Norwegian Cruise Line is to purchase one of its ships currently operated under a charter agreement.
The company has signed of a memorandum of agreement to exercise an option to acquire the 2,002-passenger Norwegian Sky.
Norwegian is to buy the 13-year-old vessel from Ample Avenue, a subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong. Genting is a 50% owner of the Miami-based cruise line.
The purchase price is approximately $260 million and financing is being provided by the seller. The transaction is expected to close shortly, Norwegian said.
Norwegian Sky is one of Norwegian’s fleet of 11 ships and operates three and four-night cruises to the Bahamas from Miami year round.
The company has two 4,000-passenger vessels, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, on order for delivery in April 2013 and April 2014.