Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, christened its newest ship Norwegian Prima, on Aug. 27, 2022, which made history as the first major cruise ship christened in Reykjavík, Iceland.

The first of six ships in the groundbreaking Prima Class, Norwegian Prima, debuted to more than 2,500 guests who enjoyed an immersive experience in the beautiful Icelandic capital and a christening celebration like no other.

"With her stunning design and unique offerings, Norwegian Prima is in a league of her own," said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. "As the industry's most spacious new cruise ship featuring 'only-available-on-Prima-experiences,' she is continuing NCL's legacy of industry firsts. We wanted to launch Norwegian Prima in a location just as special and unique as she is, and Reykjavik's striking landscape is the perfect setting for such a milestone occasion. We thank the Reykjavik community for welcoming us with open arms."

At 965 feet (294 meters long) and more than 143,535 tons with capacity for 3,100 guests at double occupancy, Norwegian Prima offers the highest staffing levels and space ratio of any contemporary or premium cruise ship. She also boasts the largest variety of suite categories available at sea as well as a redefined The Haven by Norwegian, NCL's ultra-premium keycard only access ship-within-a-ship concept. Her variety of recreational activities including the fastest slides at sea - The Rush and The Drop - and the Prima Speedway, the first three-level racetrack at sea, provide guests with adrenaline-pumping moments. Spaces like Ocean Boulevard, the 44,000 square foot outdoor walk way which wraps around the entire ship; The Concourse, which boasts a multi-million dollar outdoor sculpture garden; and expansive pool decks and infinity style pools at Infinity Beach, offer guests a chance to slow down and relax. To learn more about all Norwegian Prima offers, please click here.

"We have been eagerly anticipating and preparing for this special event for several years, so we are delighted to embark on NCL's next chapter with Norwegian Prima," said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. "It's been a joy to see our vision come to life with this landmark christening ceremony, which sets the tone for the unparalleled holidays guests will enjoy for years to come. We are so thankful to our team members and partners worldwide who have made Norwegian Prima a stunning reality."

Guests at the christening ceremony were treated to a show-stopping performance by popular Icelandic group and 2021 "Eurovision Song Contest" fan favorites, Daði og Gagnamagnið (pronounced "Dah-they Oh Gack-no-Mak-ne"), before Norwegian Prima's very own godmother, Katy Perry took to the main stage to officially name and christen the vessel with the ceremonial champagne bottle break across the ship's hull. The three-level Prima Theater & Club stage was then transformed into a whimsical backdrop where guests enjoyed a powerhouse performance of some of Perry's chart-topping hits including "California Gurls," "Teenage Dream," "Roar," and "Firework."

"It was so much fun to sprinkle some fairy godmother dust on Norwegian Prima and send her on her way to sail the high seas," said Katy Perry. "I always appreciate a family vacation and a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so I was happy to wish all the vacationing guests a happy bon voyage!"

Prior to the Christening ceremony, guests were surprised with an authentic Icelandic experience at the HARPA cultural center. Attendees were treated to a captivating LED light show by Artist Olafur Eliasson as well as performances by Icelandic singer-songwriter Bríet who joined the Iceland Symphony Orchestra in an awe-inspiring show.

Norwegian Prima will depart on inaugural voyages to Northern Europe from the Netherlands, Denmark and England beginning Sept. 3, 2022, before making her way to the U.S. She will then sail voyages to the Caribbean from New York City, Galveston, Texas, and Miami in October and November before settling into her homeport of Port Canaveral, Fla., and Galveston, Texas for the 2023 and 2024 cruise season. 

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SOURCE: Travel Industry Wire (Press Release, Aug. 30, 2022) Photo Credit: Cruise Hive

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Former "American Idol" Contestant and Star, Kimberly Locke, Joins World-Class International Performers to Play Donna Summer in Headlining Act.

MIAMI, July 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel with a 55-year history of breaking boundaries, pulled back the curtain today to announce the cast of its highly-anticipated headlining show, "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical," premiering aboard the all-new Norwegian Prima this August.

The Tony Award®-nominated musical narrates the story of Donna Summer's prolific rise to fame, showing the Queen of Disco at three of the most pivotal stages of her career: Diva Donna, Disco Donna and Duckling Donna. The Brand has announced the cast who will take on the mantle of Donna Summer through her most memorable moments in life:

Beloved "American Idol" season two finalist, Kimberly Locke, takes on her first theater project at sea and will star in the breakout role of Diva Donna, playing Summer as she reaches the height of her career. Fans will be able to see the same charisma that got Locke to the final three contestants on her season of "American Idol" in this role. Locke is also well known for her work on television and Broadway, where she most recently performed in Kristin Chenoweth's one-woman show, "For The Girls."

Taking on the role of Disco Donna is Valerie Curlingford, an extraordinary talent from the Netherlands. Curlingford will play Summer in her late teens and early twenties as she first finds success in the iconic 1970s disco era.

Duckling Donna will show Summer as she grows up in Boston in the 1960s. The role will be played by D'Nasya Jordan, who most recently starred as Little Inez in "Hairspray."

"It is an incredible honor to play Donna Summer along a very talented cast in this highly-rated musical," said Locke. "Donna Summer's inspirational story and pioneering talent led the way for so many of today's brightest vocalists. She has left an immeasurable impact on music and culture, and I am excited to bring her story to guests around the world aboard the beautiful Norwegian Prima." 

The show-stopping production will feature more than 20 of Summer's mega-hits, including "Bad Girls," "Last Dance," and "Hot Stuff," and will also provide viewers with a deeper understanding of the inspiration behind some of Summer's most memorable songs. The 85-minute musical will be a first at sea, where the Prima Theater itself transforms into a full disco, allowing guests to become part of the show and live out their on-stage dreams as they dance along to Summer's greatest melodies. 

"The legendary Donna Summer is an inspiration to many, and we cast performers who would honor her and match the same level of star power and talent," said Richard Ambrose, senior vice president of Entertainment and Cruise Programs for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. "We continue to bring Broadway-level entertainment and world-class talent to our fleet, and we are excited for guests to be able to watch a musical they actually get to be part of. The new Prima Theater allows for a truly exciting show, and we know guests will find themselves enthralled with Donna Summer's moving life story and timeless music." 

Norwegian Cruise Line is known for its unwavering commitment to bringing Broadway-caliber entertainment to the high seas, having previously debuted "Kinky Boots," "Six," "Jersey Boys," "Footloose" and more across its current 17-ship fleet, and this latest addition to the Company's lineup is another first for the cruise industry.

"Summer: The Donna Summer Musical" is just one of the captivating shows available aboard Norwegian Prima. Also sharing a residency at the Prima Theater will be "Noise Boys!" an original, award-winning beat boxing experience produced by Nic Doodson, creator of "Choir of Man," NCL's best-rated entertainment show currently residing on Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Escape. 

