The Norwegian Aqua, the third vessel in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima Plus class, has set sail for its first sea trials. Departing from the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, near Venice, on December 10, the ship is heading to the Mediterranean for a series of rigorous tests.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced that two-time Emmy Award-winning actor Eric Stonestreet, best known for his role on Modern Family, will serve as the godfather of its newest ship, Norwegian Aqua. The ship is set to debut in April 2025, offering cutting-edge features and innovative experiences.

Norwegian Cruise Line has issued a notice to crew members on the Norwegian Sun, announcing a proportional refund for internet services following continuous connectivity issues. This refund, covering the period from October 29 to November 6, 2024, comes as a result of network issues that have made it difficult for the crew to stay connected.

The Norwegian Star, a 294-meter cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, has arrived at the Damen Shiprepair dock in Brest, France, for a three-week maintenance period that began on October 21, 2024. This technical shutdown, managed by Damen Shiprepair, involves complex repairs and routine maintenance to prepare the vessel for future cruises.

Key Maintenance Projects at Damen Shiprepair:

Norwegian Cruise Line has appointed its first Filipino Staff Captain, Ryan James D. Martinez, marking a historic moment for the Filipino maritime community.

As the second-in-command aboard the Norwegian Gem, Captain Ryan’s rise to this prestigious position showcases exceptional talent, dedication, and leadership. 

Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed its newest Prima Class ship, Norwegian Luna, set to debut in March 2026. This marks the fourth vessel in the Prima Class and will be a twin to the upcoming Norwegian Aqua, boasting a 10% increase in size over its predecessors, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva. The ship will be constructed at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

The Spanish multinational oil and gas company Cepsa has begun supplying second-generation biofuels to Norwegian Cruise Line ships at the Port of Barcelona. The first ship to receive this fuel was the 'Norwegian Escape,' in late July. Cepsa plans to continue providing this greener fuel to the ship throughout the European cruise season. In August, Cepsa supplied this type of fuel to two other ships operated by the NCLH. Further supplies have been confirmed for the coming months, with biofuels available on a regular basis from the Ports of Barcelona and Algeciras.

Norwegian Cruise Line is making an important change to help protect the environment by introducing new reusable serveware. This serveware, which looks like a bento box, is made from 50 percent recycled materials. It's designed to make room service more convenient for guests by replacing heavy plates and eliminating the need for plastic wrap.

Norwegian Cruise Line is ending the vaccination requirements for new hires. Starting May 29, 2024, Norwegian Cruise Line is canceling the requirement for mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for all newly hired and returning crew members. The news was announced by the global recruiting agency Kouzon Corporation, which partners with all major cruise lines, including NCLH brands.

The Iceland Transportation Accident Investigation Committee released a report on last year's near-miss grounding involving the 140,000-ton cruise ship Norwegian Prima at the port of Reykjavík. According to the report, the Norwegian Prima drifted outside the navigable channel and came within 10 meters of rocks after the vessel experienced winds in excess of 50 knots.