Norwegian Jade From Athens
After 500 days on hold, Norwegian Jade became the first ship in the fleet to restart operations. She departed the port in Athens, Greece, on July 25, and the new cruise offerings include calls to Mykonos, Rhodes, and Santorini. The cruises will continue until November 2021.
Norwegian Jade is sailing with fully vaccinated guests and crew as part of the SailSAFE health and safety program. The ship is 93,558 gross tons with a guest capacity of 2,402 at double occupancy and 1,037 international crew members.
- Resumed Cruises:;July 25, 2021
- Homeport:;Athens, Greece
- First Cruise Back:;7-Day Mediterranean Cruise
Norwegian Gem From Miami
Norwegian Gem became the third ship in the fleet to resume cruise operations and the first to relaunch sailings out of the cruise capital of the world, PortMiami in Florida.
The ship departed Miami on Sunday, August 15 on a seven-night Caribbean cruise including calls at Roatan in Honduras, Cozumel, and Costa Maya in Mexico along with a return to NCLs private island of Harvest Caye in Belize.
Norwegian Gem will continue to offer week-long Caribbean and four-day Bahamas cruises through October 17, 2021. The vessel will then shift to sail five to 100-night itineraries to the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Bermuda out of New York.
- Resumed Cruises:;August 15, 2021
- Homeport:;Miami, Florida
- First Cruise Back:;7-Day Caribbean Cruise
Norwegian Cruise Line Ships By Age Newest To Oldest
The below list details each NCL Ships By Age, when it was launched. Additionally if the ship has been refurbished we have included the year.
- Norwegian Prima, Coming 2022
- Norwegian Joy, 2017, Refurbished 2019
- Norwegian Escape, 2015
- Norwegian Getaway, 2014, Refurbished 2019
- Norwegian Breakaway, 2013, Refurbished 2018
- Norwegian Epic, 2010, Refurbished 2020
- Norwegian Gem, 2007, Refurbished 2015
- Norwegian Jade, 2006, Refurbished 2017
- Norwegian Pearl, 2006, Refurbished 2017
- Pride of America, 2005, Refurbished 2016
- Norwegian Jewel, 2005, Refurbished 2018
- Norwegian Dawn, 2002, Refurbished 2016
- Norwegian Sun, 2001, Refurbished 2018
- Norwegian Star, 2001, Refurbished 2018
- Norwegian Sky, 1999, Refurbished 2019
- Norwegian Spirit, 1998, Refurbished 2020
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New Norwegian Prima Cruise Ship Boasts Smaller Size More Luxury More Outdoor Space
May 11, 2021
— Norwegian Prima, the newest cruise ship from Norwegian Cruise Line coming in summer 2022, represents a departure for the company, with a new overall design, a bigger and better luxury section, new restaurants and outdoor spaces closer to the water.
The 3,215-passenger ship, which will be the first in the line’s six-ship Prima Class, is significantly smaller than the Breakaway and Breakaway-Plus ships that preceded it, by at least 1,000 passengers. That’s on purpose, Norwegian Cruise Line President Harry Sommer said.
“We were going to start with a clean sheet of paper,” he said in an exclusive interview with Cruise Critic. “This wasn’t just taking a Breakaway and Breakaway-Plus class ship and making some tweaks. Instead, we took the plans, put them all aside and really started from what we called a ‘green-field approach.’ What would an innovative excellent guest experience look like on a new class of ship?”
The ship and its class are also the first to be designed under the current corporate chair, Frank Del Rio. “He was involved in everything that’s guest space,” Sommer said. “Design and beauty are incredibly important to him.”
Other Norwegian Cruises To Try
If theres the best and the second-best Norwegian cruise ship, there are also three tiebreakers who made it to our top 3 list: Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Pearl, and Norwegian Gem.
We made a quick table for you to compare the next Norwegian cruise you might want to hop on and experience.
| Norwegian Bliss |
|---|
- Alaska
- Northern Europe;
A few days or so on a Norwegian cruise ship is going to make your whole vacation memorably enjoyable.;
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Which Ncl Ships Are Next
Heres when each of the next Norwegian cruise ships will restart operations. It is important to always check with the cruise line as dates could change due to the fluid situation.
