p20 cruise Jan22 19/1/10 11:49 Page 20
Cruise
Chris Gray
020 7921 8003
cgray@ttglive.com
For the latest cruise news, visit
ttglive.com/cruise
NCL sees Epic signs
Norwegian Epic this year. But he did not believe
NCL’s new ship was just a smaller version of the
RCI vessel: “We are so many different things to
Oasis. We are not saying it’s a big ship. We
of a better 2010
are saying it has the most exciting line-up of
entertainment on a cruise ship and the most
exciting facilities.”
Stuart said UK bookings for Norwegian Epic
Sara Macefield.
“Last year was tough and yields were had been better than expected with strong sales
NORWEGIAN Cruise Line bosses are hopeful that challenging, but things have stabilised and we for the ship’s Caribbean sailings. It is offering
2010 will mark the start of a recovery in are cautiously optimistic for 2010,” Stuart said alternating one-week eastern and western
the cruise market, buoyed by the launch of its (pictured below). Caribbean itineraries, but British cruisers have
4,200-passenger mega-ship Norwegian Epic “I don’t think the industry will completely been booking both to make a two-week cruise.
(pictured) in June. recover the yield given up in the last 12 months, “We are pleased with how it is selling from the
Andy Stuart, NCL’s executive vice-president of but the signs are heading in the right direction. UK and it is significantly ahead of where we
global sales and passenger services, said he was And 2010 will be a better year than 2009.” expected it to be,” he said.
confident business would strengthen, but he He said last November’s launch of Royal While Norwegian Epic will spend its first
thought it would take longer to get prices back to Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas season cruising from Miami, NCL chiefs are
the levels they had been before the global had helped to boost the profile of the cruise believed to be looking at the possibility of taking
economic downturn. industry, paving the way for the launch of it international.
SpongeBob and
The studios went on sale on Monday with the ships, including interactive shows, poolside
prices from £599 for a one-week Caribbean entertainment, breakfasts and meet and greets.
cruise (excluding flights). NCL bosses said they Nickelodeon programmes will also be shown
Dora board Epic
had decided to promote them to single travellers on the in-cabin entertainment system.
after realising the great potential of this market. Andy Stuart, NCL’s executive vice-president of
“It is a huge opportunity for us,” said global sales and passenger services, said the line
marketing senior vice-president Maria Miller. planned to introduce a charge for the character
NCL is going all-out to woo families and single “Cruise has great appeal to the breakfasts and
cruisers on to its new ship Norwegian Epic, which solo market.” “tuck-in” service
launches this summer. Norwegian Epic and where kids get put
At a press conference in New York, the line sister ship Norwegian to bed by one of the
announced that it was partnering with family Jewel will also play characters.
entertainment brand Nickelodeon to bring its host to popular NCL also plans a
most famous characters onboard. children’s characters Nickelodeon-themed
The line is also targeting its new studio cabins SpongeBob SquarePants cruise on Norwegian
at solo passengers, with prices to match. and Dora the Explorer, Jewel later on this
The 128 staterooms, which measure 100sq ft after teaming up with year, with prices
and have access to their own private lounge, are Nickelodeon. carrying a premium
being marketed as single cabins, although they There will be Nickelodeon- compared with other
will also be available to couples. themed events throughout NCL’s Andy Stuart with Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob sailings.
20 22.01.2010
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