norwegian cruise lines ceo

Board of Directors

Russell W. Galbut

Russell Galbut is the Managing Principal of Crescent Heights, one of America’s largest and most respected residential developers and brings decades of insights into complex projects to the Board of Directors. Having been active in the urban mixed-use real estate sector for more than 35 years, Russell has led development in more than 15 markets across the United States and has developed more than 50,000 residential units, including pioneering the condo hotel concept. Currently, Russell serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board at Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. He has also previously served on multiple company boards, including Black Spade Acquisition Co, New Beginnings Acquisition Corp., Prestige, Capital Bank, and Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust Company.

Russell earned his Bachelor of Science from The School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University and became a Florida licensed CPA (inactive license). Russell also earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law.

Russell is the Chairperson of the NCLH Board of Directors and serves on the NCLH Nominating & Governance Committee.

David M. Abrams

David Abrams is the Founder and Co-Managing Partner of Velocity Capital Management and brings more than 25 years of experience in sports and entertainment, private equity, finance, and investment banking to our Board of Directors. David was the Chief Investment Officer of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Devils, the Prudential Center and esports franchise, Dignitas. He is also controlling shareholder of Keemotion SPRL, a leader in sports technology, and Co-Managing Partner of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the AAA-Affiliate of the New York Yankees.

He was also the Founder and Partner of the Apollo European Principal Finance Funds focusing on distressed assets and spent a decade at Credit Suisse as Managing Director, Leveraged Finance Group in London and New York. Before that, he founded and served as Head of the Specialty Finance Investment business and the Co-Head of the Global Distressed Sales and Trading Group.

He began his career with roles in Investment Banking, Capital Markets, and Corporate Restructurings while at Bear Stearns and Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette. David earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. David serves on the NCLH Audit Committee and the NCLH TESS Committee.

Rear Admiral Mary E. Landry (Ret.)

Retired Rear Admiral Mary Landry spent more than 35 years with the U.S Government, including active duty in the U.S Coast Guard and serving on The White House National Security Council. She brings extensive expertise on maritime operations and deep insights into risk mitigation, preparedness, resilience, and cybersecurity to the Board of Directors. During her service, Rear Admiral Landry served as Commander of the largest Coast Guard district encompassing 26 states, 1,200 miles of coastline, and 10,300 miles of inland rivers. She also led more than 10,000 active, reserve, civilian, and auxiliary servicemen across 11 mission areas, and managed U.S capital assets, including three air stations, seven sectors, and various Coast Guard vessels. In her roles with the U.S. Coast Guard and the White House, Ms. Landry worked on cybersecurity preparedness, policy and guidance. Rear Admiral Landry currently serves on the Board of Directors of the United States Automobile Association (USAA), the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), Florida Chapter and as an advisory board member of Sea Machines Robotics

Rear Admiral Landry earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Buffalo, a Master of Arts in Management from Webster University, a Master of Arts in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island and completed the National Security Fellowship from Harvard University. She also holds the CERT Certificate in Cybersecurity Oversight and has a Corporate Director Certificate from Harvard Business School. She is an NACD Board Leadership Fellow and is NACD Directorship Certified®.

Rear Admiral Landry serves on the NCLH TESS Committee and is the Chairperson for the NCLH Compensation Committee.

Stella David

Stella David is the former Chief Executive Officer of William Grant & Sons Limited, an international spirits company. She brings extensive experience running multi-national corporations, marketing and branding to NCLH’s Board of Directors. She currently serves as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of Entain, plc, a sports betting and gaming group. Stella also previously served as and Interim Chief Executive Officer of C&J Clark Limited, an international shoe manufacturer and retailer. Stella also previously held various senior-level positions at Bacardi Ltd., including Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer and as the Chief Executive Officer of Bacardi’s U.K., Irish, Dutch & African business. With decades of experience, Stella holds profound understanding of the premium and luxury market, corporate governance and risk management. She currently serves on the boards of Entain plc and Bacardi Limited. She also previously served on the boards of Domino’s Pizza Group plc, Vue International, HomeServe Plc, C&J Clark Limited and Nationwide Building Society.

Stella received her Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Cambridge University.

Stella Serves of the NCLH TESS Committee and is a Chairperson for the NCLH Nominating & Governance Committee.

