SHANGHAI, Sept. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. today reinforced the company's long-term commitment to the China cruise market. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings President and Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Del Rio appeared this week along with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings International executives Harry J. Sommer, Executive Vice President of International Business Development, and David J. Herrera, President of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings China, at the CruiseWorld China Summit in Beijing and the China Cruise Shipping Conference and International Cruise Expo in Tianjin to address China's cruise industry leaders.
"2017 will be a landmark year for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in China, as we are execute on our exciting plans to bring the first purpose built ship for the outbound China market next year with Norwegian Joy, and also expand our port of calls in China across our three brands ," said Del Rio. "To further our commitment, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises will all call on ports in China over the next 12 months. Four of our ships will bring nearly 7,000 international tourists to port cities in China in the next six months alone, including Hong Kong, Xiamen, Shanghai, Dalian and Tianjin – with even more calls to China's ports scheduled for 2018"
The Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) brand will deploy the newly refurbished Norwegian Star to sail Asia-based itineraries in December 2016, bringing more than 2,300 international tourists to Hong Kong and Sanya during each of her 11- and 14-day cruises. In February 2017, upper premium brand Oceania Cruises will seasonally deploy the 684-passenger ship Nautica in Asia, along with sister ship Insignia in March 2017. Luxury brand Regent Seven Seas Cruises will round out the company's deployment in March 2017 with the 700-guest ship Seven Seas Voyager spending the spring season in Asia.
Norwegian Cruise Line is widely recognized as the leading innovator in the cruise industry and has made a clear, long-term commitment growth in the China market, having opened offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong and relocating key senior leadership to China over the past year, including NCLH China President David J. Herrera who also spoke at the week's events, highlighting key features of Norwegian Joy to industry audiences.
"Norwegian Joy is our most innovative ship to date, one that will deliver a premium and incomparable cruising experience for our guests," said David J. Herrera. "NCL strongly believes that the China market deserves the best and newest ship in our fleet. We have designed Norwegian Joy for our Chinese guests, taking the most popular features on our new ships and expanding and customizing them specifically for this market."
NCL recently unveiled that the upscale shopping venue on board Norwegian Joy will be the largest in Norwegian's fleet, complete with everything from exceptional duty-free shops to high-end international brands. Prestigious retail brands already confirmed to be on board include Cartier, Omega, Bvlgari, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Versace, among many.
About Norwegian Joy
Launching in summer 2017, Norwegian Joy is Norwegian Cruise Line's first purpose-built ship customized for China, a new Breakaway-Plus Class Ship accommodating 3,850 guests with a variety of luxurious accommodations.. Norwegian Joy will start sailing from her Shanghai homeport on June 23, 2017 and will embark on 3, 4, 5 and 6-day cruises to enchanting destinations in Japan and Korea. While Shanghai will be the ship's primary homeport in China, the company will also offer a series of cruises from the port in Tianjin in 2017.
Designed to provide First Class at Sea experiences with onboard amenities that cater to the unique vacation desires of Chinese guests, Norwegian Joy will provide a multitude of VIP accommodations including The Haven by Norwegian®, the line's exclusive, ship-within-a-ship suite luxury complex, which will also include an all-new Observation Deck that features 180 degree views, and a Concierge level, an all-new accommodations category which will provide a VIP experience and feature larger balcony staterooms. Accommodation offerings will also include staterooms designed specifically for families and a multitude of connecting staterooms, for extended families traveling together, as well as a wide array of mini-suite, balcony, ocean view and interior staterooms, many with virtual balconies.
As part of the customization process for the ship, Norwegian Cruise Line commissioned renowned Chinese artist Tan Ping to design the featured hull artwork. Tan Ping's distinctive artwork underscores Norwegian Cruise Line's commitment to providing an unparalleled cruise experience for Chinese consumers. His subject for Norwegian Joy is the phoenix, an iconic mythical bird believed to reign supreme over all birds of the world. It is a ubiquitous motif in Chinese art and can be found throughout the centuries in paintings, silk brocades, architectural flourishes, and soon will dramatically grace the hull of Norwegian Joy when it sails into China for the first time.
Innovation in entertainment is paramount on Norwegian Joy and guests will appreciate a thrilling two-level competitive racetrack– the first ever at sea. The ship's open-air laser tag course is sure to be a hit with both kids and kids-at-heart. Norwegian Joy's Galaxy Pavilion will house an array of immersive entertainment experiences, including virtual reality, thrilling simulator rides and interactive video walls. Guests can go for a spin with friends or family on exciting hover craft bumper cars or start their engines in a professional single-seat racecar that's been converted into a state-of-the-art racing simulator. Movie buffs will be thrilled in a Star Wars® battle pods video game, and gamers can partake in a contest of skill at six Xbox® console stations. State-of-the-art virtual optic experiences by Oculus include the chance to design and then ride a personalized roller coaster. Continuing the adrenaline pumping recreation activities on the ship, Norwegian Joy will also feature two multi-story waterslides. For evenings to sit back and enjoy, guests will not be short of entertainment options with a stunning program of stage shows already being planned including the popular and dynamic Elements and Paradis.
Norwegian Joy will also offer 28 different food and beverage outlets on board – the widest array of dining experiences yet on any new ship that has been purpose-built for China with Norwegian Cruise Line's signature Freestyle Dining, allowing guests the flexibility to dine when they want, where they want, from a wide range of restaurants.
For more information on Norwegian Joy, please contact an authorized Norwegian travel partner or visit www.goncl.cn (in China) or https://www.ncl.com/norwegian-joy (in US), or follow us on the following social channels for the latest company news & exclusive content: Facebook, Instagram and Youtube: @NorwegianCruiseLine; Twitter, Periscope and Snapchat: @CruiseNorwegian; and WeChat: @goncl and @NuoWeiXhen.
Editor's Note: High resolution, downloadable images are available here.
About Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq:NCLH) is a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands.
With a combined fleet of 24 ships with approximately 46,500 berths, these brands offer itineraries to more than 510 destinations worldwide. The Company will introduce four additional ships through 2020.
Norwegian Cruise Line is an innovator in cruise travel with a 50-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of "Freestyle Cruising," which revolutionized the industry by giving guests more freedom and flexibility. Norwegian Cruise Line offers The Haven by Norwegian, a luxury enclave with suites, private pools and dining, concierge service and personal butlers. Oceania Cruises offers the finest cuisine at sea and immersive destination experiences with destination-rich itineraries spanning the globe. A worldwide leader in the luxury cruise market, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers the industry's most inclusive luxury experience aboard its all-suite fleet. Accompanying the unprecedented personalized service, gourmet cuisine and world-class entertainment, a voyage with Regent Seven Seas Cruises also includes round-trip air transportation to the port of origin with business class air provided for any intercontinental flights, fine wines and spirits throughout the ship, unlimited free internet access, ground transfers, pre-paid gratuities and complimentary sightseeing excursions at every destination visited.
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