Review: Norwegian Spirit

Norwegian Spirit features an outdoor beer garden and lounge.
Credit: 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line

Cruisers onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) smallest ship will delight in both Norwegian Spirit’s mega refit and its Alaska itineraries.

Sailing between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seward, Alaska, seven-night cruises offer several less-travelled stops with intriguing excursions. Docked at Icy Strait Point on day three, I jumped at the chance to spot humpback whales, otters and porpoises in one of Southeast Alaska’s liveliest marine playgrounds. Hours earlier, I found myself soaring above the treetops, strapped into a seat on one of the world’s largest ziplines. On the last full day in Valdez, Alaska, a small boat excursion navigated through the floes to Columbia Glacier, a massive icefield renowned for its rapid retreat.

In between, the ship called at the popular ports of Juneau and Skagway, and then cruised to Hubbard Glacier. Disembarkation in Seward offered one final adventure, a scenic five-hour train journey to Anchorage where cruisers headed for Denali and beyond, or flights home.

Renovated Spaces and Amenities

Time onboard Norwegian Spirit added to the excitement in unexpected ways. Carrying 2,032 passengers, the ship was built in 1998 for Star Cruises’ Asia market. Ship age, however, is relative, as the decor, furnishings and public spaces are new again following a 2020 bow-to-stern refurbishment priced at more than $100 million.

In contrast to NCL’s colourful, family-oriented mega-ships, the refit intentionally caters to upscale adult cruisers. The ship’s Mandara Spa is double its original size and now offers an extra-fee Thermal Suite sporting heated tile loungers, a coed sauna and a steam room. Plus, the adults-only Spice H2O pool and hot tub retreat on Deck 10 is a quiet spot at the base of the terraced aft decks. And traditionalists will love the wraparound promenade deck and the Spinnaker Observation Lounge for whale and glacier viewing.

The Spinnaker Lounge offers great views.

Credit: 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line

Staterooms have been redone with minimalist decor and muted colours. Most welcome is the bathroom shower with its glass (not plastic curtain) door.

For those who appreciate a variety of dining options, the revamped Norwegian Spirit offers 14 venues. Le Bistro features tempting French classics. Onda by Scarpetta serves Italian. Cagney’s is primarily a steakhouse, though I loved the cedar-plank steelhead trout. Teppanyaki’s enlarged footprint is set in the three-part Asian venue that includes the Sushi Bar and complimentary dinner at Silk. A variety of dining packages are offered for the a la carte or set-charge hot spots.

The ship’s Atrium provides a comfortable place to relax.

Credit: 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line

For included dining beyond Silk, clients can check out the Garden Cafe buffet or The Local’s fast-food menus. Of the two main dining rooms, the remodelled, aft-facing Windows is classier, featuring views on three sides. Smaller, dinner-only Taste stretches from port to starboard, midship.

Norwegian Cancels Most of Spirit’s Sailings for 2024 and 2025

Norwegian Cancels Most of Spirit’s Sailings for 2024 and 2025

After announcing the cancellation of the ship’s 2024 summer program, Norwegian Cruise Line is cancelling more scheduled sailings onboard the Norwegian Spirit.

According to different statements sent to booked guests, all of the 2025 departures were cancelled, as well as additional dates in 2024.

Essentially leaving the 1999-built ship with no schedule beyond next April, the new cancellations are the result of redeployment moves, Norwegian Cruise Line said in one of the letters.

“As a company, we are committed to providing exceptional vacation experiences, both aboard our ships and by taking our guests to some of the most sought-out destinations around the world. As a result of a fleet redeployment, Norwegian Spirit’s sailings from February 8, 2025, through and including November 23, 2025, have been cancelled,” the company explained.

“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may cause,” Norwegian added.

In 2024, the sailings not long going ahead include cruises previously scheduled to depart between May through early June, in addition to itineraries scheduled to sail between September and December.

The Norwegian Spirit was scheduled to sail in the Pacific during the period, offering itineraries across Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, Hawaii and Tahiti.

While no cruises had originally been planned for January and early February 2025, and the ship’s 2024 summer program had already been cancelled back in May, the new cancellations leave the Spirit with no schedule after the 2023-2024 winter season.

Impacted passengers will receive several compensations, including full refunds and discounts for rebooking on different dates.

Originally built for Star Cruises in 1999, the Norwegian Spirit is currently one of the oldest in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet.

