NCL announces Jade, Jewel and Gem for largest ever European deployment |
Pride of Hawai'i to be renamed Norwegian Jade and sail a mix of European itineraries |
London 17 April 2007… Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced today that it will base three of its newest Jewel-class ships in Europe beginning in March 2008 in response to increased consumer demand for European cruises. The company will re-flag Pride of Hawai`i into the Bahamas registry and rename her Norwegian Jade after a short wet dock in Honolulu in February 2008. Norwegian Jade will join her sister ships Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Jewel in Europe in 2008 offering NCL’s largest and most varied European deployment ever.
“The combination of our new and varied itineraries and the choice of three new sister ships, along with an extended season will make for an unforgettable NCL Freestyle Cruising holiday for guests who explore Europe with us in 2008,” said Francis Riley, General Manager of NCL UK. “For those in the UK, we created itineraries geared specifically to appeal to the local market and are offering them during June, July and August which are ideal times for family travel because of school holidays. In addition, we are introducing three mini-cruises to allow first-time cruisers to experience NCL Freestyle Cruising.”
Norwegian Jade will be the first to arrive in Europe at the end of March 2008, staying until the end of November. The ship will sail a unique mix of 12-, 13- and 14-night Eastern and Western Mediterranean cruises, beginning with a number of 12-night cruises departing from Barcelona, Istanbul and Athens (Piraeus) with a variety of ports including Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, and Venice, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Ephesus, Turkey; Mykonos, Santorini, Iraklion, Crete, Corfu and Katakolon, Greece; and Alexandria, Egypt.
Norwegian Jade will then reposition from her spring Mediterranean base to Southampton for a series of cruises to the Mediterranean, North Cape, Western Europe and British Isles.
In an NCL first, Norwegian Jade will offer several sailings out of the UK designed specifically for the British market, departing roundtrip from Southampton. These include a pair of two-night sampler cruises and four 14-night Western Mediterranean cruises roundtrip from Southampton with stops in Granada(Malaga), Spain; an overnight in Barcelona; Nice (Villefranche), France; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Gibraltar; Lisbon, Portugal; and Vigo, Spain.
Norwegian Jade’s 12-night North Cape itinerary roundtrip from Southampton will cruise the North Sea with several stops in Norway, cross the Arctic Circle and cruise by the Svartisen Glacier. The ship’s 13-night Around the British Isles and Northern Europe itinerary roundtrip from Southampton will visit France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Two 13-night Western Europe itineraries will depart from Southampton to Barcelona or Barcelona to Southampton and visit Nice (Villefranche), France; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, and Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy; Granada (Malaga), Spain; Gibraltar; Seville (Cadiz), Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; and Vigo, Spain.
Norwegian Gem, NCL’s newest ship, complete with bowling alley, arrives in Europe in early May after her winter season in New York and will sail seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises roundtrip from Barcelona until 9 November 2008. The Western Mediterranean itinerary includes stops in Valletta, Malta; Naples, Rome (Civitavecchia), and Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy; and Nice (Villefranche), France.
Returning for her third season in Europe in early May, Norwegian Jewel will replace Norwegian Dream, sailing a Baltic Capitals itinerary roundtrip from Dover until mid-September. The 12-night sailings will operate from 5 May to 23 August with stops in Copenhagen, Denmark; Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany; Tallinn, Estonia; two days in St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden. On 9 August, the ship will offer a two-night sampler cruise from Dover specifically designed for the UK market. A final 13-night sailing departing on 4 September will include a stop in Oslo, Norway.
Pride of Hawai`i becomes Norwegian Jade
Pride of Hawai`i will continue her seven-day roundtrip Honolulu cruises up until the 28 January 2008 cruise. The ship will enter wet dock on 6 February where she will receive modifications including the addition of a casino and new hull artwork. The ship will be re-named Norwegian Jade and will be showcased during inaugural events in both Los Angeles and Miami. After a series of repositioning cruises, the ship will arrive in Barcelona for her first 12-night cruise on 30 March 2008.
As a Jewel-class ship and a sister to Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade features all the attributes of ships purpose-built for NCL Freestyle Cruising. Norwegian Jade features a vast array of accommodation including the very popular Villa complex at the top of the ship. This “ship within a ship” complex features two luxurious Garden Villas with their own private gardens and sun decks, 10 Courtyard Villas sharing a private courtyard, pool and sundeck on deck 14, and a spectacular top-of-the-ship Owner's Suite. Here, guests can enjoy an exclusive private haven while still experiencing all the amenities, and Freestyle flexibility, of a big ship. The ship features multiple lively public rooms, 10 restaurants and dining rooms, NCL’s Bar Central area – the brand’s popular new entertainment concept first introduced on Norwegian Jewel – and impressive on-board amenities.- ENDS -
Editors Notes:
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NCL Corporation Ltd. is the holding company for various subsidiary companies involved in owning and operating the ships of Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America and Orient Lines.
NCL plans to build two new third generation Freestyle Cruising ships for delivery in 2010. NCL today has the youngest fleet in the industry, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea, and has recently added its latest new ship, the 2,400 passenger Norwegian Gem.
Issued by Flagship Consulting
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