THE NORWEGIAN EDGE™

Posted on 21 January, 2016 by Spacejunkie2

THE NORWEGIAN EDGE™

The Cavern Club

The Norwegian Edge introduces a new standard of excellence that encompasses the entire guest experience, from culinary program enhancements to exclusive destination developments. The program starts with a focus on the heart of Norwegian, our ships.

Extensive revitalizations have already begun to elevate them with the premium look and feel of the line’s newest and most spectacular ships. When the renovations are complete, our ships will look even better than when they first left the shipyard. We’re investing $400 million to make sure a Norwegian vacation is up to the high standards we’ve set for ourselves – and those that our guests expect from us.

So when you board one of our ships for the fifth time, but she looks as good as the first time you saw her, that’s The Norwegian Edge. When you savor an array of international tastes and gourmet dishes from our new enhanced menus, you’ve tasted The Norwegian Edge.

If you find yourself surrounded by natural beauty in Harvest Caye, our premier resort-style island in Belize, you’ve found The Norwegian Edge. And finally, when you’re sharing stories (and selfies) from your incredible vacation weeks after your cruise, you know you experienced The Norwegian Edge.

• Exciting new entertainment venue, The Cavern Club, inspired by the famous Liverpool nightclub of the same name where The Beatles got their big break
• A complete makeover of La Cucina to create a more authentic Italian atmosphere
• Upgraded The Haven Courtyard, Lounge and Restaurant to introduce a more modern and clean design
• Upgraded spaces for the whole family including Entourage, Splash Academy and the new SplashGolf in the Kids’ Aqua Park
• New library and card room for guests to enjoy while on board
• Refreshed décor, including new furniture and flooring in several restaurants, bars and lounges to elevate the ambiance as you sip, savor and cheers

HARVEST CAYE

In November, our newest cruise destination in southern Belize will be transformed into a 75-acre resort-style experience featuring an expansive pool, lagoon for water sports, private luxury cabanas and exclusive beach for our guests to discover.

GREAT STIRRUP CAY

We’re enhancing our eco-fun paradise in the Bahamas with more of what our guests love: more beaches, more activities, and more places to relax and indulge.

Norwegian Gem, Refurbished November 2015

• Renovated Bliss Ultra Lounge and introduced a new area for Casino games

• Brand new photo gallery set up with new computer displays, furniture and a more open layout

• Renovated The Haven Courtyard, Lounge and Restaurant to introduce a more modern and clean design

• Refreshed décor, including new furniture and flooring in several restaurants, bars and lounges to elevate the ambiance as you sip, savor and cheers

• Revamped The Haven Courtyard and Sundeck to include more shaded areas, cabanas and loungers

NCL~Dry Dock Schedule

Norwegian Ships	Dry Dock Schedule
Pride of America	Q1 2016
Norwegian Sun	Q2 2016
Norwegian Dawn	Q2 2016
Norwegian Spirit	Q1 2017
Norwegian Sky	Q1 2017
Norwegian Pearl	Q1 2017
Norwegian Jade	Q1 2017

A challenging start to a promising year

Posted on 11 January, 2016 by Spacejunkie2

By Michelle Baran
As European river cruise vessels file into winter dry-dock this week, closing up the 2015 season, there is bound to be some nervousness for an industry waiting to see how the 2016 season will play out once it gets underway in the spring.

The dormant winter season offers an opportunity to spruce up older vessels and make final arrangements for the launch of new ones, investments that will hopefully pay off throughout the season. And this coming year has a lot to offer; Both Crystal Cruises and Adventures by Disney (through a partnership with AmaWaterways) will introduce new river cruise products in Europe, and all the major river cruise lines are adding new vessels to their fleets.

There’s a lot to look forward to, and yet 2015 ended with a bit of a question mark in the aftermath of the Nov. 13 Paris attacks in terms of how much the attacks will impact travel in Europe (and consequently river cruising) this year. Surely the hope is that a quiet couple months – fingers crossed – prior to the start of the 2016 season will help keep pre-existing bookings on the books and reinvigorate the flow of new ones to get 2016 back on track to being as robust as it promised before the attacks.

Meanwhile, there are a lot of exciting developments elsewhere in the world to distract from the situation in Europe. Uniworld is starting its first cruises on India’s Ganges River this month, a new product the company has said has exceeded its expectations in terms of how successful the bookings have been.

And back in the US, it will be interesting to see if we hear anything more from Viking about its plans to launch modern-style Mississippi River vessels in 2017 and from the Delta Queen Steamboat Company about whether the fabled 89-year-old Delta Queen will receive the Congressional exemption it needs to sail again.

Indeed, despite some uncertainty as we start off the year, 2016 still promises to be an exciting and interesting one in river cruising, both in terms of the announcements we already know about and in terms of the surprises we’re always counting on the industry to provide us.

Queen Mary 2 to get major refurbishment in 2016

Posted on 17 July, 2015 by Spacejunkie2

NEW YORK — At an event commemorating the 175th anniversary of Cunard, the line’s North America president, Rick Meadows announced some additional features and major refurbishments for the 11-year-old Queen Mary 2 to be added during a 25-day drydock next year.

The flagship of Cunard Line will for the first time get 15 single-occupancy cabins. During the drydock, workers will also install 30 more Britannia Club Balcony staterooms that come with anytime dining privileges in the Britannia restaurant.

A unique feature of the Queen Mary 2, the dog kennels, will be expanded. Currently there are accommodations for 12 dogs or cats and another 10 kennels will be added.

Also coming will be a statuary lamp post and fire hydrant in the dog walking area, a feature first introduced on the QM2’s flagship predecessor, the Queen Elizabeth 2.

Parent company Carnival Corporation chairman Micky Arison, CEO Arnold Donald, Cunard CEO David Noyes, Holland America Group CEO Stein Kruse and Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy were among the company executives who joined travel agents, former Cunard officers, descendants of the line’s founder Samuel Cunard and media in celebrating Cunard’s anniversary.

Commodore Ron Warwick (Ret.), the first master of the Queen Mary 2, with Valerie Wilson Travel International co-president Jennifer Wilson and Cunard North America President Rick Meadows at the celebration of the 175th anniversary of Cunard. The Queen Mary 2 is in the background, just above Wilson. Photo Credit: Arnie Weissmann

The Queen Mary 2 herself also made an appearance, pausing in New York Harbor to put on a light show for the crowd before heading out on a transatlantic crossing.

Other new features will be announced later. The QM2 is scheduled to emerge from drydock June 21, 2016.

Arnie Weissmann contributed to this report.

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THE NORWEGIAN EDGE™