Who owns Norwegian Cruise Line? Here’s who owns NCL and its two sister brands
With a fleet of 19 ships that offer great food, award-winning entertainment and top-deck jaw-droppers like laser tag, go-karts and waterslides, Norwegian Cruise Line is one of the cruise industry’s most popular brands.
But who owns Norwegian Cruise Line?
NCL is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, a publicly traded parent company that owns three total brands. And if you’re wondering who owns Oceania Cruises or who owns Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the answer is the same – NCLH.
Below is the list of cruise lines owned by NCLH, along with a brief explanation of each and how it came to be under NCLH control.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Originally founded as Norwegian Caribbean Lines in 1966, Norwegian Cruise Line was officially born in 1987, four years after Norwegian Caribbean Lines purchased and merged with Royal Viking Line.
As a forerunner among cruise lines, NCL was the first to sail weekly cruises from Florida to the Caribbean and the first cruise line to have a private island destination. It pioneered the concept of Freestyle Cruising, which has no formal dress codes and no set dining times or tablemates — a departure from the classic cruise style of the early days.
In its most modern iterations, the line features astounding technology that ranges from a giant virtual-reality arcade and laser tag to nearly full-scale Broadway productions.
In 2013, the line went public under Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. One year later, NCLH acquired Prestige Cruises International, Inc. — the former parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises — from a private equity firm and rolled all three brands under the NCLH umbrella.
Related: All you need to know about Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
Created in 2002 by Frank Del Rio, longtime president and CEO of NCLH, Oceania Cruises is a luxury line that’s a bit more affordable than some of the other luxury brands because it doesn’t have as many amenities included in its fares.
It has eight elegant midsize ships, carrying from 670 to 1,250 passengers each. One of the line’s main focuses is food. Oceania’s culinary offerings are second to none in the industry, but that’s expected with an executive culinary director as prestigious as French chef Jacques Pepin.
Oceania joined NCLH when Norwegian acquired Prestige Cruises International, Inc., in 2014.
Related: All you need to know about Oceania Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
In 1992, two brands — Seven Seas Cruises and Radisson Cruises — combined to form Radisson Seven Seas Cruises. In 2006, its name was changed to Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which is what it remains today.
When the line changed hands in 2008, Prestige Cruises International, Inc. was created as an umbrella company for Regent and Oceania. Prestige was eventually purchased by NCLH in 2014, which brought Regent into the Norwegian family of cruise lines.
Regent operates as an ultra-luxury, nearly all-inclusive brand — perhaps the most lavish and expensive of any cruise line. It features fine linens, fantastic food, cooking classes, extensive onboard art collections and marble bathrooms. Its fares include things like gratuities, alcohol, Wi-Fi and even some shore excursions.
The fleet’s seven vessels are on the smaller side, with the largest carrying just 750 passengers. That makes for more intimate experiences and fewer onboard crowds.
Related: All you need to know about Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings FAQ
Who is the sister company of Norwegian Cruise Line?
NCL has two sister companies, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Is Royal Caribbean owned by Norwegian?
No. Royal Caribbean is owned and operated by Royal Caribbean Group.
Is Carnival Cruise Line owned by Norwegian Cruise Line?
No. Carnival Cruise Line is owned and operated by Carnival Corporation & PLC.
Is Princess Cruises owned by Norwegian?
No. Princess Cruises is owned and operated by Carnival Corp.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.