Norwegian Cruise Line

Starting with one ship in 1966, Norwegian Cruise Line was first established by Oslo-based Klosters Rederi A/S, one of Norway's oldest and most respected shipping firms. In 1991 NCL started Orient Lines a small cruise line which focuses on international travel on longer cruises rather than the typical shorter cruise experience. In 2000, after a fierce battle for public shares in which all the major cruise lines were players, NCL was acquired by a surprise victor, Star Cruises of Malaysia.

Following the acquisition of Norwegian Cruise Line, Star Cruises is now the fourth largest cruise line in the world operating a combined fleet of 20 ships with more than 21,000 lower berths. In August, 2007, NCL announced that New York based investment group Apollo Management was to buy a 50% stake in the company for $1 billion, to become 50/50 partners with Star Cruises.

NCL operates under three brands; Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America (under which the unique Hawaii cruises are offered), and Orient Lines. NCL America (NCLA) is the only cruise line that can offer you inter-island Hawaii cruises, that's because NCLA has the only US flagged ships, three to be exact. This will reduce down to two, due to NCLA being a loss making cruise line. Pride of Hawaii (launched April 2006) will be renamed Norwegian Jade for the 2008 cruising season and will offer cruises from the UK to various parts of Europe. NCLA will still offer cruises in Hawaii with the two remaining ships, Pride of America and the Pride of Aloha.

Norwegian Cruise Line's "Freestyle Cruising" concept transforms a traditional cruise into a more personal and unique experience offering open seating dining and a huge choice of onboard restaurants. NCL's Free-style service, now in operation on all of their ships.