Norwegian Cruise Line has put its single-ship discovery-style cruise operator Orient Lines up for sale.
The company operates the Marco Polo, a former Russian icebreaker, in Antarctica, South America and the Mediterranean.
NCL Corporation president and chief executive officer Colin Veitch said: “Orient Lines is a complicated business. It belongs in the hands of an entrepreneur.”
The announcement follows Carnival Corporation’s decision 12 months ago to sell Swan Hellenic and switch its ship, Minerva II, to Princess Cruises’ fleet. No buyer for the Swan Hellenic brand has been found.
Veitch said NCL has feelers out to potential buyers but pledged to keep the Orient Lines brand if the right buyer can’t be found. However, he added Marco Polo would be gone from the NCL fleet by 2010.
Orient Lines does good business for NCL’s London office with 40% repeat business.