Who Owns Norwegian Cruise Line?

Norwegian Cruise Line was founded in 1966 as Norwegian Caribbean Line by Norwegian businessman Knut Kloster and Israeli entrepreneur Ted Arison. The company began operations with a single converted car ferry, the Sunward, offering low-cost Caribbean cruises from Miami.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Norwegian Cruise Line expanded its fleet and pioneered several industry innovations, including the first private island destination (Great Stirrup Cay) and some of the first mega-ships in the industry. The company introduced the famous SS Norway, formerly the SS France, which became the world's largest cruise ship at the time.

In the 1990s, Norwegian Cruise Line revolutionized the industry with the introduction of "Freestyle Cruising," a concept that eliminated fixed dining times and formal dress codes, giving guests greater flexibility and freedom in their vacation experience. This innovation became a hallmark of the Norwegian brand and influenced the entire cruise industry.

The company continued to innovate with new ship classes, including the innovative "Epic" class ships featuring unique cabin designs and extensive entertainment options. In 2011, Norwegian Cruise Line was reorganized under the newly formed Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., which later expanded to include luxury brands Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.