Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has marked another milestone in its Great Cruise Comeback with the redeployment of Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Getaway in the Mediterranean. A third of NCL’s fleet of 17 ships are now back in operation, welcoming guests back on board after the Company’s more than 500-day cruise suspension.
Norwegian Epic, the fourth of the company’s 17 ships to resume operations, successfully completed her first voyage to the most sought-after ports in Spain and Italy from Barcelona. During the 7-day sailing, Norwegian Epic called to Livorno, the gateway to the Renaissance heritage of Tuscany and Florence, Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, Cagliari (Sardinia) and Palma (Mallorca).
Aaron Fletcher of Travel Solutions and his wife Jenny are just back from a four day cruise from Barcelona on board Epic – you can read all about their latest cruise adventure and how they found cruising post-pandemic in our latest edition, available now from you local travel agent or online at nitravelnews.com.
Reaffirming the company’s commitment to elevating the guest experience at sea, NCL debuted an all-new The Haven by Norwegian aboard Norwegian Epic, following an extensive refurbishment in Marseille, France at the end of 2020. Norwegian Epic was the first in the fleet to premiere the brand’s key-card access ship-within-a-ship concept in 2010, complete with private amenities, dedicated services, and the most luxurious accommodation on board. The recent renovation resulted in 75 reimagined and upgraded suites combined with redesigned experiences, including The Haven Restaurant and The Haven Courtyard Pool and Sundeck. Norwegian Epic features one of the largest The Haven spaces in the NCL fleet.
“It has been exhilarating to watch our Great Cruise Comeback unfold over these past three months, with a third of our fleet now back offering unforgettable vacation experiences”, said Harry Sommer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). “The joy of reuniting with our shipboard families and welcoming our guests back on board will never grow old. Being able to return to one of our most popular homeports in Europe, debuting the recently refurbished The Haven by Norwegian™ aboard Norwegian Epic, is a testament to our unwavering commitment to extraordinary quality and elevating the standard of excellence across our fleet.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome NCL back to the Port of Barcelona”, said Jose Alberto Carbonell, Managing Director of the Port of Barcelona. “During the past 18 months, we’ve worked diligently with the NCL team to ensure a safe resumption of cruising from Barcelona for guests, crew and the citizens of our city. We are glad to finally celebrate the comeback of cruising together.”
NCL restarted its cruise operations on 25th July 2021 following a more than 500-day suspension, with Norwegian Jade launching seven-day itineraries to the Greek Isles.
