MARITIME HISTORY

Ships destined for the recycle yard rescued at the last moment including Pacific Dawn this week acquired by Ambassador Cruises.  

CRUISE NEWS

• CLIA – Ready, Set, Sail Campaign
  • Support the return of local cruising in Australia. CLIA is calling on the Australian government to finalise a phased and carefully controlled resumption of domestic cruising.
  • Click now! TAKE ACTION https://bit.ly/3eQoXMa
• Sea trial completed for hospital ship Global Mercy – Mercy Ships
  • Stena RoRo is leading the project for the construction of the Global Mercy™, the world’s largest civilian hospital ship. After several years of construction at the Tianjin Xingang shipyard in northern China, the final test, the official sea trial, has now been completed with good results. The shipyard will present the ship for delivery this summer and the vessel will then sail to Antwerp in Belgium on its maiden voyage, where some members of the crew will board and the medical equipment supplemented. This will be followed by a visit to Rotterdam, and after this the Global Mercy™ will be ready for its first important mission in West Africa.
  • Stena RoRo is building the Global Mercy on behalf of the international charity organization Mercy Ships, which provides free life-changing healthcare to people in some of the world’s poorest countries. The project began in 2013 and Stena RoRo is responsible for design, contracting and execution. The construction project is unique in its kind and places major and specific demands on both design and layout, dependent on the special needs that hospital operations entail. On board are operating theatres and hospital wards, and everything needed for both patients and those working on board, including schools and preschools for the children of the volunteers. Sea trialThe sea trial, which the Global Mercy has just completed, means that the ship’s systems and functions – such as engine performance and fuel consumption, navigation and radio equipment, maneuverability and safety systems – are tested for several days at sea.
  • The Global Mercy will have six operating theatres, 200 hospital beds, a laboratory, a patient clinic and an eye and dental clinic. In total, she will be able to accommodate 950 people, of which 641 are crew.
  • This summer the Global Mercy will be delivered from the shipyard. The maiden voyage will be to Antwerp in Belgium where some members of the crew will board and the last medical equipment installed, which will take a few months. After that, there will be two weeks in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where festivities will be held in presenting the ship to sponsors, potential volunteers and other interested parties.
  • Big difference for many people
  • The first mission will be during 2022, when the Global Mercy is expected to call at Dakar in Senegal. There will then be more than six hundred volunteers aboard from all over the world and from a variety of professional categories, who will make it all possible through their contributions of skills and time.
  • More than 93 percent of the population in sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to safe surgical care *. The already very fragile medical care systems are at risk of being further degraded by the corona pandemic, and the need for basic but vital care is greater than ever in many poor countries. The Global Mercy will make a big difference for many people in southern and western Africa.
  • Mercy Ships: https://bit.ly/33JfiAm
• Carnival Cruise Line Provides Update on Possible Restart Plan from Select U.S. Homeport
  • Carnival Cruise Line today notified its guests and travel advisor partners of cancellations for additional sailings as it works toward plans for a possible July restart in the U.S. on select ships.
  • Carnival hopes to begin operating sailings on three ships from Florida and Texas, including Carnival Vista and Carnival Breeze from Galveston, and Carnival Horizon from Miami.  Further, if Carnival can find a solution to allow cruise ships to visit Alaska, Carnival Miracle will assume some of Carnival Freedom’s departures from Seattle. Given that there is still some uncertainty in our ability to operate these cruises, guests booked on those sailings who wish to make alternate summer vacation plans may cancel without penalty by May 31, 2021 and receive a full refund.
  • The company is cancelling sailings on all other ships through July 30, 2021.  Guests whose cruises are cancelled are eligible for a future cruise credit (FCC) and onboard credit (OBC) or a full refund.