Harry C. Curtis

Harry Curtis is the former Managing Director of Instinet, a Nomura subsidiary focused on research, trading, and data analytics for institutional investors and securities traders, and brings his approximately 30 years of experience in equity research specializing in the gaming, lodging and leisure industry to NCLH’s Board of Directors. His strengths include deep cruise industry knowledge, ability to identify investor sentiment and a comprehensive understanding of the key drivers of our business model. He developed a wide following and has been recognized by institutional investors for his financial expertise and innovation in equity research. Previously Harry served as Managing Director of Chilton investment Co. and was Managing Director at JP Morgan.

Harry earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from Connecticut College, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Harry serves on the NCLH Compensation Committee and is the Chairperson for the NCLH Audit Committee.

Zillah Byng-Thorne

Zillah Byng-Thorne is the former Chief Executive Officer of Future plc, a global platform for specialist media. She is a seasoned manager focused on driving operational excellence with a proven record for developing talent at the senior level, and brings extensive experience in the technology sector, spanning specialty areas such as online gaming, digital media and e-commerce to NCLH’s Board of Directors. She is currently an Operating Partner of True Capital Limited, an investment company. She also previously served as the interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Trader Media Group (owner of AutoTrader), Commercial Director and Chief Financial Officer of Fitness First and the Chief Financial Officer at Thresher Group. She also has extensive experience as a board member and currently serves as Chairperson of TrustPilot Group plc and Executive Chair of M&C Saatchi Group. She is a former member of the board of directors of Future plc, Flutter Entertainment plc, THG plc and GoCo Group plc.

Zillah earned her Master of Arts in Management from Glasgow University, her Master of Science in Behavioral Change from Henley Business School, is a Chartered Management Accountant (The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), and a Qualified Treasurer (Association of Corporate Treasurers).

Zillah serves on the NCLH Audit Committee,the NCLH Compensation Committee and the NCLH Nominating & Governance Committee.

Harry J. Sommer

President & Chief Executive Officer, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Harry Sommer serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH), a S&P 500 company that operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. In this role, he spearheads the company’s growth strategy, leading with a vision that embodies a guest-centric mentality and champions the company’s sustainability program, Sail & Sustain. He brings 30 years of experience across multiple functions in the cruise sector and is leading a workforce of more than 40,000 employees around the globe.

In his previous role, Sommer was President & CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, the largest brand within NCLH, which he led through the industry's most challenging time, marked notably by the COVID-19 pandemic. Demonstrating outstanding resilience and strategic foresight, Sommer spearheaded a successful resurgence post a 500-day pause in operations. This period not only showcased the brand's robust recovery but also its innovation with the launch of the Norwegian Prima - the first of six vessels in a new class of ships, setting the stage for record bookings in 2022.

Prior to this, Harry served as President, International for NCLH, where he oversaw all international sales, marketing, and business development functions in markets beyond the United States and Canada. During his decades in the industry, Harry held various executive and senior management roles in major cruise companies such as Prestige Cruise Holdings, Renaissance Cruises, and Viking River Cruises. He also co-founded Luxury Cruise Center, a high-end travel agency specializing in premium and luxury cruise experiences.

Born and raised in New York, Sommer earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Baruch College in New York, and a Master’s in Business Administration from Pace University in New York. Harry is also a Certified Public Accountant (Inactive License) and serves on the NCLH Board of Directors.

José E. Cil

José E. Cil is the former Chief Executive Officer of Restaurant Brands International Inc. (RBI), which owns of some of the most iconic restaurant brands in the world, such as Burger King®, Tim Hortons®, Popeyes® and Firehouse Subs®. He is an exceptional leader with a proven track record of driving growth both domestically and internationally and brings decades of experience and extensive knowledge of the restaurant industry to the Board of Directors. Before being promoted to CEO of RBI, José spent 20 years in various leadership roles of increasing responsibility at Burger King, including Burger King Global President and President of Burger King Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA).

He also has extensive experience as a board member and currently serves as a director of privately held Restaurant Brands Iberia, the largest restaurant company in the Iberian Peninsula. He is also serving as on the Executive Board of Advisors of Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, and Belen Jesuit Preparatory School. He is a former member of the board of directors for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., and Visit Florida.

José obtained his Bachelors Degree from Tulane University and started his career practicing law after earning his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. José is the Chairperson of the NCLH Audit Committee.

