Norwegian Cruise News

Italy’s Fincantieri and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) have launched the cruise ship Norwegian Aura at the Monfalcone shipyard, marking the start of the vessel’s final outfitting phase ahead of delivery scheduled for spring 2027.With a gross tonnage of about 170,000 tonnes and a length of 344 metres, Norwegian Aura is around 10% larger than previous Prima Plus-class ships Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna.The vessel features 1,976 cabins and can accommodate approximately 3,880 passengers.

A flourishing cruise market and European shipbuilders’ unerring contractual success in the sector has taken orderbooks into the middle of the next decade, ensuring production continuity and underpinning fresh capital expenditure and R&D commitments by the continent’s foremost players.Just how important the segment is to the industry and supply chain may be gauged from the fact that at least three-quarters of the value of European yards’ commercial orderbooks is attributable to…

Cruise operators face choppy waters as rising oil prices lift fuel costs, with analysts warning Carnival Corp could take the biggest hit to its 2026 profit as it is the only major U.S. cruise line that does not hedge fuel.Oil prices have risen more than 35% since the beginning of the conflict in Iran, as attacks on oil and transport facilities across the Middle East and disruptions to energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz raised concerns about global supply.Brent futures crossed $100 per barrel on Friday, compared with $72.48 before the conflict began.

Fincantieri delivered the cruise ship Norwegian Luna to Norwegian Cruise Line during a ceremony at the builder’s Marghera shipyard in Italy, marking the second vessel in the expanded Prima Plus class.The 156,000-gt ship follows sister vessel Norwegian Aqua, delivered in 2025, and represents an evolution of the original Prima-class ships Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, which were also built by Fincantieri. At approximately 321 meters in length with capacity for about 3,550 passengers…

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings forecast annual profit below Wall Street expectations, as demand for its higher‑priced voyages softened amid economic uncertainty and rising geopolitical tensions.Shares of Norwegian fell about 7% in premarket trading, mirroring a broader market selloff sparked by escalating conflict between the U.S. and Israel, and Iran.

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to explore legal questions arising from the fraught history of U.S.-Cuban relations when it considers the scope of a 1996 law that lets U.S. nationals seek compensation for property confiscated by the communist-led Cuban government.The justices hear arguments on Monday in two cases centered on the federal law called the Helms-Burton Act, one involving U.S. oil major ExxonMobil and the other involving the cruise lines Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises.One of the law's provisions, called Title III, allows for lawsuits in U.S.

Fincantieri announced the acquisition of an order from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. for the construction of three next-generation cruise ships. The value of this agreement, subject to financing and other typical terms and conditions, is considered very important.The three vessels will be built for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, each as a sister ship to the most recent newbuilds built by Fincantieri for their respective brands. All units will be constructed at Fincantieri’s Italian shipyards, with deliveries scheduled between 2036 and 2037.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings appointed John Chidsey as its chief executive officer, effective immediately, replacing Harry Sommer, who is stepping down.The company said Chidsey, 63, who had served at the helm of Subway Restaurants for five years until December 2024 and Burger King Holdings, was appointed to Norwegian's board in 2025, following a previous stint from 2013 to 2022.Sommer, who took the top job at the company in 2023, departed the company and resigned from the board on Thursday, according to an SEC filing.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said on Thursday it appointed John Chidsey as its chief executive officer, effective immediately, replacing Harry Sommer, who is stepping down.The company said Chidsey, 63, who had served at the helm of Subway Restaurants for five years until December 2024 and Burger King Holdings, was appointed to Norwegian's board in 2025, following a previous stint from 2013 to 2022.Sommer, who took the top job at the company in 2023, departed the company and resigned from the board on Thursday, according to an SEC filing.

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and Oceania Cruises, a brand of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), have held the keel laying ceremony for the Oceania Sonata cruise ship at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard.With a gross tonnage of about 86,000 tonnes, Oceania Sonata will accommodate up to 1,390 guests. The ship is designed to feature large public spaces and high levels of comfort, continuing Oceania Cruises’ focus on luxury travel and onboard experiences.The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2027.Oceania Sonata is the first vessel in the new Sonata class…

Royal Caribbean forecast annual profit above Wall Street estimates on Thursday, supported by strong demand from affluent travelers and a solid start to a key booking season.Shares of Royal Caribbean jumped about 16% in early trading, as the cruise operator also forecast double-digit revenue growth in 2026.Royal Caribbean said the first weeks of Wave, the key January‑to‑March booking period when cruise operators roll out exclusive deals, were among its strongest ever, as well-heeled customers continue to prioritize sea-based vacations."WAVE is off to a great start…