• Dream Cruises rolls out COVID vaccination for over 700 crew on Explorer Dream in Taiwan
  • The first cruise ship to resume sailing in Asia in the post-pandemic era, Dream Cruises’ Explorer Dream has been operating in Taiwan since July 2020, with over 80 successful voyages of “Discover Taiwan” and Island-Hopping cruises completed to date. Travel enthusiasts of Taiwan have since been introduced to the well-received concept of Super Seacation, where staycations at sea are redefined with immersive programs such as the Around the World and Bohemian Voyage theme cruises.
  • With the one-year anniversary of Explorer Dream’s resumption approaching, Dream Cruises continues to lead the way to a new norm of safe cruising as it announced today that all crew members of Explorer Dream and office staff in the Taiwan office will be eligible to receive the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, making Dream Cruises the first cruise company to implement such a comprehensive vaccination program in Asia
• MSC reimagines dining oboard MSC Seashore
  • MSC Cruises has announced further details of the new dining experience on board the Company’s upcoming flagship, MSC Seashore, set to come into service on 31 July, 2021. With 18 bars and lounges, including 12 indoor and six outdoor venues, five specialty restaurants and four main dining restaurants – a gastronomic adventure with globally inspired menus awaits guests. Whether guests prefer, casual or more formal dining, looking for a steakhouse, fresh seafood, Mediterranean cuisine or sushi, each restaurant and bar experience will please even the most discerning palates.
  • REDESIGNED CHEF’S COURT FULL OF INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANTS
  • MSC Seashore will also introduce a new location for the Chef’s Court, where guests will find the five specialty restaurants, in their new location on Deck 8 making this a real go-to destination for eating and drinking.
  • With new and returning favourites, each venue serves up its own mouth-watering menu of international flavours, offering unforgettable gourmet adventures in elegant surroundings. MSC Cruises’ signature steakhouse, Butcher’s Cut, will offer alfresco dining on the iconic waterfront promenade.
  • The five specialty restaurants include:
    • HOLA! Tacos & Cantina – For the first time on board the Seaside generation and for only the second time in the fleet, MSC Seashore will feature the Latin American and Mexican-inspired, family style restaurant, where guests can enjoy a number of street food specialties and choose from an extensive list of tequilas and mescals, all combined in a fun, interactive setting.
    • Butcher’s Cut with NEW alfresco dining area This iconic American-style steak house serves select Linz heritage angus beef, paired with their favourite New World wines or cocktails. The new alfresco dining area allows guests the full MSC Seashore experience, with fresh air and sea views.
    • Kaito Sushi Bar with NEW conveyor belt – For the first time in the fleet, the hugely popular Kaito sushi bar will include a conveyor belt for guests to select at will among the freshest sushi, sashimi, tempura and more! This popular venue offers deliciously authentic Asian cuisine prepared in front of guests with only the highest quality ingredients.
    • Kaito Teppanyaki – An interactive and engaging experience, guests will delight in the tastes and spectacle of this venue, with eight grills, and increased seating to accommodate further guests into this enjoyable dining experience. The expert chefs cook with flair on an open grill: a feast for the senses that sees flames and the finest sizzling ingredients coming together to form delicious dishes. This will be the largest teppanyaki restaurant on any MSC Cruises ship.
    • Ocean Cay – This signature seafood restaurant will serve a mouth-watering menu of fine fish dishes and other recipes, made with the freshest ingredients and complemented by a wonderful wine list: these are the magic ingredients of this luxury fish restaurant.
• AIDA Cruises Celebrates Opening of Europe’s Largest Shore Power Plant in Germany
  • AIDA Cruises, a part of Carnival Corporation, announced that Europe’s largest shore power plant was officially inaugurated with one of its ships, AIDAsol, in the presence of Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig and AIDA Cruises President Felix Eichhorn during the 12th German National Maritime Conference.
  • Establishing a shore power supply for cruise ships in Rostock-Warnemünde, Germany, is the result of a joint agreement between AIDA Cruises, the state government of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the Hanseatic and University City of Rostock and Rostock Port signed in September 2018.