As part of the additional entertainment offerings on Norwegian Prima, the Brand will also debut live game show experiences that allow the audience to be part of the show and have an opportunity to win incredible grand prizes. These immersive productions take the Prima Theater and Nightclub and transforms it into a larger-than-life production set where guests can be participants in some of the world's most iconic game shows including, "The Price is Right LIVE," "Supermarket Sweep LIVE" and "Press Your Luck LIVE." The ship also features "Sensoria" — a Vegas-style nightclub party presenting a journey through Coachella, Woodstock and Burning Man, all in one.  Plus, guests will be able to experience the first "Improv @ Sea" Comedy Club, and the guest-popular "Syd Norman's Pour House" and so much more.

For images of the cast and entertainment spaces of the all-new Norwegian Prima, please click here. 

For more information about Norwegian Cruise Line's award-winning 17-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a Norwegian Cruise Line travel professional. 

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SOURCE: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd. (Press Release, July 25, 2022); Photo Credit: Pixabay Free Images

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CNN) — Florida's new law prohibiting businesses from asking whether employees or customers have been vaccinated against Covid-19 may take a toll on its cruise business. 

The CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. said Thursday it could cause the company to suspend Florida departures and move its ships elsewhere. 

"At the end of the day, cruise ships have motors, propellers and rudders, and God forbid we can't operate in the state of Florida for whatever reason, then there are other states that we do operate from, and we can operate from the Caribbean for a ship that otherwise would have gone to Florida," CEO Frank Del Rio said during the company's quarterly earnings call. 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order last month banning the use of Covid-19 passports in the state. The order prohibited any government entity from issuing vaccine passports and blocks businesses from requiring any such documentation. Senate Bill 2006 was signed into law Monday making that executive order official. 

"In Florida, your personal choice regarding vaccinations will be protected and no business or government entity will be able to deny you services based on your decision," DeSantis said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week announced guidelines for trial cruises with volunteer passengers to test safety measures, which will be required for each ship before resuming regular passenger voyages in US waters.

To bypass the trial cruises, the CDC says at least 98% of crew members and 95% of passengers must have been vaccinated.

Del Rio says he hopes the CDC's conditions will override the governor's action when it comes to the cruise industry, although he said he was "disappointed at first read" of the agency's proposal for resuming cruise operations. 

"It is a classic state versus federal government issue," said Del Rio. "Lawyers believe that federal law applies." He added that the company has been in talks with the governor's office but did not specify what was discussed.

Norwegian Cruise Line had previously hoped to resume cruises on July 4, and said it was willing to require all passengers and staff to be vaccinated in order to gain CDC approval.

That's no longer possible, Del Rio said Thursday.

"It was possible back in early April when we proposed to the CDC 100% vaccination. We've always said it takes about 90 days to stand up a vessel," he said. So the cruise line is now looking at August at the earliest.

Whether Norwegian decides to operate in Florida or not, it and other cruise companies will have to meet the CDC requirements before setting sail from US ports.

DeSantis had earlier cited freedom and privacy concerns as the primary basis for his executive order, arguing that the implementation and enforcement of vaccine passports would "create two classes of citizens based on vaccinations."

His order had noted that many Floridians have not yet had the opportunity to obtain a vaccine, while some may have infection-acquired immunity, and other people may be unable to get a Covid-19 vaccine because of health, religious or other reasons. 

"Individual Covid-19 vaccination records are private health information and should not be shared by a mandate," DeSantis' executive order had read.

But, Del Rio's company plans to stick to vaccination requirements. "At least in the beginning, 100% of our guests and our crew will be vaccinated," Del Rio said. "I think everyone should be wanting to start cruising in the safest possible manner." 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. operates three cruise lines: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 

Representatives for the company and DeSantis did not immediately return messages from CNN for comment on Thursday night.

Correction: A previous version of this story mischaracterized CDC requirements for cruise ship passenger and crew vaccination.

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Norwegian Cruise Line will not require passengers to book shore excursions through the ship when it resumes sailings this summer, a company executive said in an interview this week.

"From our first voyage out of the gate, you are free to tour on your own in every port," Norwegian's chief sales officer, Katina Athanasiou, said on Travel Weekly'spodcast. "We anticipated needing to do this shore excursion bubble for the first month of operations. We've already lifted that, because in working with our ports and the authorities and each of the local governments, they now anticipate their vaccination increase to be enough that their local communities are going to be supported, and we no longer have to do a shore excursion bubble. So guests will be free to tour on their own."

The news comes weeks after the cruise line announced it'll only allow vaccinated passengers and crew to board its ships.

Norwegian, which has one of the strictest vaccination mandates of cruise linesresuming operations, plans to sail to the Greek islands in July, followed by trips from Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. In September, Norwegian expects to set sail from Barcelona and Italy.

The cruise line plans to require the jab for all passengers and crew for sailings through at least October 31.

The concept of a cruise bubble with controlled shore excursions became popular in Europe last summer as some ships attempted to restart cruising safely. In August 2020, one family was even denied boarding an MSC Cruises ship after they separated from their group during an officially planned excursion.

While several cruise lines are homeporting in countries around the world this summer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said it is "committed" to resuming cruises in the United States by the summer.

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SOURCE: Travel and Leisure (Alison Fox, May 4, 2021); Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line

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MIAMI, May 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition and celebration of the countless teachers who have spent the last 15 months giving their all to students across the U.S. and Canada during these unprecedented times, Norwegian Cruise Line, the innovator in global cruise travel, today announced the relaunch of its "Norwegian's Giving Joy" contest, which provides educators with free cruises and a chance to win up to $25,000 for their schools.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: 

Norwegian Cruise Line is awarding 100 teachers across North America with free cruises as part of its “Norwegian’s Giving Joy” campaign, created to honor and celebrate educators for their commitment to inspiring students every day. From May 3 through June 4, 2021, NCL is encouraging the public to nominate and vote for a deserving teacher for a chance to win a free cruise and up to $25,000 for their schools.

"Norwegian's Giving Joy" acknowledges the often-undervalued work of educators and highlights the intersection between travel and education. First launched with astounding success in 2019, with over 1.4 million votes for more than 46,000 teachers, and a total prize of over $100,000 for schools across North America, the contest heralds these selfless warriors. This year's campaign is especially significant given the elevated demands of this profession under pressure.

"Now more than ever, educators deserve our gratitude and so much more for their perseverance and unwavering commitment to inspire students every day," said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line.  "Travel is one of the most immersive means of education. It broadens our perspective, encourages us to discover, adapt and accept new cultures and experiences. With 'Norwegian's Giving Joy,' we are able to help shed light on these everyday heroes and raise their spirits by awarding them with a long-overdue vacation to help show them the world, as they've helped shape so many of ours."