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Norwegian Cruise Line CEO to Retire, New CEO Named

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: March 20, 2023  - Last updated: March 22, 2023

Frank J. Del Rio, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ president and CEO, will retire in June after a 30-year career in the cruise industry.

On March 20, 2023, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) announced that Frank J. Del Rio has decided to retire and step down from his position as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and from its Board of Directors, effective June 30, 2023.

Del Rio will serve in a consultant capacity as a Senior Advisor to the Board through 2025.

NCLH is a global cruise company that operates the Norwegian Cruise Line , Oceania Cruises , and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands.

Del Rio’s three decades in the cruise industry

Frank J. Del Rio’s well-deserved retirement is the culmination of a remarkable career spanning three decades in the cruise industry. Del Rio has led NCLH since 2015. Before joining Norwegian, Del Rio headed up Prestige Cruise International —which operated Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises—from 2002 until its acquisition by Norwegian.

Del Rio founded Oceania Cruises in 2002, creating a new “ upper premium ” market space in the cruise industry.

During his tenure with NCLH, Del Rio successfully led the company in welcoming eight new and innovative ships since 2015, introducing a second private island destination , Harvest Caye , and achieving industry-leading yields and financial results.

Del Rio also led NCLH through the COVID-19 pandemic, the most tumultuous time in its 56-year history, and was a vocal leader and advocate for the entire cruise industry through unprecedented times as it worked to resume cruise operations globally.

“On behalf of the Board and the entire organization, I thank Frank for his invaluable contributions to this Company and the cruise industry throughout the last 30 years,” said Russell W. Galbut , chairman of the Board of Directors of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

“He has delivered superior financial results, expanded our fleet with luxurious and innovative ships, strengthened our global footprint, and delivered unparalleled experiences for our guests. His passion and dedication will have a lasting impact on both our business and the industry at large,” Galbut continued.

Harry J. Sommer to succeed Del Rio as CEO

Harry J. Sommer , who has served as president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line since 2020, has been appointed to succeed Del Rio. Sommer will also join the company’s Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2023.

David J. Herrera , who has served as Chief Consumer Sales and Marketing Officer of NCL since 2021, will succeed Sommer as President of NCL, effective April 1.

Sommer has more than 30 years of cruise industry experience across sales, marketing, revenue management, passenger services, itinerary development, and international business development and operations.

In addition to his role as president and CEO of NCL, Sommer expanded his responsibilities in recent months to include oversight for all of the company’s other revenue-generating functional areas, including Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and the tri-branded Onboard Revenue department. Previously, he served as President, International, and throughout his career also held executive roles at various cruise operators.

“The Board is thrilled to appoint Harry to succeed Frank as the Company’s next CEO—the culmination of a thoughtful succession planning process. A highly experienced leader and operator, Harry has worked alongside Frank for many years and helped drive the success of our largest, award-winning brand during a critical time. He successfully relaunched the NCL fleet following a more than 500-day pause, delivered the game-changing Norwegian Prima , the first of six ships in the brand’s new class, and led the team to a record-breaking booking year in 2022. Harry is undoubtedly the right leader to lead our Company forward into the next chapter of growth,” Galbut said in a press release.

NCLH’s current and future leaders speak about the transition

“Leading Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career,” said Frank Del Rio.

“My heartfelt gratitude goes out to our 39,000 team members around the globe whose innovation, tenacity, and collaboration have strengthened this Company and built the industry’s most passionate and loyal base of cruisers. With the Company solidly positioned for 2023 and beyond, I am confident that now is the right time to pass the baton to Harry. Having worked closely with Harry for decades, I know firsthand that his talent and skills are ideally suited to take this Company into its next era. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Harry, the Board, and our management team during the coming months to ensure a seamless transition and I am delighted to continue to serve as a Senior Advisor to the Board after the transition.”

“I am incredibly humbled to succeed Frank as this iconic Company’s next President and CEO, and I’m grateful to have the unwavering support of him and the Board to lead the Company as we embark on the next chapter for our storied brands,” Sommer said.

“I am proud to have been a part of the Company’s successes during the last 15 years, and I look forward to the bright future ahead, including the transformational growth we have in the pipeline. I am honored and excited to lead and work alongside what is unquestionably the best team in the industry to deliver on our business and financial goals.”

Sommer added, “I’m particularly happy that David will be leading Norwegian Cruise Line as he has been a key contributor to NCL’s success in recent years. With his strong financial, sales, marketing, and business development background, David will be further empowered to guide the NCL brand on an accelerated path forward. I am confident that he is the right person, at the right time, to lead this amazing brand into a bright future ahead.”