  • The shore power plant, which was completed in summer 2020, is currently the largest in Europe. With an output of up to 20 megavolt amperes (MVA), two cruise ships can be supplied with electricity at the same time in Warnemünde at berths P7 and P8. In regular passenger operation AIDAsol needs up to 4.5 megawatts per hour (MWh) of electricity.
  • The use of shore power to supply ships with energy is a decisive step for AIDA Cruises to reduce local emissions to zero during berthing over time, as a cruise ship typically stays in port around 40% of its operating time.
• Holland America Line’s New Rotterdam Successfully Sails Through Sea Trials in Italy
  • It was smooth seas and fair winds for Holland America Line’s newest ship, Rotterdam, which returned in the evening of May 6 to Fincantieri’s Marghera (Venice) shipyard in Italy, after successfully completing two sets of sea trials off the country’s Adriatic coast.
  • Rotterdam left Marghera April 25 and performed the preliminary sea trials over two days before going into dry dock at Fincantieri’s Trieste shipyard where standard pre-delivery hull maintenance and painting were performed. The ship started its official sea trials on May 3, returning to Marghera May 6, where the final steps in the construction process will be completed. Rotterdam is scheduled for delivery July 30.
  • About Rotterdam
    • The third vessel in the Pinnacle Class series, Rotterdam will carry 2,668 guests and feature highly successful amenities and innovations introduced with her sister ships, including the 270-degree surround-screen World Stage, Rudi’s Sel de Mer restaurant and the popular Grand Dutch Café. Delivering the best entertainment at sea, Rotterdam celebrates live music with an exclusive collection of world-class performances each night.
    • Throughout the ship, Rotterdam will showcase Holland America Line hallmarks that drive one of the highest guest repeat rates in the industry: exquisite cuisine guided by eight of the world’s leading chefs; gracious, award-winning service; and superbly appointed staterooms and suites, including family and single accommodations.
    • Rotterdam is the seventh ship to bear the name for Holland America Line and the 17th ship constructed for the brand by Italian shipyard Fincantieri.
• Crystal River Cruises announce 2023 deployment
  • Crystal River Cruises announces the full 2023 deployment of its award-winning fleet, featuring 190 individual voyages exploring the majestic Danube, Rhine, and Moselle rivers along with the charming waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium. The 2023 season offers travelers a greater variety of sailing length options than ever before, with new shorter five-night escapes as well as longer 14- to 17-night combination voyages that pair classic itineraries for immersive journeys. The line’s perennially popular seven-night cruises return offering travelers 150 cruise options including the best-loved Danube and Rhine itineraries, as well as sailings featuring springtime among the tulips, and the treasures of Southeast Europe. A collection of 10-night journeys of the Rhine and Moselle river valleys, cruises to Europe’s festive Christmas markets, and special holiday sailings featuring New Year’s Eve celebrations in Vienna, Budapest and Amsterdam, round out a wealth of choices to experience Europe’s number one river cruise line. Reservations open May 18, 2021.
  • Crystal River Cruises’ elegant fleet offers guests an intimate experience befitting the World’s Most Luxurious River Cruise Line aboard four all-suite, all-butler, all-balcony Rhine Class ships – Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Ravel, as well as the timeless grandeur and elegance of Crystal Mozart, the most spacious river ship sailing the Danube.
  • Together, the Crystal River Cruises fleet comprises the most spacious and luxurious ships sailing Europe’s rivers with generously sized guest suites, expansive social spaces, open-air Vista Decks and the highest crew to guest ratio at 1 to 1.55. Crystal Mozart sets the standard for space and is the only river ship to feature a wrap-around Promenade Deck, the largest onboard spa, two onboard fitness centers, four restaurants and four lounges.
  • Crystal’s four Rhine Class ships accommodate just 106 guests with an intentional focus on maximizing personal and public spaces throughout their 135-meter hulls (a size typically designed to accommodate twice the number of guests). The ships are the industry’s first and only all-balcony, all-suite, butler-serviced vessels in Europe, with every category of accommodation positioned above the waterline. All suites feature Panoramic Balcony-Windows™ and walk-in closets and dual vanity bathrooms are featured in most categories.