The month-long campaign runs from May 3 to June 4, 2021. The Cruise Line is asking for nominations of certified or accredited teachers in the U.S. and Canada who demonstrate a passion for bringing joy to the classroom, who relentlessly show up for their students – virtually or in person, – and who continue to motivate them every day. The top 100 educators with the most votes will win a seven-night cruise for two on voyages embarking from the U.S. and Canadathrough summer 2023.  The Grand Prize winner will be awarded with a $25,000 donation for his or her school, while the second and third place winners will receive a $15,000 and $10,000 donation respectively for their schools. A virtual award ceremony will take place in August 2021.

"We have all had a teacher that has impacted our lives and helped define who we are today," said Sommer. "It is our responsibility to rally behind these incredible individuals and show them how grateful we truly are. While we were unable to host 'Norwegian's Giving Joy' in 2020, we are making up for it this year by offering 100 teachers, more than ever before, with free cruises.  We look forward to welcoming these educators on board our world-class fleet very, very soon."

Nicole Conlisk, educator at One World Middle School in the Bronx, N.Y. and the 2019 "Giving Joy" Grand Prize Winner said, "Norwegian Cruise Line recognizing what we do on a daily basis and sharing stories of how we each impact and inspire our students has brought awareness to the work we do as educators." The donation made by NCL and its partners provided the students of One World Middle School access to hands-on experiences including STEM curricula focused on mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering, technology education and an introduction to ballroom dancing. Conlisk continued, "Through the support provided by NCL, we hope to continue the STEM program, while also expanding the educational opportunities with courses in architecture, criminal science, robotics, musical theater and other performing arts, in the next school year."

To nominate a beloved teacher, to vote and for the contest terms and conditions, please visit www.nclgivingjoy.com. 

For more information about the Company's award-winning 17-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com.

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SOURCE: PR Newswire and Norwegian Cruise Line (Press Release, May 3, 2021); Photo Credit: Pixabay Free Images

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After Norwegian Cruise Line reported dismal second-quarter earnings—with revenue plunging 99% from a year ago—CEO Frank Del Rio said that he was “astonished” that people are still booking cruises, while also expressing optimism the company has enough liquidity to weather a prolonged period of no sailing.

KEY FACTS

Norwegian on Thursday reported a net loss of $715 million in the second quarter, with revenue plunging to less than $17 million, down from $1.7 billion a year ago.

Since its last earnings report, the company has extended its suspension of voyages three times, most recently doing so earlier this week until at least November, along with other major cruise operators in the Cruise Lines International Association. 

With that latest delay, that means major cruise operators like Norwegian, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Carnival will not have set sail for over six months, resulting in massive financial losses.

Despite Norwegian reporting a monthly cash burn rate of around $160 million amid the coronavirus pandemic, CEO Frank Del Rio admitted on the latest earnings call that he was “astonished how well bookings are coming in, given the fact the industry is suspended.” 

While Norwegian’s earnings numbers are bleak, Del Rio was optimistic that the cruise industry’s “very loyal customer base” would translate to “a lot of pent-up demand,” as the company has already reported $1.2 billion of advanced ticket sales as of June 30, 2020. 

What’s more, Norwegian raised a total of $1.5 billion in July to bolster liquidity and cover financial losses, “which we believe positions us to withstand a scenario of prolonged voyage suspensions,” Del Rio said.

CRUCIAL QUOTE

“If you had told me that we were going to be facing this set of circumstances, and your question is, ‘Frank, would you be taking any bookings?’ I would have laughed at you. I’ll say, ‘Of course, not, who would book? It’s crazy,’” Del Rio said in response to a question about forward bookings on Thursday. “But people are booking. People are confident that we’re going to come back. People do want to cruise. They miss it. . . . And so this is temporary. The question is how temporary is ‘temporary.’”

SURPRISING FACT

Of Norwegian’s $1.2 billion in advanced ticket sales, $800,000 comes from future cruise credits, which customers received instead of refunds for cancelled cruises. Across Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Carnival, over 50% of guests are repeat cruisers, Del Rio pointed out during his company’s earnings call. “We’re going to lean on them heavily . . . they want to cruise again,” he said. “Depending on when you think the restart is, there’s going to be 15 million, 20 million people who were not allowed to cruise this year.”

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Despite the company’s optimism that it can weather a no-revenue environment amid the pandemic, Norwegian did admit that coronavirus has had a “significant impact” on its financial position. If the temporary suspension of sailing is further extended (beyond October 31), that would likely lead to a further negative impact, Norwegian said in its earnings release. “It will take some time” for business to get back to normal, Del Rio said.

KEY BACKGROUND

While cruise stocks have rebounded somewhat since their March lows amid optimism about reopening the economy, shares of Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Carnival are all still down between 60% and 75% so far this year. All three major operators have reported record financial losses as the industry remains paralyzed by the coronavirus pandemic for the foreseeable future. 

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By Forbes, Sergei Klebnikov (August 7, 2020); Photo Credit: Image by afmax from Pixabay 

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Is the era of ever-bigger cruise ships finally coming to an end?

It is for at least one of the world’s biggest big-ship cruise operators, Norwegian Cruise Line. The Miami-based company just unveiled its largest ship ever, the 169,116-ton Norwegian Encore. But it’s the last hurrah for the line in the Big Ship Wars, at least for now.

Norwegian has no new vessels on order in the size range of Norwegian Encore, which ranks among the top 10 biggest passenger ships ever built. Instead, the 17-ship cruise operator is about to go smaller with its next vessels. Norwegian has ordered six new ships for delivery between 2022 and 2027 that will measure 140,000 tons — about 17% less bulky than Norwegian Encore.

It’s a major shift for a line that has been hitting the supersize button on its new ships since 2010, when it unveiled the 155,873-ton Norwegian Epic — at the time, the world’s sixth-largest cruise ship. But it’s the right move at this point in Norwegian’s expansion, says incoming president and CEO Harry Sommer.

“Bigger isn’t necessarily better,” Sommer told me during an exclusive interview on board Norwegian Encore in advance of its inaugural voyage out of Miami.  While mega-size ships like Norwegian Encore are hugely popular with vacationers and have great economies of scale, a line like Norwegian needs a range of ship sizes in its fleet, said Sommer.

Sommer ticks off several reasons, starting with the fact that the biggest mega-ships are restricted in where they can operate due to limitations in port infrastructure.

“We think about where this ship can actually go, and (the options are) not as varied as we would like,” said Sommer, who is taking the helm of Norwegian from current president and CEO Andy Stuart at the end of the month. “If I had 17 ships this size, we could not run the itineraries that we run today.”

Sommer cites Tampa, Florida and Sydney, Australia, as two places where the height of bridges limits the size of arrival vessels. Other factors that cruise lines must consider when contemplating bigger ships include the depth of the water and length of the piers at key ports as well as the size of turning basins (the space allocated at a port for ships to maneuver.) As ships get longer and sit deeper in the water, the number of off-limits ports increases.

