Latest news with #DavidJHerrera
Trade Arabia
05-05-2025
- Trade Arabia
NCL's Norwegian Epic, Pride of America to undergo revitalisation
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, today announced that Norwegian Epic and NCL's Pride of America will both undergo revitalisation projects just in time for the 2025 summer travel season. Designed to give guests MORE to do and MORE to enjoy with the freedom and flexibility to design their very best vacation, the new enhancements range from the addition of a reimagined water park for children, the expansion of the adults-only Vibe Beach Club, additional accommodations and more, NCL said. 'Delivering the best vacation experience for our guests, where they have the freedom and flexibility to do more of what they love is and will always continue to be our goal,' said David J Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. 'By listening to guests' feedback, we are excited to provide them with MORE to do on board starting this summer as Norwegian Epic sets sail for Europe and Pride of America continues to offer the world's only seven-day interisland Hawaii voyages departing from Honolulu 52 weeks out of the year!' NEWLY RENOVATED NORWEGIAN EPIC Following the completion of Norwegian Epic's three-week dry dock on May 8, 2025, the top deck will get some noticeable enhancements with more outdoor experiences. Renovations include a brand-new hot tub on deck 18 and a refreshed Kids' Aqua Park that replaces Splashgolf and provides more fun-in-the-sun activities for adults and children alike. Guests will also enjoy MORE to do with the expansion of Vibe Beach Club. The adults-only outdoor oasis replaces Posh Beach Club and will offer an additional hot tub, as well as more lounge chairs and new private cabanas to soak up the sun while enjoying spectacular views of the Greek Isles and Mediterranean. The dry dock plans also include the addition of eight new staterooms - a combination of balconies and oceanviews. Beginning May 8, 2025, Norwegian Epic will sail a variety of nine, 10 and 11-day cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy to picturesque ports of call in the Mediterranean and Greek Isles including Santorini and Mykonos, Greece; Valletta, Malta; as well as historic cities such as Naples, Catania, and Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy. Following her season of immersive European voyages, Norwegian Epic will return to San Juan, Puerto Rico and offer round-trip seven-day Southern Caribbean cruises to Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. John's, Antigua; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. NCL'S PRIDE OF AMERICA From May 3 to 31, 2025, Pride of America will receive notable upgrades including the addition of a new Starbucks location within The Capitol Atrium on deck 5. As NCL aims to provide guests MORE to do on board, guests who crave a game of friendly competition will soon be able to enjoy pickleball within the existing sports court. This summer, guests will have MORE to choose from when it comes to accommodations. Pride of America will feature 12 new club balcony suites and three inside staterooms on deck 12. Splash Academy, NCL's youth club for children ages three to 12 and Entourage, the teen club, will be relocated to deck 6 which was previously held by the S/S America Library, Internet Café, and Chapel; and the addition of a Library and Card room, which was once the Shuffles Card Room. Upon completion of Pride of America's nearly three-week dry dock, she will return to Honolulu on May 31, 2025, to offer guests the award-winning, and world's only, seven-day, inter-island cruise. With departures 52 weeks out of the year, the bucket-list itinerary provides guests nearly 100 hours of port time to truly explore the natural beauty of four majestic islands in a week's span and includes overnights in Maui and Kauai for more immersive experiences on land. - TradeArabia News Service
Trade Arabia
18-03-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
NCL welcomes all-new Norwegian Aqua to fleet
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the global leader in innovative cruise travel, has taken delivery of Norwegian Aqua, the 20th ship in its award-winning fleet and the first in the next-generation Prima Plus Class, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy. As Norwegian Aqua prepares to enter service, NCL completes another landmark event with the float out of Norwegian Luna. The float out signifies the completion of the ship's external work and marks the first time it makes contact with water. Norwegian Luna will move to the floating dock previously occupied by Norwegian Aqua for interior construction and furnishing in preparation for the ship's launch in April 2026. "Norwegian Aqua is more than just a ship—it's a commitment to our guests that we will continue to push boundaries and deliver MORE at sea," said David J Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. "From thrilling attractions like the Aqua Slidecoaster to the debut of Sukhothai, our first Thai specialty restaurant, Norwegian Aqua is designed to create unforgettable moments while cruising to the Caribbean, Bermuda and our private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, where we remain focused and excited about investing in the guest experience.' Herrera continued: 'We are deeply grateful to Fincantieri for its partnership and expertise in bringing Norwegian Aqua to life, paving the way for NCL's continued growth and success. And with Norwegian Luna's float out, we're already looking ahead to the next chapter of our fleet expansion.' Building on the legacy of Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Aqua is 10 percent larger in size and capacity, offering more wide-open space, thoughtful art and design, service that puts guests first and unmatched guest experiences. Norwegian Aqua introduces fresh features that exemplify NCL's commitment to delivering MORE - more thrills, more dining, and more immersive activities - while ensuring unparalleled service through the highest staffing levels of any new contemporary cruise ship. Norwegian Aqua is a testament to NCL's innovation, seamlessly