  • Reservations open 18 May 2021
• OceaniaNEXT elevated Dining across the fleet
  • Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, has announced the first in a series of inspired new product enhancements rolling out across its luxury fleet as part of its OceaniaNEXT program. With elevated dining experiences and service levels for guests, the Oceania Cruises experience will be better than ever from the first sailing on board Marina when the line resumes operations in August. OceaniaNEXT enhancements will debut aboard Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, Riviera, and Sirena as each vessel returns to sailing.
  • During the pause in sailing, the Oceania Cruises team has continued to invest in creative ways to evolve the onboard experience and to inspire its guests with a sweeping array of dramatic enhancements to the brand’s already renowned Finest Cuisine at Sea® and acclaimed service. Whether guests are in the mood for an elaborate dinner at Toscana, or prefer to indulge in the line’s exclusive Dom Pérignon Experience, or crave the casual comfort of tacos or fresh poke bowls, every meal on board is given the same thought, care and creativity to ensure it is as mouth-watering as it is memorable. This is just the first of many inspirational new OceaniaNEXT enhancements to be revealed over the coming months
  • The Grand Dining Room Boasts New Entrées, Main Courses & Diverse Sunday Brunch
  • In The Grand Dining Room, more than two dozen inventive new dishes have made their way onto the dinner menu. New entrées include caramelised duck foie gras accompanied by apricot infused with Loire Valley wine, and mozzarella fior di latte panna cotta with aubergines stiletto and fried focaccia. Meanwhile, main courses range from the deliciously tantalising French monkfish with saffron-tomato-cognac-cream sauce and wild rice, to the hearty veal piccata with sweet and sour lemon sauce, glazed pearl onions and Parisian potatoes.
  • Other highlights from the updated menu include:
    • Porcini mushroom risotto
    • Crispy Mediterranean vegetable tart with balsamic onion compote
    • Braised black cod, seafood emulsion, stuffed calamari and green pea purée
    • Grilled prime rib with bone marrow and rustic vegetable casserole
    • Carnaroli truffled risotto with smoked ricotta
    • Florida lobster tail with Rémy Martin cognac sauce and rice pilaf
    • Sunday Brunch is an elegant yet relaxed affair in The Grand Dining Room, and the new menu has been thoughtfully crafted to include a more diverse selection of international dishes as well as a wider range of healthy options. Highlights include a new Asian Noodle Bar, a gourmet Taco Corner, a prepared-to-order Pasta Station, a healthy Smoothie Bar and a Salad Bar with an extensive selection of starches, proteins, greens and raw and cooked vegetables for guests to create their own custom salad combination.
  • Toscana Dinner Menu Features 21 New Dishes
  • Refined and romantic with a uniquely modern Italian flair, Toscana specialises in the rich and rustic regional flavours for which Italy is famous. Presented on elegant, custom-designed Versace china, masterfully prepared dishes exemplify the essence of Tuscany and celebrate Italy’s culinary passion. As part of OceaniaNEXT, the line has reimagined Toscana’s menu with 21 delectable new dishes including:
    • Sformatino di Peperoni – roasted bell pepper flan, creamy Parmesan sauce
    • Zuppa Fagioli – white bean soup with sausage and pasta
    • Tagliolini Carbonara – tagliolini, pancetta, egg yolk-Parmesan sauce
    • Agnello Arrosto – stuffed roasted lamb loin with spicy soppressata sausage
    • Il Tiramisú ai Frutti di Bosco – red berry tiramisú with mascarpone cream
    • Tortino di Cioccolata – molten chocolate fondant with Sicilian blood orange sauce
  • Greater Choice and Diversity in The Terrace Café and Waves Grill
  • The ever-popular Terrace Café has also expanded its lunch offering to include locally sourced fish, sausages and marinated meats, including regional specialties from the ports and destinations visited. For more laidback fare, Waves Grill has added a fresh, prepared-to-order poke bowl station inspired by flavours from around the world including Japan, India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, North Africa, France, the United States, and Mexico.
