Who Is Norwegian Cruise Lines Owned By?

By Anna Duncan

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. is an American-Bermudian company that specializes in cruise ship operations. It is the third-largest cruise line in the world, behind Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Corporation & plc.

Who owns Norwegian Cruise Line?

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. is primarily owned by institutional investors, with the largest shareholder being Apollo Global Management, LLC. The company went public in 2013 and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol NCLH.

The History of Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line was founded in 1966 by Knut Kloster and Ted Arison, with a single ship that operated Caribbean cruises out of Miami. The company quickly expanded its fleet and began offering cruises to other destinations around the world.

In 2000, the company was acquired by Star Cruises, a major cruise line based in Asia. Star Cruises continued to expand Norwegian’s fleet and operations until it was acquired by Apollo Global Management in 2007.

Since then, Norwegian has continued to grow under Apollo’s ownership, adding new ships and expanding its presence in popular cruising destinations like Alaska and Europe.

The Brands Under Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

In addition to Norwegian Cruise Line, the company also operates two other brands: Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Oceania Cruises specializes in luxury cruising experiences to destinations around the world. Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers similarly upscale experiences but focuses on all-inclusive packages that include airfare, shore excursions, and other amenities.

The Future of Norwegian Cruise Line

Despite recent challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Norwegian Cruise Line remains one of the most popular cruise lines in the world. The company has announced plans to resume operations as soon as possible, with enhanced health and safety protocols designed to protect passengers and crew alike.

As the world begins to recover from the pandemic, Norwegian Cruise Line is poised to continue providing unforgettable cruising experiences to travelers around the globe.