Norwegian Cruise Line NCL

Founded in 1966, the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) started with one ship built by the most prestigious and oldest ship building company in Norway. The founder and owner, Mr. Kostler, sold the company in 2000 to the largest Asian cruise company at the time, Star Cruises. Since the buyout, Norwegian Cruise Lines has gone through policy changes leading to much higher profitability. This led to reinvestment in newer ships that are consistent with the company vision: to offer each passenger a personalized cruise experience based on activities that they like to do rather than a “one-size-fits-all” approach to destination tours and ship events.

Company History

As stated, the company was founded in 1966 by Knut Kostler and Ted Arison. They offered cruises to the Caribbean for reasonable ticket fees and saw success with their single, eight-hundred thirty ton cruise liner. By 1971, the company had acquired another four ships but Arison had left the company in favor of a position with Carnival Cruise Lines. As the company history was written, in 2000, Kostler sold the company to Star Cruises, now known as Genting Hong Kong. Since the purchase, Norwegian Cruise lines has implemented what they call “freestyle cruising” as a mission of their operation. They began phasing out their old fleet and had sold the last older ship in 2008. For the trouble of selling off the antiquated boats and profits that came as a result of positive reviews of their new concept, they have been able to purchase ten new boats from 2000 to today. There is one older ship still in service providing Bahamas tours off the coast of Miami called the Norwegian Sky; perhaps kept for sentimentality reasons.

The Norwegian Fleet

The entire fleet of the Norwegian Cruise Lines includes the following ships:

Norwegian Dawn – Max capacity - 2,224 passengers.
Norwegian Epic – Max capacity – 4,100 passengers. This is the newest and largest ship on the fleet with reasonable studio space available at just thirty-seven fifty a night!
Norwegian Gem - Max capacity - 2,394 passengers.
Norwegian Jade - Max capacity - 2,402 passengers.
Norwegian Jewel - Max capacity - 2,376 passengers.
Norwegian Pearl - Max capacity – 2,394 passengers.
Norwegian Sky - Max capacity – 2,004 passengers.
Norwegian Spirit - Max capacity – 2,018 passengers.
Norwegian Star - Max capacity – 2,348 passengers.
Norwegian Sun - Max capacity – 1,936 passengers.
Pride of America - Max capacity – 2,138 passengers.
Project Breakaway - Max capacity – Expected 4,000+ passenger capacity; Project Breakaway consists of two building super cruisers, one for release in 2013 and one in 2014.

Why “Freestyle” Means “Your” Style

The implemented policy of “freestyle cruising” basically means that the customer is always right but it takes the concept to the next level. The goal is providing every guest with a personalized cruise experience that reflects what they appreciate in a vacation. There are relaxing activities such as spa services and hot tub bathing available just as readily as exciting activities such as rock wall climbing and there are plenty of eateries!