Cruise Stocks Are Back... Market Cap Increased by 800 Billion in One Day

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) shares advanced sharply on the New York Stock Exchange, gaining 6.37% to close at $18.19. The jump added roughly $570 million in market capitalization—about ₩800 billion—bringing the company’s total market value to approximately $8.3 billion (₩11.7 trillion). Trading volume exceeded 15.69 million shares.

In its first-quarter results announced earlier this month, NCLH reported revenue of $2.3 billion and net income of $104.7 million year-over-year growth. However, the company trimmed its full-year 2026 earnings-per-share guidance slightly.

On May 22, CEO John Chidni purchased 153,000 shares of company stock—valued at about $2.5 million (approximately ₩3.5 billion)—a move interpreted by investors as a vote of confidence from management.

Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is a global cruise holding company operating three brands: the mass-market Norwegian Cruise Line, premium Oceania Cruises and luxury Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Despite carrying elevated debt and interest expenses in the post-COVID environment, the company is pursuing a long-term growth strategy. That plan includes orders for multiple new ships through the 2030s and expanded investment in private islands such as Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.