Crystal Celestyal Crystal is a cruise ship , operated between 2007 and 2023 by the Cyprus -based Louis Group's Louis Cruise Lines and Celestyal Cruises . The ship
1890-443: 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. 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
1953-431: The cruise industry in listing cruise ship transfers and orders is to list the smaller operating company, not the larger holding corporation, as the recipient cruise line of the sale, transfer, or new order. For example, Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line are the cruise lines whereas Carnival Corporation & plc and Royal Caribbean Group are considered holding corporations. This industry practice of using
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2016-575: 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. 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,
2079-533: The fleet of Star Cruises, but it was later announced that she would return to the Norwegian international fleet as the Norwegian Sky , while the Norwegian Majesty and Norwegian Dream would be sold to Louis Cruise Lines . 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
2142-407: The hot work. Due to the danger of gas bottles ( oxy-acetylene used in the reconstruction) exploding in the heat, the fire brigade withdrew from the interior of two decks under reconstruction, after having rescued the two crew members that were missing during the initial phase of the fire. Further fire fighting was conducted from the outside and from the decks above and below the reconstruction work. As
2205-443: 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. The construction began on May 1, 2018, and was completed in fall 2019. In December 2018, Norwegian revealed plans to build
2268-508: The last time bound for lay up at Tilbury Docks , located to the east of Greater London . The ship arrived on 25 May, soon afterwards the Silja Line markings were painted over and her ownership was transferred to SeaContainers , then the parent company of Silja Line. At the same time she was changed from Swedish to Bahamian flag and her name was shortened to Opera . In May 2007 the Opera
2331-431: 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 , 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
2394-527: The name better). In September that same year Sally Albatross was transferred to Silja Line , who also were a part of the EffJohn concern. Despite joining the Silja fleet Sally Albatross ' old colour scheme and Sally Cruise funnel colours were maintained. Although the 1980 ship and the 1992 ship appear unalike, both externally and internally, they share the same IMO number because they are technically
2457-410: 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. With the financial backing of Star Cruises,
2520-558: The only line sailing that route weekly. Norwegian continued operating Cuban routes until June 2019, when they came to a halt following new restrictions from the Trump Administration. In February 2016, 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. In July 2018, NCL confirmed that they had ordered 2 more ships to be delivered in 2026–27. On December 9, 2019,
2583-488: The ownership was officially transferred to the SS United States Conservancy. 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
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2646-455: The remaining hull was cut into several sections. These were then transported to Finnyards shipyard in Rauma, Finland where they were used as the basis of a new ship with the project name Sally Eurocruiser . She was to be a genuine cruiseship, without a cardeck. The hull was lengthened by 13 meters compared to the original, and the passenger (cabin) capacity was increased by 452, so the new ship
2709-576: The routes connecting Stockholm to Helsinki and Turku . Viking Line received a total of four new ships in 1980 alone, three of which were built for Rederi AB Sally. The Viking Saga and her sister ship MS Viking Song were built by Wärtsilä (now Aker Finnyards ) in Turku , Finland. MS Viking Sally (later MS Estonia ) was built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg , Germany . Two of
2772-687: The same ship as the first. The new Sally Albatross was delivered to Sally Cruise on 23 March 1992 and started doing cruises in the Baltic Sea with Helsinki as the port of departure, in a similar arrangement as she had done in the late 80's. In July of the same year she was chartered to Svea 92 (a Swedish consortium for advancing exports) as a hotel and conference ship for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona for 1 000 000 Finnish markka per day. Originally Svea 92 had wanted to charter Silja Line's Swedish-flagged MS Svea (which would have matched
2835-410: The same ship. On 4 March 1994 Sally Albatross ran aground in the ice covered sea outside Porkkala . She was towed to shallow waters and her passengers evacuated. After this the ship was left on site, listing badly. While preparations were made to re-float her. Re-floating the ship proved to be a complicated process, and it was not until 16 April that the ship was afloat again. She was then towed to
2898-520: The same time the ships livery was altered, in addition to the light and dark blue stripes running along the hull black stripes were painted along the windows of the superstructure, giving the ship an even more streamlined appearance. The cost of the reconstruction was 35 million Finnish markka . In January 1990, while docked at the Finnboda Shipyard in Nacka , Sweden , for reconstruction of
