Kelly Clarkson and Norwegian Celebrate Educators During Prima Debut in Galveston

Kelly Clarkson and Norwegian Celebrate Educators During Prima Debut in Galveston

Norwegian Cruise Line has commemorated the debut of its all-new Norwegian Prima, and the brand’s first-ever voyage from Galveston, Texas, with an exclusive concert by artist Kelly Clarkson, according to a press release. 

The ship also served as the special venue for this year’s Norwegian’s Giving Joy awards ceremony, during which Norwegian Cruise Line and Clarkson recognized 100 teachers with a free cruise and nearly $170,000 for the top three Grand Prize winners and their schools.

"It was such an honour to celebrate the 100 deserving winners of Norwegian’s Giving Joy program at Norwegian Prima’s inaugural sailing, which embarked from my home state of Texas!," said Clarkson. "Teachers are our true everyday unsung heroes, and they play an integral role in our society, not only shaping the future of their students but the future of their communities as well. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to participate in this program and give a special performance before they set sail on the trip of a lifetime."

Norwegian’s Giving Joy is a month-long campaign launched during National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2 – 6, 2022) to recognize deserving educators for their unwavering commitment to bringing joy to the classroom.

To celebrate these incredible individuals, and their often-times undervalued profession, as well as to kick off Norwegian Prima’s first voyage from the Lone Star State, Norwegian Cruise Line hosted a showstopping award celebration. Special guests included NCL President and CEO Harry Sommer; Norwegian Bliss Godfather Elvis Duran, American radio personality and host of "Elvis Duran and the Morning Show;" and superstar and godmother to Norwegian Encore, Kelly Clarkson, who delivered a stellar performance of her chart-topping hits including "Miss Independent," "Stronger," and "Since You’ve Been Gone." 

To conclude the Norwegian’s Giving Joy Award Ceremony, Sommer, unveiled the top three Grand Prize winners who received the most votes, awarding them with donations for their schools.

The Grand Prize winners are:

• Patricia Hosmer from Bayonne High School in Bayonne, N.J. ($25,000)
• Theresa Schrager from Falcon Cove Middle School, Fla. ($15,000)
• Anthony Stirpe from New Rochelle High School in New Rochelle, N.Y. ($10,000)

In addition to the expected donations to their schools, each of the Grand Prize winners received a big surprise – nearly $40,000 each in prize money thanks to Norwegian Cruise Line partners.

Where Are the Cruise Ships Originally Built for the Chinese Market?

Where Are the Cruise Ships Originally Built for the Chinese Market?

Several cruise ships were specifically built to serve the booming Chinese market in the last decade.

Too much capacity followed by COVID-19, in addition to other factors, changing the course of the local business, all of the vessels are now sailing elsewhere.

Here’s what happened to all of the former China-bound newbuilds:

Ovation of the Seas
Company: Royal Caribbean International
Built: 2016
Capacity: 4,100 guests
Tonnage: 158,000
Current Sailing Region: North America

The Ovation of the Seas became the first Royal Caribbean International new build to debut in China when it arrived in Tianjin in 2016.

With several custom-designed features, the Quantum-class ship continued to serve the local market until 2018.

Beginning in 2019, the ship started to alternate summer seasons in North America – where it is currently sailing – and winter seasons in Australia.

Genting Dream
Company: Dream Cruises (Genting Cruise Lines)
Built: 2016
Capacity: 3,400 guests
Tonnage: 150,000
Current Sailing Region: Southeast Asia

As the first cruise ship to enter service for Dream Cruises, the Genting Dream originally served the Chinese market.

With several features to cater to Chinese guests, the Genting-owned cruise ship had already been repositioned out of China when the pandemic broke in 2020.

The health crisis, however, led to the collapse of Genting Cruise Lines and Dream Cruises. After a few months laid up waiting for a new operator, the 2016-built vessel was chartered by Resorts World Cruises in mid-2022.

Norwegian Joy
Company: Norwegian Cruise Line
Built: 2017
Capacity: 4,200 guests
Tonnage: 163,000
Current Sailing Region: North America

Norwegian Cruise Line made a grand entrance into the Chinese market in 2017 with the Norwegian Joy.

Built at the Meyer Werft shipyard, the vessel was custom designed to serve the local market with exclusive features that include a virtual reality gaming centre, a tearoom and more.

