Norwegian Cruise Line Back in Service as Jade Sails from Athens

Posted on 26 July, 2021 by Spacejunkie2

Norwegian Cruise Line yesterday officially commemorated its cruise comeback with the Norwegian Jade sailing from the port of Athens and becoming the first ship in the fleet to welcome back guests after a 500-day pause.

Until November 2021, guests sailing aboard Norwegian Jade’s Greek Isles itinerary will wake up in a new destination every day, able to spend eight-to-nine hours in each port.

“Welcoming our guests and crew on board has been one of the most memorable moments of my over 30-year career,” said Harry Sommer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We are excited to embark on the Great Cruise Comeback with a brand-new itinerary and homeport for our brand, offering our guests an even greater selection of unique vacations at sea.”

Greek Minister of Tourism Harry Theoharis added, “We are overjoyed to welcome Norwegian Jade and her guests to Greece. The planned itineraries will offer unique experiences that combine our rich history, bustling culture and famous gastronomy.”

“Norwegian Jade’s first Greek Isles voyages sold out shortly after we made the announcement that we were on our way back,” said Sommer. “With such strong demand, we are glad to expand our offering in Greece with seven ships through 2023, providing our guests with a range of innovative vessels and itineraries to choose from.”

Norwegian Cruise Line Expands 2021 U.S. Restart Plan From More Ports

Posted on 7 June, 2021 by Spacejunkie2

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings today announced additional voyages as part of its U.S. voyage resumption plan.

According to a press release, Norwegian Cruise Line plans to set sail beginning summer 2021 with voyages from New York, Los Angeles, Port Canaveral and Miami and the line announced that the Norwegian Encore will debut in Alaska this summer in place of Norwegian Bliss.

Voyages expected to operate in the U.S. are contingent on obtaining a Conditional Sailing Certificate from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the company said. All initial voyages will operate with fully vaccinated guests and crew.

“I am pleased to continue our Great Cruise Comeback with plans already announced for 23 of our 28 ships across our three brands beginning in July 2021 and phasing in through early 2022,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

“We want to thank Governor DeSantis and the State of Florida for fighting in support of our industry. His leadership helped bring the CDC to the table. We are currently in communication with his staff and legal counsel to ensure that we can offer the safest cruise experience for our passengers departing from the cruise capital of the world.”

Deployment Moves:

• Norwegian Gem will cruise seven-day itineraries to the Caribbean beginning August 15, 2021, and a four-day voyage to the Bahamas in November from Miami;
• Additional itineraries on Norwegian Breakaway are open for sale to Bermuda starting September 26, 2021, from New York;
• Norwegian Bliss will sail on October 24, 2021, to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles;
• Norwegian Escape will sail on November 13, 2021, to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral;
• In addition, the Norwegian Encore will make her debut on the West Coast, taking the place of the previously announced Norwegian Bliss for the 2021 summer Alaska cruise season. The Alaska itinerary will include visits to Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point, while also offering guests majestic views of Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier or Glacier Bay.

NCL LATEST LINE TO ANNOUNCE ALASKA RESTART PLANS

Posted on 24 May, 2021 by Spacejunkie2

Norwegian Cruise Line has become the latest brand to announce plans to restart activities in Alaska this summer.

The line will resume itineraries with Norwegian Bliss offering week-long voyages from Seattle from 7 August to 16 October.

NCL joins a number of companies – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line – in announcing their intentions to return to the region.

The developments follow the US House of Representatives approving a bill temporarily waiving Canada’s Passenger Vessel Services Act, which requires ships to either start itineraries in Canada or stop in a Canadian port during them.

Alaska is currently the first destination in the US to green-light cruising since the pandemic.

All lines are still subject to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) rules, which have not yet allowed sailings to return.

Lines are anticipating the CDC allowing sailings to restart from July.

As part of its programme, NCL will offer seven to 13 hours of port time in Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point in Alaska – guests can also benefit from the opening of a second cruise pier in Icy Strait Point.

Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean will also offer seven-night cruises, round-trip from Seattle, on Serenade of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, beginning 19 July and 13 August.

Celebrity will deploy Celebrity Summit in Seattle in July offering nine seven-day sailings through to mid-September.