NCL prepares for Aussie comeback with $144 million upgrade

NCL prepares for Aussie comeback with $144 million upgrade

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is celebrating the six-month countdown to the Australasian debut of the new Norwegian Spirit for her inaugural local sailing season.

A completely reimagined ship following her extensive USD$100m ($144m) renovation – the most expensive refurbishment in NCL’s 55-year history – Norwegian Spirit’s arrival on 22 December 2022 also marks NCL’s return to Australian waters.

“Australia, it’s time to get into the spirit!” Ben Angell, VP and MD NCL APAC said.

“Our final preparations are underway and we’re counting down to the moment we celebrate an NCL ship sailing into Sydney Harbour for the very first time in three years.

“Following her extensive renovations, Norwegian Spirit now offers a whole host of new features that appeal to the adult Australian cruiser.”

Harry Sommer, CEO and President, NCL, added: “We can’t wait to resume our Australasian operations and support local communities once more. Forward bookings for Norwegian Spirit are incredibly robust as our guests from all over the world vote with their feet – Australia-New Zealand cruising is back and it’s more popular than ever. My advice to local travellers thinking about a cruise is to book early to avoid disappointment.”

NCL also announced its return to the Canary Islands for the first time since 2017.

Following a 22-day transatlantic voyage from Miami to Lisbon, Norwegian Sun will make her return to Europe offering Canary Island sailings from 21 November 2022. Cruises on board the nearly 2,000-passenger ship will range from 10 to 14 days and drop by various embarkation ports, including Lisbon, Portugal; Malaga, Spain; and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands.

During Norwegian Sun’s debut six-month season in the region she will call to various new ports for NCL, including Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura) and San Sebastian de la Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain; Cueta, Spain; Agadir, Morocco; and Horta (Azores), Portugal.

“The Canaries have always been a draw for travellers from all over the globe and no more so when seeking some much-needed sun,” Sommer said.

Norwegian Sun’s new itineraries provide for a unique combination of the Canary Islands with ports in Portugal, mainland Spain as well as Morocco, offering our guests an all-year Europe season with nine ships to make the most of their travel this year.”

On top of the new itineraries, NCL released its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report where it outlined it’s targets and commitments as it pursues a path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Highlights from the report include:

  • Committing to pursue net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 across the operations and value chain.
  • Developing short and near-term greenhouse gas reductions to support the path to net zero.
  • Investigating the feasibility of retrofitting existing engines to operate with both diesel and methanol fuels.
  • Aiming to test the use of methanol fuel by 2025.
  • Setting a target for approximately 70 per cent of the fleet to be equipped with shore power capabilities by 2025.
  • Offsetting three million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent from 2021-2023 to help bridge the gap in decarbonisation efforts whilst exploring long-term alternative fuel solutions.

The 2021 ESG Report provides transparency on NCLH’s progress and commitments as the company strives to drive a positive impact on the environment and the communities it visits.


Featured Image: Norwegian Spirit/supplied

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