The vessel was pulled out of China in early 2019. Following a refit – that removed all of the ship’s original purposely-designed features – the vessel repositioned to the North American market in time for a summer program in Alaska.

Majestic Princess
Company: Princess Cruises
Built: 2017
Capacity: 3,600 guests
Tonnage: 141,000
Current Sailing Region: North America

Following years of investment into the local market, Princess Cruises decided to send a custom-design new build to China with the Majestic Princess.

The 2017-built vessel was considered the first built specifically for Chinese guests, offering unique features such as a Cantonese restaurant, a VIP casino, a tea bar and karaoke rooms. 

The Chinese venture, however, proved to be short with the brand dropping plans for a year-round deployment in the country just months after the debut of the 3,600-guest ship. Initially redeployed to Taiwan and Australia for most of the year, the Majestic Princess arrived in the North American market – where it’s currently sailing – in 2021.

World Dream
Company: Dream Cruises (Genting Cruise Lines)
Built: 2017
Capacity: 3,400 guests
Tonnage: 150,000
Current Sailing Region: Laid-up

The World Dream entered service for Dream Cruises in 2017. Sporting several features for the local market, the vessel originally offered an upscale product in China.

With Genting Cruise Lines collapsing earlier this year, the ship continues to wait for a decision regarding its future while laid up in Southeast Asia.

 Norwegian Encore
Company: Norwegian Cruise Line
Built: 2019
Capacity: 4,200 guests
Tonnage: 163,000
Current Sailing Region: North America

Norwegian Cruise Line originally planned to send the fourth Breakaway Plus-Class cruise ship to China.

The vessel, which later became the Norwegian Encore, would add capacity to the local market, which was already being serviced by the 2017-built Norwegian Joy.

The plans, however, were scrapped while the ship was still being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard. Instead of China, the Norwegian Encore debuted in the North American market, where it’s still sailing to this day.

The spectrum of the Seas
Company: Royal Caribbean International
Built: 2019
Capacity: 4,200 guests
Tonnage: 168,666
Current Sailing Region: Southeast Asia

Royal Caribbean International sent a second new build to China in 2019 with the Spectrum of the Seas.

As the first Quantum Ultra-Class vessel, the 4,200-guest ship was designed with new features to cater to the local market, including an expanded VIP suite enclave and a set of new Asian speciality restaurants.

With the COVID-19 hitting Asia first, the Spectrum was briefly redeployed to Australia in early 2020 before entering a long lay-up status. Currently, the ship is offering short cruises departing from Singapore’s Marina Bay Cruise Terminal.

Costa Venezia
Company: Costa Cruises
Built: 2019
Capacity: 4,232 guests
Tonnage: 135,500
Current Sailing Region: Mediterranean

The Costa Venezia entered service in 2019 as Costa Cruises’ first designed-for-China new build.

Built-in Italy, the 135,500-ton vessel offers custom-designed features, including a karaoke entertainment complex and larger casino and shopping areas.

With the pandemic, the ship spent most of the last three years laid up in Asia. Currently, in service for Costa Cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean, the ship will be positioned in North America starting in 2023, kicking off a series of cruises from New York City for the new Costa by Carnival concept.

Costa Firenze
Company: Costa Cruises
Built: 2020
Capacity: 4,232 guests
Tonnage: 135,500
Current Sailing Region: Mediterranean

A sister to the Costa Venezia, the Costa Firenze was set to debut in China in late 2020. Also, custom-designed to serve the local market, the 4,232-guest cruise ship was equipped with several unique features.

The pandemic, however, forced Costa Cruises to change plans for the vessel. Unable to sail to Asia, the Firenze debuted in Europe in 2021 and has been serving Western markets ever since.

After a winter season in Brazil, the vessel is now set to debut in the United States in 2024, offering West Coast cruises under the Costa by Carnival concept.

The wonder of the Seas
Company: Royal Caribbean International
Built: 2022
Capacity: 5,448 guests
Tonnage: 227,625
Current Sailing Region: Mediterranean

Currently, the world’s biggest cruise ship, the Wonder of the Seas was originally bound for year-round service in China.

Featuring interior designs and concepts to appeal to the local public, the Royal Caribbean International ship was set to debut in the Chinese market in mid-2021, offering a series of cruises departing from Shanghai.

