Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) is future‑proofing its fleet in a big way, confirming an agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for three new cruise ships—one each for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The new vessels will be delivered between 2036 and 2037, locking in valuable shipyard capacity and supporting the company’s long-term growth strategy across all market segments, from mainstream megaships to ultra-luxury.
New Ships for All Three NCLH Brands
Under the new agreement, Fincantieri will design and construct one ship for each of NCLH’s three brands at its shipyards in Italy. For Norwegian Cruise Line, the vessel will become the fourth ship in its upcoming, as‑yet‑unnamed mega‑ship class, which is set to debut in 2030.
The Oceania Cruises newbuild will be a sister ship to Oceania Sonata, the lead vessel in the new Sonata class launching in 2027, reinforcing Oceania’s premium, destination-focused fleet. Meanwhile, Regent Seven Seas Cruises will receive a sister ship to Seven Seas Prestige, the first in the line’s new Prestige class scheduled to debut in December 2026.
Norwegian’s Biggest Ships Ever
The new Norwegian Cruise Line class is poised to be the largest ever built for the brand, with the first ship expected in 2030. At around 225,000 gross tons and an estimated capacity of approximately 5,100 guests at double occupancy, these ships will rival Royal Caribbean’s Oasis‑class in sheer size and presence.
These next‑generation megaships are expected to offer expanded entertainment, dining, and accommodation options, aligning with Norwegian’s strategy of delivering large, resort‑style experiences at sea. The newly ordered fourth ship in this class, arriving toward the end of the build cycle, will further cement Norwegian’s footprint in the high-capacity, big‑ship segment well into the 2030s.
Sister Ships for Oceania and Regent
On the premium and luxury side, NCLH is also reinforcing its upper-tier brands.
- Oceania Cruises: The newly ordered ship will join the Sonata class as a sister to Oceania Sonata, offering around 1,200–1,400 guest capacity and focusing on elevated culinary and destination immersion experiences. This continues Oceania’s trajectory of introducing modern, mid‑sized ships tailored to longer, port‑intensive itineraries.
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises: The new vessel for Regent will be a sister to Seven Seas Prestige, anchoring the line’s new Prestige class as another ultra‑luxury, all‑suite ship with high space‑to‑guest ratio and inclusive amenities. Regent is known for some of the most luxurious ships at sea, and this expansion keeps the brand competitive in the fast‑growing luxury cruise segment.
17 New Ships on Order Across the Fleet
With this latest agreement, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings now has 17 newbuilds in its pipeline, spread across all three brands. The current orderbook includes:
- Norwegian Cruise Line:
- Norwegian Luna (2026)
- Norwegian Aura (2027)
- Prima‑plus class (2028)
- New mega‑ship class: 2030, 2032, 2034, 2036, 2037
- Oceania Cruises:
- Oceania Sonata (2027)
- Oceania Arietta (2029)
- Additional Sonata‑class ships: 2032, 2035, 2037
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises:
- Seven Seas Prestige (2026)
- Additional Prestige‑class ships: 2030, 2033, 2036
This robust newbuild programme supports an expected 4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2026 to 2037, reflecting a measured but ambitious expansion strategy.
Why These Orders Matter for Cruisers
Adding new ships is central to NCLH’s growth strategy, enabling the company to introduce new venues, features, and amenities that keep loyal guests returning and attract new cruisers. Across Norwegian, Oceania and Regent, the upcoming ships will allow the group to:
- Expand capacity in key markets and itineraries.
- Refresh onboard experiences with updated design, technology, and sustainability features.
- Offer a broader range of products—from high‑energy megaships to small, ultra‑luxury vessels—tailored to different traveller segments.
While all future newbuild contracts remain subject to financing, which is standard for long‑term shipyard agreements, securing these slots through 2037 ensures NCLH has guaranteed access to limited shipyard capacity in an increasingly competitive environment. With yard schedules needing to balance newbuilds, dry docks, and repairs, locking in construction timelines nearly a decade ahead positions Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings strongly for continued growth and innovation in the global cruise industry.