“I look forward to continuing to work alongside Harry and our leadership team to build on our strong momentum and continue to provide NCL guests with industry-leading experiences,” Herrera said. “I am honored and grateful for this incredible opportunity to lead this premier cruise line and our world-class team.”

About Harry Sommer

Harry J. Sommer has over 30 years of experience in the cruise industry, currently serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ largest brand, Norwegian Cruise Line. In this role Sommer leads sales, marketing, revenue management, passenger services, itinerary development, international business development, and operations for NCL.

In addition to his role at NCL, Sommer has recently assumed oversight responsibilities for all of the Company’s other revenue-generating functional areas, including Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and the tri-branded Onboard Revenue department. Effective April 1, 2023, Sommer will become President and Chief Executive Officer-Elect in a transitional role where he will oversee all three of the Company’s brands and tri-branded departments, reporting to Del Rio.

Previously, Sommer served as President, International for the Company’s portfolio of award-winning brands, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. In this role, he was responsible for sales, marketing, public relations, business development and office operations for all markets outside of the United States and Canada. Sommer led efforts to expand the Company’s global footprint with the opening of several offices around the world and significantly strengthened its international presence.

During his tenure in the industry, Sommer has held a variety of executive roles at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., Prestige Cruise Holdings, Renaissance Cruises , and Viking River Cruises , including Executive Vice President, International Business Development; Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer; Senior Vice President Finance; Chief Information Officer and Chief Accounting Officer.

He also co-founded Luxury Cruise Center , a high-end travel agency specializing in premium and luxury cruise experiences.

Sommer holds an M.B.A. from Pace University and a B.B.A. from Baruch College and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

About David Herrera, NCL’s incoming president

David Herrera is currently the Chief Consumer Sales and Marketing Officer for Norwegian Cruise Line, responsible for driving demand and global market share across NCL’s key global source markets. In his role, he oversees the organization’s consumer advertising and promotional strategy as well as direct outbound and online sales channels.

Most recently, he served as the Senior Vice President of Brand Finance, Strategy and Consumer Research at NCL and has held a variety of leadership roles, including Senior Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development for NCLH; President of NCLH China, during which he established local operations ahead of the launch of Norwegian Joy; Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for NCLH; and senior advisor to the CEO of Prestige Cruise Holdings.

Prior to joining the company, Herrera was founder and managing partner of Eastside Financial Group, a private investment firm. Earlier in his career, he was Vice President at Sanford C. Bernstein, where he advised high-net-worth families and endowments on financial matters, Vice President of Marketing, Finance and Reinsurance for Markel Corporation, and an investment banker at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in the Financial Institutions Group.

Herrera proudly served in the U.S. Army National Guard in Florida, Texas, and New York. He has a B.B.A. from Stetson University and an M.B.A. from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

More news about Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings brands

Are you surprised that Frank J. Del Rio is retiring as NCLH president and CEO? What are your thoughts on his successor, and on NCL’s new president? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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Norwegian Cruise Line CEO on why they are 'the biggest growth story' in the cruise sector

Posted: April 9, 2024 | Last updated: April 9, 2024

Harry Sommer, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, joins CNBC's 'The Exchange' to discuss Norwegian's new ship order, travel trends, and more.

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Norwegian cruise line ceo is 'thrilled' with first quarter.

Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Harry Sommer discuses first-quarter earnings, investor expectations, and says the company is seeing record interest from customers for cruise vacations.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Announces CEO Retirement and Succession Plan

Frank J. Del Rio to Retire After Illustrious 30 Year Career in the Cruise Industry, Effective July 1, 2023

Harry J. Sommer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line, Named Company’s Next President and Chief Executive Officer

David J. Herrera Appointed President of Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (the "Company" or "NCLH") (NYSE: NCLH), a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, today announced that Frank J. Del Rio has decided to retire and step down from his position as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and from its Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2023. Harry J. Sommer, who has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line ("NCL") since 2020, has been appointed to succeed Del Rio and will also join the Company's Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2023. David J. Herrera, who has served as Chief Consumer Sales and Marketing Officer of NCL since 2021, will succeed Sommer as President of NCL, effective April 1, 2023.