The pandemic, however, led the company to deploy the Oasis-class vessel in the Western Hemisphere, with a series of Mediterranean and Caribbean itineraries.

Global Dream
Company: Dream Cruises (Genting Cruise Lines)
Built: 2022
Capacity: 5,000 guests
Tonnage: 208,000
Current Sailing Region: Unfinished

Previously set for a 2022 debut, the Global Dream was poised to become one of the biggest ships in the Chinese market.

With custom-designed features and attractions, the 5,000-guest ship was under construction in Germany when Dream Cruises collapsed earlier this year.

Now sitting unfinished at its building dock at the MV Werften, the vessel is looking for a new operator.  

Norwegian Deployment Moves: More Destinations and Two More Ships

Norwegian Bliss arriving in Southampton Photo credit Spacejunkie2

Two additional cruise ships resumed service for the Norwegian Cruise Line in November. After first welcoming guests back in July, the brand now has nine vessels back in revenue service.

While more capacity is added, Norwegian is also returning to more homeports and destinations – including the Middle East.

Norwegian Escape
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 4,200
Built: 2015
Homeport: Port Canaveral (United States)
Itinerary: Eastern and Western Caribbean
First Cruise: November 13

The Norwegian Escape welcomed guests back on November 13, becoming Norwegian’s eighth vessel to resume commercial operations. After a 20-month operational pause, the vessel also marked the company’s return to Port Canaveral.

The ship is now offering seven-night cruises to the Caribbean from the Florida port. The voyages feature visits to major ports in the region, including Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s private island in the Bahamas.

The Norwegian Escape originally entered service in 2015 as the first vessel of the company’s Breakaway-Plus series.

Before resuming service, the vessel spends time in a European shipyard, undergoing maintenance and mandatory work.

Norwegian Joy
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 4,200
Built: 2017
Homeport: Miami (United States)
Itinerary: Western Caribbean
First Cruise: November 20

After the Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Cruise Line saw the return of its ninth ship on Nov. 20 as the Norwegian Joy welcomed guests back in Miami, kicking off a series of Caribbean cruises.

For its comeback program, the vessel is sailing seven-night voyages calling at Roatán, Bay Islands; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Harvest Caye, Belize – the brand's private resort destination in Belize.

The week-long itinerary is available through April 23, 2022.

Built-in 2017, the Norwegian Joy is one of the biggest ships in Norwegian’s fleet. As the second Breakaway-Plus vessel, it has unique features, including a two-level go-kart track, an open-air laser tag course, simulator rides and two multi-story waterslides.

The Joy underwent a major refurbishment in 2019 before debuting in the U.S. market.

Four Ships Moving Around

As the winter season approaches, four of Norwegian’s ships are launching new deployments – including the Norwegian Jade, which is now sailing in the Middle East after a summer in Europe.
Here are the details:

Ship: Norwegian Jade
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,400
Built: 2006
New Homeport: Dubai (UAE)
New Itinerary: the Middle East and Africa

The first ship to resume service for Norwegian, the Norwegian Jade recently concluded its first post-pandemic season in the Mediterranean. The vessel is now offering a winter program in the Indian Ocean, with itineraries visiting the Middle East and Africa.

Ship: Norwegian Gem
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,400
Built: 2007
New Homeport: New York City (United States)
New Itinerary: Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda and East Coast

After embarking on a series of cruises sailing from Miami, the Norwegian Gem recently started a New York-based program. Sailing from Manhattan, the vessel is now offering voyages to the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda.

Ship: Norwegian Breakaway
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 4,000
Built: 2013
New Homeport: New Orleans (United States)
New Itinerary: Caribbean
In November, the Norwegian Breakaway marked Norwegian’s return to New Orleans. Initially sailing from New York City, the ship resumed service in September.

Ship: Norwegian Encore
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 4,200
Built: 2019
New Homeport: Miami (United States)
New Itinerary: Eastern Caribbean and the Bahamas

After a summer season in Alaska, the Norwegian Encore launched service from Miami on Nov. 21. The 2019-built ship is now offering week-long Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Norwegian’s Pearl of Miami Cruise Terminal.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings: 13 Ships Set To Be In Service Soon

With its three cruise brands now back in service, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings plans to have 13 ships sailing commercially by Dec. 1.

While Norwegian leads the way, with nine vessels slated to sail, Oceania and Regent are also speeding up their restart plans.