blending hallmark Prima Class features - spacious staterooms, experiences beyond expectations and world-class entertainment - with exciting new enhancements. Measuring 322 metres in length and 156,300 gross tonnes, the ship accommodates 3,571 guests at double occupancy and boasts expansive outdoor spaces, ensuring a deeper connection to the ocean, NCL said. Guests will enjoy a diverse array of industry- and brand-first experiences aboard the ship. One of the ship's standout debuts is the Aqua Slidecoaster, the world's first fusion between a rollercoaster and waterslide delivering exhilarating twists and breathtaking views. But the fun doesn't stop there. The Aqua Game Zone, an interactive entertainment space filled with immersive games and challenges, from retro arcade games such as Ms. Pacman, Donkey Kong and Mario Bros. to virtual reality games and so much more for guests of all ages to enjoy together. Additionally, NCL's first Glow Court, a high-tech, digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor, offers guests with more ways to make the most of their time at sea with fun games available during the day, before transitioning into a nightclub at night. Food lovers can indulge in a mix of brand-new and signature dining experiences, including the debuting specialty dining venue Sukhothai, as well as guest favorites like Cagney's Steakhouse and Le Bistro. Moreover, the highly rated Indulge Food Hall now also features Planterie, a new eatery serving plant-based bowls and healthy options for lunch and dinner. At night, guests will spend the evening enjoying world-class entertainment with headlining productions including 'Revolution: A Celebration of Prince', an immersive tribute show developed in partnership with Prince Legacy, LLC and Primary Wave Music. It delivers a theatrical concert-like experience featuring the icon's chart-topping hits. Additionally, "Elements: The World Expanded", an enhanced version of NCL's highest-rated show, "Elements", blends acrobatics, magic, and intrigue, drawing inspiration from the four elements earth, air, water, and fire for a breathtaking theatrical spectacle. 'Norwegian Aqua is a testament to the solid and enduring partnership between Norwegian Cruise Line and Fincantieri, recently reaffirmed by the historic order of the four largest ships ever built by our Group for the brand," said Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager Merchant Ships Division of Fincantieri. "This ship embodies our shared commitment to technological innovation and excellence, marking another milestone in a thriving cruise industry where Fincantieri continues to lead the way. We are honored to bring yet another ground-breaking vessel to life and look forward to continuing our partnership with all the exciting projects to come." After showcasing her innovations during a series of inaugural European sailings, Norwegian Aqua will embark on a transatlantic journey from Southampton, United Kingdom, on March 28, 2025. She will mark her much-anticipated arrival to the US on April 4, for two inaugural events in Boston and New York City. On April 13, the ship will be officially christened in Miami in a celebratory ceremony with NCL brand ambassador and Norwegian Aqua godfather, Eric Stonestreet. The Emmy Award-winning actor is best known for his unforgettable portrayal of Cameron Tucker in Modern Family. During her first year of service, Norwegian Aqua will sail from Miami and Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida., as well as New York City. Departing from Florida ports, Norwegian Aqua will offer short voyages to the Bahamas as well as seven-day Caribbean itineraries, visiting sun-drenched destinations such as Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; as well as Great Stirrup Cay, NCL's private island paradise in the Bahamas, celebrated for its pristine beaches and exclusive experiences. In late 2025, the island will become even more accessible to guests with the addition of a new pier.
The Independent
14-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Norwegian takes delivery of first $850 million Prima Plus-class cruise ship
Norwegian Aqua has hit the water for the first time ahead of its maiden cruise in April. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) took delivery of its latest ship this week during a ceremony at Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard in Venice, where more than 4,000 people have worked to construct the vessel. It is estimated to have cost $850 million (£657 million) to build. Norwegian Aqua is the first in the next-generation Prima Plus-class ship and is the largest in the fleet. With a gross tonnage of 156,300 and a length of approximately 322 metres, Norwegian Aqua is 10 per cent bigger than the first two ships in the Prima class, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva. Norwegian Aqua' s first voyage is scheduled for 26 April, a seven-night Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral. Once onboard, passengers will discover features such as Slidecoaster, the world's first hybrid roller coaster with a water slide, and an interactive digital sports complex called Glow Court. They can also relax on the ship's Ocean Boulevard, a 360-degree outdoor promenade. David J Herrera, president of NCL, said: 'Norwegian Aqua is more than just a ship – it's a commitment to our guests that we will continue to push boundaries and deliver more at sea. 'From thrilling attractions like the Aqua Slidecoaster to the debut of Sukhothai, our first Thai specialty restaurant, Norwegian Aqua is designed to create unforgettable moments for the whole family while cruising to the Caribbean, Bermuda and our private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, where we remain focused and excited about investing in the guest experience.' The delivery has made space for sister ship Norwegian Luna, which had its float out today (14 March). It will move to the floating dock previously occupied by Norwegian Aqua to be ready for launch in spring 2026. The Fincantieri shipyard is also currently working on four new cruise ships for NCL that will be among the largest at sea, with the first to be delivered in 2030.