  • New Evening Canapé Choices and Elevated Service Levels
  • Canapés served in the lounges and bars after a day of exploring are a much-loved tradition on board Oceania Cruises. The experience now features a wider variety of selections, echoing the gourmet inspiration of the new dishes offered in The Grand Dining Room. The selections will also be presented individually to each table as part of the line’s enhanced health and safety measures. Guests in Penthouse, Oceania, Vista, and Owner’s Suites may choose from a canapé selection now including the addition of plant-based California rolls, a Mezze Platter and a Taco Trilogy.
• Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils Much-Anticipated Norwegian Prima
  • First of Six Vessels in New Groundbreaking Class Officially Opens for Sale with Sensational Itineraries Sailing Northern Europe, The UK, The Caribbean and Bermuda
  • Industry’s Most Spacious New Cruise Ship Offering the Most Outdoor Deck Space and the Most Expansive Accommodation of Any New Build –
  • Cutting-Edge Ship Launches Multiple NCL Firsts with Indulge Food Hall, Infinity Beach, Oceanwalk and The Concourse
  • Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel with a 54-year history of breaking boundaries, has opened for sale the first of six ships within its highly anticipated next class of vessels, Prima Class, the Brand’s first new class of ships in nearly 10 years.
  • With voyages beginning in the northern hemisphere summer of 2022, Norwegian Prima, the first of the six ships, will be 294.1 metres long, 142,500 gross tons and able to accommodate 3,215 guests at double occupancy. The vessel will be a game-changer for NCL, offering guests exciting itineraries, more wide-open spaces, thoughtful and stunning design, a variety of new experiences as well as NCL’s exceptional service.
  • The show-stopping vessel built in Marghera, Italy by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri features striking hull artwork designed by Italian graffiti artist Manuel Di Rita, known commonly as “Peeta.” For the first time on any NCL vessel, the captivating hull art extends to the forward superstructure of the ship. World-class architects that helped design Norwegian Prima include Italian designer Piero Lissoni and powerhouse architectural firms Rockwell Group, SMC Design, Tillberg Design of Sweden, YSA DESIGN and Miami-based Studio Dado who conceptualised and composed the aesthetic of various restaurants, staterooms and public areas on board.
  • “The name ‘Prima,’ which means “first” in Italian, is a natural fit that ties into our legacy of firsts in the industry and a fitting tribute to our new Italian shipbuilding partners at Fincantieri,” added Sommer
  • Wide-Open Spaces and Elevated Experiences That Go Beyond Expectation
  • Norwegian Prima will offer the highest staffing levels and space ratio of any new cruise ship in the contemporary and premium cruise category, delivering an unrivalled guest experience. She will offer the largest variety of suite categories available at sea with 13 suite categories as well as the largest three-bedroom suites of any new cruise ship and the Brand’s largest-ever inside, oceanview and balcony staterooms, including the Brand’s largest-ever bathrooms and showers for standard stateroom categories. Norwegian Prima will also offer the most outdoor deck space of any new cruise ship including more total pool deck space than any other ship in NCL’s fleet as well as multiple infinity pools and vast outdoor walkways allowing guests to take in the sea, the ocean breeze and a variety of elevated experiences.
  • The Elevated Haven By Norwegian
  • To provide guests with an unrivalled experience in luxury cruising, The Haven by Norwegian on Norwegian Prima has been elevated to offer the Brand’s most exclusive and centralised suite complex. Spanning eight decks of suites and public areas, the ultra-premium keycard only access ship-within-a-ship concept provides guests with private amenities, dedicated services and the most luxurious accommodation on board. For the first time, the Cruise Line relocated all 107 Haven suites to the aft (the rear of the ship) within close proximity of private elevators exclusively reserved for Haven guests. These elevators rise directly into The Haven public areas on decks 16 and 17. NCL evolved The Haven’s design to be more open to the sea than ever before. For the first time, every public area in The Haven offers stunning sea and destination views. The Haven Courtyard on Norwegian Prima has been transformed into an expansive Haven Sundeck, boasting a stunning new infinity pool overlooking the ship’s wake and a new outdoor spa with a glass-walled sauna and cold room.
