Skip to content
  • Home
  • Search
  • Expedition Report
  • River Report
  • Orderbook
  • Research
  • About Us
  • Email News
  • Advertise
  • Store
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Search
  • Expedition Report
  • River Report
  • Orderbook
  • Research
  • About Us
  • Email News
  • Advertise
  • Store
  • Contact
Twitter Facebook Linkedin
cin header 2025
Cruise Industry News Logo
  • Home
  • Cruise News
    • Cruise News Index
    • Email Alerts | E-Newsletter
    • Cruise Ship Orderbook
    • Ship Sales and Transfers
    • Search
    • Trade Shows and Events
    • PDF Resources
    • Historical Data
  • Quarterly Magazine
    • Quarterly Magazine
    • Feature Magazine Articles
    • Subscribe
  • 2026 Annual Report
    • 2026 Annual Report
    • River Report
    • Full Product Package
  • 2026 Executive Guide
    • 2026 Executive Guide
  • Digital Reports
    • Euro River Market Report
    • Global Cruise Ship Index
    • Expedition Market Report
    • Riverboat Index
    • Secondhand Market
    • Luxury Market Report
    • Drydocking and Refurb
    • Orderbook Capacity Data
    • China Market Report
    • Full Product Package
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Home
  • Cruise News
    • Cruise News Index
    • Email Alerts | E-Newsletter
    • Cruise Ship Orderbook
    • Ship Sales and Transfers
    • Search
    • Trade Shows and Events
    • PDF Resources
    • Historical Data
  • Quarterly Magazine
    • Quarterly Magazine
    • Feature Magazine Articles
    • Subscribe
  • 2026 Annual Report
    • 2026 Annual Report
    • River Report
    • Full Product Package
  • 2026 Executive Guide
    • 2026 Executive Guide
  • Digital Reports
    • Euro River Market Report
    • Global Cruise Ship Index
    • Expedition Market Report
    • Riverboat Index
    • Secondhand Market
    • Luxury Market Report
    • Drydocking and Refurb
    • Orderbook Capacity Data
    • China Market Report
    • Full Product Package
  • SUBSCRIBE

NCL Welcomes New Billion Dollar Shareholder

  • August 17, 2007

NCL Corporation Ltd (“NCL”), parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line and NCL America, announced today that private equity group, Apollo Management, LP (“Apollo”), has agreed to make a $1 billion cash equity investment in NCL. The new investment, in the form of common stock alongside NCL’s existing sole shareholder, Star Cruises (“Star”), is designed to strengthen NCL’s balance sheet and its ability to continue to expand what is fast-becoming the youngest fleet in the industry, and to evolve further the company’s successful Freestyle Cruising concept first introduced in 2000. “To have an investment on this scale by one of the very top names in the private equity world is a huge vote of confidence in the new NCL we have created since Star Cruises became the owner in 2000,” said NCL Corporation’s President and CEO Colin Veitch. Steve Martinez, Partner at Apollo Management, added, “We are very excited to be forming this partnership with Star Cruises and the existing management team of NCL. Our investment will help NCL complete its transition into the youngest fleet in the cruise industry, with a truly original next generation product with its F3 concept ships. We believe the NCL brand has significant growth potential over many years to come.”

Under the terms of the proposed investment, which includes an agreement for additional future distributions to be made directly by NCL to Star, Apollo will become 50 percent owner of NCL and will name a majority of the NCL board with certain consent rights retained by Star. Star will retain all of its existing stock in NCL and will, like Apollo, be 50 percent owner of the recapitalized company. Star Cruises Chairman and CEO Tan Sri KT Lim, welcomed the new partner and remarked on the opportunities that lie ahead: “Apollo’s significant financial commitment in NCL’s common stock means we have an equal partner who believes in the business as much as we do. This is a powerful validation of what we have achieved so far and of our vision for the future. It is also truly the start of the next – and most exciting — chapter for this great company.” The proceeds of the Apollo investment will be used to repay existing NCL indebtedness, greatly increasing the liquidity available to fund a continuation of the dramatic new building program that has seen the introduction of eight purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships to the fleet in just six years. The NCL-owned fleet today (excluding four chartered ships) stands at 19,740 berths, with another 15,000 berths under construction and under option, including the new Norwegian Gem due for delivery at the start of October this year.