Here is the latest brand by the brand update:

Norwegian Cruise Line
Status: Six ships currently in service; three more sets to follow by Dec. 1
Ships: Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway currently in service; Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Joy set to follow
Regions: Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bermuda, Alaska and West Coast

After a 500-day operational pause, Norwegian Cruise Line resumed service in July with a series of Eastern Mediterranean cruises.

Currently, the brand has six vessels back in revenue operations, offering cruises in North America, the Caribbean and Europe.

With three more ships returning by Dec. 1, the company is set to return to additional destinations, including the West Coast – where the Norwegian Bliss is welcoming guests back on Oct. 24. Based in Los Angeles, the 4,200-guest ship offers a program of Mexican Riviera cruises through 2022.  

While two other vessels are returning in 2021, the balance of the 17-ship fleet is slated to resume service next year.

Oceania Cruises
Status: Two ships currently in service
Ships: Marina and Riviera
Regions: Mediterranean and Atlantic

Oceania Cruises resumed revenue service in August with the Marina. The vessel welcomed passengers back in Denmark for a series of cruises to Western Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Greek Isles.

A second ship, the Riviera, joined the active lineup recently, offering additional itinerary choices in the Mediterranean.

In December, the upper-premium brand is also resuming service with the Insignia – which is set to offer a Panama Canal cruise before kicking off it's epic six-month-long "Around the World in 180 Days" voyage.

Phased restart dates for the balance of the Oceania Cruises fleet continue next, with three more vessels resuming guest operations in 2022.

Regent Seven Seas
Status: Two ships currently in service
Ships: Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Explorer
Regions: Northern Europe, Mediterranean, Caribbean and Panama Canal

With two ships now in service, Regent Seven Seas Cruises plans to have its entire fleet back in action by early 2022.

The luxury brand first restarted revenue operations in September, with the 2019-built Seven Seas Splendor. After resuming its inaugural season in Northern Europe, the vessel is currently sailing in the Mediterranean ahead of a winter season in the Caribbean.

The Seven Seas Explorer joined the active lineup recently, offering additional voyages in Europe.

A third Regent ship returning in December. The vessel is slated to sail a Panama Canal cruise before beginning an epic World Cruise in January.

NCL CANCELS ALL REMAINING CRUISES UNTIL END OF MARCH

Norwegian Bliss

Norwegian Cruise Line has extended its suspension of operations and canceled all remaining voyages until 31 March.

The line had previously announced the halting of cruises on all ships except Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Escape, and Norwegian Joy but has now extended that to include its entire fleet.

 

NCL said it would continue to “closely review” the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s conditional sailing framework issued on 30 October and “continue to partner with global and domestic authorities, including the CDC, to chart a path forward”.

 

“We are committed to taking all appropriate steps and actions to combat the spread of Covid-19 and are working closely and in partnership with local, state, federal, and global agencies,” the line said in a statement on its website.

 

“Whilst this may result in additional future changes, please know our teams are working around the clock to do what is right by our guests and travel partners. We continue to monitor this situation closely and will provide additional updates as they are available.”

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings extends suspension

The Norwegian Joy in Vancouver last year. Photo Credit: Tom Stieghorst

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has extended its suspension of cruising for nearly all voyages embarking between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30 for all three cruise brands (Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises).

However, Alaska cruises departing from Seattle in September will sail.

NCLH is also cancelling Canada/New England cruises and Pacific Coast cruises in October due to port restrictions in Canada. The Pacific Coast sailings were scheduled to depart from Vancouver.

NCL Holdings says cruisers eager for exotic sailings

Oceania Cruises' Marina.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) said that consumers are booking cruises to far-flung destinations in 2021, with Japan and Dubai among the top itineraries, along with several world cruise segments.

NCLH CEO Frank Del Rio said during the company's earnings call that for its Oceania and Regent brands, demand for those itineraries in the first and second quarters of next year indicates that people will be willing to take long-haul flights.

"And so, this notion that people aren't going to want to cruise to faraway places or exotic destinations, what we're seeing is defying that," he said. "So we're not seeing any particular area of strength other than these Japanese itineraries, these world cruise segments that are sold out, literally."

Del Rio also said during the call that he anticipates it would take about six months to resume service across its entire, three-brand fleet.

