Mark A. Kempa
Summary
Mark A. Kempa is NCLH’s Executive Vice President and CFO, a longtime company finance executive who has helped oversee its public-company and acquisition milestones. ([nclhltd.com](https://www.nclhltd.com/about/management-team))
Biography
Kempa serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, where he oversees financial planning, accounting, treasury, tax, technology, corporate strategy and investor relations. NCLH describes him as having more than 20 years of financial experience, most of it within the company’s finance organization. Before joining NCLH, he was Assistant Controller at International Voyager Media, a travel-focused portfolio company. ([nclhltd.com](https://www.nclhltd.com/about/management-team)) During his NCLH career, Kempa held positions of increasing responsibility and was involved in the company’s initial public offering in 2013 and its 2014 acquisition of Prestige Cruises International. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Barry University in Miami. His current employment agreement runs through December 31, 2026, subject to automatic renewal provisions unless either party gives notice of non-renewal. ([nclhltd.com](https://www.nclhltd.com/about/management-team))
Notable achievements
- Helped oversee NCLH’s initial public offering in 2013 as a member of the company’s finance organization. ([nclhltd.com](https://www.nclhltd.com/about/management-team))
- Played a role in the 2014 acquisition of Prestige Cruises International, which expanded NCLH’s portfolio to include the Oceania and Regent brands. ([nclhltd.com](https://www.nclhltd.com/about/management-team))
- Has held senior responsibility for financial planning, accounting, treasury, tax, technology, strategy and investor relations across NCLH’s three-brand platform. ([nclhltd.com](https://www.nclhltd.com/about/management-team))
- Continued as CFO through the company’s post-pandemic recovery, fleet expansion and ongoing debt-management efforts. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1513761/000110465926022067/nclh-20251231x10k.htm?utm_source=openai))
Problem areas / controversies
- NCLH’s finance team has had to manage a highly leveraged balance sheet and pressure to reduce leverage while funding new ships and destination investments. ([nclhltd.com](https://www.nclhltd.com/news-media/press-releases/detail/765/norwegian-cruise-line-holdings-appoints-john-w-chidsey-as?utm_source=openai))
- Management acknowledged shortcomings in execution, expense discipline and the timing of certain commercial and infrastructure initiatives during the period in which Kempa was CFO. ([seatrade-cruise.com](https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/finance-legal-regulatory/nclh-very-interested-in-what-elliott-has-to-say-john-chidsey?utm_source=openai))
- Because Kempa has been a senior NCLH finance leader for many years, he shares institutional responsibility for the company’s financial and capital-allocation record, although the reviewed filings do not allege personal misconduct. ([nclhltd.com](https://www.nclhltd.com/about/management-team))
- No major personal regulatory or legal controversy was identified in the company filings and reputable sources reviewed.