Another factor driving Norwegian’s interest in smaller ships is that not every destination is eager to see the world’s biggest ships arriving. Sommer mentions Venice, Italy, as a place where big ships and the overtourism associated with them is a concern.

“Some [destinations] are really excited about a 2,000- or 3,000-passenger ship [arriving], and they’re a little less excited about a 4,000-passenger ship,” he said. “We’re really sensitive to it.”

A third factor behind Norwegian’s interest in smaller ships is that there’s demand from vacationers. Some people just like smaller ships better. Sommer says it’s no different than in the airline business, where you get devotees of giant A380s and other people who prefer a smaller A350. In the cruise business, like any other business, it’s smart to have something for everyone.

The new Norwegian ships on order are being designed to carry about 3,300 passengers at double occupancy. As Sommer points out, that’s a size that is notably missing from Norwegian’s ship portfolio.

Six of Norwegian’s 17 ships, all built before 2006, are in the 2,000-passenger range. Four more vessels built between 2005 and 2007 are in the 2,400-passenger range. Then there are the line’s last seven ships, which all are in the 4,000-passenger range.

“It sort of fills a niche for us,” Sommer said. “We think having these four [ship sizes] allows us to have the maximum flexibility for our guests.”

Asked about the economics of going smaller, Sommer said he didn’t see a big difference in the expected returns from a 3,300-passenger ship versus a 4,000-passenger ship.

“I think you have to get below like 2,000 [passengers] for the economics to flip,” he said. That’s why, other than luxury operators, “you don’t see anyone building 1,500-passenger ships anymore.”

One difference with the new series of ships as compared to Norwegian’s recently added vessels is they likely will have fewer attractions on board.

“We talk about having 29 dining experiences on [Norwegian Encore]. My guess is that on [the new ships] we won’t have 29 dining experiences,” Sommer said. “But then again, there’s 700 fewer people.”

The new ships will be “a little bit more intimate. But … there’s a certain group that appeals to.”

With its plans to add six smaller vessels in a row, Norwegian is bucking the trend in the industry, for the most part. The big news at industry giant Carnival has been the development of a new class of vessel that, at 180,000 tons, will be around 35% bigger than the biggest ships now in the Carnival fleet. The first of the series, to be called Mardi Gras, will debut in 2020. Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises and Princess Cruises also are developing new classes of bigger ships to begin debuting in 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively, and Celebrity Cruises just began rolling out a new class of bigger ships.

One other major line, Royal Caribbean, is joining Norwegian in planning a new class of ships that are smaller than its biggest vessels. But in Royal Caribbean’s case, smaller is relative. Dubbed the Icon Class, the new Royal Caribbean ships will measure about 200,000 tons, which is less than the line’s record-breaking Oasis Class vessels, but still greater than every other passenger ship currently afloat.

Will any line ever top the Oasis Class in size? Sommer doesn’t rule it out.

“I am sure that, as long as there are lots of players, there will always be someone vying to have the largest cruise ship out there,” he said.

For now, at least, it just won’t be Norwegian.

By Gene Sloan, The Points Guy
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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 line’s newest mega-ship, Norwegian Encore, begins its inaugural season from Miami.

Stuart’s 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 Norwegian’s 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. 

“Andy and I have worked closely together over the last several years, and I am humbled and honored to follow in his footsteps and lead this renowned brand,” said Sommer.

During an interview in Miami, Sommer said one of his key goals is to continue to raise the profile of a cruise vacation to reach first-time cruisers. “I want tell the story that a cruise is truly the perfect vacation experience,” said Sommer. “The message needs to reach those who haven’t considered taking a cruise. It’s a fantastic vacation.”

Another market segment beyond first-time cruisers that Sommer said he wants to continue to focus on is discerning guests who want more privacy and luxury.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s “ship within a ship” concept is The Haven, an enclave of lavish staterooms and suites with butler service, a separate sun deck, restaurant and well-appointed lounges.

“The Haven offers our guests a more upscale experience,” explains Sommer. “We see a lot of grandparents that are joined by multi-generational families. Grandparents can relax in The Haven, and the kids can enjoy the waterslides, the racetrack and kids’ clubs and all the wonderful things the ships offer.” Sommer said The Haven experience extends outside the designated area because guests get priority for restaurant reservations and have exclusive seating in the main showroom.

New Norwegian leadership, new ship

The leadership helm change comes as the cruise line launches its newest ship, Norwegian Encore.

The ship is the fourth Breakaway Plus-class ship from Norwegian Cruise Line and has a capacity of 3,998 based on double occupancy.

On Sunday Norwegian Encore began seven-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries. In April 2020, the ship will move to New York City, and then return back to Miami for Western Caribbean voyages in fall 2020.

Norwegian Encore includes more than two dozen dining venues, some with waterfront dining experiences; a racetrack; a virtual galaxy pavilion; a laser tag course; and water slides that will take adventure-seekers’ breath away.

Complimentary dining choices include the main dining rooms with changing menus and impressive service and The Garden Café, the ship’s buffet restaurant, which offers bountiful breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Specialty dining restaurants cost extra and are popular with cruisers who want to mix up their dinner repertoire. A trendy Italian restaurant, Onda by Scarpetta, has its first location on a ship aboard the Encore.

By Erica Lamberg, USA Today
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A cruise ship reportedly was struck by an outbreak of Norovirus.  Photos of the ship returning to the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, Calif., have surfaced on social media.

The images showed a group of passengers seemingly being screened separately from other travelers.

The outbreak occurred on the Norwegian Joy ship, the Mirror reported. The boat had been on a 16-day cruise after leaving Florida. Crews reportedly rushed some passengers off the ship when it docked, although it was unclear how many were affected.

Peter Krajewski said he was on the boat and shared pictures of the scene at the port. He posted, “Just got off the Norwegian Joy in the port of Los Angeles. Our ship had been dealing with a Norovirus outbreak the last couple of days, but none of the passengers suspected that it was as bad as it was. Apparently hundreds of people were acutely ill on the ship.”

In a statement obtained by Fox News, a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Lines said, "The safety, security and well-being of our guests and crew is our number one priority. As such, we operate at the very highest public health standards. During Norwegian Joy’s Panama Canal sailing, a few guests onboard experienced a stomach-related illness. To mitigate any impact of this rare occurrence, we implemented stringent sanitation procedures. As always, we will continue to monitor this situation."

Krajewski also posted on Twitter, “Sick passenger coming off the Norwegian Joy are being screened separately from the rest of the disembarking passengers.”

In a statement obtained by the Mirror, the Los Angeles Fire Department said, “LAFD personnel continue to examine ‘several persons who have been ill’ while aboard the currently docked cruise ship, which is disembarking passengers. A yet to be determined number of those ill passengers desiring further medical assessment or ambulance transport are still being evaluated onshore by LAFD Paramedics. No patients are currently displaying life-threatening symptoms.”

