Bigger and More Colorful Than Her Sisters, Here Comes Norwegian Aqua

Norwegian Aqua will be the first of the Prima Plus-class. 

Norwegian Aqua will have colorful hull art by Allison Hueman

The hull art is entitled "Where the Sky Meets the Sea"

Norwegian Aqua will be the first to have the Aqia Slidecoaster hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide

Renderings courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission. 

Next!

Fincantieri floated up Norwegian Viva in the dry dock at their Marghera yard today. The ship will now be towed to a finishing dock for completion and expected delivery in June 2023. 

 Photo courtesy of Fincantieri. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission.

First Peek at Norwegian Prima

Fincantieri has floated out Norwegian Prima at their Marghera shipyard near Venice. 

The 149,500-ton ship is the first of a six-ship order for a new class based on a prototype project developed by Fincantieri.  

Delivery is set for next year. 

Photos courtesy of Fincantieri. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission.

NCL Adds Silver Cove to GSC

Norwegian Cruise Line was the first to have a private island (Great Stirrup Cay). Then they were one of the first to embrace the ship-within-a-ship concept. Now they seem to be taking that concept one step further by having a private-island-within-a-private-island.

The line, this week, unveiled their new Silver Cove resort area of Great Stirrup Cay. In addition to an exclusive 1,500-foot beach, its main feature is 38 beachfront villas in addition to a Mandera spa, a new Moet Bar and the Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar.

The video below takes a look at the entire upgraded Great Stirrup Cay.

Planting the Norwegian Flag in Alaska

Princess and Holland America have both been closely identified with Alaska - and have become leaders in the market - because of their highly visible infrastructure investments there - ground tour operations, hotels and rail operations. Now Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which helped the market explode when the Norwegian Cruise Line brand pioneered the Seattle homeport with more easily accessible cruises (from the US) - is stepping up its infrastructure investments in the 49th state.

The difference is that NCLH's investments are less visible and giving it an advantage over its competitors in booking their ships into the ports.

The complete story appeared in the November 5 issue of Cruise News Daily. 

NCL Details Norwegian Sun Upgrade

Norwegian Cruise Line today detailed plans for a $100 million refurbishment of Norwegian Sun, the most extensive in the line's history. The bow-to-stern renovation will extend to all dining venues, staterooms, and public areas, adding many new features.

The work will take place during a 40-day dry dock in Marseille beginning January 2, 2020.

The complete story appeared in the October 28 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Norwegian Encore Down the River

Norwegian Encore has arrived at Eemshaven at the completion of its river conveyance from Meyer Werft in Papenburg. The ship is now ready for its sea trials in the North Sea.

The complete story appeared in the October 1 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Norwegian Encore Makes Its Debut at Meyer Werft

Norwegian Encore made its debut at the Meyer shipyard in Papenburg Saturday when it was floated out of their giant covered building dock.

   A float out at a shipyard is always a big event, but it's a bit more dramatic at Meyer Werft. At other yards it's a big deal because it's the first time the ship has ever touched water. Then a day later or so, the ship is actually floated (and towed) out. It's been built in full view of everyone. The big deal in the float out is basically symbolic.

   At Meyer, the ship and/or pieces of it have been floating for some time because of the way vessels and pieces of them have to be moved around in covered building dock. It's been somewhat visible in photos and on the webcam, but because of the close quarters, it's impossible to really see the whole ship. Where the drama comes in at the float out, it's usually the first time the public has seen the entire ship, and it's usually dramatic.

   In the case of Norwegian Encore, it's colorful. This time the line has gone with a bright geometric pattern for the hull art rather than the whimsical sea creatures in blues and greens of late. There are photos below.

The complete story appeared in the August 19 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Photos courtesy of Meyer Werft. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission. 

Other Things You'll Want to Know - June 12, 2019

CND subscribers also read about:

• A coming restaurant aboard Norwegian Encore
• A different type of medevac from Island Princess
• All about how Princess' new Medallion Net works

Other Things You'll Want to Know - June 10, 2019

CND subscribers also read about:

• A passenger going overboard from Norwegian Epic
• A protest that delayed Zuiderdam
• A behind-the-scenes-look at Royal Caribbean's new helium balloon ride.

Details appeared in the June 10 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Norwegian Getaway Completes Refurbishment

Norwegian Getaway has just returned to service after its extensive “Norwegian Edge” refurbishment, and European passengers are the first to experience it on the Scandinavia, Russia and Baltic itineraries.

The complete story appeared in the June 7 issue of Cruise News Daily. 

Norwegian Joy Reenters Service in Alaska

Norwegian Joy was originally built specifically for the Chinese market. When Norwegian Cruise Line decided to shrink their presence in China and move Norwegian Joy to the North American market, they invested $50 million in “Americanizing” it. The ship went to Singapore for three weeks and then crossed the Pacific for its first season in Alaska.

