Key Aspects:
- Marc Kazlauskas was named president of Norwegian Cruise Line.
- He replaces David Herrera, who unexpectedly stepped down in August 2025.
- The new executive joins the line at a time of fleet expansion and private island upgrades.
The wait for a new president of Norwegian Cruise Line is over. Marc Kazlauskas, an industry veteran with experience across the travel landscape, was named to the top post, parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) announced on December 11, 2025.
A search to fill the executive position began in August 2025, following former president David Herrera’s unexpected resignation. Since then, NCLH president and CEO Harry Sommer has served as interim president and CEO.
Kazlauskas, whose background includes top management posts in operations and sales for travel agency groups, tour firms, and one cruise line, has most recently served as CEO of Avoya Travel, a host agency for independent travel advisors.
Ironically, his travel industry career began at Orient Cruise Line, which at the time was part of the Norwegian Cruise Line portfolio.
He joins Norwegian Cruise Line at an exciting time. The line’s second Prima Plus-class ship, Norwegian Luna, is set to enter service in spring 2026, while a major overhaul of its private island destination, Great Stirrup Cay, begins to roll out early in 2026.
“The momentum already underway sets NCL up for continued success, and I look forward to building on the company’s strong performance alongside its incredible team,” said Marc Kazlauskas, the newly named president of Norwegian Cruise Line.
“With robust booking trends, the upcoming debut of Norwegian Luna, as well as the company’s strong pipeline of new-builds through 2036 and major enhancements to Great Stirrup Cay, the company is well positioned for future success,” Kazlauskas added.
Read Also: The Different Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Classes
Sommer pointed to the new president’s leadership background and his “deep commercial expertise” as qualities that will benefit the cruise line.
“His appointment comes at a pivotal time for the Norwegian Cruise Line brand as we continue to see healthy demand for cruise, execute on our new-build program and make significant progress on major initiatives, including enhancements to our private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay,” said Harry Sommer, CEO of NCLH.
The parent company announced in 2024 that it planned a major expansion of the fleets of all three of its brands — Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
It placed orders for two ships each for Oceania and Regent, and four vessels for Norwegian Cruise Line.
New Executive Will Preside Over New-Build’s Launch
Norwegian Luna is a 3,550-guest ship under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy. She is due to leave her construction site and sail her maiden transatlantic voyage to her US homeport, Miami, on March 10, 2026.
Once at PortMiami, the ship will sail 7-night Caribbean voyages. Western Caribbean cruises will call at Roatan, Honduras, Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island, Harvest Caye in Belize.
Eastern Caribbean sailings will visit Puerto Plata/Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, Tortola, BVI, St. Thomas, USVI, and Great Stirrup Cay.
No doubt, Kazlauskas will play a key role in the ship’s debut and christening, which has not yet been announced but will surely be a gala event.
Kazlauskas was named CEO of Avoya Travel just four months ago. Before that, he held executive positions at FROSCH/Chase Travel Group, Insight Vacations, and Tauck World Discovery.
