Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has finalized a deal with Fincantieri for three upcoming cruise ships, allocated to Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas, respectively.
The new ship for NCL will be a sibling to the previously disclosed NCL newbuild order, while the vessel designated for Oceania will be a companion ship to Oceania Sonata, and the new ship for RSSC will be the counterpart to Seven Seas Prestige.
All three vessels are set to be constructed at Fincantieri’s shipyards located in Italy, with delivery scheduled between 2036 (for RSSC) and 2037 (for NCL and Oceania).
“Alongside Fincantieri, our reliable partner for many years, we persist in advancing a methodical strategy for fleet expansion that leverages the power of our brands, sets the direction for the future of cruising, and enhances the guest experience for many years to come,” stated John W. Chidsey, the recently appointed president and CEO of NCLH. “This arrangement guarantees us critical shipyard capacity until the end of 2037, aiding our long-term growth while exercising financial prudence and fostering sustainable shareholder value.”
The newbuild earmarked for Regent Seven Seas Cruises will represent the fourth addition to its Prestige Class, which is set to launch later this year with Seven Seas Prestige in December 2026, followed by additional vessels in 2030 and 2033, respectively.
As per NCLH, this ship order bolsters its long-term growth strategy and competitive edge with a manageable initial capital investment, enabling the company to focus on enhancing its balance sheet and minimizing leverage. It is anticipated that this agreement will not significantly influence near-term leverage or cash flow, as obligations for pre-delivery payments will be negligible until the vessel is delivered.
“We are thrilled to announce a fourth ship in the Prestige-Class—this investment highlights our dedication to leading the ultra-luxury cruise sector for the upcoming decade and beyond,” remarked Jason Montague, chief luxury officer at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. “When Seven Seas Prestige went up for sale in June 2025, we experienced the largest single booking day for the launch of a new ship in our history. We believe that each vessel in this exceptional class will be equally pursued, providing guests with the most luxurious means to explore the globe.”
Concerning the newbuild for Oceania, Montague added, “The unprecedented demand for Oceania Sonata confirms that travelers are looking for choices, connections, and authentic experiences. The inclusion of a fifth Sonata Class ship allows us to offer our guests even more enriching and experiential travel options.”
With this latest agreement, NCLH now boasts a total of 17 newbuilds in its order book: eight for NCL through 2037, five for Oceania through 2037, and four for RSSC through 2036.
This newbuild initiative supports an anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4% from 2026 to 2037.
Fonte: Travel Market Report