"The return to service of a phased approach of roughly five vessels per month is what we believe we operationally could handle in terms of bringing back the ships from cold lay-up, including re-crewing the vessels etc.," Del Rio said. "Given that we have 28 vessels if you bring back an average of five vessels a month, it's going to take about six months to get all ships back operating."

During the earnings call, Del Rio said that timeline assumes that the itineraries those ships would operate are available.

"So the six-month ramp-up assumes more than anything else our operational capability to ramp up and that the ports are open," he said.

Del Rio said that consumer demand is not a concern.

"We believe consumer demand and the bookings that follow are based on our ability to market, travel agents being back open again, the whole industry being back in operation as opposed to sitting idle," he said. "There is pent-up demand, let's not forget that. People only talk about the negative, but the fact that the industry has been shut down now over four months, there'll be pent-up demand. People will want to cruise again."

He also acknowledged that it will take time for cruising to come back to where it had been.

"We just have to be patient," he said, adding that "no one is more impatient than me. But I recognize that this is going to be a recovery effort that's going to take multiple quarters, perhaps multiple years to get back to the good old days of 2019."

$211M loss in the first quarter

NCLH reported an expected loss of $211.3 million for the first quarter of 2020, compared with income of $181.8 million one year prior. Revenue decreased 11.2%, to $1.2 billion, compared to $1.4 billion in 2019, for the quarter ended March 31.

NCLH said it had "taken decisive action to significantly strengthen our financial position" in response to the Covid-19 global pandemic, including the company's $2.4 billion capital raise, which Del Rio said positions the line "to weather an unlikely scenario of over 18 months of suspended voyages."

"Our guests continue to demonstrate their desire for cruise vacations," Del Rio said. "And we continue to experience demand for voyages further in the future across our three brands."

NCLH reported "significant softness in near-term demand and an elevated rate of cancellations for existing bookings."

But the company also said there "continues to be demand for cruise vacations, particularly beginning in the fourth quarter 2020 accelerating through 2021."

The company reported that slightly more than half of its guests booked on cancelled sailings had requested cash refunds instead of future cruise credits.

NCLH said that it had begun developing a comprehensive and multifaceted strategy to enhance its health and safety protocols, including "enhanced screenings, upgraded cleaning and disinfection protocols and plans for social distancing."

NCLH said it had furloughed approximately 20% of its shoreside workforce through July 31.

Norwegian Makes Moves on Ship Finance Deals; Gains $386 Million

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has amended the export-credit backed facilities that finance Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Joy to incorporate the terms of a 12-month debt holiday initiative offered to the cruise industry by Euler Hermes Aktiengesellschaft, the official export credit agency of Germany, according to a statement.

The debt holiday was initiated to provide interim debt service and financial covenant relief for borrowers during the current global COVID-19 pandemic with respect to their Hermes guaranteed financings. Across the facilities, these amendments provide approximately $386 million of incremental liquidity to the company through April 2021.

Norwegian Cancels Sun Alaska Program; Drops Prices On Other Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that the Norwegian Sun's summer program, ranging from May 21 to October 18, has been cancelled, citing a fleet redeployment. The ship was poised to sail long itineraries to Alaska. 

Guests booked on Norwegian Sun departures from May 21 to August 12, 2020:will receive a refund in the form of a future cruise credit worth 125% of the fare paid, which will be valid for a period of one year and can be applied to any future published sailing through December 31, 2022. 

Guests booked on cruises from August 13 to October 18 will receive a 100% refund of the fare paid which will be reimbursed to the original form of payment. Additionally, guests who rebook their vacation by April 27, 2020, for any sailing beginning October 1, 2020, will receive a 20% discount off the voyage fare.

"In conjunction with the cancellation of the Norwegian Sun voyages to Alaska, you will notice we have reduced our rates for cruises in July, August and September across the three vessels that will continue to sail Alaska - Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Jewel," the company said, in a letter sent to travel partners. "We urge you to review the pricing on those dates, as you will likely find extremely favourable fares."

Seattle: Alaska Drives Demand

Seattle: Alaska Drives DemandQuantum of the Seas in Seattle.

 While moving ahead with plans to build a third terminal, the Port of Seattle set another record last year with 1,210,000 passengers on 211 calls and is forecasting a further increase this year to 1,380,000 passengers on 225 calls.