With a capacity for 2,000 guests, it went through a $100-million refurbishment in early 2020. The major modernization project saw the addition of 14 new venues to the ship’s public areas, in addition to cabin updates and technical upgrades.

July Update: Here’s What Happened to the Former Genting Cruise Lines’ Ships

July Update: Here’s What Happened to the Former Genting Cruise Lines’ Ships

Six months after Genting Cruise Line’s collapse, Cruise Industry News looks into the status of every oceangoing ship that was operated by the former cruise conglomerate.

Global Dream
Previous Brand: Dream Cruises
Year Built: 2022
Capacity: 5,000 guests
Location: Wismar, Germany
Status: Awaiting decision/buyer

After seeing its sister ship scrapped, the Global Dream is still waiting for a potential buyer.

With 75 per cent of its construction finished, the 208,000-ton vessel remains at the building dock of the former MV Werften in Wismar, Germany. Previously owned by Genting, the shipyard has changed hands recently and is now controlled by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.

Crystal Endeavor
Previous Brand: Crystal Cruises
Year Built: 2021
Capacity: 200 guests
Location: Gibraltar Anchorage
Status: Awaiting decision/buyer

After six months in limbo, the Crystal Endeavor continues to wait for a decision regarding its future.

The 2021-built expedition vessel is currently anchored off Gibraltar and has been recently associated with Silversea Cruises. So far, however, no official announcement has been made by any of the involved parties.

World Dream
Previous Brand: Dream Cruises
Year Built: 2017
Capacity: 3,400 guests
Location: Singapore Anchorage
Status: Awaiting decision/buyer

Another ship waiting for a decision regarding its future, the World Dream remains anchored off Singapore.

Previously operated by the Dream Cruises brand, the 2017-built vessel was arrested and brought under the management of V.Ships Leisure back in March.

Genting Dream
Previous Brand: Dream Cruises
Year Built: 2016
Capacity: 3,400 guests
Location: Southeast Asia
Status: Chartered to Resorts World Cruises

Now sailing for Resorts World Cruises, the Genting Dream is currently offering a series of short cruises in Southeast Asia.

Departing from Singapore, the operation includes visits to Malaysia and Indonesia, marking the launch of the new cruise operator – which chartered the 2016-built vessel in May.

Crystal Serenity
Previous Brand: Crystal Cruises
Year Built: 2003
Capacity: 980 guests
Location: Enroute to Trieste, Italy
Status: Sold to A&K Travel Group

After spending several months arrested in the Bahamas, the Crystal Serenity was auctioned in June and is now sailing to Italy.

Along with its sister ship Crystal Symphony, the 2003-built vessel was acquired by A&K Travel Group. The new owners, who also bought the Crystal Cruises brand and other assets, plan to relaunch the luxury company in 2023.

Crystal Symphony
Previous Brand: Crystal Cruises
Year Built: 1995
Capacity: 848 guests
Location: Enroute to Trieste, Italy
Status: Sold to A&K Travel Group

Previously arrested in the Bahamas, the Crystal Symphony is ailing in Italy following a judicial auction. 

Like its fleet mate Crystal Serenity, the 1995-built luxury ship was bought by the A&K Travel Group and is expected to resume service in 2023.

Explorer Dream
Previous Brand: Dream Cruises
Year Built: 1999
Capacity: 2,000 guests
Location: Port Klang, Malaysia
Status: Awaiting decision/buyer

The Explorer Dream is currently anchored off Port Klang, in Malaysia. Formerly operated by Dream Cruises, the 1999-built vessel continues to wait for a decision regarding its future.

After spending most of the pandemic offering domestic cruising in Taiwan, the former SuperStar Virgo arrived in Malaysia in March.

SuperStar Aquarius
Previous Brand: Star Cruises
Year Built: 1993
Capacity: 1,529 guests
Location: Southeast Asia
Status: Expected to be scrapped 

After being re-flagged and renamed in May, the ex-SuperStar Aquarius is currently named Arius, under St. Kitts and Nevis flag.

Expected to be scrapped along with other former Star Cruises ships, the vessel left Southeast Asia in May for what was believed to be its final trip. Instead of sailing to a ship-breaking yard, however, the 1993-built vessel sailed to Sri Lanka, where, according to the local media, it will stay laid up for the next month.

