NCL plans big expansion
Norwegian Cruise Line’s owner Star Cruises is planning a big expansion for the group after reporting a 37-fold increase in first half profits to $23m.
The expansion will take place on two fronts with NCL buying the two unfinished ‘Project America’ ships and Star putting $550m into the vessels and buying two more ships for $450m.
“We believe that the worst is now behind us and the Star Cruises group, in particular NCL, has turned around well in the last two years. We are now looking to further strengthen the NCL brand in the US,” said Star Cruises chairman Tan Sri KT Lim.
Two of the new ships, the first of which will be delivered in 2004, will serve the Chinese market and the other two will operate in North America.
NCL is taking over all the materials and equipment and the work performed to date on the two 2,000-passenger ‘Project America’ vessels under construction in Mississippi. They were originally slated for the now-bankrupt American Classic Voyages.
The estimated price for both incomplete ships is $36m.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026