History of Norwegian Cruise Line in Timeline

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), founded in Norway in 1966, is headquartered in Miami, Florida, and incorporated in the Bahamas. As the fourth-largest cruise line globally by passenger volume in 2021, NCL held approximately 8.6% of the worldwide cruise market share. It operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

1966: Norwegian Cruise Line Founded

In 1966, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) was founded in Norway. Today, it is headquartered in Miami, Florida, and incorporated in the Bahamas.

1966: Founding of NCL with Sunward

In 1966, Norwegian Cruise Line was founded by Knut Kloster and Ted Arison with the ship Sunward, which operated as a car ferry between Southampton and Gibraltar. Arison soon left to form Carnival Cruise Lines, while Kloster acquired additional ships and renamed the line Norwegian Caribbean Lines.

1966: Sunward Capability

Like the original Sunward of 1966, they had the capability to carry automobiles through a well-concealed stern door.

1971: Introduction of Southward

In 1971, Norwegian introduced the Southward, their first true cruise ship without car-carrying capacity.

1973: Sale of Sunward

In 1973, Norwegian sold its original ship, the Sunward, due to its inadequacy for the modern cruise market.

1977: Purchase of Cunard Adventurer

In 1977, Norwegian purchased the former Cunard Adventurer, refitting her and renaming her Sunward II.

1979: Acquisition of SS France and Renaming to Norway

In 1979, Norwegian made headlines with the acquisition of the liner SS France, rebuilding her as a cruise ship and renaming her Norway.

1987: Order of the new Seaward

In 1987, Norwegian attempted to catch up with competitors by ordering a new ship, the new Seaward, NCL's first new build since 1971.

1989: Kloster acquisition of Royal Cruise Line

In 1989, Kloster acquired Royal Cruise Line.

1992: 1992-1993

The text mentions the time period 1992-1993, but no specific events from 1992 are mentioned.

1993: 1992-1993

The text mentions the time period 1992-1993, but no specific events from 1993 are mentioned.

1995: Addition of the Leeward

In the mid-1990s, specifically 1995, the Leeward ship was added to the fleet.

1996: Transfer of Crown Odyssey

In 1996, the Crown Odyssey, part of NCL's subsidiary Royal Cruise Line, was transferred and became the Norwegian Crown.

1997: Expansion to other parts of the world

Between 1997 and 2001, Norwegian has expanded to other parts of the world, including Alaska, Europe, Bermuda, and Hawaii.

1997: Acquisition of Majesty Cruise Line

In 1997, Norwegian acquired Majesty Cruise Line and added their two ships, which became the Norwegian Majesty and Norwegian Dynasty. During this time all ships renamed with the "Norwegian" prefix.

1998: Acquisition of Orient Lines

In 1998, Norwegian Cruise Line acquired Orient Lines.

2000: Sale to Star Cruises and Introduction of Freestyle Cruising

In 2000, Norwegian was sold by Kloster to Star Cruises. Under the new ownership, the "freestyle cruising" concept was introduced with the Norwegian Sky.

2001: End of Operations in Australia

Between 1997 and 2001, the company also operated cruises out of Australia under the name Norwegian Capricorn Line.

2001: Introduction of Norwegian Star

In 2001, the Norwegian Star debuted as part of an effort to replace older ships.

2002: Purchase of Project America Hull

In 2002, Norwegian purchased the half-complete hull of the first Project America ship.

2002: Introduction of Norwegian Dawn

In 2002, the Norwegian Dawn debuted as part of an effort to replace older ships.

May 2003: Boiler Explosion on the Norway

In May 2003, a boiler explosion forced Norwegian to withdraw the Norway from service.

2003: Purchase of American-Flagged Liners

In 2003, the company announced the purchase of the American-flagged liners United States and Independence.

2003: 2003-2007

The text mentions the period from 2003 to 2007, without detailing specific events from 2003.

2005: Norway Laid Up in Bremerhaven

In 2005, the Norway was laid up in Bremerhaven, Germany.

August 2006: Norway Beached at Alang as Blue Lady

In August 2006, the Norway was beached at Alang, Gujarat, India, after being sold for scrap and renamed the Blue Lady.

November 2006: Epic Class Ships Ordered

In November 2006, two ships in the Epic class were ordered by NCL with an option for a third vessel.

July 2007: Sale of Independence

In July 2007, Norwegian noted the sale of Independence, renamed SS Oceanic some time before, in their fiscal report.

August 2007: Star Cruises Sells 50% of Norwegian to Apollo Management

In August 2007, Star Cruises sold 50% of Norwegian to Apollo Management to strengthen Norwegian's financial position.

September 11, 2007: India Supreme Court Permits Break Up of Blue Lady

On September 11, 2007, the India Supreme Court issued an order permitting the Blue Lady to be broken up at Alang, despite the presence of hazardous asbestos.

2007: 2003-2007

The text mentions the period from 2003 to 2007, without detailing specific events from 2007.

February 2008: Withdrawal of Pride of Aloha and Fleet Changes

In February 2008, Norwegian reported that the Pride of Aloha would be withdrawn from service. It was later announced that she would return to the Norwegian international fleet as the Norwegian Sky, while the Norwegian Majesty and Norwegian Dream would be sold to Louis Cruise Lines.

2008: Second Epic Class Ship Cancelled

In 2008, a dispute between NCL and STX resulted in the cancellation of the second Epic class ship.

2008: Orient Lines Ceases Operations

In early 2008, Orient Lines ceased operations after Star Cruises sold Orient Line's Marco Polo to Transocean Tours in 2007.

2008: 2008-present

The text mentions the period from 2008 to the present, without detailing specific events from 2008.

