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Norwegian Cruise Line outlines ‘disciplined’ growth plans

Norwegian Cruise Line wants to achieve “thoughtful, measured, disciplined growth” as it prepares to launch five ships in the next seven years.

Andy Stuart, NCL’s president and chief executive officer, told a press briefing onboard new 4,004-passenger capacity vessel Bliss’s inaugural sailing how the line wanted to grow up to 2025.

Norwegian Encore, the line’s last Breakaway-Plus class ship, will be followed by four Leonardo Class ships, due to be delivered in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. The line also has two additional options.

While displaying an infographic detailing how the line’s fleet capacity would increase from 46,520 to 64,000 berths over the next seven years, Stuart said: “Growth is something that we are excited about as a brand.

“The way we think about this is – thoughtful, measured, disciplined growth.”

He added that the new smaller Leonardo class ship with a capacity for 3,300 passengers would offer another chance for the line to “innovate” and “enhance” the guest experience.

“As you can see the capacity [of the Leonardo class ship] is slightly smaller than Norwegian Bliss,” he said, adding: “We are moving to a footprint that is slightly smaller. It gives us a little bit more flexibility.

“It is going to connect the guests with the ocean. This is really at the heart of everything that we do. The [Leonardo Class] ships will continue to enhance the brand in an innovative way.”

Stuart also revealed construction workers will start building Norwegian’s new Miami cruise terminal next week. The facility is being built in partnership with the line and the city authorities and is expected to be completed in 2019.

He said: “It is going to be incredible and change the guest experience when arriving into Miami and embarking on a ship.”

Norwegian Encore’s maiden call will be at the port terminal after it is delivered on October 31 2019.

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