Hull Art Revealed for Norwegian Encore

Posted on 16 September, 2018 by Spacejunkie2

Hull art for Norwegian Encore (photo courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line)

Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed the hull artwork for Norwegian Encore. Award-winning Spanish artist Eduardo Arranz-Bravo has created the design for the ship, which debuts in Miami in November 2019.The artwork will feature colours inspired by the artist’s life by the sea in Barcelona.

“Norwegian Cruise Line is a dynamic, pioneering company known for its innovative experiences and breathtaking collection of beautifully designed ships,” said Arranz-Bravo. “I am honoured to not only bring that vibrancy to life even more on Norwegian Encore but also showcase my love for the ocean and my hometown of Barcelona.”

The president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Frank Del Rio, has long admired the work of Arranz-Bravo.

“We are well-known for our iconic hull designs and know that Arranz-Bravo’s lively design will complement the colourful destinations in the Caribbean that Norwegian Encore will visit when she debuts next year,” said Del Rio.

Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief executive officer, Andy Stuart, similarly welcomed the artist’s contribution to the ship.

Norwegian Encore art rendering — Hull art for Norwegian Encore (photo courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line)

“Eduardo’s design will be a perfect complement to the collection of hull artwork within our fleet and is a testament to the dynamic experience our guests will have on board,” said Stuart. “We are proud to welcome him to our Norwegian Cruise Line family.”

The 4,000-passenger Norwegian Encore will complete the Breakaway-Plus class, the most successful class in the line’s history. The ship is under construction at Meyer Werft, in Papenburg, Germany. The ship will begin operations on November 17, 2019, cruising out of Miami to the Eastern Caribbean.

A trio of Broadway Songstresses to Perform Aboard Norwegian Escape

Posted on 19 August, 2018 by Spacejunkie2

After Midnight aboard Norwegian Escape (photo courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line)

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that three award-winning Broadway songstresses will perform aboard Norwegian Escape beginning August 19, 2018. The three singers, Melinda Doolittle, Sharon Wilkins and Melba Moore, will perform in the Tony Award-winning musical, After Midnight as well as in their own Supper Club Cabaret Show.

The announcement follows the successful launch of the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys, among other productions fleetwide. Tony Award-nominated signer Brenda Braxton has regularly starred in After Midnight aboard Norwegian Escape since the ship debuted in 2015.

“We are thrilled to engage these celebrated Broadway stars and very happy to welcome Melinda, Sharon and Melba to the Norwegian Cruise Line family,” said Richard Ambrose, the company’s vice president of entertainment. “We have long invested in elevating entertainment on board our ships and working with these powerhouse singers is yet another example of our commitment to exceeding guest expectations with world-class entertainment.”

Beginning August 19, American Idol alumna Melinda Doolittle will make her debut at sea in After Midnight. The show celebrates Duke Ellington’s time at Harlem’s famed Cotton Club during the Jazz Age. Doolittle will perform for six weeks.

Broadway veteran and television actress, Sharon Wilkins takes over the role September 30. In addition to more than two decades on Broadway, Wilkins has appeared in films and TV series such as Maid in Manhattan, National Treasure, Law and Order: SVU and Rescue Me. Wilkins will perform until December 9, 2018, and will reprise her role in February 2019.

From December 9, 2018, to February 1, 2019, three-time Grammy Award-nominated and Tony Award-winning singer, Melba Moore, will take over as the After Midnight lead. Moore is an acclaimed R&B singer and Broadway vocalist. She has performed in the Grammy and Tony Award-winning musicals Hair, Les Misérables and Purlie. She earned the Tony Award for best performance by a featured actress in a musical for the latter.

Doolittle, Wilkins and Moore will also host a Cabaret Show in The Supper Club, as well.

“It is incredibly exciting to be working with Norwegian Cruise Line, a company that is truly redefining entertainment at sea,” said Melba Moore. “I’ve performed in many different theatres throughout my career and am very impressed with the dedication and passion of the team at Norwegian. They really do push the limits to deliver an unforgettable experience for guests. I am anxiously looking forward to joining my fellow cast mates aboard the stunning Norwegian Escape later this year.”

Norwegian Cruise Line’s onboard entertainment selection features ten Broadway shows across its 16-ship fleet. In addition to After Midnight, the productions include Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages and Million Dollar Quartet.

Norwegian Cruise Line eliminating plastic straws

Posted on 31 July, 2018 by Spacejunkie2

Norwegian Bliss in Southampton, photo credit Dave R Jones.

Norwegian Cruise Line said it is getting rid of single-use plastic straws on its 26 ships.

The ban also applies to its two private islands, Great Stirrup Cay and Harvest Caye.

With the changes, Norwegian said it expects to eliminate over 50 million plastic straws from use annually.

In announcing the ban, Norwegian did not specify when the ban would be implemented or what it would use as a substitute for plastic straws.

Various cruise lines have announced initiatives to reduce or eliminate single-use plastics onboard as a contribution to marine conservation. Norwegian initiated its plastics-reduction approach by banning plastic straws in the inauguration of its latest ship, the Norwegian Bliss.