-Norwegian Jade is First Ship to Sail After 500 Day
Suspension-
MIAMI, July 26, 2021 /CNW/ -- Norwegian Cruise Line
(NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, yesterday officially
commemorated its highly-anticipated cruise comeback with a double
debut: Norwegian Jade was not only the first of its 17-ship fleet
to welcome guests after 500 days, she also made NCL history as the
first vessel to homeport in Athens
(Piraeus).
Until November 2021, guests
sailing aboard Norwegian Jade's immersive Greek Isles itinerary
will wake up in a new destination every day, able to spend
eight-to-nine hours exploring some of Greece's most picturesque islands including
luxurious Crete, bustling Mykonos,
historical Rhodes and the iconic blue and white Santorini.
"Welcoming our guests and crew on board has been one of the most
memorable moments of my over 30-year career," said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive
officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. "We are excited to embark on the
Great Cruise Comeback with a brand-new itinerary and homeport for
our brand, offering our guests an even greater selection of unique
vacations at sea."
Greek Minister of Tourism Harry
Theoharis added, "We are overjoyed to welcome Norwegian Jade
and her guests to Greece. The
planned itineraries will offer unique experiences that combine our
rich history, bustling culture and famous gastronomy."
Norwegian Jade's deployment in Athens is part of a long-term strategy to
further increase the brand's presence in Europe, one of the line's most popular cruise
destinations. Through 2023, the Company plans to position nine
ships in the region, with Norwegian Dawn, Epic, Escape, Getaway,
Gem, Jade and Star scheduled to sail in Greece.
"Norwegian Jade's first Greek Isles voyages sold out shortly
after we made the announcement that we were on our way back," said
Sommer. "With such strong demand, we are glad to expand our
offering in Greece with seven
ships through 2023, providing our guests with a range of innovative
vessels and itineraries to choose from."
Norwegian Jade is the first ship to recommence voyages as part
of the Company's larger restart efforts. On Aug. 7, 2021, Norwegian Encore will be the first
ship to return to service from the U.S., when she debuts in
Seattle for her inaugural season
of Alaska cruises. The fleetwide
redeployment will continue in partnership with local governments
and are guided by the robust protocols of the Company's
SailSAFETM health and safety program, which at its
cornerstone includes that all crew and guests must be fully
vaccinated to embark for voyages through Oct. 31, 2021. Working with the leading experts
of the SailSAFE Global Health and Wellness Council, the robust
protocols will regularly be evaluated and modified as needed,
making science-based decisions to protect guests, crew and the
destinations it visits. As protocols evolve and additional
information becomes available, updates will be published at
www.ncl.com/sail-safe.
Travelers seeking the latest details about NCL's redeployment
should click here.
The cruise line's Peace of Mind cancelation policy remains in
effect for cruises with embarkation dates through Oct. 31, 2021. Guests booked on these sailings
have the flexibility to cancel their cruise 15 days prior to
departure and receive a full refund in the form of a future cruise
credit which may be applied to any sailing through Dec. 31, 2022.
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 Norwegian Cruise Line