Norwegian Cruise Line expands its fleet with the 167,800-gross-ton Norwegian Bliss
Norwegian’s newest ship debuts in Europe before commencing her inaugural tour around the U.S. and her official christening ceremony in Seattle, Washington
Wiesbaden, Germany, 2018-Apr-23 — /Travel PR News/ — Today (Apr 19, 2018), Norwegian Cruise Line took delivery of the 167,800-gross-ton Norwegian Bliss, from MEYER WERFT during a ceremony in Bremerhaven, Germany, marking the conclusion of an 18-month building period. In attendance were executives from Norwegian Cruise Line, including Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer, Harry Sommer, executive vice president of international business development, Robin Lindsay, executive vice president of vessel operations, and Kevin Bubolz, Managing Director Continental Europe, representatives from MEYER WERFT including Bernard and Tim Meyer, managing partners of the German-based shipyard, the ship’s captain, hotel director and Vitalijs Smorodinovs of the Bahamas Maritime Authority, where Norwegian Bliss will be flagged. Later today, the ship will cruise to Southampton, England where she will begin her transatlantic journey on April 21. Norwegian Bliss will arrive to her first homeport at Pier 66 in Seattle, Washington on May 30, where the official christening ceremony will take place. When she returns on June 2, she will embark on her first seven-day voyage to Alaska.
“Norwegian Bliss is one of our most highly-anticipated ships to date, and today marks another exciting milestone for the newest and most innovative ship of our young and modern fleet,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “The MEYER WERFT team, along with our operations teams, ship officers and crew members, has done an incredible job bringing Norwegian Bliss to life and we cannot wait for guests to experience all she has to offer.”
“We’re happy to deliver another ship to Norwegian Cruise Line,” said Bernard Meyer, managing partner of MEYER WERFT. “We are extremely proud of our partnership of over 15 years and are confident that the first ship custom-built for cruising to Alaska will exceed the expectations of their guests.”
Norwegian Bliss, the third ship in the line’s Breakaway Plus class, the most successful class in the company’s history, is the first cruise ship specifically designed with features and amenities for the ultimate Alaska cruising experience.
Beginning June 2018, Norwegian Bliss will spend her summer cruising seven-day voyages to Alaska, and fall season cruising to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles. In winter of 2018, she will sail the Caribbean from Miami, and in the 2019 fall/winter season she will cruise from New York City to Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean.
• SPECIAL FOR TRAVEL AGENTS •
To celebrate the delivery of Norwegian Bliss Norwegian Cruise Line offers an extra 60 Euro Bonus Commission on all Premium All Inclusive and Premium All Inclusive Plus cruises of 5 or more days booked between April 19 and May 17, 2018 (excluding Norwegian Joy). The promotion applies to itineraries in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
About Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 51-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising. Most notably, Norwegian revolutionized the cruise industry by offering guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal cruise vacation on their schedule with no set dining times, a variety of entertainment options and no formal dress codes. Today, Norwegian invites guests to enjoy a relaxed, resort-style cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea with a wide variety of accommodations options, including The Haven by Norwegian®, a luxury enclave with suites, private pool and dining, concierge service and personal butlers. Norwegian Cruise Line sails around the globe, offering guests the freedom and flexibility to explore the world on their own time and experience up to 27 dining options, award-winning entertainment, superior guest service and more across all of the brand’s 15 ships.
Recently, the line was named “Europe’s Leading Cruise Line” for the tenth consecutive year, “World’s Leading Large Ship Cruise Line” for the sixth consecutive year, the “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Line” for the fifth consecutive year, as well as “World’s Leading Cruise Line” and “North America’s Leading Cruise Line” both for the second straight year by the World Travel Awards. Norwegian’s next new build, the highly anticipated Norwegian Bliss, will be delivered in April 2018 featuring many firsts-at-sea for the global market including the largest race track at sea, award-winning Broadway entertainment, two observation lounges for guests to enjoy stunning ocean and glacier views and more. Norwegian will introduce Norwegian Encore in 2019, completing the Breakaway Plus Class series. Four additional Norwegian ships are on order for delivery beginning in 2022, with an option to introduce two more ships in 2026 and 2027.
SOURCE: Norwegian Cruise Line
MEDIA CONTACT
Veronika Bahnmann
Senior Manager PR & Communications Europe
Phone: +49 611 36 07121
E-Mail: vbahnmann@ncl.com