As part of Apollo’s investment in NCL, Apollo and Star have entered into a sub- agreement relating to NCL’s U.S. flagged Hawai`i operations under the NCL America brand (“NCLA”) providing for deferred consideration to be paid to Star by NCL in the future. The sub-agreement is designed to support the business of NCLA in the near term and permit NCLA time to realize the benefits of various measures recently implemented to raise revenue yields and to lower crew turnover and payroll costs. Taken together with the pre-money valuation implied by Apollo’s $1 billion payment for 50 percent of the expanded equity, this added element of the transaction implies a total enterprise valuation of NCL of approximately $4 billion. Completion of the transaction is expected early in Q4 2007 and is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approval, Star Cruises shareholder approval, and Star and NCL lender consents. The completion of the transaction will constitute a change of control under NCL’s outstanding 10 5/8% senior notes and NCL expects to make a change of control offer at 101% after completion as required under the indenture governing the notes. About NCL Corporation NCL Corporation Ltd. is an innovative cruise company headquartered in Miami, Florida, with a fleet of 14 ships in service and under construction. The corporation oversees the operations of Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America, and Orient Lines.

The company recently took delivery of its newest ship, Norwegian Pearl, and is currently building Norwegian Gem for delivery in October of 2007. In addition, NCL plans to build up to three new third generation Freestyle Cruising ships for delivery between 2009 and 2011. NCL is on target to have the youngest fleet in the industry by the end of 2007 with the introduction of Norwegian Gem, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea. For high resolution, downloadable images, please log onto NCL’s website at www.ncl.com/pressroom. For further information on NCL Corporation, contact NCL in the U.S. and Canada at (800) 327-7030. About Star Cruises Star Cruises, the third largest cruise operator in the world, is a global cruise brand with a combined fleet of 21 ships with about 32,300 lower berths in service with an additional three ships and some 10,800 lower berths due to be delivered by 2010, cruising to destinations and islands in Asia-Pacific, North and South America, Hawai`i, Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Mediterranean, Bermuda and the Antarctica under the Star Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America, Orient Lines and Cruise Ferries brands. Star Cruises is represented in more than 25 locations worldwide with offices in Australia, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States of America. About Apollo Management Founded in 1990, Apollo is a leading private equity and capital markets investor with more than 17 years of experience investing across the capital structure of leveraged companies. The firm employs over 120 professionals and has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Frankfurt and Paris. Since its inception, Apollo has managed more than $33 billion of capital across a wide variety of industries both domestically and internationally. The firm’s most recent private equity fund and its co-investment affiliate have capital commitments of approximately $11.6 billion. Investments in the leisure and hospitality industries have included Harrahs Entertainment (pending), AMC Entertainment, Sirius Satellite Radio, Wyndham International, and Vail Resorts. Apollo is already active in the cruise industry, having invested in the upper premium Oceania Cruises brand earlier this year. Since buying the line, Apollo has supported the ordering of two new ships worth approximately $1 billion. # # #

Cruise Industry News Email Alerts
 
 

 

  • Cruise News
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Email Newsletter
  • Search
  • Cruise News
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Email Newsletter
  • Search
  1. Cruise Industry News
  2. Cruise News
  3. NCL Welcomes New Billion Dollar Shareholder
EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the latest breaking cruise news. Sign up.

CRUISE SHIP ORDERBOOK

84 Ships | 229,384 Berths | $89 Billion | View

Drydock Report
2026 Drydock Report

Highlights:

  • Full Overview
  • Record Refit Year
  • 26-27-28 Schedule
  • PDF Download
  • Order Today
2026 Executive Guide
2026 Executive Guide

Highlights:

  • All Brands
  • Decision Makers
  • Contact Info
  • Brand Background 
  • Instant Download
  • Order Today
Cruise Industry News
  • Advertising
  • About
  • Contact
Online News
  • Cruise News
  • Feature Magazine Articles
  • Orderbook
  • Events
Publications
  • Quarterly Magazine
  • Annual Report
  • Email Newsletter
  • Executive Guide
  • Digital Reports
Connect
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
© Cruise Industry News 1996-2026. All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT