Norwegian Cruise Line's announces Winter 2013/14 deployment

Six ships to sail to the Caribbean and Bahamas & Florida from four homeports;

Line plans return to Mexican Riviera; Continued commitment to Canada & New England

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced its winter deployment for the 2013/2014 season with six ships sailing to the Caribbean and Bahamas & Florida from four homeports: Miami, New Orleans, Tampa and New York.  Norwegian Jewel, the first Jewel class ship to homeport in New Orleans, will make her debut there on October 13, 2013, offering seven-day Western Caribbean itineraries.

The line also plans to return to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles, with Norwegian Star sailing seven-day cruises in December 2013, March and April 2014, along with a series of Panama Canal voyages between Los Angeles and Miami.  Norwegian will also continue its commitment to Canada & New England with two ships sailing to the region: Norwegian Gem from New York and Norwegian Dawn from Boston and Quebec. The line also is offering four transatlantic crossings and several repositioning cruises.

 

These cruises go on sale to Norwegian’s top travel partners and Latitudes Rewards members (past guests) today, December 13, 2011, and to the general public on Thursday, December 15. 

“The Caribbean and the Bahamas & Florida represent the majority of our winter cruising destinations and therefore we are pleased to offer a variety of itineraries, ships and homeports,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s chief executive officer.  “Following a two-year hiatus, we are also pleased to bring Norwegian Star back to the West Coast to sail to the Mexican Riviera and through the Panama Canal.”

Caribbean and Bahamas & Florida Deployment

            Norwegian will have three ships sailing from Miami in the winter of 2013/14. Norwegian Epic returns for her fourth season in Miami, sailing a series of 25 seven-day Easter Caribbean cruises from November 2, 2013 to April 19, 2014 departing on Saturdays.  Norwegian Pearl is set to embark on a series of 26 seven-day Western Caribbean cruises from October 20, 2013 through April 13, 2014. Offering a longer cruise option, Norwegian Sun will sail 10 and 11-day Southern Caribbean cruises with Sunday and Wednesday departures from October 9, 2013 through April 16, 2014. Ports of call on the 10-day cruise include: St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Roseau, Dominica; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten; along with four relaxing days at sea.  On the 11-day cruise, Norwegian Sun’s ports of call include: Cartagena, Colombia; Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curacao; Philipsburg, St. Maarten and St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; as well as five relaxing days at sea.

In New Orleans, Norwegian Jewel will make her debut on October 13, 2013, offering a series of 26 seven-day Western Caribbean cruises through April 13, 2014. This is the first time the line is bringing a Jewel class ship to the Big Easy, offering increased capacity.  Additional features include The Haven by Norwegian, a deluxe enclave of suites, pool and other amenities in a private access area on the top of the ship, along with Nickelodeon programming.  New for 2013, Norwegian Jewel will sail alternating Western Caribbean itineraries in November and December. The first Western Caribbean itinerary features Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Bay Islands Honduras; and Belize City, Belize. The second itinerary includes Ocho Rios or Falmouth, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico

            Norwegian Dawn will return to Tampa and sail a series of 22 seven-day Western Caribbean sailings from November 17, 2013 through April 20, 2014. The ship will also offer a two-night cruise on November 15, 2013.

            From New York, Norwegian Gem will continue her year-round sailings offering seven-day Bahamas & Florida cruises from April 27, 2013 through September 7, 2013. The port order of the Bahamas & Florida sailings has been changed to include more port time in Orlando & the Beaches (Port Canaveral). The ship’s first port of call will be Nassau, Bahamas, followed by Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, Norwegian’s private island; followed by Orlando & the Beaches (Port Canaveral) and three relaxing days at sea.  Beginning October 19, 2013, Norwegian Gem will sail 21 nine-day Eastern Caribbean cruises through April 23, 2014 with stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Samaná, Dominican Republic, along with four relaxing days at sea. The ship will also offer a series of six one-night cruises from New York offering a quick getaway on November 15 and December 13, 2013, along with January 10, February 7, March 7 and April 4, 2014.

Panama Canal and Mexican Riviera Deployment

            For the first time since April 2011, Norwegian will seasonally base a ship in Los Angeles, sailing a series of both 14-day Panama Canal and seven-day Mexican Riviera voyages.  Beginning on October 13, 2013, Norwegian Star is scheduled for eight Panama Canal cruises between Los Angeles and Miami.  The nine seven-day Mexican Riviera sailings are interspersed in December 2013 and March and April 2014. Ports of call include: Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, along with three relaxing days at sea.

Canada & New England
            For fall foliage viewing at its best, Norwegian Dawn will embark on four Canada & New England itineraries between Boston and Quebec from September 13 through October 4, 2013. These sailings can also be combined for an ultimate 14-day Canada & New England experience.

            Norwegian Gem offers a series of five seven-day Canada & New England cruises from New York from September 9 through October 12, 2013.  Ports of call include: Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick; Bar Harbor, Maine; Boston, Massachusetts; and Newport, Rhode Island.

Transatlantics/Repositionings

In addition, Norwegian Epic will make two transatlantic voyages: an 11-day sailing on April 20, 2013 from Miami to Barcelona and a 13-day cruise October 20, 2013 from Barcelona to Miami. Norwegian Star will also make two transatlantic crossings: a 16-day from New Orleans to Copenhagen on April 21, 2013 and a 12-day voyage from Copenhagen to Miami on October 1, 2013. 

There are also a number of repositioning cruises available between various departure ports that visit exotic destinations in the Southern Caribbean and Panama Canal.  Norwegian Dawn will set sail on a 12-day Caribbean Escape from Tampa to Boston on April 21, 2013.  The ship will return to Tampa from Boston on November 1, 2013 on a 14-day Caribbean Escape.

Norwegian Jewel, Pearl and Sun will also offer a number of Panama Canal repositioning cruises between Miami and Los Angeles varying in length from 14 to 17 days.

To book these new sailings in conjunction with the company’s “Norwegians Take it to the Next Level” sales event, contact a travel professional, call 866-234-7350 or visit www.ncl.com. ;

About Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 45-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.

Today, Norwegian invites consumers to “Cruise Like a Norwegian” on one of its 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea. The Company has two 4,000-passenger vessels, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, on order for delivery in April 2013 and April 2014.

Norwegian’s largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, debuted in June 2010. Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, appearing for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic, as well as the official cruise line of Legends in Concert, Second City® Comedy Troupe, Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos, Gibson Guitar, and Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids. Cirque Dreams™ & Dinner is also featured on board Norwegian Epic as the first show of its kind at sea under a big top. 

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