- Norwegian Breakaway from New York: September 26, 2021
- Norwegian Bliss from Los Angeles, California: October 24, 2021
- Norwegian Escape from Port Canaveral, Florida: November 13, 2021
Feel free to discuss this topic and all things cruise at our new boards. A place where readers can ask questions, help their fellow cruisers and general cruise discussions on cruise lines and ports.
Norwegian Cruise Ship Sets Sail For First Time In 500 Days
MIAMI Cruise ships are officially back despite the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases, and despite the growing concern over the new variants.
On Monday, Norwegian Cruise Lines Norwegian Jade set sail from Athens, Greece, making it the first ship in the companys fleet to relaunch since cruises halted in March of 2020 because of the pandemic.
This voyage set sail with a fully vaccinated population onboard, in addition to other health protocols, including universal COVID-19 testing immediately prior to boarding.
The company says it now has a 100% vaccination policy for all voyages across its three brands to protect its guests, crew, and the communities visited. This program is being called the SailSAFE health and safety program.
The company also announced its phased relaunch plans for all 28 ships across its three brands, which will continue until April 2022.
The first cruise ship to begin sailing in the United States is scheduled for Aug. 7 aboard Norwegian Encore, which will sail from Seattle to Alaska.
All initial voyages will operate with their SailSAFE health and safety protocols and will be evaluated and modified with the latest science and technology.
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Ncls Newest Ship Norwegian Prima To Set Sail Summer 2022
NCL’s newest ship, Norwegian Prima
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line will begin taking bookings today for its newest ship, Norwegian Prima, the first ship in its new Prima Class.;This exciting next-generation ship is NCLs first major redesign in nearly ten years. Prima, which means first in Italian, is scheduled toset sail in summer 2022.;
In an ambitious six-ship rollout, five additional ships in the same class are planned for launch, one each successive year through 2027. NCL just released details describing some of the enhancements guests can expect in terms of ship design, service and itineraries.
Creation Of Outdoor Living Areas
Rendering of Ocean Boulevard
Norwegian Cruise Line
Although the ship was in the making for some time prior to the pandemic, one striking design element is the innovative use of exterior deck space, which will encourage guests to spend more time outdoors and come closer to the sea. The new class significantly increases the amount of deck space, outdoor walkways and open-air experiences available to guests.;;;
- Ocean Boulevard, a 44,000-square-foot reimagined outdoor living concept located on Deck 8, will allow passengers to walk around the entire perimeter without obstruction. Two Oceanwalk glass bridges will offer a surreal feeling of walking on water.
- The Concourse, an immersive, Instagram-worthy outdoor sculpture garden, will feature six dramatic installations designed by sculptor Alexander Krivosheiw.
Rendering of a Krivosheiw sculpture on The Concourse
Norwegian Cruise Line
- Infinity Beach will offer opportunities to relax at either of two infinity pools located on each side of the ship that are close to the ocean surface.
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New Cruise Ships On Order
Editor’s note: — The coronavirus pandemic led to the closure and significant scaling back of work at all the major European shipyards, with knock-on delays to refurbishments and new-builds. We have noted the new launch dates for the new-builds , and have moved vessels around on this list accordingly, but all dates are subject to change. For more information about COVID-19, read our regularly updated article: Coronavirus: What Cruisers Need to Know.
There’s nothing we love more than learning about new cruise ships. The process, from design to keel laying to launch, generally takes two to three years. It gets us excited to see what’s coming and who’s innovating. We keep track of the larger cruise ships under construction in our story below. If you are interested in expedition ships under construction, check out our New Expedition and Adventure Cruise Ships on Order, and if the luxury market piques your interest, you can see all of those under construction in our New Luxury Cruise Ships on Order article.
Want to learn more about what it takes to make an older ship feel like new? Peruse our comprehensive list of cruise ship refurbishments for information about upcoming overhauls.