Norwegian Joy just completed its first seven-night cruise in Alaska to rave reviews, and it's now on its second.

Part of the reason for those rave reviews is that the ship's makeover was more than just changing the signage and menus from Chinese to English. Norwegian made major changes. For example, many Chinese passengers go on a cruise because they want to shop for foreign goods (especially luxury goods), but Americans, on the other hand, go on cruises for different dining experiences and to socialize, so space devoted to luxury shopping was converted to restaurants and bars. Likewise, you can say good-bye to the bumper cars because that space is now a teen club.

The complete story appeared in the May 14 issue of Cruise News Daily. 

Other Things You'll Want to Know - May 6, 2019

CND subscribers also read about:

• A fender bender in Vancouver that damaged Oosterdam and Nieuw Amsterdam
• Norwegian Cruise Line choosing 30 teacher-winners in their Teacher Appreciate contest
• A bookkeeper allegedly embezzles from Silversea

Details appeared in the May 6 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Back for a Second Season

Norwegian Sun is back at Port Canaveral beginning a second season of cruises to Cuba from the port. Beginning today they include four-, five- and seven-night cruises to Havana.

Details appeared in the April 15 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Other Things You'll Want to Know - April 8, 2019

CND subscribers also read about:

• Oasis of the Seas departing the Bahamas for Cadiz to be repaired
• Norwegian Cruise Line doubling the prizes for teachers in their Giving Joy teacher appreciation contest
• Royal Caribbean executives talking about the creation of Perfect Day at Coco Cay and giving a preview of the attraction which will open next month (video below).

Details appeared in the April 8 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Video courtesy of Royal Caribbean International.

A Most Excellent Training Center

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced plans to build a state-of-the-art crew training facility near Manila in the Philippines. The facility will be called the Norwegian Cruise Line Center for Excellence.

The innovative 200,000-foot building is built in the shape of a cruise ship. It will serve both new and existing crew members.

Details appeared in the March 21 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission. 

Look at the Sky Now

Norwegian Sky has returned to service following a three-week dry dock at the Grand Bahama Shipyard. The refurbishment was part of the Norwegian Edge program to elevate the onboard experience of the fleet to the same standards as the line's newest ships in the fleet.

Norwegian Sky's refurbishment included updating all restaurants and bars - and adding many new dining venues - and updating all staterooms.

The complete story appeared in the March 19 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

A sign of the times: The new Starbucks aboard Norwegian Sky

Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line. All rights reserved. 

If Only This Were Horseshoes

Norwegian Breakaway scored 84 points on its latest US Public Health inspection, which sounds good until you realize it takes a score of at least 86 to pass. The semiannual surprise inspection was conducted on March 10 at New Orleans during a turnaround between two seven-night cruises.

The ship consistently scores in the mid-to-upper 90's and only three times has it slid a point or two below 90.

The complete story appeared in the March 18 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

The Joy of Learning and a Free Cruise

You can show your appreciation to a teacher for Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6-10) by nominating her or him for Norwegian Cruise Line's Giving Joy campaign to reward educators.
 
"Travel is a powerful means of education," said Norwegian Cruise Line president Andy Stuart. "It brings people closer to each other and to diverse cultures around the world. It promotes awareness and understanding...it broadens perspectives. Through our Norwegian Cruise Line Giving Joy campaign, we celebrate the power of education and travel, and reward teachers who have taken responsibility for our future, our children, and who lean into that responsibility with all they've got."
 
From now through April 12 (2019), Norwegian is asking for nominations of certified or accredited teachers in the US and Canada who are inspiring joy in the classroom. The 15 teachers with the most votes will win a seven-day cruise for two. They will also be provided airfare and accommodations for an award ceremony taking place in Seattle on May 3, where they will have the chance to win $15,000 for their school. So get your whole class or school in on the voting.
 
To nominate a favorite teacher, to vote and for terms and conditions, please visit nclgivingjoy.com.

This article appeared in the March 12 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Other Things You'll Want to Know - March 4, 2019

CND subscribers also read about:

• Winter weather in the Northeast creating some scary moments for passengers aboard Norwegian Escape on Saturday night
• Say good-bye to Carnival Triumph 
• Princess sets specific dates Medallion Net will be available on next ships to get their faster internet
• Fincantieri says Viking has finalized the order for two ships which will be delivered in 2024 and 2045.
• Costa Venezia was named in Trieste on Friday, and part of the show was a flyover by the Italian Air Force's precision flight team, Frecce Tricolori. (photo below)

Details appeared in the March 4 issue of Cruise News Daily. 

Photo courtesy of Costa Crociere. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.