Tag Archives: Norwegian Escape

Norwegian Joy on the way to Shanghai!

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Norwegian Joy cruise’s down the river Ems

The Norwegian Joy begins its journey to China with the passage through the Ems

28 March 2017 . For the Norwegian Joy, the first cruise ship designed by the international shipping company Norwegian Cruise Line, designed specifically for the Chinese market, the Ems Passage has begun a journey to its Chinese home port Shanghai. On Sunday, March 26, the second ship of the Breakaway-Plus class left the Meyer shipyard in Papenburg and began its 14-hour ride over the Ems.

 The transfer of the 333 meter long and 41 meter wide Norwegian Joy represents another important milestone on the way to the transfer to the shipping company on April 27th.

 “We are very pleased that Norwegian Joy has officially started its journey to China,” said David Herrera, President of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings China. “As the first ship built specifically for the Chinese market, the Norwegian Joy will offer our guests a first-class cruise experience, and we can not wait to welcome them to the fleet in June.”

 The journey of the 168,800-ton vessel began around 9:00 pm when the Norwegian Joy passed the ship’s dock sluices with the stern, leaving only 1.2 meters of space on either side of the ship. The team of the ship was under the guidance of experienced shipyards and river controllers, as well as several navigation officers who were responsible for the bow and stern maneuvers. In addition, members of local authorities and other partners were involved in supporting the maneuvers.

 After the lock, the Norwegian Joy continued the passage with the stern ahead, which ensures optimum maneuverability. Prior to reaching its provisional destination Eemshaven in the Netherlands on Monday evening, 27 March, the ship passed further bottlenecks, including the Fries Bridge in Weener, the Jann-Berghaus bridge in Leer and the Ems barrage in Gandersum. Upon arrival in Eemshaven, the Norwegian Joy will take on board other equipment and crew before the trial runs start at sea.

 About the Norwegian Joy

The Norwegian Joy, currently under construction at Meyer Werft, is the first Norwegian Cruise Line ship to be designed specifically for the Chinese market. The name Norwegian Joy emphasizes the possibilities and experiences that the ship offers to guests, the promise to feel like in “paradise on the sea”. The new ship of the Breakaway-Plus class will accommodate 3,850 guests and will be commissioned in the summer of 2017 in China.

 The Norwegian Joy is designed to provide guests with an unparalleled cruise experience, equipped with onboard equipment tailored to the specific needs of Chinese holidaymakers. The vessel has a variety of VIP cabins and suites, including The Haven by Norwegian ® , the exclusive cruise ship-to-ship luxury cruise ship from Norwegian Cruise Line, which also includes a completely new 180-degree view deck, As well as the Concierge category, which offers guests VIP services and larger balcony cabins. There are also cabins specially designed for families, a variety of cabins with connecting doors that are particularly suitable for larger families, as well as a large selection of mini suites, balcony, outdoor and indoor cabins, many of which have a virtual balcony.

 The Norwegian Joy offers exciting and innovative board activities, including the first two-level kart track, an open-air laser-day arena, racing car simulators and interactive video walls in the Galaxy Pavilion, and two water slides reaching over several decks. In addition, the Norwegian Joy will have a park-like recreational area and the largest shopping center in the fleet, from extraordinary duty-free shops to shops with world-famous luxury brands.

 

Norwegian Unveils Bold New Ship Design

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Norwegian Unveils Bold New Ship Design

Norwegian Cruise New Project “Project Leonardo ship class”
 

PHOTO: Rendering of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Project Leonardo ship class. (Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)

After recapping and detailing a number of current projects at the annual Seatrade Cruise Global conference, Norwegian Cruise Line pulled back the current on the exterior design of its next ship class, dubbed Project Leonardo.

That wasn’t the only notable news on the docket, however.

In between its seasonal deployments in Alaska and the Caribbean, it was announced that California would get some love in between with 7-, 8- and 14-day Mexican Riviera sailings from Los Angeles. On the routes, Mexican ports of call will include Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Ensenada, Manzanillo and Puerto Quetzal, with the longer sailing being a repositioning to Miami through the Panama Canal’s new larger locks.

