- NCLH ordered three new ships for delivery in 2036 and 2037.
- The company now has 17 total newbuilds scheduled through 2037.
- Financing will primarily rely on Export Credit Agencies to maintain fiscal discipline.
- New designs prioritize environmental sustainability and next-generation fuel readiness.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) has announced a significant expansion of its long-term fleet strategy through a new agreement with the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. This deal involves the design and construction of three new cruise ships, with one vessel dedicated to each of the company’s primary brands: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Scheduled for delivery between 2036 and 2037, these ships are designed as sister vessels to existing or previously announced high-profile models, specifically the Oceania Sonata and Seven Seas Prestige classes.
This agreement is a central component of NCLH’s disciplined growth plan, which now includes a total of 17 newbuilds on order across its portfolio. By securing shipyard capacity through 2037, the company aims to ensure a steady 4% compound annual growth rate in capacity. Financially, the arrangement is structured to minimize near-term impact on cash flow and leverage, utilizing Export Credit Agency financing for the majority of costs upon delivery. This measured approach allows NCLH to modernize its fleet with next-generation technology—including “methanol-ready” capabilities for certain future vessels—while maintaining focus on balance sheet strength.
The partnership with Fincantieri continues a decades-long relationship, reinforcing NCLH’s competitive position in the global cruise market. With a current fleet of 34 ships serving roughly 700 destinations, the addition of these 17 new vessels will eventually contribute approximately 46,600 additional berths. These new ships are expected to define the future of the guest experience by integrating innovative designs and sustainable energy solutions, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of the evolving travel industry for the next decade and beyond.
Norwegian Cruise Line is advancing its fleet with “methanol-ready” Prima Class ships, which are significantly larger and technically modified to support the transition to green fuels.
The specific technical details for these next-generation vessels include:
Vessel Specifications and Dimensions
- Increased Size: The “Prima Plus” subclass ships (vessels 5 and 6 in the class) are approximately 20% larger than the original Norwegian Prima. They are expected to reach roughly 172,000 gross tons.
- Extended Length: To accommodate the new fuel systems, these ships have been lengthened by approximately 72 feet (22 meters) compared to the initial 981-foot (294-meter) design.
- Guest Capacity: These larger vessels will accommodate approximately 3,550 to 3,880 guests, an increase from the 3,100–3,215 capacity of the first two ships in the class.
Methanol Propulsion and Technical Modifications
- Dual-Fuel Engines: The ships are being equipped with specialized dual-fuel engines, developed in collaboration with MAN Energy Solutions (specifically the MAN 48/60 engine). These are designed to operate on both traditional marine gas oil and methanol.
- Expanded Tank Systems: The reconfiguration includes the installation of significantly larger and specialized fuel tanks designed to safely store methanol.
- Safety and Stability: The ships are built with a wider beam and modified hull structures to ensure stability while carrying the additional weight and volume required for alternative fuel storage.
- Green Methanol Potential: Once fully enabled, the use of green methanol is projected to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 95% compared to conventional fuels.
Timeline and Implementation
- Methanol-Ready Delivery: The specific ships reconfigured for methanol are scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028.
- Retrofit Research: NCL is also utilizing these designs to research retrofitting existing medium-speed engines across the broader fleet to support its goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
