Norwegian Yacht Voyages

NYV-Norwegian Yacht Voyages (norwegianyachtvoyages.com) is the rebranded name of "Nordic Cruise Company." The new company is owned by NYV Holdings Inc (headquartered in Oslo, Norway). NYV's President and CEO is Ulf Henrick Wynnsdale. In terms of fleet size, vessel capacity, and onboard amenities, there are no direct comparable cruise brands. However, the newbuildsScenic Eclipse (2019, by Scenic Cruises) and Crystal Endeavor (2020, by Crystal Cruises) are similar mega-yachts. NYV's main competitors in the "mega-yacht cruising" market are RSSC-Regent, Ritz-Carlton (its primary competitor), and SeaDream. Luxury brands account for about 5% of the cruise industry's multi-billion-dollar business.

Rebranded in 2017, this ultra-luxury, all-inclusive cruise line plans to build four expedition vessels classified as "mega-yachts." The first ship, MY Caroline, was scheduled for delivery in 2023. "MY" stands for "motor yacht."

Upon delivery, MY Caroline will become the world's first true hybrid expedition yacht and the largest mega-yacht (LOA length 188 m / 617 ft) available for private charter. All four NYV cruise ships will be built at the same shipyard. Initially, MetalShips & Docks in Vigo, Spain was announced as the shipbuilder, but the shipbuilding contract has not yet been signed. NYV's project partners include Deltamarin, DNV GL, David Morris International, CMI Leisure, and CMI Ship Management. The first NYV yacht (CAROLINE) was to be delivered in 2023, with the sister ships (still unnamed) following at approximately 18-month intervals.

The newbuilds will feature dual fuel generators powered by LNG (liquefied natural gas) and MDO (marine diesel oil). They will also have battery banks for peak-shaving and solar-powered hydrogen fuel cells.

These environmentally friendly vessels will be able to run entirely on LNG for several days, but not indefinitely, due to the limited availability of fuel in some destinations.

Each NYV yacht has a passenger capacity of 222 and 111 staterooms, all of which are suite categories. A total of 204 crew members will cater to guests onboard. Cabin sizes range from 56 m² (603 ft²) to 175 m² (1884 ft²) Penthouses. Each stateroom includes a private step-out balcony, modern furniture, premium hotel amenities, and large en-suite bathrooms with marble countertops. Some cabins are interconnecting.

The newbuilds are more yacht-like than ever before, with the smokestack integrated into the superstructure's curvature, framed by the rear windows. The stack blends into the design, as does the singular sphere (housing the satellite antenna) atop the deck. The forward design elements, from angular windows to the near-vertical bow, are particularly striking. Even the UFO-like observation lounge on the top deck sits back, closer to the stack, creating an aerodynamic forecastle. However, the diamond-patterned Atrium's glass wall remains intact.

Each yacht features an aft-located Helideck with a helipad (helicopter landing area), a full marina (with Zodiacs), mini-submarine, aerial drone, scuba diving equipment (hyperbaric chamber, wetsuits), and water sports equipment (sea kayaks, bikes, etc.). The hull is ice-strengthened (certified to operate in 0.8 m / 2.6 ft of sea ice), enabling safe navigation in both polar regions (Arctic and Antarctica).

Initially, it was announced that each NYV ship would be 174 m (570 ft) long, with staterooms sized between 45-140 m² (485-1505 ft²) and one helicopter (stored in a below-deck hangar for private tours). However, this design was later revised. The original announcement stated that MY Caroline would be inaugurated in May 2020, but in September 2018, the delivery was postponed to 2023.