June 2010: Norwegian Epic Delivered

On 17 June 2010, the Norwegian Epic was delivered to NCL.

July 1, 2010: Deal to Buy SS United States

On July 1, 2010, the SS United States Conservancy struck a deal to buy SS United States for $3 million.

February 1, 2011: Ownership Transferred to SS United States Conservancy

On February 1, 2011, the ownership of SS United States was officially transferred to the SS United States Conservancy.

June 1, 2012: Agreement to Purchase Norwegian Sky

On June 1, 2012, Norwegian announced the signing of an agreement to purchase Norwegian Sky.

October 17, 2012: Agreement for Breakaway Plus Class Vessels

On October 17, 2012, Meyer Werft and Norwegian reached an agreement for the construction of two new Breakaway Plus Class vessels.

January 2013: Norwegian Dream Becomes Superstar Gemini

From January 2013, the Norwegian Dream became the Superstar Gemini for Star Cruises.

2013: Corporate Reorganization and IPO

Following an initial public offering and corporate reorganization in 2013, Norwegian became a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH).

2013: Entry into service of Norwegian Breakaway

In 2013, Norwegian Breakaway started its service.

July 14, 2014: Two More Vessels Ordered

On July 14, 2014, two more vessels were ordered.

2014: Entry into service of Norwegian Getaway

In 2014, Norwegian Getaway started its service.

October 2015: Delivery of New Vessel

Norwegian slated for delivery in October 2015

October 2015: October 2015

The text mentions October 2015 but does not provide any specific events occurring during that time.

November 2015: Norwegian Escape Enters Service

The Norwegian Escape entered service in November 2015.

December 2016: Agreement with Cuban Government

In December 2016, Norwegian Cruise Line announced it had reached an agreement with the Cuban government.

2016: Launch of Genting Dream

Dream Cruises launched Genting Dream in 2016.

February 2017: Order of Project Leonardo Ships

In February 2017, Norwegian ordered 4 new ships from Fincantieri under the codename Project Leonardo, to be delivered in 2022–2025.

May 2, 2017: Announcement of New PortMiami Terminal

On May 2, 2017, Norwegian Cruise Line announced a new PortMiami Terminal.

May 2017: First NCL Visit to Cuba

In May 2017, the Norwegian Sky was the first Norwegian Cruise Line vessel to ever visit Cuba.

2017: Launch of World Dream

Dream Cruises launched World Dream in 2017.

2017: Entry into service of Norwegian Joy

The Norwegian Joy entered service in 2017.

May 1, 2018: Construction Begins on PortMiami Terminal

Construction began on the new PortMiami Terminal on May 1, 2018.

July 2018: Order of Two More Ships

In July 2018, NCL confirmed that they had ordered 2 more ships to be delivered in 2026–27.

December 2018: Plans to Build New Pier in Alaska

In December 2018, Norwegian revealed plans to build a new pier in Alaska's Icy Strait Point.

2018: Norwegian Bliss Enters Service

In 2018, Norwegian Bliss entered service.

June 2019: Halt to Cuban Routes

Norwegian continued operating Cuban routes until June 2019, when they came to a halt following new restrictions from the Trump Administration.

December 9, 2019: Keel Laid for Norwegian Prima

On December 9, 2019, the keel of the first ship was laid down and named Norwegian Prima.

2019: Completion of PortMiami Terminal

Construction of the new PortMiami Terminal was completed in fall 2019.

2019: Norwegian Encore Enters Service

In 2019, Norwegian Encore entered service.

March 14, 2020: CDC Issues No Sail Order

On March 14, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a No Sail Order for cruise ships.

March 2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Responses

In March 2020, it was reported that managers at Norwegian prepared responses to downplay the COVID-19 pandemic to customers, including false claims.

March 28, 2020: Suspension of Voyages Implemented

By March 28, 2020, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings suspended all cruise voyages across its three brands, with all ships in port or at anchor and all passengers disembarked.

May 5, 2020: Doubt About Ability to Continue as Going Concern

On May 5, 2020, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) stated in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that there is "substantial doubt" about its ability to continue as a "going concern."

May 7, 2020: NCLH Secures Liquidity

On May 7, 2020, the CEO of NCLH announced that the company had secured enough liquidity to potentially survive 18 months with zero revenue and might resume cruising later in 2020.

June 30, 2020: Suspension Extended Through June 30

The suspension of all cruise voyages was extended through June 30, 2020.

August 2021: Launch of Norwegian Prima

In August 2021, the Norwegian Prima was launched.

2021: NCL Market Share

As of 2021, Norwegian Cruise Line controlled about 8.6% of the total worldwide share of the cruise market by passengers.

2022: Launch of Norwegian Prima and Naming of Norwegian Viva

In 2022, the Norwegian Prima commenced sailing, and the second ship was named Norwegian Viva.

2023: Completion of Norwegian Viva (Expected)

The Norwegian Viva is expected to be completed by 2023.

April 2024: Norwegian Cruise Line Operations in April 2024

As of April 2024, Norwegian Cruise Line operates 19 cruise ships and has eight more on order. They have also owned or operated 19 other ships. Most ships are flagged to the Bahamas, except for the Pride of America, which operates cruises within the United States.

2024: Senior Secured Notes Due

In 2024, senior secured notes are due, carrying a 12.25% interest rate, in addition exchangeable notes are due, at 6% interest rate, and exchangeable at any time into common shares at $13.75.

2025: Leonardo Ships To Be Delivered

In 2025, Project Leonardo Ships To Be Delivered

2026: Two More Ships To Be Delivered

In 2026, NCL confirmed that they had ordered 2 more ships to be delivered in 2026–27.

Mentioned in this timeline

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Miami is a major coastal city located in South Florida...