President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, Mr. Andy Stuart, is visiting Australia off the back of a period of huge announcements for the brand. Mr. Stuart’s visit coincides with recent announcements Norwegian Cruise Line has made around its itinerary enhancements for 2019/20, including an increased presence in the Asia Pacific region, and confirmation it has proceeded with orders for two additional Project Leonardo Class ships for delivery in 2026 and 2027.
“It has been a momentous year for Norwegian Cruise Line on the world stage, with the launch of Norwegian Bliss, followed by some of our most exciting new itinerary and ship build announcements to-date,” said Andy Stuart, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line.
“I am particularly excited that we have been able to further strengthen our presence in the Australia & New Zealand region with the soon-to-be refurbished Norwegian Jewel now confirmed for a third local sailing season in 2019/2020, as well as Norwegian Jade homeporting out of Singapore and Hong Kong next year,” he added.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Sydney homeported ship, Norwegian Jewel, has been a game-changer for the Australian cruising industry since her arrival in local waters last year. Norwegian Jewel has been a pioneer in the local market with her unique ‘freestyle’ cruising concept, world-class dining options, award-winning entertainment including Australia’s own Burn the Floor and new show Velvet, debuting in December. Norwegian Jewel will be back in Australia & New Zealand waters this November, fresh from a multi-million-dollar refurbishment in October and has been confirmed for a third sailing season in 2019/20 with cruises from Honolulu, Papeete, Sydney, Auckland, Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo (Yokohama). This further demonstrates the brand’s long-term focus and commitment to the Asia Pacific region.
Norwegian Jewel and Jade to Deploy to Australia and Asia
Building even further on Norwegian’s presence in the region, the 2,400 guest Norwegian Jade will offer a season of sailings throughout Southeast Asia departing from Singapore and Hong Kong in summer 2019/2020. Port of call highlights include high demand locations such as Phuket, Langkawi, Penang, Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My) and Ha Long Bay. In addition, Norwegian Jade will offer several unique itineraries through the Suez Canal and Indian Ocean featuring calls in Greece, Israel, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Maldives, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
The deployment of Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Jade to the region is aimed to take full advantage of the flourishing source market in Australia, which remains the world’s highest-penetrated cruise market and one of its most desirable destinations.
Itinerary Enhancements
Following the highly successful launch of Norwegian Bliss in June this year, 2019 itinerary highlights include Norwegian Joy joining her sister ship Norwegian Bliss sailing seasonally in Alaska during the North-American summer of 2019, as well as offering Mexican Riviera and Panama Canal voyages in 2019/2020. Norwegian Pearl will sail to Europe as the cruise line’s sixth ship in the region in the European summer of 2019, while Norwegian Spirit will sail seasonally in China beginning in the Chinese summer of 2020 – maintaining Norwegian Cruise Line’s commitment to the China cruise market.
New Ships Set to Sail
Norwegian Cruise Line recently confirmed newbuilds for its fifth and sixth Project Leonardo Class ships for delivery in 2026 and 2027. At 140,000 gross tonnes and accommodating approximately 3,300 guests, this next generation class of ships will build upon the highly successful offering of freedom and flexibility found across Norwegian’s fleet – including the most recent Breakaway Plus Class ships – and feature a host of inventive designs that will further elevate its already award-winning guest experience. A priority of the prototype design is energy efficiency, with the aim of optimising fuel consumption and reducing the impact on the environment.
The Company will also take delivery of its newest ship, Norwegian Encore, in the spring of 2019. The Line’s seventeenth ship, Norwegian Encore will cruise seasonally from Miami to the Eastern Caribbean, beginning at the end of 2019.
Mr Stuart will also deliver the keynote at this year’s CLIA Cruise360 event which takes place on August 31 at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney.
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