Will Norwegian Cruise Line Come Back?

By Anna Duncan

Norwegian Cruise Line has been one of the leading cruise companies in the world for many years. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the travel industry, including cruise lines. With the company’s stock price dropping drastically and operations coming to a halt, many are wondering if Norwegian Cruise Line will ever come back.

The Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the travel industry particularly hard. With countries shutting down borders and imposing travel restrictions, the tourism industry has suffered immensely. Norwegian Cruise Line was no exception to this, with their operations coming to a halt in March 2020.

The company announced that they would be suspending all sailings until June 30, 2021. This decision was made to ensure the safety of passengers, crew members, and communities visited by their ships.

Financial Troubles

With no sailings and no revenue coming in for over a year, Norwegian Cruise Line faced significant financial troubles. The company’s stock price dropped drastically from around $60 per share in January 2020 to below $10 per share in March 2020.

In an effort to raise capital and stay afloat during these challenging times, Norwegian Cruise Line raised over $2 billion through various financings. The company also implemented cost-cutting measures such as reducing executive salaries, furloughing employees, and reducing marketing expenses.

The Future of Norwegian Cruise Line

Despite facing financial troubles and operational shutdowns due to COVID-19, Norwegian Cruise Line is optimistic about its future. The company has been taking several steps to prepare for its relaunch once it is safe to do so.

Norwegian Cruise Line has developed new health and safety protocols designed to keep passengers and crew members safe during their sailings. These protocols include rigorous cleaning procedures, social distancing measures, mandatory face masks in certain areas, and more.

The company has also been working on upgrading its ships during the shutdown. Norwegian Cruise Line has invested over $100 million in ship renovations, including adding new restaurants, lounges, and entertainment venues.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on Norwegian Cruise Line. However, the company has taken several measures to ensure its return and is optimistic about its future.

With new health and safety protocols in place and ship renovations underway, Norwegian Cruise Line is preparing for its relaunch once it is safe to do so. While the future is uncertain, it’s safe to say that Norwegian Cruise Line will come back stronger than ever before.