Norwegian Cruise Line may
base a ship in Australia in 2014
after it launches Breakaway
and Getaway.
IT’S the only major ‘big ship’ company
without a superliner in Sydney, but Norwegian
looks set to “join the party”, according to
Nicole Costantin, regional vice president, sales
and marketing, Australia & New Zealand.
Costantin told Cruise Weekly yesterday that
it was the logical next step to send a
Norwegian ship to Australia.
“I think we will, in the next two years,” she
said.
“You just have to look at the fact we’re
launching two new ships [in 2013 and 2014] so
our other ships have to move somewhere, and
where do you go? Where you don’t have any
ships.”
Norwegian management has repeatedly
discussed cruising from Australia, Costantin
said, adding that it was important to send a
“newer” ship, because Australians were now
accustomed to better quality vessels.
Visiting Sydney this week are two of the
line’s top bosses: Francis Riley, vice president
and general manager international; and
Braydon Holland, vice president sales.
“Australia is significant for us – it’s our fourth
biggest international market after the UK,
Germany and Spain, which is incredible,” Riley
told reporters on Monday.
He said the 2500-passenger Pride of America
in Hawaii remained the number-one choice for
Australians for two reasons.
“Hawaii is our nearest destination to
Australia, and we have exclusivity as the only
ship offering inter-island cruising without
having to touch a US port, such as Mexico,
which adds four or five days to our
competitors’ itineraries.”
Riley also underlined the special features
debuting on the new 4,000-passenger
Norwegian Breakaway, such as The Waterfront
and 678 Ocean Place.
“Decks 6, 7 and 8 will become the hub of the
ship, with alfresco dining around deck 8, and
we will also have our first seafood restaurant,”
Riley said.
The new concept includes an oceanfront
boardwalk lined with shops, 17 dining venues
and 12 bars and lounges spread over three decks.
Breakaway will be home-ported year-round in
New York, sailing weeklong cruises to
Bermuda, from April 2013.
Norwegian Pearl, which is to be based in
New York this year, will move out when
Breakaway moves in.
Itineraries for the second new ship, Norwegian
Getaway, launching in 2014, are yet to be revealed.
