Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) has recently unveiled the most comprehensive newbuild order in its history with eight new vessels in the works across its three brands.
Already scheduled and not part of the new order, Norwegian Cruise Line will first take delivery of four new Prima-Plus Class ships in 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028. The first of these new vessels has been named Norwegian Aqua and will debut in spring 2025. The brand will then take delivery of a further four approximately 200,000-gross-ton ships in in 2030, 2032, 2034 and 2036. Each of the ships will have a capacity of nearly 5,000 guests and will be the largest ships the company has ever welcomed.
In 2025, Oceania Cruises will welcome Allura to its fleet. The new ship will be the eighth vessel for the brand and its second 1,200-guest Allura Class ship following its sister ship Vista, launched in May 2023. Oceania Cruises is also slated to take delivery of two further new ships in 2027 and 2029, each with a capacity of 1,450 guests.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is scheduled to take delivery of two new ships, each with a capacity of 850 guests, in 2026 and 2029. Additionally, NCLH has also announced the construction of a two-ship pier at Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s private island, with plans to complete the project by the end of 2025.
“Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises consistently innovate the onboard dining experience for groups of all sizes,” says Neil Brodie, VP, Experiences at Sea, Charters, Meetings & Incentives, & Events, NCLH. “Our world-class culinary offerings are the perfect recipe for a successful corporate event at sea. Whether you choose Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises or Regent Seven Seas Cruises, your attendees will indulge in our award-winning food and beverage programs and experience exquisite diverse flavors, freestyle dining and specialty restaurants, all crafted with fresh, local ingredients.”
Norwegian Cruise Line’s upcoming ship Norwegian Aqua will debut three brand-new onboard offerings: Sukhothai, NCL’s first Thai specialty restaurant; Swirl Wine Bar, a new, contemporary upscale wine bar; and Planterie, the first dedicated eatery offering a plant-based menu. The cruise line offers more than 20 unique dining venues, from American steakhouses to teppanyaki grills and French bistros, as well as the flexibility of its Freestyle Dining concept, which means no fixed dining times or pre-assigned seating.
Oceania Cruises’ culinary team is overseen by two Master Chefs of France and all gourmet specialty restaurants on board are included, which makes group dining more accessible and memorable. The brand introduced the first-ever Culinary Center at sea in 2018, featuring individual, fully equipped workstations in a state-of-the-art kitchen. Groups can participate in a private culinary enrichment program at sea, where they can learn specific techniques and discover new flavors from visited ports.
“When working with Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, our team works hand-in-hand with the client to understand the goals and needs of the group and to create a unique, one-of-a-kind, immersive experience both on and off the ship,” says Brodie. “For NCL, that may mean a corporate group privatizing the speedway and having the C-suite face off against the employees to build camaraderie. For Oceania Cruises or Regent Seven Seas Cruises, teambuilding activities may include booking a private cooking class in our Culinary Center, inspire their inner artist at the Artist Loft or plan a pickleball tournament.”
“Off the ship, we work with our local tour operators to create private and custom shore excursions tailored to the group’s needs,” adds Brodie. “That may be buying out a beach resort in Roatan for a day of sun and fun or a more adventurous excursion in Cozumel on high-speed boats. Corporate and incentive groups are also valuing more free time to explore on their own and we make sure our clients incorporate this when setting up their programming. No matter what the group is looking to accomplish, we work together from beginning to end to best suit the group’s needs.”
“Silversea continues to evolve and expand within the ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel segments as proud pioneers, offering travelers authentic access to the world’s most enriching destinations in superior comfort,” says Stephanie Deaton, VP, Charter & Incentive Sales and Service, Silversea. “Available for sailings in 2025 and beyond, Silversea now presents an expanded portfolio of 7-night itineraries. Based on guest requests for shorter sailings to accommodate group travel or charters, Silversea is set to welcome expedition-curious, yet time-conscious, travelers to ports in the Eastern/Western Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Tahiti, the Galapagos Islands and Alaska. These short-haul sailings provide the same access to the world’s top destinations Silversea is known for delivering, while also accounting for the fact that time away from work/home is a luxury within itself, no matter the length.”
Silversea introduced the second ship in its Nova Class in June 2024 with the new Silver Ray, following closely on the heels of sister ship Silver Nova, which debuted in summer 2023. The two new ships are almost identical, featuring an innovative asymmetrical design that allows for an expansive use of onboard space. The two new 728-passenger ships mark an important milestone on the cruise line’s journey to “Destination Net Zero” and are 40 percent more energy efficient than the required international standards and regulation. Other sustainability features include a micro auto gasification system, which reduces onboard waste volume resulting in lower incineration emissions, as well as a hydrodynamic hull design to reduce fuel consumption. Royal Caribbean Group’s SEA the Future initiative guides the cruise line’s commitment to sustaining the planet and accelerating innovation.
“As our driving force is to facilitate immersive experiential travel on and off our vessels, creativity is at the heart of our brand,” says Deaton. “Beyond the diverse opportunities to traverse natural landscapes, we believe food offers a gateway into diverse and varied heritages. Culinary experiences create lasting memories that often define a travel experience, making way for deeper insights into the destination and its communities.”
Groups can engage with culinary cultures ashore by participating in S.A.L.T. shore experiences as part of Silversea’s distinctive S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) culinary program. The in-depth and informative excursions are led by top food experts who educate on the intricacies of the local cuisine, and include experiences such as spending the day with one of Norway’s top chefs or participating in cooking classes at authentic Sicilian pasticcerias. Back aboard the ships, the S.A.L.T. Lab features locally inspired cooking classes relating to ports of call, while the S.A.L.T. Kitchen offers daily rotating menus featuring local culinary items and authentic ingredients. The S.A.L.T. program is curated by Adam Sachs, the former editor-in-chief of Saveur magazine, and program offers flexibility to create custom events for groups or charters ashore or onboard.
“For the MICE category, Silversea continues to see steady interest in historically popular destinations, such as Alaska, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean,” says Deaton. “Recently, event planners are opting for regions such as the Norwegian Fjords, Asia and the United Kingdom. Increasingly, we are seeing more interest in expedition voyages, such as the Galapagos, Iceland, Antarctica and the Arctic. Clients are seeking to provide experiences that enable guests to connect with remote cultures and witness rare wildlife in beautiful destinations.”
“Silversea is anchored in the true meaning of comfort and exclusivity,” adds Deaton. “We sail to more destinations that any other cruise travel brand—across all seven continents. Our ships are intimate enough to gain access to exceptional destinations often unavailable on larger vessels, yet large enough to ensure guests travel in incredible comfort, while enjoying luxurious experiences and some of the best service at sea. Our MICE programming can accommodate private groups of 20 to mid-size gatherings of 200 attendees, dependent on the ship and onboard function needs.” —Steve Grasso & Laurel Herman
ncl.com/uk/en/events; oceaniacruises.com/charters-meetings-incentives; rssc.com/events; silversea.com/other-resources/charter-incentives-cruise.html