NCL Set to Raise Fares Due to Increase in Booking Volume

Norwegian Cruise Line is planning to increase prices fleetwide by up to 7 percent on April 2 due to an “unprecedented year-to-date increase in booking volume” during its “Year of the Freestyle Vacation” Wave Season promotion in January and February.

Group business also was up close to twofold. The company said it also saw strong interest in its new ship debuting in June, Norwegian Epic, and for its Hawaii-based ship, Pride of America.

“Our first quarter wave season promotion definitely persuaded consumers to book a Norwegian cruise vacation as we saw heavy call volumes translating to exceptional bookings,” said Kevin Sheehan, CEO of NCL. “As we move out of Wave Season, consumers and travel partners can expect to see our prices rise across the fleet, especially for our new, highly anticipated ship Norwegian Epic.”

The line encouraged travel agents to take advantage of the current pricing environment for individual bookings and to block group space up to four months prior to sailing without paying a deposit.