Norwegian is making its name as a risk taker and a game changer. Norwegian’s founders are Knut Kloster Sr., a Norwegian-born shipping magnate and Israel-born businessman Ted Arison. In 1977 Norwegian purchased a private Bahamian island and changed it into Great Stirrup Cay, a beach haven for only Norwegian passengers. In 2007, Norwegian brought bowling on the cruise.
Key Takeaways:
- Starting the cruise industry was the easy part. But staying on top? That’s where the waters get murky, Norwegian Cruise Line will tell you.
- Depending on the decade, Norwegian has either been coming up with concepts so innovative that it redefined the cruise industry, or sailing through a minefield of disaster.
- In a way, doing business at the extremes came with the job title of pioneer. Norwegian launched the modern cruise industry exactly 50 years ago Monday,
“At 50, Norwegian finds itself on a virtuous course, ballasted by equal parts of daring and experience. Its fleet boasts 14 ships that carry 2 million passengers a year, with three more ships on order, including one for a new venture in China.”