Norwegian Caribbean Line was founded as in 1966. It was born from a failed venture when Norwegian, Knut Kloster, built the Sunward to ferry passengers and vehicles between the UK and Gibraltar.
Ted Arison, an Israeli businessman, contacted Kloster about the possibility of converting the Sunward into a cruise ship. The men joined forces to establish a Florida-based cruise operation called Norwegian Caribbean Line.
The second and third ship, the Starward and Skyward, were the first newly built ships specifically designed for the cruise line. Like the original Sunward of 1966, they had the capability to carry automobiles through a well-concealed stern door. Later, this area was turned into cabins and a two-deck movie theater, later to be used as a casino.
Norwegian was responsible for many of the cruise innovations that have now become standard throughout the industry.