By Michael Hollan, Fox News
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Florida has its first brand spanking new cruise ship of the season as Norwegian Encore arrived to PortMiami on Friday.

The fourth Breakaway Plus-class ship from Norwegian Cruise Line was delivered to the company a little more than two weeks ago and sailed into South Florida for the first time as it preps for its inaugural season.

The 1,100-foot-long, 169,000-gross-ton ship will have a christening ceremony with godmother Kelly Clarkson on Nov. 21.

The ship has a guest capacity of 3,998 based on double occupancy and will begin seven-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries three days later on Nov. 24. Next April, the ship will head to New York, then tackle the Western Caribbean from Miami in fall 2020. In the spring, NCL will send Encore to Alaska for the first time.

Encore is the sister ship to Norwegian Escape, Joy and Bliss, all built at Meyer-Werft shipyard in Germany.

All Breakaway Plus class ships accommodate around 4,000 guests and are the fleet’s largest. All feature more than 20 dining options, several with waterfront seating. Unique to Encore is the elevated Italian dining experience, Onda by Scarpetta.

The ship’s signature stage show is Tony-award winning “Kinky Boots,” which features original songs by Cyndi Lauper. Also on board are “The Choir of Man,” a show that also appears on Norwegian Escape and features music, dance and foot-stomping percussion plus “Happy Hour Prohibition: The Musical,” a cocktail and theater show that debuted on Bliss. And fans of The Beatles can enjoy the The Cavern Club, which features a live cover band of the Fab Four.

The standout visible feature of the ship is its go-kart track. This is the third ship behind Joy and Bliss to feature one, and Encore’s is the largest with nearly 1,100 feet of track across a 10-turn course that has four sections that extend up to 13 feet beyond the side of the ship. Encore’s version is the first to feature a covered spectator area with an interactive feature that allows viewers to target racers with a laser and allow them a bump of speed.

Encore also follows Bliss’ lead with another open-air laser tag course at the top of the deck, but Encore’s is themed to Atlantis and has augmented reality options during game play with the use of a headset.

Also on the top deck is Encore’s aqua park with two water slides. One of them is a speedy, figure-eight drop slide that sends riders 11 feet over the side of the ship with acrylic tubes that let riders see the water below.

Another borrowed feature from a sister ship, but new to Florida, is the Galaxy Pavilion, which debuted on Norwegian Joy, a ship that has spent most of its life in Asia. The venue is a 10,000-square-foot interactive entertainment option with virtual reality, an escape room and other technology-based features.

Encore will be the third of that class to call Miami home, taking over for Norwegian Bliss.

Florida has already seen the arrival of a couple of sort-of-new ships: One was the renovated Carnival Sunrise, which was Carnival Triumph, but underwent a $200 million makeover that included a new name, and already sailing from Port Everglades. Also new to Florida, but having debuted in 2017, is the seventh largest ship in the world, the MSC Meraviglia, already sailing from PortMiami.

Only one other brand new ship will arrive this year when Sky Princess from Princess Cruises comes to Port Everglades next month while a revamped Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas with a $165 million makeover will also soon arrive to PortMiami.

By Richard Tribou, USA Today
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More than 2,000 cruise passengers were stuck in Barcelona this week and thousands more vacations were canceled because of technical problems on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship.

Angry vacationers on the Norwegian Pearl ship took to social media when they learned they’d be skipping ports on their 13-night cruise that began in Amsterdam and intended to end in Rome but terminated in Barcelona.

“My jokes must have broken my cruise ship? My dream vacation seems to have sleep apnea? The Norwegian Pearl is having engine problems,” Scott Blugrind wrote in an Instagram post.

The Norwegian Pearl missed stops in Palma, Mallorca and Monte Carlo because of a technical issue, according to a statement from NCL. “Due to the need to make necessary repairs, we will be ending the current sailing in Barcelona as well as cancelling Norwegian Pearl’s July 5, 2019 voyage,” the statement read.

Those scheduled to embark on Norwegian Pearl’s July 5 voyage to the Greek Isles and Italy were given three days’ notice that their sailing had been canceled.

Norwegian Pearl customers expecting to go on the July 5 sailing were given a 100 percent refund and a 100 percent future cruise credit, as well as $300 in flight change fees. That $300 might not be enough to cover the losses for some customers, according to their tweets.

“#norwegianpearl @CruiseNorwegian refused to pay for my airfare after they cancelled my cruise! I’m out $5200 in airfare because of their actions, plus another $900 in worthless travel insurance. Anyone talking about a class action?” Steven Judd tweeted.

While NCL provided guests stuck in Barcelona with a 50 percent refund, a 50 percent future cruise credit and up to $300 in flight change fees, customers ran into problems when it came time to book new flights home. Some lamented the cost of their lost airfare, and the fact that NCL would not provide layover hotel coverage.

“We are already here in Europe and have non-refundable days on Amalfi Coast after the cruise. We are stuck and I need to figure out a plan for 2-weeks last minute. All of that planning for nothing — we are devastated and don’t know what to do!” wrote user mickeyfanz, who was traveling with a group of nine people for a birthday celebration.

In the age of social media, cruise ship catastrophes seem to go viral fairly often. Last March, the world watched as more than 1,300 Viking Sky passengers braved 26-foot waves off the west coast of Norway while the ship experienced engine failure. There’s a Wikipedia page dedicated to the “Costa Concordia disaster” that documents the capsizing of Carnival’s Costa Concordia, resulting in the death of at least 25 people.

Mechanical problems, on the other hand, are more common. Cruise ships are “like airplanes, they’re like cars. So sometimes there’s an issue — they break down,” Chiron said. “It’s not the first ship that’s had to cancel sailings. It’s not the first, and it’s not the last.”

While Chiron said news covering cruise problems tends to be hyperbolic, it does shed light on a different important consideration for cruise-goers.

“It does highlight the need of travel insurance,” Chiron said. “I’m not trying to over dramatize it, but there are so many moving parts. The insurance is so important that your property, your health and your trip is protected."

By Natalie B. Compton, Washington Post
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Norwegian Joy was originally built in 2017 to sail the Chinese seas. But after undergoing over $50 million in renovations—including 902,016 square feet of new flooring, 2,240 new light fixtures, 21,527 square feet of new upholstery, updated public spaces, an enhanced pool deck, new go-kart speedway and expanded observation lounge—it's finally ready to sail the US. 

The nearly new ship is the 15th in Norwegian Cruise Line's fleet and is the second in the Breakaway-Plus class (their largest ships in size). It will spend the summer touring Alaska by way of Seattle and will head to the Mexican Riviera and Panama Canal come wintertime.