Del Rio's well-deserved retirement is the culmination of a remarkable career spanning three decades in the cruise industry. Del Rio led the Company since 2015 and prior to that led Prestige Cruise International, Inc., or its predecessor, which operated Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, from 2002 until its acquisition by Norwegian in 2016. Del Rio founded Oceania Cruises in 2002, creating a new "upper premium" market space in the cruise industry. During his tenure, Del Rio successfully led the Company in welcoming eight new and innovative ships since 2015, introducing the Company's second private island destination, Harvest Caye, and achieving industry-leading yields and financial results. Del Rio also led the Company through the COVID-19 pandemic, the most tumultuous time in its 56-year history, and was a vocal leader and advocate for the entire cruise industry through unprecedented times as it worked to resume cruise operations globally.    

Sommer, 55, has more than 30 years of cruise industry experience across sales, marketing, revenue management, passenger services, itinerary development and international business development and operations. In addition to his role as President and Chief Executive Officer, NCL, Sommer expanded his responsibilities in recent months to include oversight for all of the Company's other revenue generating functional areas which included Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and the tri-branded Onboard Revenue department. Previously, he served as President, International and throughout his career also held executive roles at various cruise operators.

"On behalf of the Board and the entire organization, I thank Frank for his invaluable contributions to this Company and the cruise industry throughout the last 30 years," said Russell W. Galbut, chairman of the Board of Directors of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. "He has delivered superior financial results, expanded our fleet with luxurious and innovative ships, strengthened our global footprint and delivered unparalleled experiences for our guests. His passion and dedication will have a lasting impact on both our business and the industry at large, and we wish him only the best in his future endeavors."

Galbut continued, "The Board is thrilled to appoint Harry to succeed Frank as the Company's next CEO, - the culmination of a thoughtful succession planning process. A highly experienced leader and operator, Harry has worked alongside Frank for many years and helped drive the success of our largest, award-winning brand during a critical time. He successfully relaunched the NCL fleet following a more than 500-day pause, delivered the game-changing Norwegian Prima, the first of six ships in the brand's new class, and led the team to a record-breaking booking year in 2022. Harry is undoubtedly the right leader to lead our Company forward into the next chapter of growth."

"Leading Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career," said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. "My heartfelt gratitude goes out to our 39,000 team members around the globe whose innovation, tenacity and collaboration have strengthened this Company and built the industry's most passionate and loyal base of cruisers. With the Company solidly positioned for 2023 and beyond, I am confident that now is the right time to pass the baton to Harry. Having worked closely with Harry for decades, I know firsthand that his talent and skills are ideally suited to take this Company into its next era. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Harry, the Board and our management team during the coming months to ensure a seamless transition."

"I am incredibly humbled to succeed Frank as this iconic Company's next President and CEO, and I'm grateful to have the unwavering support of him and the Board to lead the Company as we embark on the next chapter for our storied brands," Sommer said. "I am proud to have been a part of the Company's successes during the last fifteen years, and I look forward to the bright future ahead including the transformational growth we have in the pipeline. I am honored and excited to lead and work shoulder-to-shoulder with what is unquestionably the best team in the industry to deliver on our business and financial goals."

Sommer added, "I'm particularly happy that David will be leading Norwegian Cruise Line as he has been a key contributor to NCL's success in recent years. With his strong financial, sales, marketing and business development background, David will be further empowered to guide the NCL brand on an accelerated path forward. I am confident that he is the right person, at the right time, to lead this amazing brand into a bright future ahead."

"I look forward to continuing to work alongside Harry and our leadership team to build on our strong momentum and continue to provide NCL guests with industry-leading experiences," Herrera said. "I am honored and grateful for this incredible opportunity to lead this premier cruise line and our world-class team."

To read the full release, please click here . 

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Florida Cruise Port Home to MSC, Norwegian, and More Is Expanding — What to Know

Port Canveral's new terminal is expected to be up and running by 2026.

Education Images/Getty Images

A cruise port on Florida’s Space Coast is going bigger, planning to build a brand-new cruise terminal to meet demand.

Port Canaveral’s new, expanded cruise terminal will be built at one of the existing berths and is expected to be operational by summer 2026, according to the port . When complete, it will have the ability to serve multiple cruise lines. 

"A new cruise terminal and the business it will deliver builds on our Board’s commitment to the economic prosperity of our Port community," Micah Loyd, the chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners, said in a statement. “This proactive, business-oriented strategy reaffirms our commitment to ensure the State of Florida continues to prosper from cruise tourism and remains the ‘Cruise Capital of the World’.”