SuperStar Gemini
Previous Brand: Star Cruises
Year Built: 1992
Capacity: 1,472 guests
Location: Port Klang, Malaysia
Status: Expected to be scrapped

Like its sister ship, the former SuperStar Gemini arrived in Sri Lanka recently for a month-long layup.

Also expected to be scrapped, the 30-year-old cruise ship saw a change of name and registry as well, now called Gem under the flag of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Star Pisces
Previous Brand: Star Cruises
Year Built: 1991
Capacity: 1,384 guests
Location: Southeast Asia
Status: To be scrapped

The Star Pisces is set to be dismantled in India. After leaving Southeast Asia in late May, the vessel arrived in Alang earlier this month and is expected to be beached soon.

Previously operated by the Star Cruises brand, the former cruise ferry used to offer one-night cruises departing from the port of Hong Kong.

The Taipan
Previous Brand: Star Cruises
Year Built: 1989
Capacity: 64 guests
Location: Penang, Malaysia
Status: Sold to OM Ships

Previously Genting’s smallest ship, The Taipan was sold to OM Ships in May. The German religious organization's famous plans to transform the 1989-built vessel into a missionary ship and floating bookshop.

Before entering service for its new owners, the 32-cabin mega yacht is set to undergo a major transformation in a yet-to-be-named shipyard in Asia. 

SuperStar Libra
Previous Brand: Star Cruises/MV Werften
Year Built: 1988
Capacity: 1,494 guests
Location: Aliaga, Turkey
Status: Beached for scrapping 

The SuperStar Libra is now being dismantled in Turkey after being beached for scrapping at the Aliaga Ship Breaking Yard in May.

Previously operated by Star Cruises, the 1988-built cruise ship was serving as a gloating hotel at the MV Werften – a Genting-owned shipyard in Germany - since 2018.

Arrest Warrant Issued for Crystal Symphony

The Crystal Cruises saga may just be starting as a Miami court has issued a warrant for the arrest of the Crystal Symphony. 

Peninsula Petroleum Far East Pte. Ltd. filed a lawsuit in Miami earlier this week against the Crystal Symphony, Crystal Cruises and Star Cruises for what it says are unpaid fuel bills. 

Parent company to Crystal Cruises, Genting Hong Kong, warned earlier this week it would run out of cash by the end of January. Crystal Cruises also announced it would suspend operations through April. 

The unpaid fuel on the Crystal Serenity dates back to late 2021, according to the supplier. The filing also claims that Star Cruises has not paid various fuel bills dating back to 2017.

Total claims are $1.2 million against the Crystal Symphony, $2.1 million against Crystal Cruises, and $1.3 million against Star Cruises.

The fuel supplier is asking the court to arrest the vessel to secure payment. 

On Thursday United States District Judge Darrin P. Gayles ordered that the court issue a warrant for the arrest of the Symphony.

The ship was set to dock in Miami this weekend but is instead ending its current sailing out of U.S. waters in the Bahamas.

Global Maritime Security has been appointed to oversee the arrest of the vessel.

Crystal Cruises clarifies situation over parent company finances

Crystal Cruises clarifies situation over parent company finances

Crystal Cruises has issued a clarification statement after its Asian-based owner revealed doubts over financial restructuring plans.

Covid-19-hit Genting Hong Kong, which also runs Dream Cruises and Star Cruises, disclosed debts of $3.37 billion as it admitted that a fundraising exercise “may or may not be consummated”.

The luxury line, which has paused sailings for the rest of the year due to the pandemic, said in response: “Crystal’s parent company, Genting Hong Kong, is engaged in a financial restructuring and fundraising exercise to address liquidity issues that resulted from its global fleet not operating because of Covid-19.

“It is important to understand that the company is not going out of business.

“Whatever option our parent company pursues, it will allow Crystal to operate its business.”

The cruise line continued: “Additionally, we have always been committed to honouring our contractual obligations with guests and travel partners, including the processing of refunds.

“While we have extended our suspension of global voyages until the end of the year, we are working with government and health authorities in our key markets to resume sailing when it is safe to do so and we look forward to welcoming our guests back on board at that time.”

Explorer Dream Debuts With New Look

Dream Cruises has a third ship in the Explorer Dream, which debuted back into cruise service with a stunning new livery last week following a huge refurbishment.