We were able to hop aboard for the ship's inaugural four-day trip from Vancouver to Los Angeles to take in all 20 decks of dining, entertainment, relaxation and more! Keep reading for everything there is to experience on Norwegian Joy, including all those upgrades.

DINING AND BARS

Norwegian Cruise Line is known for its casual dining policy, aka eat whenever you want. There are no strict dining times and no need to dress up (although, you can if you want to). Norwegian Joy boasts three main dining rooms, a buffet, a 24-hour pub restaurant and nine specialty à la carte restaurants. In the dining rooms, the menu features dishes like Beef Wellington, Chicken Milanese, lobster claws and scallops with creamy pasta. 

The restaurants include Food Republic (sushi/tapas), Cagney's Steakhouse, Ocean Blue (seafood), La Cucina (Italian), Le Bistro (French), Q (Texas BBQ), Teppanyaki (Japanese hibachi), American Diner and, of course, Starbucks. 

Pro tip: Guests have the option to make dinner reservations at these restaurants in advance, prior to boarding. We suggest that you do, as many book up quickly. You can always change your plans once you're onboard, but if you're really interested in trying something, it's better to be safe than sorry. 

ENTERTAINMENT

One thing is for sure—you will not be board on this ship. Joy features the first at-sea go-kart track, as well as outdoor laser tag, mini golf, virtual reality arcade, two waterslides, pools, shops, a theater, spa and fitness center (complete with spin classes!). Adults can also spend time in the casino, comedy club and Beatles-inspired pub.

In the theater, you can go see "Elements," a dance, acrobatic and magic show as well as "Footloose," a musical based on the fan-favorite '80s movie. A third show for adults only called "Wine Lovers The Musical" explores the joys of wine while you drink it and eat lunch.

Kids can also spend supervised time with the Splash Academy while adults enjoy dinner, and teens can make friends at the Entourage Teen Club. 

NIGHTLIFE

Guests 21 and older can check out over 13 bars and lounges on board. Some standouts include Sugarcane, a mojito bar with a live band, Spice H20, an adults-only pool deck bar, The District Brew House for beers and board games, Social Comedy & Nightclub, a comedy club by evening and a late-night dance club by night, and The Cellars Wine Bar, where aficionados can recommend a good blend.

ROOMS 

There are several types of accommodations available onboard, from inside rooms and ocean rooms to suites to penthouses. For added luxury, Concierge Suites provide extra space, 24/7 concierge service, private dining, priority embarkation and disembarkation and other special perks.

IN CLOSING

For even more spacious accommodations and even more perks, Norwegian Joy has The Haven. The Haven is like a private country club on board, where guests staying in Haven rooms get access to a private sundeck, lounge, restaurant and concierge service. Each room also comes with a 24-hour butler, who can also help guests get on and off the ship through a private elevator.

If all of this has you wondering where to book, you should know Norwegian Cruise Line currently has a promotion going on called "Free at Sea" where guests can receive up to four free offers—open bar, specialty dining, shore excursions, wifi, friends and family stays and airfare—based on their stateroom category. 

BY ELLIE CONLEY, AOL.COM
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Saving the Earth requires sacrifices: Sorting your recyclables. Learning to swallow vegan burgers. Accepting that we can’t dump our used motor oil into the storm sewer.

Now this: Norwegian Cruise Line says it’s cutting back on its room stewards’ practice of automatically making animal shapes out of bath towels and positioning them on guests’ beds every day. Guests who want them will have to ask for them.

It’s all about conserving resources by cutting back on the volume of laundry loads, the cruise line says. Many guests never use the towels after they get turned into cute, cuddly cotton creatures, but they must be washed daily anyway.

In a statement, Norwegian said it was “assessing the impact of reducing the number of towel animals we showcase aboard a few of our ships.”

“We are committed to being a responsible corporate citizen by fostering a culture of awareness and respect for our world’s resources,” the statement said. “Our mission is to continually improve our sustainability culture through fresh innovation, progressive education and open collaboration. As such, from time to time we explore opportunities to expand our efforts.”

The cutback will undoubtedly save money for the cruise line as well, not only by reducing laundry volume but also by increasing the number of rooms that its stewards will be able to freshen during their shifts.

The towel animals will still be created “upon request,” the statement said. Cruise line officials did not immediately respond to a follow-up question seeking names of the “few ships” upon which towel animals have been reduced.

As social media sites can attest, towel animals have long been a tradition on family-focused cruise lines.

Popular creations include seals resting against pillows wearing sunglasses, elephants with ears and trunks, scorpions bearing mints, koala bears, alligators and primates hanging from closet rods.

Some cruise lines even have workshops to teach passengers how to fold them.

Room stewards create the animals when cleaning guests’ staterooms, often positioning them in provocative but G-rated ways on beds.

Competitor Carnival Cruise Line has no plan to cut back on towel animals, spokesman Vance Gulliksen said by email. “Towel animals are a signature element of a Carnival cruise and our stewards create dozens of different creatures for guests enjoyment each night (equating to millions of towel animals a year),” he said.

Officials from Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International did not immediately respond to emails seeking information about their towel animal policies.

By Ron Hurtibise, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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Millenials make up 25 percent of Norwegian Cruise Line’s bookings and the company is putting more accommodations on board its ships to attract the fastest-growing customer base, CEO Frank Del Rio told CNBC Tuesday.

“We are now building ships with the understanding that Instagram is something to deal with,” he said in an interview with “Mad Money’s” Jim Cramer. “We’re actually creating Instagram venues so that, when you get the urge, they’re going to go there and that’s the best publicity [we] can have.”

Instagram is owned by social media giant Facebook.

Norwegian has ordered nearly a dozen new ships to be delivered through 2027 and their completion dates are staggered as to not “choke on the inventory,” Del Rio said. He noted that some people, who worry that a recession is looming, think it’s not an opportune time to add more ships to the fleet because the cruise industry is a “discretionary product,” but the chief is optimistic about the future.

Norwegian has ordered nearly a dozen new ships to be delivered through 2027 and their completion dates are staggered as to not “choke on the inventory,” Del Rio said. He noted that some people, who worry that a recession is looming, think it’s not an opportune time to add more ships to the fleet because the cruise industry is a “discretionary product,” but the chief is optimistic about the future.

“First of all, there’s no recession. We’re past that, I hope. And the thing to understand, unlike the hotel industry, the airline industry, our ships run full and they run full all the time,” he said. “So if you’ve got full ships all the time and you can finance the brand new ones at interest rates of less than 3 percent over 12-years fixed ... You’d order more ships.”

The future for Norwegian Cruise is looking bright because customers are booking as far as eight months out, Del Rio said. He pointed out that 65 percent of 2019 inventory was sold at the the turn of the year and 35 percent of 2020 inventory in some brands has been booked. Cash flow is “off the charts” and is the most “misunderstood variable in this whole equation,” he added.

