Norwegian launches year-round cruises in Europe

[mercedes]

Norwegian Cruise Line says that for the first time in its 41-year history it will deploy a ship year-round in Europe.

In what is just the latest sign of the boom in Europe cruising, NCL says the 2,400 passenger Norwegian Jade will extend its inaugural season in Europe that begins on March 30 and was scheduled to end in November. The ship will now remain in Europe full time through at least the spring of 2010.

During the winter months, the ship will sail three new European itineraries, all round-trip from Barcelona: 12-day Eastern Mediterranean sailings; nine-day Canary Islands and Morocco sailings; and a 14-day Eastern Mediterranean holiday cruise in December.

NCL currently has three ships sailing in Europe on a seasonal basis from spring to fall.

“We’ve seen strong growth in Europe,” NCL president and CEO Colin Veitch said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “Norwegian Jade has been very well received in her first season, and our full three-ship fleet in Europe is doing so well that we are now confident in committing a ship year-round to this strongly growing market."

The new Jade sailings between November and April 9, 2009 go on sale March 3. The balance of the new deployment through to spring 2010 will be opened for sale shortly thereafter.

Norwegian Jade’s new 12-day Eastern Mediterranean cruise includes stops in Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Ephesus (Izmir), Turkey; an overnight in Alexandria, Egypt; and Valletta, Malta.

The nine-day Canary Islands and Morocco itinerary includes five ports of call: Casablanca and Agadir, Morocco; Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands; Funchal, Madeira; and Granada (Málaga), Spain.

The 14-night Eastern Mediterranean holiday sailing on December 21, 2008, will include stops in Rome (Civitavecchia) and Naples, Italy; an overnight in Alexandria, Egypt; Rhodes, Greece; Ephesus (Izmir), Turkey, Athens (Piraeus), Greece; and Valletta, Malta.

The announcement affects people booked on Norwegian Jade sailings this winter in the Caribbean, which are being canceled to accommodate the ship's redeployment. NCL says passengers can switch their reservation to comparable sailings on Norwegian Gem. Guests who make the change will receive a $100 on-board credit per person (maximum $200 per stateroom). NCL also will pay for air changes fees (up to $100 per person) or hotel cancellations fees (up to $50 per room) for guests who booked air or hotels on their own.

Passengers who choose to sail on a different NCL sailing (other than the one offered) will receive a $50 on-board credit per person (maximum $100 per stateroom) on another voyage. Passengers also can cancel outright for a full refund. NCL representatives are available at 877-474-2960 Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm eastern time to assist guests on affected sailings.

The Norwegian Jade, some of you may recall, sailed as the Pride of Hawaii until just a few weeks ago, when NCL pulled it from the Hawaiian islands and redeployed it to Europe.

[JoeyandDavid]

five will get you ten Apollo Management made that decision....

good for them

[Rat]

I wouldn't be surprise if other cruiselines follow suit. Hopefully the cruise prices will be much cheaper during the winter too!