The 2,000-guest cruise ship went from Star Cruises as the SuperStar Virgo to Dream Cruises, Asia's only premium cruise brand.

A summer season sailing from Shanghai and Tianjin is scheduled for the ship, followed by a winter in Australia and New Zealand.

Among major changes to the ship was the installation of an exhaust gas scrubber, and the Palace, Dream's ship-within-a-ship suite concept.

The new hull artwork by New York-based, Chinese artist, Kuri Huang continues the brand’s signature mermaid brand icon as the hull painting beckons viewers to ride upon “Waves of Dreams” in a whimsical and colourful ode to exploration and discovery, the company said.

Chinese designer Grace Chen will christen the ship in April in Shanghai.

Star to Build Up Home porting Operation in Qingdao

Star to Build Up Homeporting Operation in Qingdao

Star Cruises marked the inaugural sailing of the SuperStar Aquarius from her new Qingdao homeport earlier this week, and also announced the SuperStar Virgo would homeport in Qingdao starting in November.

Ang Moo Lim, President of Star Cruises said: “Back in 2002, Star Cruises had the privilege to pioneer Qingdao’s cruise industry development with the deployments of SuperStar Gemini and SuperStar Capricorn to this beautiful port city. As we celebrate the inaugural sailing of SuperStar Aquarius in Qingdao, Star Cruises has officially set a new record number of homeport deployments by the same brand in Qingdao.

"Furthermore, to demonstrate the company’s commitment and dedication to the development of the Qingdao market, Star Cruises will deploy the SuperStar Virgo to homeport here in the autumn, making Star Cruises the only cruise line in history to have two cruise ships homeport in Qingdao in the same year. Star Cruises will also likely become the International cruise line with the highest number of homeport deployments in Qingdao this year.”

The SuperStar Aquarius will sail from Qingdao this summer to Japan, stopping in multiple ports including Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Sasebo and Beppu.

Genting Hong Kong Reports 2017; Outlines Future Strategy

Genting Hong Kong has reported a segment loss of $186 million on revenues of $1.1 billion for its cruise operations for the year ended Dec. 31, 2017, compared a loss of $106 million on revenues of $908 million for the previous year. Genting owns and operates Dream Cruises, Crystal Cruises and Star Cruises.

Overall Genting posted a loss of $244 million on revenues of $1.2 billion for 2017, compared a to a loss of $504 million on revenues of $1.0 billion for 2016. This includes profit or loss contributions from its shipyards and joint ventures.

For its cruise operations, Genting said in its year-end report that passenger ticket revenue and onboard revenue increased significantly in 2017 mainly to the full year’s service of the Genting Dream and the Crystal Mozart, as well as the launch of the World Dream. Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler during the year.

Depreciation of the new Dream and Crystal vessels and start-up costs for the new Crystal river ships resulted in the segment loss, according to Genting.

Shipyard operations also posted a segment loss.

For 2017, passenger ticket revenue was $728.3 million or $197.26 per passenger cruise day. Onboard spending was $287.7 million or $77.92 per passenger day.

For 2016, the passenger ticket revenue was $625.4 million or $213.99 per passenger cruise day. Onboard spending was $96.73.

With Dream and Star operating in Asia, Genting stated that Asia generated approximately 68 percent of its cruise revenues in 2017, 30.4 percent came from Europe and 1.6 percent from “other.” In 2016, Asia generated 56.2 percent of the revenues, Europe 42.3 percent and 1.5 percent came from “other.”

While Dream Cruises improved its occupancies and yields in the Hong Kong/Guangzhou and Singapore markets, the arrival of new ships was said to have had a negative impact on Star, creating downward pressure on occupancies and yields. This situation is expected to improve, however, as other brands are reducing their capacity in the market.

Crystal is also seeing more competition with competing brands launching new ships, according to Genting.

Overall, the three brands had a 77.2 percent occupancy in 2017, compared to 81.7 percent in 2016.

The two-ship Dream Cruises fleet, which launched service with the first ship in 2016, will see two more global-class ships join in 2020 and 2021. Plans call for them to sail from Shanghai and Tianjin during the summer months and Australia, New Zealand, California and the ASEAN region during the winter months. The brand is being tagged as “Asia’s Global Cruise Line” by Genting, which also said it will have the youngest fleet in the world.

Star Cruises will continue to sail from China, Taiwan, Malaysia.