When finished, the new terminal will extend the current North 8 berth by more than 300 feet to  accommodate larger cruise ships. The project will also include a new multi-story parking facility with the ability to accommodate up to 3,000 vehicles along with roadway improvements.

Port officials expect disruptions to current operations to be minimal during construction due to the project’s location.

Capt. John Murray, the Port Canaveral CEO, said in the statement the planned new terminal is “key to retaining and growing this important business segment that supports many jobs and delivers high value to our regional and state economy.”

Currently, several major cruise lines call Port Canaveral home: Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and MSC Cruises. In fact, the site welcomed an all-time high 6.8 million cruise passengers in the 2023 fiscal year, according to the port .

From Port Canaveral , which is nestled along Florida’s Space Coast , travelers can explore NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex , hang out on the sand at Cocoa Beach , tour mangroves, keep an eye out for manatees and dolphins, and more.

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Cruise worker accused of stabbing 3 with scissors arrested in Alaska

Federal officials arrested a man accused of assault with a deadly weapon after an incident on a Norwegian ship.

A 35-year-old man working for Norwegian Cruise Line was arrested in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday after allegedly stabbing three people aboard a ship with medical scissors on Monday.

The U.S. District Attorney’s office charged Ntando Sogoni, identified as a South African national, with assault with a dangerous weapon within maritime and territorial jurisdiction. Sogoni faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

According to an affidavit from FBI Special Agent Matthew Judy, Norwegian hired Sogoni the day before the stabbing. He joined the Norwegian Encore in Seattle.

The affidavit said that crew members saw Sogoni trying to deploy a lifeboat on Sunday and that security officers escorted him to a medical center for an assessment. He then “became irrational and attempted to leave.” The FBI said Sogoni attacked a security guard and a nurse before running into a room where a 75-year-old woman was being examined.

Using a pair of scissors, the affidavit said, Sogoni stabbed the woman in the arm, hand and face. Security officers intervened, and Sogoni stabbed two guards in the head and back. None of the injuries were life-threatening, according to the affidavit.

Sogoni was detained and held in a jail on the ship until it arrived at its next port in Juneau, according to the affidavit. Based on information from Norwegian security, the stabbing is estimated to have occurred at 1:50 a.m. west of Vancouver Island, B.C.

Norwegian did not comment on the status of the victims or what vetting Sogoni received before beginning employment. The company told The Washington Post that it is assisting authorities in the investigation.

“We condemn violent behavior of this nature and are committed to the safety and security of all crew members and guests on our ships,” Norwegian said in an email statement. “We commend the onboard security team for their brave actions.”

The company did not confirm whether the trip continued as scheduled, but online cruise trackers show the Encore in Skagway, Alaska, as of Wednesday — aligning with the cruise itinerary.

More cruise news

Living at sea: Travelers on a 9-month world cruise are going viral on social media. For some travelers, not even nine months was enough time on a ship; they sold cars, moved out of their homes and prepared to set sail for three years . That plan fell apart, but a 3.5-year version is waiting in the wings.

Passengers beware: It’s not all buffets and dance contests. Crime data reported by cruise lines show that the number of sex crimes has increased compared to previous years. And though man-overboard cases are rare, they are usually deadly .

The more you know: If you’re cruise-curious, here are six tips from a newcomer. Remember that in most cases, extra fees and add-ons will increase the seemingly cheap price of a sailing. And if you happen to get sick , know what to expect on board.

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Norwegian cruise worker arrested in Alaska for allegedly stabbing 3 people onboard: report

South africa’s ntando sogoni reportedly held in norwegian encore’s jail until arrest by fbi in juneau.

Carnival cruise passenger catches video of Freedom on fire again

A fire broke out aboard the Carnival Freedom cruise ship about 20 miles away from Eleuthera Island, Bahamas, on March 23, the cruise line announced. Courtesy: @breezebreeze_ via Storyful

The FBI has arrested a Norwegian cruise ship worker in Alaska after he allegedly stabbed three people with medical scissors while onboard, reports say. 

The suspect, identified as Ntando Sogoni from South Africa, was recently hired by Norwegian and boarded its Encore cruise ship in Seattle on Sunday, the Juneau Empire newspaper reports, citing an affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Matthew Judy. The ship left that day for a weeklong, round-trip excursion to Alaska with stops including Glacier Bay National Park and Victoria, British Columbia.  

