Tag Archives: Norwegian Breakaway

Fleet expansion helps Norwegian Cruise Line boost revenue

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By Tom Stieghorst
Norwegian Getaway 410-232Norwegian Cruise Line reported a net profit of $51.7 million in the first quarter, up from a $97.5 million loss a year ago.

Revenue rose 25.8%, to $664 million.

Results were helped by the addition of Norwegian Breakaway to the fleet in May 2013 and the Norwegian Getaway in January 2014.

After various special items are excluded, Norwegian said its adjusted first-quarter profit was $49.6 million, up from $12.9 million a year earlier.

Norwegian said it has authorized the buyback of up to $500 million of its stock. CEO Kevin Sheehan said the program allows Norwegian to be “flexible and opportunistic” in repurchasing shares at attractive levels.

The company completed a public offering in January 2013.

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 features dining package in new promotion

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By Tom Stieghorst

Norwegian Cruise Line said it will offer free dining and beverage packages in a Wave season promotion for sailings of Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway in the second and third quarters.

Andy Stuart, the cruise line’s vice president of sales, said the promotion, dubbed “The Ultimate Freesome,” has “never been done before at Norwegian.”

The offer includes a free Ultimate Dining package for booking a balcony or mini-suite cabin on the two ships during the promotion period from Feb. 27 to March 10. Those who book a suite in the Haven will get a dining package and an Ultimate Beverage Package.

The dining package allows for complimentary dining at the extra-charge alternative restaurants on Breakaway and Getaway. The first two guests in the stateroom will get the packages in the promotion. In the suite promotion, all guests will get the beverage package, with a soda package for anyone under 21 years old.

Stuart said the point was partly to promote the sale of dining packages by travel agents. 

“We really think this is a package more and more guests will enjoy,” he said. 

The package, new this year, costs $119 per person for seven-day cruises.

Norwegian launched the promotion on a webinar with more than 4,000 participants, a record number Stuart said. 

Attendees were eligible to win one of 50 free cabins on Getaway and Norwegian Epic, which were allotted at random to those still listening at the end.