Norwegian Cruise Line names new President

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has appointed travel industry veteran Marc Kazlauskas as its new President, effective 19 January 2026.

Kazlauskas joins the cruise line with more than three decades of senior leadership experience spanning sales, operations and travel innovation.

Prior to his new role, he served as CEO of Avoya Travel, one of the largest travel companies in the US and a leading platform and host agency for independent travel professionals. His previous positions include President of Frosch and Managing Director of Chase Travel Group, a JP Morgan Chase company, where he oversaw multi-billion-dollar operations and led partnerships with major airlines, tour operators and cruise lines.

Earlier in his career, Kazlauskas held leadership roles with Insight Vacations, driving triple-digit growth in revenue and profit, and Tauck World Discovery, where he led global sales. He began his travel career at Orient Cruise Line, formerly part of the NCL portfolio.

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Commenting on the appointment, Harry Sommer, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), described Kazlauskas as a “proven leader” with a track record of driving commercial performance and major modernisation initiatives that align with NCL’s focus on disciplined pricing and operational efficiency, adding that he has an “unwavering commitment to the guest experience.” 

Kazlauskas added that he was “honoured” to take on the role, adding: “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.”

His appointment comes amid “robust booking trends” for the cruise line, which has a strong pipeline of new-build ships through 2036, including the upcoming debut of Norwegian Luna in 2026. The line is also undergoing major enhancements to Great Stirrup Cay, its private island in the Bahamas.

NCLH, the parent of NCL, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, recently reported its best third-quarter revenue figure on record, with the total standing at US$2.9 billion, representing a 5% increase compared with the third quarter of 2024, mainly driven by “higher capacity days and strong demand”.

To partner with NCL, email Rebecca Ransom, Business Development Manager Middle East, rransom@ncl.com, call/WhatsApp: +44 7961 300 729; for more information, visit www.ncl.com