The Norwegians — well, their kinsmen, in the shape of Leif Erikson and his fellow Norsemen — were the first Europeans to set foot in North America. A thousand years later, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is following in their wake, riding an expected cruise industry surge to US shores.

The New York-listed company is the fastest-growing cruise major, with plans to add 11 ships to its active fleet of 26 vessels by 2027, chief executive Frank del Rio says.