"According to court documents, on May 6, 2024, Ntando Sogoni, 35, was working on the cruise ship when other ship employees observed the defendant attempting to deploy a lifeboat," the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Alaska said in a statement. "Sogoni was contacted by ship security and escorted to the ship’s medical center for an assessment. 

"Upon arrival, Sogoni physically attacked a security guard and a male nurse inside an examination room and proceeded to enter another examination room where a woman, who is a U.S. citizen, was being examined," the statement continued. "He grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed the woman multiple times in the arm, hand and face. He also stabbed two security guards who intervened -- one in the head and one in the back and shoulders." 

NOROVIRUS OUTBREAKS LINKED TO 2 CRUISE SHIPS WITH OVER 150 INFECTED  

A view of the Norwegian Encore cruise ship during its inaugural sailing from PortMiami in November 2019. The FBI arrested Ntando Sogoni when the ship docked on Tuesday in Juneau, Alaska. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Sogoni, who officials say was detained in the ship’s jail, was arrested by the FBI on Tuesday in Juneau, Alaska. 

He is now facing a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon within maritime and territorial jurisdiction. 

CARNIVAL FREEDOM PASSENGER ONBOARD DURING FIRE RECOUNTS ‘DANGEROUS, TERRIFYING’ EXPERIENCE  

The Norwegian Encore cruise ship is pictured in Miami, Florida, in March 2020. Sogoni recently was hired by Norwegian, the Juneau Empire newspaper reports, citing an affidavit filed by an FBI agent. (Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

If convicted, he faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine. 

A Norwegian spokesperson told FOX Business that after its "newly employed crew member" became "violent without provocation," a security team "quickly detained him, and the onboard medical staff treated those involved for non-life-threatening injuries.

"We condemn violent behavior of this nature and are committed to the safety and security of all crew members and guests on our ships," the spokesperson added. "We commend the onboard security team for their brave actions."

The stabbing allegedly happened as the Norwegian Encore was sailing a round-trip journey from Seattle, Washington to Alaska. (Photo Illustration by Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images / Getty Images)

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The alleged stabbing happened as the ship was passing west of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, on the way to Alaska, The Associated Press reports. 

Meet the 81-year-old CEO who built a $10.4 billion luxury cruise line tailored just for baby boomers: ‘They’re the richest group we have around’

A veteran cruise attendee at just 24 years old, Julia Wilcox is used to her inbox flooding with promotional emails from cruise lines courting loyal customers. But Wilcox, who vlogs her cruise experiences on TikTok , said one cruise line takes a more idiosyncratic approach to their marketing: Two or three times a month, she’ll get thick and glossy paper envelopes in the mail from Viking Cruises, the luxury cruise line which with she took a 10-day trip in January 2023. It’s the only cruise company that sends her paper mail—and it does so persistently.

“I get so much paper mail from Viking. I’m like, this is insane,” she told Fortune . “You could send me on a free cruise for the amount of paper and things that you send me.”

While anomalous in its marketing strategy, the logic behind Viking’s insistence on sending snail mail makes more sense after Wilcox, a Gen Z TikToker, admitted she’s not the company’s target audience. In fact, she was four decades younger than the cruise guests’ median age of 60 or 70. That’s just how Viking wants it.

“They’re the richest group we have around,” Viking CEO Torstein Hagen said in a May 1 CNBC Squawk on the Street interview . “They have the money; they have the time.” 

Hagen, who at 81 surpasses his baby boomer target audience, has tailored the cruise to the tastes of the older demographic that holds 70% of the country’s disposable income . There are no kids under 18 allowed, and no casinos aboard. Instead, Viking’s line of 92 vessels—traveling to all seven continents and employing a staff of 10,000—offers walking tours of European cities and cheese tastings.

“It’s a quite serene environment for people up in their ages,” Hagen said, “and for curious people who want to go to destinations, not [who want] to go on waterslides and the like.”

Hagen’s strategy has certainly worked thus far. Viking, with a $10.4 billion valuation , raised $1.5 billion in its initial public offering on May 1, the highest of any company this year. Per an SEC filing from last month, Viking experienced 14.4% growth from 2015 to 2023, the biggest leap of any luxury river or ocean cruise during that period.

