Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has won an order from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. for the construction of four new generation cruise ships, plus an option for additional two, for the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) brand.
The value of each ship is approximately €800 million (£680 million) with one delivery per year from 2022 to 2025, stretching to 2027 if the option is confirmed
The ships will form the backbone of the future Norwegian fleet, being about 140,000-tons, almost 300 meters long, and accommodating 3,300 guests – somewhat smaller than the 4,000-passenger Breakaway class (above).
The order is based on a prototype project developed by Fincantieri, and promises to combine Norwegian’s signature Freestyle cruising experience with an energy-efficient vessel, reducing environmental impact.
“This new class of ships will continue Norwegian Cruise Line brand’s legacy of introducing meaningful innovation to the cruise industry” said Frank Del Rio, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “This order continues to highlight our disciplined newbuild program, extends our growth trajectory well into the future, enhances our already attractive earnings profile and drives expected long-term returns for our shareholders”.
Norwegian Cruise Line president and CEO Andy Stuart said: “For the past 50 years, we have been focused on offering our guests the very best in cruising. It is with great excitement that we look ahead to our next 50 years, which includes this next generation of ships that will offer guests the innovative experiences that have come to define the Norwegian Cruise Line brand.”
Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, said: “This outstanding result allows us to include a new prestigious client in our portfolio, which confirms Fincantieri’s ability to develop with a flexible approach leading-edge solutions for every segment and demand of the modern cruise industry. We are very proud of the project for these ships: we developed it internally and we presented it to the shipowner, which appreciated it so much to order an entire class”.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is the parent company of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, for which Fincantieri built Seven Seas Explorer, delivered in 2016. A sister ship is expected in 2020. The company also built Marina and Riviera for NCLH’s Oceania brand in 2011 and 2012.
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