Norwegian Breakaway Resumes Service From New York City

With its sixth ship resuming service today, Norwegian Cruise Line is returning to New York City. Sailing from Manhattan, the Norwegian Breakaway is welcoming guests back for a Bermuda cruise after an 18-month operational pause.

Through Oct. 31, the 145,000 ton-vessel is set to sail from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal every Sunday, offering its week-long Bermuda voyages.

With an overnight call in King’s Wharf – Bermuda’s main cruise port – and four days at sea, the cruises also offer plenty of time to enjoy the ship.  

Built-in 2013, the Norwegian Breakaway is known for its dining and entertainment options, which includes 678 Ocean Place.

A central complex on Decks 6, 7 and 8, the area is the hub of the ship, featuring several dining options, a selection of bars and lounges, an 18,000 square foot casino, entertainment venues and retail outlets.

On its top decks, the 4,000-guest ship offers the Aqua Park, a complete waterpark with five full-size water slides. Another open-air feature is a three-story sports complex that includes the largest ropes course at sea, a nine-hole miniature golf course, basketball court, rock climbing wall and more.

After a drydock in 2018, the vessel debuted refreshed public areas and introduced a new bar and lounge concept to the fleet with Syd Norman’s Pour House.

Modelled after influential rock houses such as CBGB’s, The Rainbow and others, Syd Norman’s features a vintage look, diner-style seating, signature cocktails and a playlist of rock from the late 1960s to 1980s.

In 2020, during the operational pause, the Breakaway underwent another drydock, receiving additional updates. Work carried out included large bridge and stateroom refits, and the installation of scrubbers and new propellers.

After her Bermuda season, the Norwegian Breakaway is set to relaunch service from New Orleans. Following a 14-night repositioning voyage, the vessel arrives in the Big Easy on Nov. 21, starting a series of week-long Western Caribbean itineraries.

After a long operational pause, Norwegian Cruise Line resumed revenue services in July, with the Norwegian Jade. Based in Piraeus, the vessel launched a program of destination-intensive cruises in Greece.

In August, the brand expanded its restart to Alaska and the Caribbean with the Norwegian Encore sailing from Seattle and the Norwegian Gem resuming service from Miami.  

More recently, the Norwegian Epic and the Norwegian Getaway welcomed guests back in Europe, offering additional itinerary choices in the Mediterranean.

On October 24, a seventh Norwegian ship is set to resume service, as the Norwegian Bliss departs Los Angeles to start a series of Mexican Riviera cruises.

Princess Cruises Successfully Completes First Voyage Since 2020

The Majestic Princess returned to Seattle on Sunday, concluding its sailing to Alaska and marking the first successful United States voyage for Princess Cruises following the extended pause in operations, according to a press release.

The ship became the line’s first ship to return to service, kicking off the partial season of Alaska sailings departing through September 26, 2021. The round-trip, seven-day cruise visited Glacier Bay National Park, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan.

“Welcome back to Princess, is what I said to our guests while I was cruising with them onboard Majestic Princess for our first Return to Alaska cruise,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “From the very beginning, Alaska has been at the core of Princess Cruises and has really helped shape the very essence of who we are today. While visiting ports of call, I personally expressed my gratitude to our port partners and elected officials who were instrumental in our return and joined me in warmly welcoming guests to their picturesque communities.”

This fall, Princess Cruises will begin sailing from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Ft. Lauderdale. Starting between September 25 and November 28, 2021, cruises onboard eight Princess MedallionClass ships will once again take guests to the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, Hawaii, and the California Coast.

Princess cruises sailings through 2021 are available for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise and have proof of vaccination. Crew vaccinations will be in accordance with CDC guidelines.

Here Are the Mainstream Cruise Ships Set to Sail in Alaska

With the first big vessels now sailing in Alaska, the mainstream cruise industry is now back in the market after two years.

Through August, seven cruise lines and eight modern vessels are set to resume service at the Last Frontier, offering a total 83 voyages.

Here are the ships sailing in Alaska:

Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International
Ship:
 Serenade of the Seas
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,100
Built: 2003
Homeport: Seattle (United States)
Itinerary: Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point; scenic cruising in Endicott Arm fjord and Dawes Glacier
Length: 7 nights 
First Cruise: In service since July 19, 2021

Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises
Ship: Celebrity Millennium
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,038
Built: 2000
Homeport: Seattle (United States)
Itinerary: Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway; scenic cruising in Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier
Length: 7 nights
First Cruise: July 23, 2021

Cruise Line: Holland America Line
Ship:
 Nieuw Amsterdam
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,100
Built: 2010
Homeport: Seattle (United States)
Itinerary: Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Ketchikan; scenic cruising in Glacier Bay and Stephens Passage
Length: 7 nights
First Cruise: July 24, 2021

Cruise Line: Princess Cruises
Ship:
 Majestic Princess
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 3,600
Built: 2017
Homeport: Seattle (United States)
Itinerary: Glacier Bay National Park, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan
Length: 7 nights
First Cruise: 
July 25, 2021

Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line
Ship:
 Carnival Miracle
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,100
Built: 2004
Homeport: Seattle (United States)
Itinerary: Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan; scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
Length: 7 nights
First Cruise: July 27, 2021

Cruise Line: Silversea Cruises
Ship:
 Silver Muse
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 596
Built: 2017
Homeport: Seattle (United States)
Itinerary: Ketchikan, Juneau, Wrangell, Skagway, Sitka and more; scenic cruising in Sawyer Glacier and Mendenhall Glacier
Length: 10 and 11 nights
First Cruise: July 29, 2021

Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Ship:
 Norwegian Encore
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 4,200
Built: 2019
Homeport: Seattle (United States)
Itinerary: Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan; scenic cruising in Endicott Arm
Length: 7 nights
First Cruise: August 7, 2021

Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International
Ship:
 Ovation of the Seas
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 4,100
Built: 2016
Homeport: Seattle (United States)
Itinerary:
 Glacier Bay National Park, the Inside Passage, Juneau and Skagway
Length: 7 nights
First Cruise: 
August 13, 2021

In addition, a number of small operators with U.S.-flagged ships are operating in Alaska, including Lindblad Expeditions, American Cruise Lines, UnCruise and Alaskan Dream Cruises.