Fincantieri has secured a new order for the construction of an ultra-luxury cruise ship for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), which will be operated by its subsidiary Regent Seven Seas Cruises.Scheduled for delivery in 2033, the new vessel will be a sister ship to Seven Seas Prestige, the first of the new Prestige Class, currently under construction at the Marghera shipyard and set for delivery in 2026. A second ship in the same class is already scheduled for delivery in 2030.The agreement…

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings NCLH.N forecast fourth-quarter profit below expectations on cost pressures and subdued appetite for sea-based vacations as travelers curb spending, sending its shares down about 15% on Tuesday.Persistent inflation, tariff-driven uncertainty, and the fallout of the prolonged U.S. government shutdown on port activity have clouded demand heading into the crucial holiday season.Volatile fuel prices due to geopolitical tensions, and expenses related to drydocks…

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings signaled a demand rebound for its cruise vacations and maintained its annual profit target, sending its shares up 12% on Thursday.The company had earlier warned that geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty around tariffs had weakened consumer spending on its premium vacations, particularly for its longer itineraries in Europe.The 12-month forward booked position was ahead of historical levels in recent months after having softened in early April, while on-board spending was strong, CEO Harry Sommer said in a statement.The reaffirming of annual forecast was

Fincantieri and Oceania Cruises, a brand of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., celebrated the delivery of Oceania Allura at the Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa. The vessel is the latest cruise ship to join the shipowner’s fleet, sister ship to Oceania Vista, which was handed over by the same yard in 2023.The ceremony was attended by Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of the Fincantieri Merchant Ships Division, Harry Sommer, President & CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Bolidt has acquired a majority stake in Florida-based Boteka, a move intended to consolidate Bolidt’s position in the global cruise industry.As a specialist in prefabricated elements for cruise ships, Boteka has worked exclusively with Bolidt products during a 14-year relationship that has seen the two parties serve major operators including Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean Group, and Celebrity Cruises. The collaboration has covered both newbuild and retrofit projects.In line with Bolidt’s ‘all-under-one-roof’ principle…

Fincantieri has marked the start of construction of the Oceania Sonata, the new luxury cruise ship for Oceania Cruises, a brand of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.The new vessel will be the first of the new Sonata class, a next-generation series building upon the highly acclaimed Allura class, with Oceania Vista delivered by Fincantieri in 2023 and its sister ship, Oceania Allura, scheduled for delivery in July 2025.Oceania Sonata is scheduled for delivery in 2027 and will be followed by a sister ship…

May, Brighton - Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo Americas (CSI Americas) has released its schedule of content for 2025. Speakers from brands including Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, MSC Cruises, AIDA Cruises, The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection and more will join their peers to discuss the latest and forthcoming developments in the vibrant cruise ship interiors industry. The conference, accredited by the IDCEC will take place 3 - 4 June at the Miami Beach Convention Center, co…

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings missed estimates for first-quarter revenue and profit on Wednesday and warned of weak consumer spending on premium voyages due to growing concerns over a possible recession, sending its shares down 9%.The cruise operator said it was expecting annual net yield - profit made per passenger after costs - below the prior range and softness in booking trends due to macroeconomic uncertainty."We are seeing consumers just get a little bit tighter in terms of their willingness to take a longer haul vacation…

Fincantieri has held a keel laying ceremony for Seven Seas Prestige, the ultra-luxury cruise ship being built for Regent Seven Seas Cruises.The keel laying ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera, in Venice.Seven Seas Prestige is the first of two next-generation ultra-luxury cruise ships for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2026.During the event, three specially chosen coins were welded…

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has delivered Norwegian Aqua cruise ship to Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL).Norwegian Aqua is the first ship of the expanded Prima Plus Class that Fincantieri is building for NCL.At 156,300 gross tons and a length that spans 1,056 feet, Norwegian Aqua is 10% larger than the first two Prima Class vessels, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, which also feature the craftmanship of Fincantieri.In addition to the delivery of Norwegian Aqua, the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera will experience another milestone tomorrow…

As the Trump Administration sweeps through its first month in office with a torrent of restructuring in government, it seems even Mickey Mouse is fair game. Cruise operators which service the dominant U.S. cruise market routinely so-called ‘flags of convenience’ outside of the U.S., a provision that allows them to avoid taxation.In speaking with Fox News last night, and widely reported on multiple news outlets, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reportedly suggested that the federal…

Battered by Covid, the cruise industry was down but not out. Today it is setting records in passenger count + the size and cost of a new fleet.Post-Pandemic, the fortunes of the big cruise companies have brightened dramatically. A late December, 2024 earnings release from Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE: CCL), encompassing brands including Carnival Cruise, Holland America, Cunard, Princess Cruises and others, says it all: “This has been an incredibly strong finish to a record year,” said CCL’s CEO Josh Weinstein, in its statement.