“We are also extending our season starting as early as April 1 with the Grand Princess and closing on Oct. 19 with the Ruby Princess,” said Michael McLaughlin, director of cruise and maritime operations. “Norwegian Cruise Line will also bring a third ship, the Norwegian Sun, joining the Bliss and the Encore at Pier 66. The Sun will sail 11-day Alaska cruises.

“Next year, the new Norwegian Encore will replace the Joy,” he continued. “It is a good example of how Norwegian is keeping their newest and best products in the market.

“Also in 2021, Carnival will replace the Spirit with the larger Freedom.”

Last year marked Seattle’s 20th year as a cruise port, during which it has seen nearly 14 million passengers.

“What stands out over those two decades,” said McLaughlin, “is that even during the recession we continued to grow our market share year-over-year. There was some flattening out in Alaska when that head tax was put into place, but it had less effect on Seattle in that we had entered into berthing agreements with the brands where they needed to meet their annual guarantees. So when they decided to pull ships out of the market as a result of the taxation in Alaska, it had less effect on Seattle.

“Over the long run, the growth trend has been really positive.”

Having released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new terminal last summer, the port has announced three groups that were shortlisted. They were the so-called Cruise Industry Leaders Group, with Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Carnival Corporation and SSA Marine, a Seattle-based stevedoring company; Global Ports Holding and Miami-based Civil & Building North America; and Ports America, teaming up with Jacobs Engineering Group, headquartered in Dallas.

With the goal of having the new terminal ready for the 2023 season, it means Seattle will have three cruise terminals and four berths: Terminal 46 with one berth; the Bell Street Terminal at Pier 66 with one berth, and the Smith Cove Terminal at Pier 91 with two berths.

Pacific Northwest sights and flavours in Seattle

The Norwegian Bliss docked at Seattle’s Bell Street Terminal. In the distance are two ships at the Smith Cove terminal. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

The Port of Seattle used to take a back seat to Vancouver as a turnaround port for Alaska cruises, but no more.

With the 2017 upgrade of the downtown Bell Street Terminal at Pier 66, the continued use of the Smith Cove terminal and plans for a third terminal to be carved out of the cargo port on the south end of Elliott Bay, more and more cruisers will be visiting.

The port expects 1.2 million passengers in 2019.

And for anyone planning a pre- or post-cruise stay in Seattle, the biggest problem is choosing from among the cornucopia of things to see and do.

You might as well start, as I did on a recent visit, with Pike Place Market, where fish get thrown, flowers get sold and plenty of fresh food, mostly local, is laid out in a market-style atmosphere.

Pike Place Market, with its views of Elliott Bay, is Seattle’s top tourist attraction, with an estimated 13,000 visitors daily. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

The market is Seattle's No. 1 tourist attraction, with an average of 13,000 visitors a day. One way to beat the crowd is to take a pre-opening tour with Savor Seattle Food Tours.

On my two-hour tour, we made seven stops at vendors who were either just opening for the day or opened early for us. Guide John Lefor pointed out that the market serves as a small-business incubator, and he enjoyed telling stories of how vendors succeeded with their chosen speciality.

Lefor seemed to know everyone at the market, and they greeted him warmly, giving us an inside view of the place. We went to a little-known garden, got tips on some of the best stalls to visit and ate everything from cheesy biscuits to smoked salmon.

Next, I spent some time along the waterfront, where I marvelled at the change since my last visit in 2014. Because Seattle tore down the elevated freeway that divided the docks from the city, the area is now open and far more attractive.

Also new is the Seattle Wheel, a Ferris wheel that offers a nice view of the bay. Cruisers who will be leaving from the Smith Cove terminal can look down the waterfront and see their ships in the distance, with Norwegian Cruise Line ships at Pier 66 in the foreground.

The wheel is nice, but the recently opened Wings Over Washington next door should not be missed. It features a jaw-dropping, 20-minute simulated flight over a couple dozen land- and seascapes around the state. It costs $17, and I nearly plunked down a second $17 to do it twice.

One pier down from the wheel is the Seattle Aquarium, where I spent an hour or so in the company of sea otters, fur seals and other marine creatures found in Pacific Northwest waters.

For lunch, I visited the Crab Pot for a warm bowl of clam chowder. Plenty of diners had ordered the house speciality, a pot full of steamed clams, mussels, shrimp, corn on the cob and hot red potatoes in their jackets poured out on butcher paper over a big table. It is meant for two or more diners and starts at $25.95 per person.