Norwegian Cruise is also refocusing on Turkey where trips were cut due to geopolitical events in 2016, Del Rio said. The cruise line has a dozen planned sailings to the country, set to increase to 20 next year, he said.

Itineraries that include Turkey have been selling fast and at higher prices, he said.

“So the good news is that Americans are willing to go back to Turkey,” Del Rio said.

By Tyler Clifford, CNBC
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Norwegian Cruise Line has been ordered to pay $2 million in a medical negligence lawsuit to a passenger who suffered a heart attack at sea in November 2016. Lawyers for the passenger say the man received “substandard care” from the cruise ship’s medical personnel, which ultimately caused “permanent, preventable” damage to his heart.

On March 1, a federal jury ruled that the Miami-headquartered cruise line owed Andrew Ow Buland $2.084 million in damages in relation to the incident, the Miami Herald reports.

According to the suit, the Norwegian Pearl had just left Ochos Rios, Jamaica, and was 30 miles from the shore when Ow Buland suffered the heart attack, Law.com reports. When he reached the infirmary, the doctor there did not administer thrombolytic therapy, which could have helped dissolve the blood clots caused by his ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Despite the serious situation, legal reps for Ow Buland say that the man “was assured by ship’s medical personnel that the heart attack was very minor and that Mr. Ow Buland would be OK to remain on the vessel until it docked in Miami,” as per the Herald.

After the ocean liner finally docked two days later, on Nov. 17, 2016, Ow Buland was transported to Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach and in cardiogenic shock upon arrival. The man’s extensive treatment included the implantation of four stents, spending five days on a balloon pump and life support, as well as a return trip for a defibrillator installation in his chest, according to the outlet.

Now, Ow Buland’s lawyer Gary Friedman said that his client’s “substandard care” caused “permanent and preventable heart damage,” as per Law.com.

Ultimately, the jury awarded Ow Buland the $2 million sum for pain and suffering, future medical expenses and loss of services.

When contacted for comment, reps for the cruise line told Fox News that they do not comment on litigation.

In similar headlines, Royal Caribbean Cruises was recently ordered to pay $3.38 million to the family of a passenger who died from a heart attack during a 2016 cruise, the Miami Herald reports.

By Janine Puhak, Fox News
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Several passengers aboard the Norwegian Escape cruise ship were injured Sunday when what cruise officials described as a "sudden, extreme gust of wind" made the ship list.

In a series of tweets, Norwegian cruise officials said the 20-deck ship suddenly tilted just before midnight Sunday under the force of an unexpected gale topping 100 knots, or about 115 mph.   "Two years ago, I was on (a cruise): 70 mph winds all throughout the night, just a bad storm. And those two minutes were worse than that whole night," Boston resident Cam Dube said Tuesday afternoon, shortly after the ship docked at Terminal 10 at Port Canaveral.

"I thought it was tipping," he said. 

A string of Brevard County Fire Rescue ambulances responded to the terminal at the north side of the port after the ship arrived about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. 

“Since learning of this incident on the Norwegian Escape, we deployed additional staff at our hospitals to care for passengers possibly in need of medical care. As of now, about eight passengers have been transported from the cruise terminal to Cape Canaveral Hospital and Holmes Regional Medical Center,” Pat Guerry, Health First vice president of marketing and communications, said Tuesday afternoon.

The offshore incident happened as a strong weather front moved across the eastern seaboard of the U.S., generating a string of tornadoes across Georgia and Alabama. The ship had departed from New York hours earlier on Sunday. Montreal resident Rhona Pervin got tossed out of the shower in her eighth-level cabin — "the door opened, and the water sloshed out onto the floor." Another Montreal resident, Jennifer Anthony from the fifth deck, said children and adults were crying after the incident. 

"Several injuries were reported and those guests and crew received immediate attention and were treated by the ship’s medical staff. There was no damage to the ship; she remains fully operational," Norwegian Cruise Line officials wrote in a statement.  The Norwegian Escape can carry up to 4,266 guests and a crew of 1,733. The ship was on a seven-day round-trip cruise that departed from New York on Sunday. After Tuesday's Port Canaveral port of call, the ship is expected to head on to the Bahamas before returning to New York.

The response was prompted by the report of a passenger on social media, who Tweeted: "The scariest (expletive) just happened on this cruise. Chairs, tables, glass, people went flying to one side of the ship."  Another passenger gave a harrowing account of the incident on Facebook: "All the plates and glassware smashed on the floor. A lotto machine fell on a lady. Blood everywhere. My mom spoke with a lady today who has been working cruises for 18 years and she said never has anything this bad ever happened."

Dube said the cabin he shared with his girlfriend, Sarah Rogers, tilted so steeply that it got stuck in place "like a hill."  "Glass was everywhere. Everything went flying off our counters: the coffee maker, anything we had in the bathroom. Our housekeeper said it was awful outside of our room," Rogers said.

Bill Hanson, a licensed boat captain from Wrentham, Massachusetts, and his wife, Anitra, were in their 12th-deck cabin when the ship listed without warning.  "My goodness, we heard glass crash and all the noise. Then from there, the boat started listing even more — and that's when the panic hit," Hanson said at Port Canaveral.

"We were looking for the life preservers. And I was looking to jump out the window and jump on the nearest thing around," he said.

"It's a brand new ship. The captain kept calm. They did their job. But let me tell you, Mother Nature whacked us," he said.  In September, the Norwegian Escape was one of two cruise ships forced to detour because of Hurricane Florence, diverting to Port Canaveral instead of the Bahamas. The other ship affected by Florence was Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas.

Avi Boas of Brooklyn, New York, is an EMS volunteer with Hatzolah EMS of North Jersey. After the ship listed, he rushed upstairs from the casino to check on his wife and seven children. They escaped injury.

"One of our next-door neighbors, she actually fell out of her bed during that situation, and she injured her back. I ran downstairs to the sixth floor, contacted the ship crew, and they ended up sending up personnel and brought her down to the clinic," Boas said.

Contributing: J.D. Gallop and Jennifer Sangalang, FLORIDA TODAY

By Eric Rogers and Rick Neale, Florida Today
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After losing power at sea and skipping two port stops, the Norwegian Epic’s bad week somehow sank to a new low.

In a now-viral Twitter video, witnesses captured the 4,100-passenger vessel as it slowly hit and sunk two mooring points at the pier in Puerto Rico’s Port of San Juan.

“It’s gonna hit, it’s gonna hit,” witnesses can be heard saying in the video, as the the ship collides with the first mooring point, sinks it, and then collides with the second point. The walkway to the second mooring point crumbles and then also sinks while guests look on from their balconies.

The cause of the epic failure? Wind, Norwegian said.

In a statement, the cruise line said a local pilot aboard the vessel was helping the ship maneuver at Pier 3 East in the Port of San Juan.

