Norwegian Deployment Moves: More Destinations and Two More Ships

Norwegian Bliss arriving in Southampton Photo credit Spacejunkie2

Two additional cruise ships resumed service for the Norwegian Cruise Line in November. After first welcoming guests back in July, the brand now has nine vessels back in revenue service.

While more capacity is added, Norwegian is also returning to more homeports and destinations – including the Middle East.

Norwegian Escape
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 4,200
Built: 2015
Homeport: Port Canaveral (United States)
Itinerary: Eastern and Western Caribbean
First Cruise: November 13

The Norwegian Escape welcomed guests back on November 13, becoming Norwegian’s eighth vessel to resume commercial operations. After a 20-month operational pause, the vessel also marked the company’s return to Port Canaveral.

The ship is now offering seven-night cruises to the Caribbean from the Florida port. The voyages feature visits to major ports in the region, including Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s private island in the Bahamas.

The Norwegian Escape originally entered service in 2015 as the first vessel of the company’s Breakaway-Plus series.

Before resuming service, the vessel spends time in a European shipyard, undergoing maintenance and mandatory work.

Norwegian Joy
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 4,200
Built: 2017
Homeport: Miami (United States)
Itinerary: Western Caribbean
First Cruise: November 20

After the Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Cruise Line saw the return of its ninth ship on Nov. 20 as the Norwegian Joy welcomed guests back in Miami, kicking off a series of Caribbean cruises.

For its comeback program, the vessel is sailing seven-night voyages calling at Roatán, Bay Islands; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Harvest Caye, Belize – the brand’s private resort destination in Belize.

The week-long itinerary is available through April 23, 2022.

Built-in 2017, the Norwegian Joy is one of the biggest ships in Norwegian’s fleet. As the second Breakaway-Plus vessel, it has unique features, including a two-level go-kart track, an open-air laser tag course, simulator rides and two multi-story waterslides.

The Joy underwent a major refurbishment in 2019 before debuting in the U.S. market.

Four Ships Moving Around

As the winter season approaches, four of Norwegian’s ships are launching new deployments – including the Norwegian Jade, which is now sailing in the Middle East after a summer in Europe.
Here are the details:

Ship: Norwegian Jade
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,400
Built: 2006
New Homeport: Dubai (UAE)
New Itinerary: the Middle East and Africa

The first ship to resume service for Norwegian, the Norwegian Jade recently concluded its first post-pandemic season in the Mediterranean. The vessel is now offering a winter program in the Indian Ocean, with itineraries visiting the Middle East and Africa.

Ship: Norwegian Gem
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,400
Built: 2007
New Homeport: New York City (United States)
New Itinerary: Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda and East Coast

After embarking on a series of cruises sailing from Miami, the Norwegian Gem recently started a New York-based program. Sailing from Manhattan, the vessel is now offering voyages to the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda.

Ship: Norwegian Breakaway
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 4,000
Built: 2013
New Homeport: New Orleans (United States)
New Itinerary: Caribbean
In November, the Norwegian Breakaway marked Norwegian’s return to New Orleans. Initially sailing from New York City, the ship resumed service in September.

Ship: Norwegian Encore
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 4,200
Built: 2019
New Homeport: Miami (United States)
New Itinerary: Eastern Caribbean and the Bahamas

After a summer season in Alaska, the Norwegian Encore launched service from Miami on Nov. 21. The 2019-built ship is now offering week-long Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Norwegian’s Pearl of Miami Cruise Terminal.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings: 13 Ships Set To Be In Service Soon

With its three cruise brands now back in service, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings plans to have 13 ships sailing commercially by Dec. 1.

While Norwegian leads the way, with nine vessels slated to sail, Oceania and Regent are also speeding up their restart plans.

Here is the latest brand by the brand update:

Norwegian Cruise Line
Status: Six ships currently in service; three more sets to follow by Dec. 1
Ships: Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway currently in service; Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Joy set to follow
Regions: Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bermuda, Alaska and West Coast

After a 500-day operational pause, Norwegian Cruise Line resumed service in July with a series of Eastern Mediterranean cruises.

Currently, the brand has six vessels back in revenue operations, offering cruises in North America, the Caribbean and Europe.