Norwegian Cruise Ship With The Largest Racetrack At Sea To Set Sail In 2023
By MI News Network | In: Shipping News | Last Updated on September 24, 2021
A brand new Norwegian Cruise ship promises high-speed thrill and has the largest racetrack on the ocean and other jaw-dropping features that will set sail from Galveston around late 2023. Norwegian Prima is currently one of the cruise lines most in-demand ships. Its biggest showstopper is the Prima Speedway, the first-ever and largest three-level go-kart racetrack.
Image Credits: Norwegian Cruise Line
The track stretches for about 420 meters, featuring 14 sharp turns. It can easily accommodate 15 racers at the same time. A significant section of this track offers open-ocean views.
Prima claims to host the first three-story cruise-ship theatre in the world that can be transformed into a nightclub. It also adds that the nightclub is Vegas-style with a gorgeous and expansive dance floor.
Worlds first freefall dry slide, The Drop. The towering 10-story plunge will have guests experiencing the highest G-force of any comparable experience in the cruise industry | Image Credits: Norwegian Cruise Line
Besides a large musical performance, the theatre is awaiting to host interactive reality game shows like The Price is Right.
Other amenities worth mentioning are its indoor virtual gaming zone named The Galaxy Pavilion. It boasts 14 attractions, including the Topgolf Swing Suite and two escape rooms an immersive golf simulator at the sea.
Ocean Boulevard
Reference:;cnn.com
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Norwegian Prima: New Cruise Ship To Feature Worlds First Free
Cruise fans in search of high-speed thrills have something to look forward to now that Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed the jaw-dropping amenities on board its latest ship, the Norwegian Prima.
The track stretches 1,378 feet and features 14 sharp turns. It can accommodate 15 racers simultaneously, with a section of the track offering open ocean views.
A rendering of the three-story Norwegian Prima racetrack.
From Norwegian Cruise Line
The go-karts can hit speeds of up to 30 miles-per-hour, or 50 kilometers-per-hour.
It is the cruise lines most ambitious racecourse to date, but it isnt the first one.
Norwegian installed the worlds first cruise go-karts track on the Norwegian Joy , followed by its Bliss and Encore ships.
Ncl Cruise Ship Lifeguards
In April 2017, NCL Norwegian Cruise Line announced the company will employ certified lifeguards on some of its vessels and fleetwide . The news made NCL, the 3rd major cruise company with lifeguards onboard its ships – following Disney and Royal Caribbean.
- The onboard lifeguards are stationed only at the family pools during scheduled swimming pool hours. This staff will be “American Red Cross” trained and certified.
- NCL will also offer complimentary swim vests for both adults and kids. Parents can obtain safety vests at the Lido Deck’s towel station during daytime hours.
- The first NCL ships with lifeguards will be Norwegian Epic , Norwegian Escape , Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway .
- NCL started testing monitoring through CCTV cameras at family pools since 2015. So adding full-time lifeguards was a decision for more safety on pool decks. However, it should be known that lifeguards don’t replace parental supervision and that parents remain the best form for preventing onboard accidents.
- Disney Cruise Line employs certified lifeguards since 2013. RCI Royal Caribbean employs cruise ship lifeguards since February 2017 . RCI’s onboard lifeguards are dressed in special uniforms and stationed at every onboard swimming pool, including the Solarium during the complex’ opening hours.
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How Much Does A Norwegian Cruise Cost
While Norwegian cruises are less expensive compared to other cruises like the Disney cruise, youd be spending as little as $179 or as much as $2,820. The price will still depend on how long your trip will be and the kind of accommodations you choose upon booking. Studio staterooms will also be far cheaper than the more exclusive suites like;The Haven.
Norwegian Joy, for example, allows you to enjoy a 5-night cruise to the Pacific for as low as $223 if you book interior accommodations. A suite is a little more expensive at $384. The price can still change, given that some activities onboard require a fee, and some specialty restaurants require separate payments.
As a rule of thumb, Caribbean;cruises, no matter the cruise line running them, are much cheaper to book between September to early January. The months April and May are also times when youre likely to strike a deal and chop off a bit from your cruise cost.
