Norwegian Gem handed over to NCL
Norwegian Cruise Line has taken delivery of its latest ship Norwegian Gem in advance of a UK travel industry showcase today (Friday).
The ship was handed over from the Meyer Werft shipyard at a ceremony in Eemshaven, Holland.
Meanwhile, the steel cutting for the first of NCL’s third generation of new ships, project name “F3,” took place this week at Aker Yards in France.
The 150,000-ton vessels will each total 4,200 passenger berths, representing the largest ships in NCL’s fleet. The first is due for delivery in January 2010.
All 1,415 outside cabins will have balconies and the new ships will offer 60% more guest space than NCL’s largest ships to date.
Details of the ships’ design will be released closer to delivery, NCL said.
Norwegian Gem, the fourth and final ship in the company’s Jewel-class series, will sail to Dover to host the annual dinner of the Passenger Shipping Association as well as travel agents and media.
After the inaugural celebrations, Norwegian Gem will run a series of seven-day Western Mediterranean itineraries before making its US debut in Boston on December 12 followed by a christening in New York City December 18.
Norwegian Gem will spend spring 2008 on seven-day Bahamas and Florida itineraries and on 10 and 11-day Southern Caribbean itineraries from New York.
The ship returns to Europe next summer on seven-day Western Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona.
It will offer a 15-day transatlantic eastbound sailing in April 2008 and a 13-day return to the US in November 2008.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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