A nighttime view of the Space Needle, with a glass sculpture from the Chihuly Garden in the foreground. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

One of the unique dining experiences in Seattle used to be the revolving restaurant in the Space Needle, but the dining area was yanked in a recent renovation in favour of the Loupe, an observation deck with a revolving glass floor. It's a great platform to see Seattle and a fun place to learn about the 1962 World's Fair.

Visitors from downtown hotels were whisked to the fair on a Disney-style monorail that still operates, a fun, retro trip. The three-minute blast from the past is $5 roundtrip.

An ideal time to visit the Space Needle is at dusk, which also puts you in position to see the Chihuly Garden at night. I've seen Chihuly glasswork before, even in a garden setting, but this collection by Washington state native Dale Chihuly is truly stunning and one of the must-see attractions when visiting Seattle.

Another unique venue is the Center for Wooden Boats, which shows the craftsmanship involved in boat building. I happened to be in town when the centre's annual festival was on, so a mini-flotilla of the wooden craft was on display. 

The centre at the foot of Lake Union is adjacent to Seattle's Museum of History and Industry, another nice stop that is located in an old Navy armoury. Exhibits run from the pioneer days through Seattle's ascendency as a hub for tech giants such as Microsoft and Amazon.

Heirloom tomato bruschetta served at the Pink Door restaurant. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

Lodging is plentiful in downtown Seattle, if expensive. The State Hotel, where I was hosted for two nights, is a 1904 medical building that has recently been converted to a 91-room, contemporary hotel.

The location is hard to beat for convenient access to Pike Place Market, the Bell Street terminal and the waterfront. Amenities include an excellent cocktail bar and open-kitchen restaurant off the lobby and a rooftop deck with a clear view of Elliott Bay.

The room interiors are a nice mix of quality materials and industrial-chic design. Prices in December are generally $144 a night, with a few dates higher. 

Seattle is full of restaurants with good Pacific Northwest cuisine. A favourite of mine is the Pink Door, located in an alley with simply the pink door as an identifier. Diners step down into a multiroom dining area, one of which has views of the bay. Its heirloom tomato bruschetta is particularly delicious.

Norwegian Strategic on Alaska

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) President and CEO Frank Del Rio underscored his enthusiasm for Alaska on the company's third-quarter earnings call.

He said the company will continue to make investments and cultivate partnerships in the region, noting the new pier NCLH has agreed to build in Ketchikan, its $20 million purchase of 2.9 acres of waterfront property in Juneau, and the construction of a second pier at Icy Point Strait.

“We are investing in port facilities and guest experiences,” he said. “Alaska is destination-centric and you much have the land capabilities in place. We have almost doubled our capacity in Alaska over the past three years and will be even stronger as we finalize our investments.”

NCLH’s Q3 Alaska capacity was up 17 per cent over the same period last year.

In Ketchikan, NCLH has entered into a 30-year preferential berthing agreement with Ward Cove Dock Group, which allows for the construction of a new double ship pier in Ward Cove.

Meanwhile, current zoning laws are said to prevent a pier from being built on the property in Juneau.

The pier will be built to simultaneously accommodate two of Norwegian Cruise Line’s 4,200-passenger Breakaway-Plus class ships and is expected to be ready for the summer 2020 season.

NCLH partnered with the Port of Seattle in 2015 on the renovation and expansion of the Bell Street Terminal at Pier 66 which was ready for the 2018 season and the 4,000-berth Norwegian Bliss.

NCLH and the port entered into a 15-year lease agreement providing its ships priority berth space in Seattle for the full term of the lease in return for passenger volume guarantees. NCLH manages the cruise operations at Pier 66, while the port operates the facilities outside the cruise season.

Next year, the Norwegian brand will have three ships in Alaska, with the Norwegian Bliss, Joy and Sun will be from Seattle. In 2021, the new Encore will take over for the Joy. Oceania and Regent will each have one ship in the Alaska market, with the Regatta and the Seven Seas Mariner from Seattle, Vancouver and Seward.

Del Rio cited what he called “incredibly strong ticket pricing and onboard spend” in the Alaska market and also noted the lengthening of the season, which now runs all the way from April to October.

“In the coming years, we will further bolster our presence and commitment to the region,” Del Rio noted.