“We have a very, very clear focus, and that is reflected in all our customer ratings, the rewards we get, and so forth,” Hagen told CNBC. “It doesn’t make us as large as the others, but it certainly makes us more attractive to the consumer.” 

Viking did not respond to Fortune ‘s request for comment.

The precision and analytical approach Hagen brings to the company reflects his initial pursuit of physics from the Norwegian Institute of Technology before he came to the U.S. and got his MBA at Harvard. Originally from outside of Oslo, the Norwegian developed his business intuition through failure before success. As CEO of cruise line Royal Viking in the 1980s, Hagen arranged for a $240 million management buyout that failed when a competitor made a surprise purchase of the company. He was soon ousted from the role .

Hagen, who operates the company alongside daughter Karine Hagen, founded Viking in 1997 at 54. He considered it a humble venture composed of  “two guys with two mobile phones and four river ships,” according to the company prospectus . From its maiden voyage, Viking’s goal was, in Hagen’s words , to be a thinking person’s cruise, not a drinking person’s cruise.

Viking has benefited from opportune timing for the cruise industry, namely its recovery from pandemic lockdowns that had wealthy vacationers itching for indulgent respites. Patrick Scholes, managing director of lodging and leisure equity research at Truist Securities, is bullish on the industry’s future because of that high demand.

“People want a vacation,” he told Fortune . “They’re looking for something different that they hadn’t done for the first two, three years of COVID, which certainly was going on a cruise ship.”

Cruises developed a reputation during the pandemic, as their closed quarters, conducive to contagious disease, sometimes resulted in boats docking early . Even Viking took a hit after 100 passengers on a June 2023 cruise battled norovirus. Companies sweetened deals to win back customers, offering discounts and promises of private beaches. While restaurants and hotel resorts were slow to recover from the pandemic because of labor shortages , cruise ships’ presence on foreign waters meant not having to abide by U.S. wages and employing ample staff of mostly foreign workers. During Wilcox’s Viking cruise, she marveled at the consistent and frequent turndown and cleaning services.

“In that value proposition is the high, consistent level of staffing and service on a cruise ship,” Scholes said. “You’ve been to a restaurant, you’ve been to a hotel—staffing is a problem, is a challenge after COVID. And cruise lines have not had that problem.”

Bob Levinstein, CEO of travel agency CruiseCompete, told Fortune Viking especially lives up to its value promise, mastering food, service, excursions, and communication into a reliable product.

“They just really have it nailed down,” he said.

More growth for the company is on the way. Having weathered the pandemic, Viking has 24 ships on order , an option for another dozen, and ambitious plans to expand its Chinese customer base to 150,000 passengers by 2025. Viking’s resilience in a tough time for the industry made the decision to go public a no-brainer for Hagen.

“The private equity firms, at some stage, have to create liquidity from their investments, and they’ve been in now for eight years—so it was as good a time as any,” Hagen told Fortune last month. “During the pandemic, it was not easy, and I think now coming out of that and having good results, that was the natural thing to do.”

But tides turn, and the economic waters buoying the cruise business are no exception. As cruise companies accommodate growing demand by commissioning more ships, the promotional packages and companies’ pricing power will ebb, Scholes predicted.

“This is just economic capitalism,” he said. “Come 2029, we’re going to see a lot of new ships, and that’s going to be a lot of cabins to fill. It’ll be difficult to raise prices.”

There’s a reason for Viking to stay level-headed through the industry’s maturation, Levinstein argued. The company’s $1.5 billion IPO was well timed, he said, but it likely won’t make waves for Viking’s future. It’s likely just a way for ownership to stay liquid and pad their wallets.

“That’s only about four of the ocean ships—maybe a little less if prices have gone up since they made their last deal,” he said. “But it’s not game-changing money.”

The cruise’s humble but established amenities aren’t foolproof, either. “The food definitely was a miss,” Wilcox said of her time aboard a Viking, resulting in the “worst” room service hot dog she’d “ever had.” She heard from other cruisers that the specialty menus the cruise promised to change nightly, but the food items offered have been the same for a decade.

The slip-up in Viking’s reputation of rock-solid amenities may be a strike against the “cookie-cutter” model Hagen touts as a reason for the cruise line’s success, but the CEO remains clear-eyed on the company’s philosophy of streamlined, steadfast service.

“In my belief, the moment you try to do everything for everybody, you know what happens?” he said. “You do nothing well.” 

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