  • Pushing the boundaries of exclusive design within the reimagined exclusive space, all public areas and suites in The Haven have been designed by Piero Lissoni, one of Italy’s preeminent designers. Lissoni provided an elegant and sophisticated design to The Haven Sundeck, The Haven Restaurant, The Haven Lounge & Bar and the Outdoor Spa: Sauna and Cold Room.
  • Outdoor Living on Ocean Boulevard
  • Furthering the elevated experience that places guests first and understanding the important connection they have with the outdoors and proximity to the sea, NCL reimagined its industry pioneering The Waterfront by doubling the space and adding a greater variety of experiences and dining options than ever before by introducing Ocean Boulevard.
  • Located on deck eight, Ocean Boulevard at 4,087.7 square metres long, wraps around the entire deck, allowing guests to walk around the entire ship and experience amazing ocean views while having the choice to partake in numerous exceptional outdoor activities.
  • Global Cuisine with Indulge Food Hall
  • As part of the multifaceted experiences offered on Ocean Boulevard, NCL introduced the Brand’s first-ever upscale open-air marketplace with Indulge Food Hall. Created to elevate the guest-sensory experience on Norwegian Prima, Indulge Food Hall offers visitors diverse menu items from a variety of culinary venues as well as a mix of indoor and outdoor seating.
  • NCL’s first-ever food hall was thoughtfully designed, offering various cuisines and showcasing captivating colours and smells with 11 venues including returning guest culinary favourites Coco’s, serving artisan sweet treats; Q Texas Smokehouse, boasting delicious American Southern comfort food and barbecue; and Starbucks. Indulge will unveil first-ever dining venues including Seaside Rotisserie, offering a wide array of rotisserie-cooked dishes; Nudls, an emporium serving noodle dishes from around the world, from Italian to Thai cuisines; Tamara, preparing classic Indian dishes and multiple vegetarian food options; The Latin Quarter, serving classic Latin food with a twist; Tapas Food Truck, cooking elevated Spanish-inspired street food; Garden Kitchen, where guests can order customised salads with more than two dozen ingredients to choose from; Just Desserts, featuring classic dessert items such as pies and cakes and Just Ice Cream serving all guest favourite ice cream flavours and over-the-top decadent creations.
  • Hybrid Dining on Ocean Boulevard
  • Adding to the culinary offerings available on Norwegian Prima’s Ocean Boulevard, the site will host three additional dining venues offering both indoor and outdoor seating including Onda By Scarpetta, Los Lobos and The Local Bar & Grill. Onda by Scarpetta, which debuted on Norwegian Encore in 2019 and  also available on Norwegian Spirit, will showcase the rich and bold flavours for which the modern Italian land-based, award-winning Scarpetta restaurants are recognised. The venue, designed by esteemed design firm Studio Dado, features an elegant atmosphere, modern design and expansive indoor and outdoor ocean views. Los Lobos, the Brand’s premium Mexican restaurant, returns on Norwegian Prima to boast traditional Mexican flavours with modern flair set in a contemporary atmosphere also designed by Studio Dado. The revamped Local Bar & Grill set in an upscale beach club atmosphere will showcase live music where guests can relax and enjoy cocktails and classic Americana cuisine.
  • A Day on Ocean Boulevard: The Concourse, Infinity Beach, Oceanwalk and La Terraza
  • Created to be a destination in and of itself within Norwegian Prima and furthering the day-to-day elevated guest experiences available on Ocean Boulevard, the Company unveiled additional “firsts” for the Brand including The Concourse, an outdoor sculpture garden features an art wall designed by famed artist David Harber and six installations designed by Alexander Krivosheiw featuring immersive art inspired by ancient mythology and contemporary abstract forms. The seven sculptures, valued at over US$2 million, offer stunning effects that change as the sun sets, making them perfect for photos and social media posts. Guests can also relax at Infinity Beach featuring two infinity pools, one located on each side of the ship and close to the ocean surface, which is an industry-design first that allows pool-goers to take in the vastness of the ocean while soaking in the open air. The two Oceanwalk glass bridges, also new to the Brand, will provide guests with photographic, breathtaking views that will make them feel as if they are walking on air over the water. La Terraza, an open-air lounge, features a quaint retreat for visitors to catch stellar forward-facing sea views. 
