Norwegian Cruise Line Finalizes Order for Four New Mega Ships
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) has officially sealed the deal with Fincantieri shipyard for the construction of four new mega-ships for its flagship Norwegian Cruise Line brand. This move marks a major expansion in the fleet, following the initial announcement in April 2024.
The finalized contract, valued at over 2 billion euros (approximately $2.1 billion USD), will see the ships built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard, located near Trieste, Italy.
The new vessels will be the largest ever for Norwegian Cruise Line, each with a staggering 226,000 gross tons and a total of 5,100 berths, which can accommodate up to 8,300 passengers, including crew members.
For context, this is a significant jump from the brand’s current largest ships, like Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss, which are just over 160,000 gross tons with a guest capacity of around 4,000.
These new ships are scheduled for delivery in 2030, 2032, 2034, and 2036, though the specifics about onboard features like go-kart tracks, multi-story theaters, or thrill rides have yet to be revealed.
Norwegian has not confirmed whether these new ships will introduce an entirely new class of vessel, but with the size and scale of the vessels, they are expected to bring bold innovations.

Expansion Plans for Norwegian’s Sister Brands
This massive expansion isn’t just for Norwegian Cruise Line. The parent company has also announced new ships for its other brands: Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Oceania Cruises will receive two new 86,000-ton ships, each with a capacity of 1,450 guests, slated for delivery in 2027 and 2029. These ships will continue the premium brand’s growth, joining the seven ships currently in service. One of the newest vessels, Oceania Allura, is set to debut in July 2025, after reaching a key milestone in her construction in Genoa, Italy.
Meanwhile, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, known for its luxury offerings, will also see two new ships join its fleet in 2027 and 2029. The most recent addition to the Regent fleet, Seven Seas Grandeur, was introduced in 2023, and another, Seven Seas Prestige, is under construction and expected to be delivered in 2026.
A Surge in Passenger Capacity
With these additions across Norwegian, Oceania, and Regent, NCLH is poised to significantly increase its fleet’s passenger capacity, adding around 25,000 new berths.
This move will not only solidify Norwegian Cruise Line’s position in the competitive cruise industry but also help meet the growing demand for luxurious and large-scale cruise experiences.
Upgrades to Private Island Infrastructure
In addition to expanding its fleet, NCLH is investing in improving infrastructure at its private island, Great Stirrup Cay, located in the Bahamas.
A new multi-ship pier, designed to accommodate two of the brand’s largest vessels simultaneously, is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by late 2025. This addition will further enhance the guest experience, providing more access and flexibility for those cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line.
As Norwegian Cruise Line prepares for these exciting additions to its fleet, the coming years promise to bring even more innovation and luxury to the world of cruising. Stay tuned for updates on the new ships as more details are revealed in the coming months.