The line currently has six of the 3,300-guest ships on order – around 900 passengers smaller than its Breakaway Plus-class – of which the last ship in that series, Norwegian Encore, begins a European trade shakedown today (31 October).

NCL is set to launch Leonardo ships yearly, from 2022 to 2027.

Speaking to TTG onboard Encore – NCL’s incoming president and chief executive Harry Sommer said the company had “started with a clean slate” for its Leonardo ships and had “some new tricks up our sleeve” surrounding the look and the onboard experience of the vessels.

When asked if a Leonardo ship would be based out of Southampton as Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings chief executive Frank Del Rio suggested last October, Sommer said it was “premature” to confirm a port yet.

Sommer, who takes over from Andy Stuart on 31 December, said the line was looking to add more capacity in Europe “but our goal for the UK market is not ex-Southampton cruises”.

“We have a product that seems to resonate much better when people get on a plane and fly somewhere more exotic. So for us to grow the UK market, it isn’t about having a ship out of Southampton – even though we have a ship out of Southampton and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

“For us I would rather position a ship somewhere else within the European theatre to grow the UK market,” Sommer explained.