Norwegian Bliss going big with go-cart track, other features

Posted on 14 August, 2017 by Spacejunkie2

Norwegian Bliss Go-Cart track

The thrill of electric go-cart racing at sea is coming to North America next year on the Norwegian Bliss, which will take the concept that debuted on the Norwegian Joy in Shanghai to another level.

The widely anticipated adoption of the amusement-park staple on a ship sailing in the U.S. should give the Bliss something to brag about when it sails from the Port of Seattle on its first Alaska voyage next June.

Andy Stuart, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, said the Bliss’ track will be 40% larger than its predecessor.

“We think it’s going to be even a little better than what we’ve delivered so far on Joy,” Stuart said.

At nearly 1,000 feet, the track will be the longest at sea and will occupy the space that is claimed by a ropes course and the Plank on the Norwegian Escape, the most recent delivery to the North American market.

The cars can be geared to advanced, intermediate or beginning-level drivers. Stuart said that because the cars are electric, they are also noiseless, but that a pair of speakers with racing sounds inside the headrest provides audio for the driver.

An outdoor laser tag course will be themed as an abandoned space station.

The new ship will also have an outdoor laser tag course, first offered on the Joy as well, that will be themed as an abandoned space station, and a free-fall slide with a translucent loop that extends 11 feet over the side of the ship.

Norwegian executives revealed many of the public areas of the Bliss at a news conference at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, where Virtuoso is holding its annual Travel Week conference.

Virtuoso members heard firsthand not only about the track, but about the dining and beverage options that will be installed on the Bliss, several of them for the first time on any Norwegian ship.

The Bliss will get Norwegian’s first try at a Texas smokehouse-style venue, to be called Q, which will serve brisket, ribs, chicken, sausage and more, freshly smoked over hickory, oak and pecan woods.

Q will be Norwegian Cruise Line's first try at a Texas smokehouse-style venue.

Texas smokehouse-style venue

Q won’t be decked out with stereotypical country-and-western decor, but rather will sport an edgier, urban design along the lines of the District Brewhouse on the Escape. Q will offer sides such as fresh-cheddar and breadcrumb-crusted mac and cheese and baked sweet potatoes smothered in pecan honey butter and cinnamon.

The restaurant will take the large space occupied by the Supper Club on the Norwegian Escape. Pricing will be a la carte.

Another new flavor on the Bliss will be chocolate, the theme of a Deck 6 a la carte sweets emporium that will feature an entry with an enclosed oversized chocolate fountain gushing with liquid chocolate.

A water thrill ride loops over the side of the ship.
A water thrill ride loops over the side of the ship.

Called Coco’s, it will sell handmade pralines, truffles, crepes and other desserts paired with select teas and coffees.

Also in the coffee category, the Norwegian Bliss will also have the brand’s first full-service Starbucks as it sails weekly from Seattle during the summer.

The upscale Mexican concept that was installed in drydock on the Norwegian Dawn last summer as Los Lobos Cantina will be featured on the Bliss, the first Breakaway-class ship to have one. It will be located on Deck 8 next to Cagney’s, and feature indoor/outdoor seating.

In a tip to the changing of the guard in Norwegian’s corporate suites, the 24-hour casual pub named for former Norwegian CEO Kevin Sheehan, who departed in 2015, will be called the Local on the Bliss, instead of O’Sheehan’s.

At the same time, the circular Prime Meridian bar that sits on Deck 8 between two complimentary dining rooms will be restyled as the A-List Bar in tribute to Stuart, who has worked for the company since 1988.

Click the Image below for the Latest Norwegian Bliss Video

The Aqua Park will feature a splash area and water slides.

NCLH: Tickets and Onboard Drive Q2; Food Spend Down

Posted on 11 August, 2017 by Spacejunkie2

Increased ticket and onboard revenue drove Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) record second quarter (Q2) earnings.

Despite carrying fewer passengers than last year, 569,857 down from 574,838, NCLH posted more passenger cruise days, 4,517,788 up from 4,237,020, and higher gross and net ticket and onboard revenue per passenger day.

The passenger number was down due to longer cruises, according to NCLH.

Operating costs were also up, except food costs that were down for Q2 and for first six months of the year, despite an increase in passenger cruise days.

The reduction in food costs were primarily due to a series of purchasing initiatives undertaken over the past year. In a prepared statement to Cruise Industry News, NCLH said: “We have been successful in finding significant efficiencies across our food distribution through a concerted effort to improve processes in delivering consumables to our vessels around the world. In addition, we have leveraged our buying power to deliver substantial hard savings across our food purchasing without compromising quality.

“For example, on a number of key proteins that represent the highest cost items across our food costs, we have been able to cut costs significantly simply by purchasing directly from the suppliers and cutting out middlemen. These initiatives have resulted in savings while providing the same, or in many cases, better quality protein.

“During this period we have also been refining the dining experience across our fleet, and with the benefit of guest research and feedback, we have refined our menus to better meet the preferences of our guests and, as a result, we have seen our guest experience scores improve year over year.”

NCLH spent $47.3 million on food in the second quarter of this year and $95.5 million for the six-month period, compared to $49.8 million and $100.8 million, respectively, last year.

Gross revenue per passenger day was $297.52 this year, up from $280.11 last year. Net revenue per passenger day was $229.63 this year, up from $216.55.

Norwegian Cruise Line forecasts record earnings

Posted on 9 August, 2017 by Spacejunkie2

Image result for norwegian escape

Norwegian Cruise Line expects to achieve record earnings this year setting full-year expectations at the higher end of forecasts in a second quarter trading update.

The parent of NCL, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises reported strong bookings volumes and firm pricing in the three months to June 30.

Total revenue was up 13.3% to $1.3 billion and the operator saw net income of $198.5 million and earnings per share of $0.87, up from $0.64 last year.

Revenue increased was primarily down to an increase in capacity days as a result of the reduction in the amount of dry dock periods during the quarter.

The operator also benefitted from the addition of the Regent Seven Seas Explorer and Ocean Cruises’ Sirena to the fleet in 2016 which helped to increase ticket prices.

Costs were up during the quarter by 10.6% year on year due to an increase in cruise operating expenses as well as marketing and general and administrative expenses.

Fuel costs for the quarter stood at $86.7million with a fuel price of $469 per metric tonne in line with last year.

Adjusted net income was reported to be $232.7 million and adjusted earnings per share $1.02 up from $192.6 million and $0.85 last year.

Frank Del Rio, the operator’s president and chief executive, said: “Positive consumer sentiment in north America and key international markets has resulted in a robust booking environment that continues to be the strongest on recent history which, combined with our targeted strategic revenue initiatives drove second quarter revenue and yield growth well above expectations.

“All three of our brands benefitted from strength across each on their respective markets and contributed to our second quarter earnings beat.”

Norwegian Cruise Line said it expects to generate record earnings in 2017, surpassing the high end of its prior full year guidance.

Earnings per share are now expected to be in the range of $3.93 to $4.03 up $0.14 from the previous guidance of $3.79 and $3.89.

Wendy Beck, executive vice president and chief financial officer, said: “We are pleased to report strong booking trends across all markets from the back half of 2017 where pricing and occupancy are now up mid-single digits over prior year.

“Strong booking volumes and firm pricing have benefitted our booked business for the next four quarters, contributing to the increase of our 2017 full year outlook and further solidifying our expectation for strong earnings growth.”