CruiseCrazies Cruise News: Norwegian Cruise Line unveils new-and-improved Norwegian Spirit

Norwegian Cruise Line unveils new-and-improved Norwegian Spirit
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Gene Sloan, USA Today Cruise Log on  12 2008, 11:32:pm US/Eastern
 
The big news at Norwegian Cruise Line the past few years has been the rollout of
half a dozen shiny new vessels. Indeed, the company likes to boast it has the
youngest fleet in the business.
Still, NCL isn't forgetting its older ships. Just this week, the company
unveiled a massive, multi-million dollar overhaul of the Norwegian Spirit, the
10-year-old vessel that it inherited in 2004 from Asian parent-company Star
Cruises.
The extensive makeover of the 2,376-passenger Spirit, which sails out of New
Orleans, brought everything from new carpets in and out of cabins to a new
diesel engine.
But perhaps the most noticeable changes came on the pool decks, which were
completely refurbished (see photo at right, taken Tuesday), and in the ship's
700-person Stardust Theater, which got all new seats (see photo below).
The line also managed to pack 11 new cabins onto the ship, eight of which come
with balconies.
The makeover also brough reupholstered chairs throughout the vessel, new tile
in 300 bathrooms and new wallpaper in many areas. The onboard phone system also
was upgraded to a wireless system.
The vessel, which re-entered service on Sunday, sails Western Caribbean cruises
with calls in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Santo Tomas De Castilla,
Guatemala; and Belize City, Belize.