  • Bucket-List Itineraries on the Industry’s Newest Ship
    • Northern Hemisphere Summer 2022: Northern Europe and The UK
      • Following a string of inaugural cruises and beginning August 2022, Norwegian Prima will be the newest ship embarking in Northern Europe. From 17 Aug to 13 Sept 2022, she will sail a series of eight-day voyages from Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Copenhagen, Denmark, offering guests the opportunity to explore the continent’s Northern Europe, Norwegian Fjords and Baltic regions.
    • Northern Hemisphere Autumn/Winter 2022: Bermuda and The Caribbean
      • On 23 Sept, Norwegian Prima will depart Southampton, England, on a 12-day transatlantic voyage visiting Lerwick, Scotland with an overnight in Reykjavik, Iceland, before arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and ending her journey in New York to commence a five-day roundtrip itinerary on 10 Oct to Bermuda, where she will make her debut as the newest ship sailing the northern hemisphere autumn and winter season. On 15 Oct, she will depart from New York on a 12-day open-jaw immersive Caribbean itinerary where she will be the newest ship in the region and for the first time ever for NCL, the vessel will visit Galveston, TX. She will have calls to Willemstad, Curacao; Kralendijk, Bonaire; Oranjestad, Aruba, with all visits featuring between nine and 10 in-port hours. On 31 Oct, Norwegian Prima will kickstart her Caribbean season departing from Galveston, TX, to Miami on an 11-day itinerary with visits to Willemstad, Curacao; Kralendijk, Bonaire, and the Company’s recently enhanced private island Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. From 19 Nov to 3 Dec, Norwegian Prima will sail from Miami offering three, seven-day Western Caribbean cruises visiting Harvest Caye, the Company’s private resort destination in Belize, in addition to other notable ports including Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan Island, Honduras.
  • Northern Hemisphere Autumn/Winter 2022-2023: Western Caribbean Voyages Homeporting from Orlando, Fla. (Port Canaveral)
    • From 11 Dec, 2022, to 19 March, 2023, Norwegian Prima will homeport in Orlando, Fla. (Port Canaveral), sailing 15 roundtrip Western Caribbean voyages featuring five, seven, and nine-day port-rich itineraries visiting notable destinations, including Cozumel, Mexico; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, and NCL’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamas.
  • Northern Hemisphere Spring 2023: Bermuda
    • Starting 28 March to 7 May, Norwegian Prima will sail a mini-season of five and mostly seven-day roundtrip Bermuda voyages from New York. She will call at Norfolk, Virginia – the gateway to Virginia Beach and the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg. The vessel will also sail to the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda, where itineraries include one or two overnight stays at the Royal Naval Dockyard to allow flexibility for guests to explore its shops, restaurants and pristine beaches on their own time.
  • Northern Hemisphere Spring and Summer 2023: Northern Europe
    • On 14 May, Norwegian Prima heads back to Iceland and Northern Europe, departing on an 11-day transatlantic journey from New York City to Reykjavik, Iceland, visiting Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia, before making calls to several immersive Icelandic ports, including Akureyri, which resides on the longest fjord in Iceland and Isafjordur, where guests can take in Icelandic Viking history and unspoiled natural marvels. The voyage culminates in Reykjavik with an overnight stay, where guests can partake in the cosmopolitan experiences of Iceland’s capital and largest city featuring contemporary art, a growing culinary scene and thriving music culture while also maintaining a connection to the great outdoors with geothermal springs and whale watching activities.