Crystal Cruises two ocean-going ships are being extensively renovated. The river fleet will grow to five vessels in 2018, and the yacht expedition segment will grow from one to two ships, with the introduction of Crystal Endeavor in 2020. Furthermore, Genting said that a new class of ocean ships are being designed for Crystal’s fleet to provide more itineraries and reach better economies of scale.

Dream Cruises to Get 2020 Newbuild, Sail Globally

Dream Cruises to Get 2020 Newbuild, Sail Globally

Big news came from Genting Hong Kong on Thursday morning, which announced that Dream Cruises will get the first Global-class newbuild previously allocated to Star Cruises.

The 5,000-guest, 204,000-ton ship will join the Dream Cruises fleet starting in 2020. Genting Hong Kong has a sister ship set for a 2021 delivery as well, which could also be poised to join Dream Cruises. 

“After designing the Global Class ships for the last three years and investing over 210 million euros to make MV Werften the-state-of-the-art cruise shipbuilding yard in the last two years, we are very pleased to finally start construction on the first Global cruise ship today,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, chairman and CEO of Genting. “These ships are not only the largest cruise ships to be built in Germany; they are also the most technologically advanced with artificial intelligence. The Global Class ships will follow the embrace of Asians of artificial intelligence in their daily lives, with facial and voice recognition for most services onboard and robots to perform mundane tasks, allowing the crew to focus on service delivery.”

The ships will be built at MV Werften, which started production on Thursday with the official steel cutting ceremony.

The ship will sail from China during the summer season and will move to Australia or the U.S. during the winter season. 

MV Werften Orders ABB Kit for Genting Quintet

MV Werften Orders ABB Kit for Genting Quintet

German shipbuilder MV Werften has selected ABB propulsion, automation and marine software for five new cruise vessels being built for Genting Hong Kong brands Crystal Cruises and Star Cruises.

The Swiss-based propulsion and automation systems provider will supply the complete power, propulsion and automation package for the five new buildings.

The three Crystal Cruises’ luxury “Endeavor Class” mega-yachts will feature a Polar Class 6 and enable cruising in the Arctic; then follow the route of migrating whales along the coast of the Americas and Europe to Antarctica during winter.

The Star Cruises “Global Class” vessels will be two of the largest on the market with 204,000 tons registered tonnage each. These vessels are specially designed for the Asian cruise market.

The five vessels will all feature a complete ABB propulsion system, electric power plant, automation and marine software system.

The three Crystal ships will be powered by two Azipod D units each to enable the ships to navigate polar conditions, whilst the two new Star Cruises “Global Class” ships will each be installed with three Azipod XO thrusters.

All the vessels will also feature ABB´s automation with Intelligent Maneuvering Interface and OCTOPUS marine software for optimised energy management.

Delivery of the five vessels is scheduled from 2019 onward.

Innovations keep Norwegian sailing as it celebrates 50 years

Norwegian Cruise Line president and CEO Andy Stuart, second from right, with passengers on a mid-1990s sailing in Hawaii.

Fifty years ago, a new name in travel was launched, along with a new concept for a vacation.

The first voyage of Norwegian Caribbean Line (now Norwegian Cruise Line) marked the birth of the regularly scheduled Caribbean leisure cruise. 

It was impossible to anticipate the outlines of today's cruise industry in that beginning. 

A 1968 ad for the Sunward, with a seven-day price starting at $175.

The line's first ship, the Sunward, was a converted ferry of 8,666 tons that carried 558 passengers and offered none of the modern amenities or luxuries associated with cruising.

But after that first voyage on Dec. 19, 1966, travelers would begin flocking to the Caribbean, and travel agents would find a new source of income.

"I don't think we would be talking about cruising today like we are had they not had that idea to be in cruising in the Caribbean 50 years ago," said Brad Anderson, co-owner of Avoya Travel.

To mark the line's 50th anniversary, Travel Weekly asked some agents to recall memorable moments in Norwegian's history, events that were significant or shaped the line that passengers know today.

Norwegian was a pioneer in many areas of developing the cruise product. It was the first to have a private island, in the Bahamas, the first to package cruises with included airfare and the first to create a department for corporate and incentive sales.

It daringly bought the liner France for use in the Caribbean in 1979 but floundered until its acquisition in 2000 by what was then Star Cruises, now Genting Hong Kong.

