Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Orders Three More Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Orders Three More Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line Holding today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Fincantieri for the design and construction of three new cruise ships.

The order includes one ship for each of the company’s brands: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, with one vessel to be built as a sister ship to Oceania Sonata, one as a sister ship to Seven Seas Prestige, and one as a sister ship to the previously announced Norwegian Cruise Line newbuilds order.

All three ships will be built at Fincantieri’s shipyards in Italy and delivered between 2036 and 2037.

“Together with Fincantieri, a trusted partner for decades, we continue to advance a disciplined approach to fleet growth that builds on the strength of our brands, defines the future of cruising and elevates the guest experience for years to come,” said John W. Chidsey, President and Chief Executive Officer of NCLH. “This agreement secures access to valuable shipyard capacity through the end of 2037, supporting our long-term growth while maintaining financial discipline and driving sustainable shareholder value.”

The company said this new ship order supports the Company’s long-term growth pipeline and competitive position with modest initial capital outlays, allowing it to remain focused on strengthening the balance sheet and reducing leverage.

Following this agreement, NCLH now has a total of 17 newbuilds on order; with Norwegian Cruise Line totaling eight newbuilds through 2037, five newbuilds for Oceania Cruises to be delivered through 2037 and four newbuilds to be delivered through 2036 for Regent Seven Seas Cruises. This newbuild pipeline supports an expected 4 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2026 through 2037, consistent with the company’s measured approach to expanding its fleet while investing in next-generation ships.

YearBrandDetailTonsBerths
Q1 2026Norwegian Cruise LineNorwegian Luna~156,000~3,565
Q4 2026Regent Seven SeasSeven Seas Prestige~77,000~822
2027Norwegian Cruise LineNorwegian Aura~170,000~3,880
2027Oceania CruisesOceania Sonata~86,000~1,390
2028Norwegian Cruise LineNext Generation “Methanol-Ready” Norwegian Prima Class~170,000~3,880
2029Oceania CruisesOceania Arietta~86,000~1,390
2030Norwegian Cruise LineNew Class 1~227,000~5,000
2030Regent Seven SeasSeven Seas Prestige Class 2~77,000~822
2032Oceania CruisesSonata Class 3~86,000~1,390
2032Norwegian Cruise LineNew Class 2~227,000~5,000
2033Regent Seven SeasSeven Seas Prestige Class 3~77,000~822
2034Norwegian Cruise LineNew Class 3~227,000~5,000
2035Oceania CruisesSonata Class 4~86,000~1,390
2036Norwegian Cruise LineNew Class 4~227,000~5,000
2036Regent Seven SeasSeven Seas Prestige Class 4~77,000~822
2037Norwegian Cruise LineNew Class 5~227,000~5,000
2037Oceania CruisesSonata Class 5~86,000~1,390

13 New Cruise Ships to Enter Service in 2026

According to the latest edition of the cruise ship orderbook by Cruise Industry News, 13 cruise ships will enter service in 2026.

As part of a strong year for the shipbuilding business, 13 vessels are set to be delivered to 12 cruise lines, including Viking, which is set to welcome two luxury vessels from Fincantieri.

[Download a PDF of the orderbook here]

The year will be particularly strong in the luxury segment, with seven upscale vessels set to enter service.

In addition to Viking, other brands taking delivery of high-end newbuilds include Emerald Cruises, Explora Journeys, Atlas Ocean Voyages and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Marking Orient Express’s official debut, the OE Corinthian is also set to enter service in 2026, kicking off the company’s first-ever cruise program.

The industry is welcoming several large ships next year as well, including the Legend of the Seas.

Currently being built for Royal Caribbean International at the Meyer Turku in Finland, the 250,000-ton vessel will be the second in the company’s Icon-class series.

Norwegian Cruise Line and TUI Cruises are also welcoming large vessels to their fleets with the debuts of the Norwegian Luna and the Mein Schiff Flow.

Continuing its record-breaking World class, MSC Cruises is set to take delivery of the MSC World Asia from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

Other ships entering service include the Adora Flora City, which will become the largest cruise ship ever built in China, and the Magellan Discovery, which was designed to offer expedition cruises in Antarctica.

According to CIN’s independent research, the new ships will add roughly 38,000 berths to the industry in 2026.

With an average size of 112,377 tons and an average cost of $805,066,667, the newbuilds will cost over $12 billion.

Celebrity Cruises has ordered 10 river ships

The premium cruise line said it would bring “the elevated design and sophistication of the Edge series ocean ships to the river”. 

Celebrity River Cruises’ debut programme will start in 2027. 

Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group president and chief executive, said: “With about half of our guests having experienced or intending to vacation on a river cruise, we know they will enjoy Celebrity’s elevated offering on the river.

Liberty believes the move will help the group “deepen customer engagement and further our ability to keep guests within our ecosystem of vacation offerings”. 

“We are the best in the world at delivering the vacation of a lifetime, and this is the latest example of how we are building the capabilities to deliver a lifetime of vacations,” he added. 

Celebrity president Laura Hodges Bethge said: “We’ve redefined travel on the ocean with our best-in-class hospitality, award-winning food and beverage experiences, and elevated design and style. 

“We’re thrilled to bring these experiences to the river and combine them with authentic, destination-rich itineraries that will give our guests an experience unlike any other.”