With three more ships returning by Dec. 1, the company is set to return to additional destinations, including the West Coast – where the Norwegian Bliss is welcoming guests back on Oct. 24. Based in Los Angeles, the 4,200-guest ship offers a program of Mexican Riviera cruises through 2022.  

While two other vessels are returning in 2021, the balance of the 17-ship fleet is slated to resume service next year.

Oceania Cruises
Status:
 Two ships currently in service
Ships: Marina and Riviera
Regions: Mediterranean and Atlantic

Oceania Cruises resumed revenue service in August with the Marina. The vessel welcomed passengers back in Denmark for a series of cruises to Western Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Greek Isles.

A second ship, the Riviera, joined the active lineup recently, offering additional itinerary choices in the Mediterranean.

In December, the upper-premium brand is also resuming service with the Insignia – which is set to offer a Panama Canal cruise before kicking off it’s epic six-month-long “Around the World in 180 Days” voyage.

Phased restart dates for the balance of the Oceania Cruises fleet continue next, with three more vessels resuming guest operations in 2022.

Regent Seven Seas
Status:
 Two ships currently in service
Ships: Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Explorer
Regions: Northern Europe, Mediterranean, Caribbean and Panama Canal

With two ships now in service, Regent Seven Seas Cruises plans to have its entire fleet back in action by early 2022.

The luxury brand first restarted revenue operations in September, with the 2019-built Seven Seas Splendor. After resuming its inaugural season in Northern Europe, the vessel is currently sailing in the Mediterranean ahead of a winter season in the Caribbean.

The Seven Seas Explorer joined the active lineup recently, offering additional voyages in Europe.

A third Regent ship returning in December. The vessel is slated to sail a Panama Canal cruise before beginning an epic World Cruise in January.

Norwegian Breakaway Resumes Service From New York City

With its sixth ship resuming service today, Norwegian Cruise Line is returning to New York City. Sailing from Manhattan, the Norwegian Breakaway is welcoming guests back for a Bermuda cruise after an 18-month operational pause.

Through Oct. 31, the 145,000 ton-vessel is set to sail from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal every Sunday, offering its week-long Bermuda voyages.

With an overnight call in King’s Wharf – Bermuda’s main cruise port – and four days at sea, the cruises also offer plenty of time to enjoy the ship.  

Built-in 2013, the Norwegian Breakaway is known for its dining and entertainment options, which includes 678 Ocean Place.

A central complex on Decks 6, 7 and 8, the area is the hub of the ship, featuring several dining options, a selection of bars and lounges, an 18,000 square foot casino, entertainment venues and retail outlets.

On its top decks, the 4,000-guest ship offers the Aqua Park, a complete waterpark with five full-size water slides. Another open-air feature is a three-story sports complex that includes the largest ropes course at sea, a nine-hole miniature golf course, basketball court, rock climbing wall and more.

After a drydock in 2018, the vessel debuted refreshed public areas and introduced a new bar and lounge concept to the fleet with Syd Norman’s Pour House.

Modelled after influential rock houses such as CBGB’s, The Rainbow and others, Syd Norman’s features a vintage look, diner-style seating, signature cocktails and a playlist of rock from the late 1960s to 1980s.

In 2020, during the operational pause, the Breakaway underwent another drydock, receiving additional updates. Work carried out included large bridge and stateroom refits, and the installation of scrubbers and new propellers.

After her Bermuda season, the Norwegian Breakaway is set to relaunch service from New Orleans. Following a 14-night repositioning voyage, the vessel arrives in the Big Easy on Nov. 21, starting a series of week-long Western Caribbean itineraries.

After a long operational pause, Norwegian Cruise Line resumed revenue services in July, with the Norwegian Jade. Based in Piraeus, the vessel launched a program of destination-intensive cruises in Greece.

In August, the brand expanded its restart to Alaska and the Caribbean with the Norwegian Encore sailing from Seattle and the Norwegian Gem resuming service from Miami.  

More recently, the Norwegian Epic and the Norwegian Getaway welcomed guests back in Europe, offering additional itinerary choices in the Mediterranean.

On October 24, a seventh Norwegian ship is set to resume service, as the Norwegian Bliss departs Los Angeles to start a series of Mexican Riviera cruises.