It was the acquisition by an Asian line that led to what travel agents said was the most significant development in Norwegian's history: the advent of Freestyle Cruising on the Norwegian Sky in 2000.

"Freestyle Cruising really was a turning point for [Norwegian]," said Rich Skinner, president of Cruise Holidays of Woodinville, Wash.

Significant milestones in Norwegian Cruise Line history

1966: First voyage of Norwegian Caribbean Line from Miami on Dec. 19.

1979: The France bought and converted to the Norway at a cost of $100 million.

2000: Company acquired by Star Cruises; Freestyle Cruising developed.

2005: Interisland cruises in Hawaii launched by NCL America.

2013: The company, now called Norwegian Cruise Line, goes public.

2014: Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises join Norwegian under Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

The decade preceding the sale had not been auspicious. Norwegian was weighed down by debt dating to the $80 million conversion of the France into the Norway.

It acquired Royal Viking Line and Royal Cruise Line to no great advantage. There were layoffs, a revolving door in the executive suite and a scattershot marketing message. Norwegian also faced two dynamic competitors in Carnival Corp. and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

After Star Cruises completed its purchase in February 2000, there were immediate discussions about how to differentiate the brand, said Andy Stuart, then Norwegian's vice president of sales, now the line's president and CEO.

Star Cruises chairman KT Lim, having sailed on Western-style cruises in the early 1990s, decided that the rigid, two-seating dining format wouldn't work in Asia because his customers would not show up on schedule, Stuart said.

Star's dining was flexible, and Norwegian studied it and then opted to adopt it as a point of difference for its line.

"The operations team believed they could execute it on the existing fleet," Stuart said. "And then the opportunity was [that] we would have the ability to design ships for it on a go-forward basis."

The idea almost sank at first on the Sky, Stuart said, because no one had prepared the guests.

The Norway, acquired in 1979, was advertised by Norwegian Cruise Line as a $100 million resort.

"It was all based on the existing marketing, which was about first- and second-seat dining and so forth," he said.

After a near-riot on the first cruise, Stuart said, guests were given the option of either set dining times or showing up when they liked.

"People started to take advantage of the new freedom and flexibility," he said. "While people I don't think knew Freestyle Cruising was what they wanted, once they were presented with the option, with the right tone, they were thrilled. And so was born the new experience."

Agents said Freestyle is clearly Norwegian's identity now.

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Ross Spalding, president of Crown Cruise Vacations, Princeton, N.J., said, "The creation of Freestyle Cruising has not only changed the thought of cruising from 'my grandparents' vacation' to one the entire family can enjoy but also to one that lets me spend my vacation as I would like to, with whom I'd like to, doing what I would like to."

Spalding and Rob Clabbers, president of Q Cruises + Travel in Chicago, also cited the creation of the high-end Haven enclave on many Norwegian ships as another milestone.

"It is a popular option for people who want to have a more upscale experience while still enjoying the amenities of a big ship," Clabbers said.

Norwegian's cultivation of cruises in Hawaii, starting in 2005, also stands out to Clabbers. 

"It brought us new clients who wanted to explore multiple Hawaiian islands from the convenience of a modern cruise ship," Clabbers said.

While the initial three ships in Hawaii proved too ambitious, Norwegian remains the only major cruise line in the market with the Pride of America.

Alex Sharpe, president and CEO of Signature Travel Network, said that the 2011 introduction of the Partners First program, coupled with de-emphasizing direct sales, has been a key to Norwegian's growing popularity with travel agents.

He cited the Breakaway class of ship as "a demonstrable jump up, and creative on many fronts."

An ad from 1981 for Norwegian Caribbean Line’s four ships.

"Finally," he said, "I think the appointment of Andy Stuart as president and now CEO was as applauded a move as any in the industry. A longtime veteran of [the company]gets his shot and has done a great job."

Avoya's Anderson said a largely forgotten milestone for Norwegian was its development of homeports outside of Miami, including Houston where it pioneered "Texaribbean" cruises in 1997, and Seattle, where it based a ship for Alaska cruises for the first time in 2000.

Anderson said his first personal memory of a Norwegian ship came touring the Skyward more than 30 years ago.

"I remember thinking, 'This looks like a lot of fun, and I want to sell more of it,'" Anderson said. "The ship looked gorgeous. Today, obviously, she would look pretty tiny. But back then, 10,000 or 20,000 tons looked pretty big."

