Pride of America Returning to Kona, Hilo

Posted on 11 June, 2018 by Spacejunkie2

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that the Pride of America will be resuming its ports of call in Kona and Hilo on Hawaii Island, often called the Big Island, starting next week.

Earlier this summer the cruise line announced it would be halting stops at the two ports due to “uncertain conditions” after larger-than-normal eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano.

“As we have always said, Hawaii is an incredible destination,” said the cruise line in a statement. “We have visited its ports for well over a decade and we are very happy to be returning to Hilo and Kona. Please know that the safety and security of our guests and crew remain our first priority so we will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation.

Pride of America will resume calling upon Hilo every Tuesday, starting June 12, and Kona every Wednesday, starting June 13, as part of its regular cruise schedule in the Hawaiian Islands.

Hawaii Governor David Ige and the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) are praising Norwegian Cruise Line for its decision to resume the calls.

“We are very grateful to Norwegian Cruise Line for reinstituting its port calls in Hilo and Kona,” said Governor Ige. “This is especially wonderful news for the small businesses in and around those communities that service the wishes of the ship’s guests as they venture out to experience the incredible beauty and fascinating attractions throughout the island of Hawaii.”

Norwegian’s Pride of America cruise ship, which carries up to 2,500 passengers and 900 crewmembers per week, home-ports in Honolulu and makes weekly cruise tours throughout the Hawaiian Islands, with port, calls in Hilo and Kona on the island of Hawaii; Kahului, Maui; and Nawiliwili, Kauai.

“Visitors who enjoy the Hawaii cruise experience will be thrilled knowing they can port in the island of Hawaii and see for themselves what makes the largest and most environmentally diverse of all the Hawaiian Islands so captivating,” said George D. Szigeti, HTA president and CEO. “We thank Norwegian Cruise Line and appreciate the careful thought their executives put into making this decision, as this message to resume port calls in Hilo and Kona will be valued by potential travellers who are considering a trip to the Hawaiian Islands.”

Norwegian had temporarily halted the two port calls in mid-May 14.

Kilauea, an active volcano since 1983, is one of Hawaii’s most popular attractions. Currently, most of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is closed until further notice.

Norwegian Joins Trash Free Seas Alliance

Posted on 9 June, 2018 by Spacejunkie2

Marking World Oceans Day, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced today that it has partnered with Ocean Conservancy. The company will join Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas Alliance, actively working toward solutions that will mitigate plastic waste entering the ocean., Norwegian announced.

“The success of our business is dependent on the health of our oceans and, together with Ocean Conservancy, we are taking a step forward in our commitment to protect the world’s oceans,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. “We are excited to lead the cruise industry by joining the Trash Free Seas Alliance and support Ocean Conservancy’s vision of a world with waterways, beaches and oceans free of plastic waste.”

Founded in 2012, the Trash Free Seas Alliance brings together thought leaders from industry, conservation and academia to create a forum for pragmatic, real-world collaboration focused on the measurable reduction of ocean trash.

”Nothing connects people to the ocean more than time spent on the water, and with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings offering that experience to more than 2.5 million guests each year, we believe this is a tremendous opportunity to foster greater stewardship of our oceans,” said Janis Searles Jones, chief executive officer at Ocean Conservancy. “What’s more, Ocean Conservancy believes strongly that it will take all of us—including industry leaders—to stem the tide of ocean plastic. We are grateful for Norwegian’s leadership and look forward to working with them to reduce the amount of plastic flowing into the ocean.”

Norwegian Bliss Arrives in Seattle

Posted on 1 June, 2018 by Spacejunkie2

The Port of Seattle officially welcomed the Norwegian Bliss on Wednesday.

The arrival of Norwegian Bliss marks a major milestone for the Port of Seattle, according to a statement, which over the last 18 years has transformed into the largest and fastest growing cruise business on the west coast, while earning a reputation for progressive environmental protections.

The Port of Seattle has a special relationship with Norwegian Cruise Line, as they were the first cruise line to homeport in Seattle over eighteen years ago, the port said.

Together, through a public-private partnership, Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 was renovated and expanded to welcome the largest ship to homeport in Seattle and cruise to Alaska – Norwegian Bliss.

“The Port of Seattle is thrilled to host the magnificent Norwegian Bliss and her passengers for many Alaska cruise seasons to come,” said Port of Seattle Commission President Courtney Gregoire. “Cruise ships like Norwegian Bliss meet our objectives of increasing economic opportunity in our region while constantly raising the bar on environmental sustainability. We thank Norwegian for their eighteen years of partnership with the Port of Seattle, and look forward to many more to come.”

“We are proud of our partnership with the Port of Seattle, where we have cruised out of for nearly two decades,” said Andy Stuart, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Tomorrow will mark an exciting evolution of our relationship. For the first time in the company’s history, we will christen our newest and most innovative ship in Seattle, before she begins her inaugural season cruising to Alaska. We look forward to a promising future and continuing to work with the Port of Seattle to further expand cruising opportunities in the Pacific Northwest.”

Norwegian Bliss Photos – https://flic.kr/s/aHsmbCHEP7

Norwegian Bliss Go-Carting Video – https://youtu.be/Qufyio_TZdc

Norwegian Bliss Laser Tag Course Video – https://youtu.be/UcDix1IO2s8