2961-542: The ship continuing to lose money, in September 2005 Silja Line made public its plans to use cheaper foreign workforce on board. However they could not do so under the terms Swedish maritime worker's collective labour agreement. Two months later Silja Line decided to cut costs by concentrating on their core markets and the Silja Opera , alongside the prestigious GTS Finnjet , was to be sold. In January 2006 Silja Opera made her last cruises from Helsinki, after which she
3024-437: The ship's restaurants, nightclub and conference facilities, practically the entire superstructure of the ship was damaged beyond repair by a fire which had started from drops of liquid metal sparkling on flammable material. The ships' sprinkler system was turned off for the duration of the docking, fire hydrants were dry and the temporary fire water supply was disconnected. In addition to this the fire watchman left for lunch during
3087-610: 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
3150-432: The traditional passenger lines, while others were founded since the 1960s specifically for cruising. The business has been extremely volatile; the ships are massive capital expenditures with very high operating costs, and a slight dip in bookings can easily put a company out of business. Cruise lines frequently sell, renovate, or simply rename their ships to keep up with travel trends. A wave of failures and consolidations in
3213-681: 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." 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. On May 5, 2020, in
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#17328019787253276-493: 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. Norwegian was sold by Kloster to Star Cruises in 2000, a subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong , part of the Malaysia-based Genting Group . Under the new ownership a new concept was introduced with
3339-429: Was actually larger than the old one. One notable piece retained from the original ship were the engines. The cost of the rebuilding was approximately 700 million Finnish markka. In essence this was a completely new ship, and she is usually listed as such in most sources. Her owners decided to keep the name Sally Albatross , which has led to some sources (and many passengers) to consider the second Sally Albatross to be
3402-552: Was founded in 1966 by Norwegian Knut Kloster and Israeli Ted Arison , with the 8,666-ton, 140 m long cruise ship/car ferry , Sunward , 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
3465-515: Was made a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), 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. 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
3528-453: Was originally built as the cruiseferry Viking Saga in the 1980 at Wärtsilä Perno Shipyard and Turku Shipyard , Turku , Finland for Rederi Ab Sally . In 1986 she was renamed Sally Albatross , and rebuilt into a cruise ship the following year. The ship was destroyed by a fire in 1990, and completely rebuilt at Finnyards , Rauma, Finland . She was re-delivered in 1992, still named Sally Albatross . After partially sinking 1994 she
3591-467: Was rebuilt at Industrie Navali Meccaniche Affini , La Spezia , Italy , re-entering service as Leeward for Norwegian Cruise Line . Subsequently she sailed as SuperStar Taurus for Star Cruises , Silja Opera for Silja Line . After being temporarily renamed Opera she was in service with Louis Group as Louis Cristal and later Celestyal Crystal . The ship was originally built in 1980 for Rederi Ab Sally , one of Viking Line partners as
3654-562: 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
3717-466: Was sold to its rivals Effoa and Johnson Line . In January–February 1988 the Sally Albatross was comprehensively rebuilt at Schichau Seebeckwerft , Bremerhaven , West Germany , where additional cabin were built on the former upper cardeck, the forward superstructure was built to a more streamlined appearance and smaller changes were made to the bow and other parts of the superstructure. At
3780-548: Was sold to the Cyprus -based Louis Cruise Lines to replace MS Sea Diamond that had sunk some months before. After rebuilding at Pireus , Greece the ship was renamed MS Crystal and started service for the Louis Hellenic Cruise Lines -brand in July 2007. As part of Louis Cruise Lines re-brand as Celestyal Cruises, announced in November 2014, Crystal was renamed Celestyal Crystal and received
3843-491: 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. Norwegian has expanded to other parts of
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#17328019787253906-408: Was transferred to the Turku —Mariehamn— Kapellskär route in place of MS Silja Europa (that was in turn transferred to Helsinki—Stockholm route while the normal ships of that route were being rebuilt). On 13 February 2006, the Silja Opera stopped sailing for Silja Line, and three days later she was laid up Stockholm, waiting for potential buyers. On 22 May 2006, Silja Opera left Stockholm for
3969-511: Was vastly rebuilt at Turku Repair Yard , Naantali , Finland for cruise service on the Baltic Sea. On 1 June 2002 the ship was renamed Silja Opera and placed under Swedish flag. Silja Opera (re)started cruising the Baltic Sea on 29 June 2002, with Helsinki as the starting point. She followed a similar itinerary as she had done as Sally Albatross , making one-day cruise from Helsinki and two-night cruises to Visby , Riga (discontinued after one season) and St. Petersburg . The ship already had
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