This cruise company just ordered 8 new ships — and thinks other lines will, too

10.04.2024 - 13:35 / thepointsguy.com / Harry Sommer / Mark Kempa

Despite a recent surge in cruise popularity, the number of new cruise ships under construction is set to taper off after 2024. However, one company plans to keep building them and has indicated lines will likely follow suit.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings — which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises — has placed an order for eight new vessels across its three brands, all scheduled to begin sailing between 2026 and 2036. The ships will be part of brand-new ship classes for each of their respective lines. The ships will be built by the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

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During a special call to announce the new ships, NCLH executives said they placed the orders early because it gives them plenty of time to plan and because they believe other cruise companies are also considering new ships.

"We see the future, we think this is the right strategic direction to go in, the spots are available, and obviously, we want to secure them before the competition does," Harry Sommer, president and CEO of NCLH, said during the call. "We certainly believe that the competitive set will be ordering ships as well."

"Our friends at the other four companies that are regularly ordering ships, they are, to the best of our knowledge, all in advanced talks with shipyards to get ships," Sommer said.

He expressed the importance of being at "the front of the line" to provide the advantage of more time to design a quality product for cruise guests.

"There are only four shipyards in the world that can build ships of any consequential size," Mark Kempa, NCLH's executive vice president and chief financial officer, said. "As the industry continues to build, we have to be more strategic in nature and make sure we have the opportunity to build. It also gives us the time and ability to really design something that is new and innovative for the brand."

Norwegian Cruise Line will see four new ships, set to debut in 2030, 2032, 2034 and 2036. Each will carry about 5,000 passengers, making them the largest vessels in the line's fleet by nearly 20%. Details about onboard features have not yet been released. However, Sommer said the vessels will combine the best offerings from the line's Breakaway and Prima Class ships.

Ship sizes will also increase for upscale lines Regent and Oceania, which will see two new ships each. Regent will welcome two 850-passenger vessels in 2026 and 2029. Oceania will add two ships that can carry around 1,450 cruisers in 2027 and 2029. Oceania will continue to focus on serving excellent food, while Regent will focus on a higher level of luxury and even more onboard space per passenger.

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