“Prevailing winds caused the ship to veer towards the pier,” Norwegian tweeted. No injuries were reported, the cruise line said, and it’s “working closely with local authorities to assess the damage.”  The Port Canaveral-based ship sustained minimal, superficial damage to the hull, Norwegian said, and the vessel was expected to depart San Juan later on Wednesday.

Epic sailed away from Central Florida on Feb. 9, and was scheduled to reach Tortola in the British Virgin Islands on Tuesday, followed by a stop in St.Thomas on Wednesday and another in the Bahamas’ Great Stirrup Cay on Friday.

But due to a “mechanical issue,” the cruise line had to sail to San Juan to assess the problem, cutting out the stops in Tortola and St. Thomas.  “All services aboard the ship remain fully operational,” Norwegian said.

Epic is expected to return to Port Canaveral on Saturday. The cruise line offered passengers 50% of their ticket's value toward another Norwegian cruise.

By Chabeli Herrera, Orlando Sentinel
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Norwegian Cruise Line has opened the books on its winter 2020-2021 itineraries. Caribbean highlights include the Norwegian Joy and the Norwegian Encore sailing from Miami, as well as the Norwegian Escape's debut in Port Canaveral and the Norwegian Epic's return to San Juan.

The Norwegian Joy will sail from Miami for the first time on a mix of five- to seven-day Western and Eastern Caribbean voyages. Beginning Oct. 24, 2020, the Western cruises will include Roatan, Honduras; its private destination Harvest Caye, Belize; and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. The Eastern Caribbean voyages will include Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and its private Bahamian island, Great Stirrup Cay.

The Norwegian Encore in 2020 will return to Miami to sail seven-day cruises to the Western Caribbean, with calls in Roatan, Harvest Caye and Costa Maya and Cozumel. The ship will also sail 12- and 13-day cruises through the Panama Canal with visits to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Kralendijk, Bonaire; Willemstad, Curacao; Oranjestad, Aruba; Santa Marta and Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica.

Beginning Nov. 21, 2020, the Norwegian Escape will homeport in Port Canaveral and offer five- and seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries with calls to Puerto Plata; St. Thomas; Tortola; Great Stirrup Cay; Cozumel; George Town, Cayman Islands; and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. It will also sail two four-day Bahamas cruises with visits to Nassau, Freeport and Great Stirrup Cay.

The Norwegian Breakaway will return to New Orleans on Nov. 22, 2020, offering seven-day voyages to Roatan, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya and Cozumel.

The Norwegian Epic will sail from San Juan on Dec. 20, 2020, on seven-day cruises to Willemstad; Oranjestad; Kralendijk; Castries, St. Lucia; and Basseterre, St. Kitts.

Similarly that December, the Norwegian Getaway will operate seven- and eight-day cruises to the Bahamas and Florida from New York, which will include calls to Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Great Stirrup Cay. There will also be five-day Eastern Caribbean voyages out of Miami with stops in Puerto Plata and Great Stirrup Cay.

Other offerings include a Nov. 30, 2020, return of Norwegian Gem to New York calling in Puerto Plata; St. Thomas; St. John's, Antigua; Tortola; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries; Basseterre; St. Maarten; and San Juan.

By Meagan Drillinger, Travel Weekly
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Kevin Rohrer's and his girlfriend's vacation ended abruptly in Havana, Cuba after their cruise ship left without them on a recent four-night Norwegian Cruise Line sailing in the Caribbean.

According to News.com.au, the American couple returned to the dock more than an hour ahead of what they thought was the Norwegian Sky's 5 p.m. departure time only to find the ship was already gone.

"It was a frightening situation. We were devastated," Rohrer said in his complaint to the cruise company. "We exchanged money and we took a taxi to the airport. American Airlines told us they wouldn’t take a credit card and quoted us 472 pesos ($465). We didn’t have that much money."

The couple managed to book a flight home and Rohrer has since contacted consumer rights group Elliott Advocacy.

Nonetheless, the couple appears to be out of luck as Norwegian Cruise Line made multiple notes of the departure time change well in advance of the cruise. What's more, the company's terms and conditions point out that "shipboard time may differ from the port of call" and that it's the "guest’s responsibility to pay all expenses incurred to rejoin the ship" in the event they are left behind.

In a statement to Michelle Couch-Friedman of Elliott Advocacy, Norwegian Cruise Line said it notified guests of the time change and circulated it on their e-documents more than a month before the Havana stop. "Additionally, the day before calling into Havana, the Cruise Director announced the new time repeatedly throughout the day and additional signage was placed on the gangway for all those disembarking to see," the cruise line stated.

The hard-learned lesson is one that all travelers should take note of. "In the end, it’s the traveler’s responsibility to know when to be back on-board that ship. If you miss your cruise home, unfortunately, there’s no one to turn to for a refund or reimbursement," said Couch-Friedman.

By Patrick Clarke, TravelPulse
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Just days after the biggest Royal Caribbean ship ever began sailing from Miami, the city is becoming home to the biggest Norwegian Cruise Line ship ever. 

Norwegian's 7-month-old Norwegian Bliss arrived at PortMiami early Saturday after an initial series of voyages out of Seattle and Los Angeles. 

The 4,004-passenger vessel will be based in Miami through early April for a series of seven-night trips from Miami to the Eastern Caribbean. The sailings will feature stops at St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas.

Bliss then will operate a single, 15-night voyage from Miami through the Panama Canal to Los Angeles that will include stops in Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Mexico. The voyage is in advance of the ship's move back to Los Angeles and Seattle for the spring and summer of 2019. 

At 168,028 tons, Bliss ranks among the 10 largest cruise vessels of all time. It'll be the second largest cruise ship sailing out of Miami, behind Royal Caribbean's new giant Symphony of the Seas. Symphony took up residence in Miami last week. 

Constructed at Germany's Meyer Werft shipyard, Bliss is the third ship in Norwegian's Breakaway Plus series, which also includes the 165,157-ton Norwegian Escape and 167,725-ton Norwegian Joy. The two earlier vessels debuted in 2015 and 2017, respectively.

All three of the Breakaway Plus ships are bigger than the biggest ships operated by rivals Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises. But they are dwarfed by the biggest vessels at Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean's Symphony, the world's biggest cruise ship, measures 228,081 tons. 

Designed to have all the trappings of a major mega-resort, Bliss features such over-the-top amusements as a two-deck-high racing course where passengers compete against each other in electric go-carts — a first for a vessel based in North America. 

Like Joy and Escape, Bliss also has a sprawling water park with multistory water slides; a restaurant-lined boardwalk; Tony Award-winning production shows, including Jersey Boys; and a giant spa. Dining options include a modern Texas barbecue eatery called Q that will feature live pop country music — a new concept for the line. 

By Gene Sloan, USA Today
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