Also on the itinerary side of things, Cuba was anticipated as Norwegian Sky’s next destination beginning in May, 2017, for a total of 30 weekly 4-day sailings from Miami that will initially last through this December. The other port of call on these voyages will be the cruise line’s Great Stirrup Cay, which is also the focus of renewal, to the tune of $40 million.

The private island has aready received an enhanced beach area, updated cabanas, a refurbished boardwalk, new dining and shaded lounge seating, landscaping and the free Abaco Taco eatery. Next to be added through the end of the year will be a new Landshark Bar & Grill, zip-line, underwater sculpture garden, marina lockers, family beach, shaded benches, private lagoon area and medical center.

Back on board, the next-to-launch Norwegian Bliss was also featured for its connection to the ocean, completing a journey that began with the al fresco Waterfront on the Norwegian Breakaway and coming to full fruition with its multiple decks of sea-view observation lounges. Other new features include virtual views for the ship’s studio cabins bringing outside vistas in. There will also be the same amount of Haven suites on the Bliss as on the preceding Norwegian Escape while providing double the amount of common ship-within-a-ship space.

Entertainment is being added on the current fleet with a complimentary “Escape the Big Top” puzzle room experience on the Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Escape. Plus, “Cirque Dream & Dinner” is to be enhanced on the Breakaway and Epic as well as being added to the Getaway via a format that arranges the new show and main dining elements separately.

Even though the Norwegian Bliss itself will not launch until the summer of 2018, the next aforementioned Project Leonardo is already making waves with its exterior aesthetic. The first ship from the new series will come out in 2022 followed by other ordered sister-ships in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Options exist for two more in 2026 and 2027.

When Frank Del Rio, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. revealed the renderings of the 140,000-gross-ton vessel, he pointed out that it will include broad decks as well as several infinity pools, all in service to his vision of crafting a premium product for the mainstream line.

Each new ship will carry approximately 3,300 guests, building on the amenities found in the line’s latest Breakaway Plus-class ships.

Norwegian to auction cabin upgrades

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Haven Suite photo by Dave Jones

Borrowing a page from Priceline, Norwegian Cruise Line said it will allow select passengers to bid on cabin upgrades prior to sailing but after making final payment.

The process would let passengers upgrade one or two meta-categories. So for example, a guest in an oceanview cabin could bid to move to a balcony or mini-suite, but not a suite.

Norwegian said passengers eligible would be notified by email, as will their travel sellers. Selection is based on a variety of criteria including but not limited to what guests already paid and the type of cabins available on their sailing.

After bidding a “nominal” amount, guests will be notified with an immediate confirmation email of a winning bid. If a bid has not been accepted, guests can improve it or cancel it up to 48 hours prior to departure.

Travel agents are only notified of winning bids, and are eligible for additional commission on the upgraded fare. They will get incremental commission due in a separate commission payment, Norwegian said.

Norwegian is not taking bids on identifiable cabins or specific categories, but only at the meta-category level. Guests eligible to bid on suites or The Haven will be able to bid on each separately.

Norwegian did not say if minimum bids would be set.

The program, called Upgrade Advantage, is scheduled to start Feb. 8 on the Norwegian Escape, Getaway, Breakaway, Epic and Pride of America, with the remaining fleet set to begin participating in the second quarter.

Agencies are allowed to opt out of eligibility by sending an e-mail to NCL sales.

In a note to agents, Norwegian senior vice president of sales Camille Olivere said a pilot program tested very well with guests and agents.

“I highly recommend that you participate in this program,” Olivere wrote. “Upgrade Advantage is a great way for you to enhance the guest experience and earn more commission with very minimal effort.”

Currently, Norwegian offers upgrades through an Upsell Department, which identifies sailings with potential for upgrades and emails guests, who can then call in and bid on upgrades.

“This new system will be completely automated and allow for a level playing field where all guests can easily bid for an upgrade simply by clicking through,” Norwegian spokeswoman Christina Baez said. “It also notifies the travel partner who made the booking and automatically provides them with the commission on the higher fare if their bid is accepted.”