| Sommer: Spirit the perfect ship for Aus

NORWEGIAN Cruise Line’s Norwegian Spirit is the perfect ship for the Australian market, following her USD$100 million bow-to-stern revitalisation, President & Chief Executive Officer Harry Sommer told CW.

Spirit sailed into Sydney Harbour for the very first time on Wed (CW 21 Dec), an occasion which saw Norwegian make its return to Australian waters after three years.

The ship’s revitalisation is the most expensive and extensive Norwegian has ever undertaken, and the result is the ideal vessel for cruising in Australian waters.

“We’re super proud of Spirit, after this 100-plus million dollars we’ve spent, she is like a new ship, she’s the closest thing we have to Prima, and Prima doesn’t fit under the [Harbour Bridge], so this was the next best choice,” Sommer said.

“We only have three ships in our fleet that can fit under the Harbour Bridge, and as you know, with the situation with the Overseas Passenger Terminal being so jam-packed and there only being one berth, it’s hard to get perfect itineraries.

“We decided we would rather take a ship where we can get much more flexibility in our interior design.”

Vice President & Managing Director APAC Ben Angell said in addition to Spirit fitting under the Bridge, she is the perfect size for the itineraries she is operating.

“There’s no shortage of family options down here for cruising, big ship options, but there’s such a large proportion of Australian cruisers who love a slightly smaller ship…sailing phenomenal itineraries, immersive itineraries, and also that has so many dining choices on board,” he added.

Angell said Spirit also provides an opportunity for NCL to market its cornerstone fly-cruises to Europe and Hawaii to Australians.

Pictured: Angell and Sommer.