If you want to save, just enjoy the free activities included in your booking and avoid a lot of cruise shopping, which can be quite expensive.
What To Expect From Ncl: Onboard Activities
For guests tired of taking it easy and ready to experience all the unique onboard activities NCL has to offer, the lines innovative ships offer a wide range for guests to enjoy from thrill-seeking to relaxation, theres something for everyone onboard an NCL cruise. Guests can cruise with the utmost confidence thanks to increased health and safety measures onboard. And with every single entertainment option open for travellers, theres plenty to choose from. The 18-month pause in operations has meant the NCL team has been working tirelessly to improve the guest experience, offering unrivalled onboard activities that are back and certainly bigger than ever.
For Speed Demons and Thrill Seekers
NCLs racetracks at sea offer an authentic racing experience for speed demons, and boy racers complete with engine sounds piped in through speakers located in the drivers helmets as they reach up to 30 miles per hour. Norwegian Encore, NCLs 2019 debut, features the longest racetrack at sea and the worlds first-ever two-story track with turns that are off the side of the ship!
Fun for the Whole Family
For the Big Kids
EMBARK with NCL
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Ncl Cruise Cabin Upgrades
In February 2017, NCL started a new cruise cabin upgrade program that allows already booked passengers to bid for upgrades to higher-category staterooms.
- The new “Norwegian Upgrade Advantage” program was tested and approved by a group of top travel agencies. The entire system is automated and don’t require travel agent intervention and pays commissions on the enhanced fare.
- NCL’s senior sales VP Camille Olivere commented: “After final payment guests can bid on an upgrade and there’s a little dial that will show them in red, yellow or green the likelihood their bid is going to be accepted. When NCL offers the cabin upgrade to the guest we email the travel agency of record, so they see the guest has been offered the ability to upgrade, and if the bid is accepted we notify the agency. The agency has to do absolutely nothing”.
- Once the passengers’ bids are accepted, they are assigned to an available higher-level stateroom – interior to oceanview, oceanview to balcony, balcony to a suite or to The Haven accommodation. However, they can’t choose the exact stateroom to which they are assigned.
Its A Big Cruise Ship
With a;passenger;capacity of 3,804, not to mention its 1,821 crew members on board, the Norwegian Joy is like a little community of travelers with just enough people to make a large neighborhood.
The Norwegian Joy was constructed in 2017 and got its first makeover in 2019. Then it was redeployed to cruise Alaska in the same year.
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Norwegian Cruise Ships Currently Sailing
Cruises are restarting, and even though Norwegian Cruise Line is behind other major cruise lines, well start seeing more ships in the fleet sailing once again with passengers on board. So far, a total of five cruise ships have restarted sailings, with two in the U.S. and three in Europe. So lets take a look at which ships have resumed operations so far.
New Norwegian Encore Cruise Ship Sets Sail As Norwegian Cruise Line Welcomes New Leader
As 2019 nears its end, Norwegian Cruise Line is beaming in the glow of cruise industry success plus new organizational changes, which are aimed at keeping the positive momentum full speed ahead.;;
Andy Stuart, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line is stepping down at the end of this year. His departure comes as the cruise lines newest mega-ship, Norwegian Encore, begins its inaugural season from Miami.
Stuarts successor is Harry Sommer, current president, International for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. Stuart will step down from his role on Dec. 31 and remain with the cruise company as senior advisor through March 31, 2020, to ensure a smooth transition.
Stuart joined Norwegian in 1988 and was instrumental in the introduction of Norwegians freestyle cruising concept that offered cruisers the choice of where and when to dine; shifting the cruise industry standard of set dining times and locations.
I am honored to have played a role in the leadership position Norwegian now holds in this incredible industry and continue to be proud of the commitment, dedication and passion of our team for delivering a best-in-class vacation experience, Stuart said in a statement.
Sommer currently is responsible for all sales, marketing, public relations and office operations for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises in all markets outside of the United States and Canada.;
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