Tag Archives: Norwegian Bliss

Norwegian Cruise Line orders ships for 2018 and 2019

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By Tom Stieghorst
Norwegian Cruise Line said it has ordered ships for delivery in 2018 and 2019 from Germany’s Meyer Werft shipyard that together will cost about 1.6 billion euros ($2.2 billion).

The ships will be the third and fourth in the “Breakaway Plus” class that can carry about 4,200 passengers.

The first two ships in the series, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss, are due for delivery in the fall of 2015 and spring of 2017. The third and fourth ships don’t have names yet.

After all four ships are finished, Norwegian would have 17 vessels in its fleet, barring any disposals. It will have added ship a year from 2013 to 2019 with the exception of 2016.

Norwegian said export credit financing is in place for the two new orders, arranged and underwritten by KfW IPEX-Bank of Germany.

Marine wildlife artist Guy Harvey to paint Norwegian Escape hull

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By Tom Stieghorst
Norwegian Escape hull artMIAMI BEACH — Norwegian Cruise Line’s next ship will feature a giant sailfish, stingray and other marine creatures on its hull, painted by conservation artist Guy Harvey.

Harvey unveiled his design in at a news conference Wednesday at the Cruise Shipping Miami event, saying he was “honored indeed” to be chosen for the job.

Norwegian’s detailed and colorful hull paintings have become a defining feature of the brand. The two most recent vessels, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, have stylized representations of New York and Miami, respectively.

Escape will be based out of Miami when it debuts in November 2015. The port agreed to provide Norwegian with marketing support in exchange for a commitment to homeport the ship there.

Harvey is a marine wildlife artist and fisherman who has in recent years turned his efforts to preservation of the ocean and sea creatures. He has licensed many of his images for apparel and other uses and his name is used to co-brand resorts in Florida, the Bahamas and the Galapagos.

He lives in the Cayman Islands and is most closely linked to the Caribbean and Bahamas. “The maintenance of the ecology and aesthetics of the region are of the highest importance,” Harvey said.

Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Kevin Sheehan said fees from apparel and other licensed goods to be sold on Norwegian ships will be channeled back to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, which supports scientific research and education.

Sheehan said the 4,200-passenger Escape will sail seven-day eastern Caribbean itineraries that include Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas; and Nassau, Bahamas.

Bookings open March 19 for agents with groups and March 26 to the general public.

Norwegian Cruise Line hails ‘seminal year’ as profits surge

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Norwegian Cruise Line hails 'seminal year' as profits surge

Norwegian Cruise Line’s president and chief executive said he was pleased with a “solid” performance during what had been a challenging year for the industry

The line reported fourth quarter profit of 19 cents per share and a 13.4% improvement in net revenue for the full year due to the addition of Norwegian Breakaway to the fleet.

Although net yields for the year were up 4.3% due to higher ticket prices and onboard spend, the figure was offset by three incremental scheduled dry docks.

President Kevin Sheehan said: “A year that began with a highly successful initial public offering, followed by other transactions which resulted in a strong balance sheet and credit metrics, and the launch of the first ship in our Breakaway class, Norwegian Breakaway, will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the seminal years in Norwegian’s 47-year history.

“The hard work of 25,000 Norwegian team members, all with a keen focus on our vision and mission, has been the catalyst for reaching these milestones, reporting solid financial performance in a challenging year for the industry and positioning the company for measured, disciplined growth.”

For the full year, the company reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.41, an increase of 45% from 2012 when the EPS was $0.97. Adjusted net income for the year was $295.8 million compared to $173 million last year.

At the beginning of this year the line took delivery of its latest ship in the fleet, Norwegian Getaway. Construction is ongoing on new builds Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss, scheduled for delivery in 2015 and 2017 respectively.