Key Aspects:
- Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has agreed with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for three new ships.
- The agreement includes a new ship for each line: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
- The new ships will be delivered in 2036 and 2037, depending on the line.
Great things are coming for every brand under Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) as the company has announced an agreement with Fincantieri for three new ships, one each for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
The Italian shipbuilder will design and construct all three new ships, with delivery dates in 2036 and 2037.
The Norwegian Cruise Line ship will be the fourth in the upcoming as-yet-unnamed new class for the line, which Cruise Hive has previously reported.
The new class will be the largest ever built for Norwegian Cruise Line, with the first vessel slated to debut in 2030. At an expected 225,000 gross tons, the new class will rival Royal Caribbean’s famed Oasis class ships and each vessel should be able to welcome approximately 5,100 guests at double occupancy.
For Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas cruises, the new ships will both be sister ships to existing designs in new classes to debut in the next two years.
The Oceania Cruises’ new ship will be a sister ship to Oceania Sonata (debuting in 2027) first in the new Sonata class, while the new ship for Regent Seven Seas Cruises will be a sister ship to Seven Seas Prestige, scheduled to debut in December 2026.
“Together with Fincantieri, a trusted partner for decades, we continue to advance a disciplined approach to fleet growth that builds on the strength of our brands, defines the future of cruising and elevates the guest experience for years to come,” said John W. Chidsey, President and Chief Executive Officer of NCLH.
“This agreement secures access to valuable shipyard capacity through the end of 2037, supporting our long-term growth while maintaining financial discipline and driving sustainable shareholder value.”
By adding a new, upcoming ship to each of its brands, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is ensuring continued growth across the breadth of the cruise market, from the mass-market appeal of Norwegian Cruise Line’s megaships to the luxury experiences aboard the Oceania and Regent Seven Seas fleets.
17 New Ships Planned Across Three Cruise Lines
In total, Norwegian Cruise Line now has 17 newbuild ships on order with delivery dates as follows:
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Luna (2026); Norwegian Aura (2027); Prima-plus (2028); New class (2030, 2032, 2034, 2036, 2037)
- Oceania Cruises: Oceania Sonata (2027); Oceania Areitta (2029); Sonata class (2032, 2035, 2037)
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Seven Seas Prestige (2026); Prestige class (2030, 2033, 2036)
Adding new ships to each fleet is an important growth strategy for the company, ensuring appeal to all types of cruise guests. New ships offer new venues, features, and amenities that keep guests returning for future cruise vacations.
Read Also: Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by Age
It should be noted that future cruise new build contracts are always subject to financing. This is a standard agreement but protects both the cruise line and the shipyard in case of financial conflicts or economic fluctuations.
In today’s competitive cruise market, however, it is imperative that cruise lines secure adequate shipyard space for the construction of future ships.
Shipyard logistics can be complicated, needing to accommodate not only new builds but also regularly scheduled dry dock operations as well as emergency repairs.
By placing these new build orders nearly a decade before construction would even begin on the three ships, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings continues to position itself for growth and innovation in the ever-expanding cruise industry.