Genting Hong Kong Orders Two 200,000 Ton Cruise Ships at New German Yards

An illustration of Star Cruises’ Global-class cruise ship. Credit: Genting Hong Kong

Holding company Genting Hong Kong has announced plans to build two 201,000 gross ton cruise ships as part of a 10-ship order at its newly acquired shipyards in Germany.

The two mega cruise ships will be among some of the world’s largest and will be built for Genting’s Star Cruises brand and deployed in the Chinese market. The 201,000 ton vessels will be known as Global-class and will include 5,000 lower berths each.

The eight other vessels will be built for Crystal Cruises and comprise of 6 river cruise ships, an expedition yacht and an “Exclusive Class” vessel.

Delivery of the Global-class vessels is scheduled for 2019 and 2020.

The ten-ship order was placed at Lloyd Werft Group, which was formed last month with Genting’s acquisition of Nordic Yards’ three shipyards in Wismar, Warnemunde and Stralsund, Germany. Prior to the acquisition, Genting only had the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven. The formation makes it one of just four shipbuilding groups with the ability to build large cruise ships using the two large covered dry docks in Wismar and Warnemunde.

“We are pleased that Genting chose Lloyd Werft Group for the construction of their new vessels as the company has built all but one of its new cruise ships in Germany for the Star, Dream and NCL brands due to the company’s desire for quality-built cruise ships,” says Rüdiger Pallentin, the Managing Director of Lloyd Werft Group. “We have the ability to tap into the complex cruise ship subcontractor industry in Europe, many of whom are centered in Germany and we can build cruise ships without major uncertainties in delivery and pricing. The Lloyd Werft Group has two huge covered new building drydocks, a ship launching platform and half a million square meter of covered fabrication halls to build quality cruise ships in all weather conditions.”

The Global-class ships will be largest cruise ships ever built in Germany, even bigger than the Quantum-class ships built at Meyer Werft.

Genting Hong Kong takes control of three further European shipyards

Genting Hong Kong takes control of three

 further European shipyards

Genting Hong Kong has announced the acquisition of Nordic Yards’ three shipyards in Wismar, Warnemunde and Stralsund, Germany for the consideration of €230.6 million.

The purchase of the three shipyards, along with Lloyd Werft last year, enables Genting Hong Kong to realize its global cruise ships fleet strategy over the next decade for its three brands - Crystal Cruises, Dream Cruises, and Star Cruises.

“The rapid growth of the world cruise industry, especially in China, has led to cruise ship order book reaching an all-time high,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, chairman, Genting Hong Kong.

“In order to ensure that the Company can build the required number of cruise ships in the next decade for our global fleet expansion, it is strategic that we acquired shipyards that can build our cruise ships in a timely basis and in a more cost effective manner.”

The newly acquired yards together with the previously purchased Lloyd Werft will be managed as the Lloyd Werft Group, optimizing the strengths of each of the yards for design and construction of cruise ships and megayachts.

Ownership of the shipyards will free the company from both the delivery timing and pricing uncertainties associated with the cruise ship order book cycle, which is at a historic high and allow management to focus on the strategic planning, design and deployment of its planned cruise ships among its three brands.

The three newly acquired shipyards are unique with covered dry-docks and building halls, resulting in high labour productivity and completion quality as cruise ships can be constructed regardless of weather conditions.

The Wismar shipyard’s dry-dock measures 340m long and 67m wide and the Warnemunde shipyard’s drydock measures 320m long and 54m wide and are capable of building cruise ships larger than the largest cruise ships currently afloat.

The Stralsund shipyard has a ship lift to launch cruise ships and megayachts up to 270m long.

These shipyards, with further investment, will have a steel fabrication capacity of about 150,000 tons a year, sufficient to build a number of cruise ships and a megayacht yearly.

“With all the yards situated in Germany, a country with a long tradition of efficiency in building high quality and innovative cruise ships and megayachts, the Lloyd Werft Group, with approximately 1,700 experienced management and workers, is well placed to succeed as one of the best cruise and megayacht shipbuilding companies in the world.

“Germany is also where the largest cluster of marine equipment suppliers are located and has excellent Government maritime coordination policies,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay.

“The investment in the Lloyd Werft Group will have good returns from the 10 year planned order book, fits perfectly with the Company’s global cruise strategy and is in the long term interest of the company.”