US CRUISE giant Carnival Corporation has aborted its deal to buy 40% of Norwegian Cruise Line, citing differences with joint-venture partner Star Cruises.
Carnival admitted it could not agree with Star on the ‘detailed terms’ of their partnership, which was hammered out just prior to a crucial meeting of NCL shareholders to settle the future of the company (Travel Weekly January 31).
Singapore-based Star has accepted Carnival’s decision, and now owns NCL and sister brand Orient Line outright.
Carnival vice-chairman Howard Frank said: “It became clear to us that Star had a very different sense of how NCL would be run.
“Star wanted us to take a passive role and that frankly didn’t make much sense to us.”
Carnival chairman Micky Arison added: “I’m not sure that what Star wanted goes along with the status of a 40% investor.”
The new Star-appointed president and chief executive officer of NCL, Colin Veitch, visited the UK office last week to meet senior members of staff to discuss the company’s expansion plans.
Veitch said that he anticipated adding up to five ships to the fleet over the next five years, which would double capacity to 22,000 beds.