Madrid, October 29, 2019 – Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), considered one of the most innovative cruise companies worldwide, has announced that the Norwegian Spirit will undergo a complete refurbishment as part of The Norwegian Edge®program, reaffirming the company's commitment to raising the standard of excellence across the entire fleet.
The ship will enter dry dock in Marseille, France, on January 2, 2020, for a nearly $100 million bow-to-stern revitalization. As part of its almost 40-day refurbishment, 14 new venues, additional staterooms, and an expanded Mandara Spa will be added. New complimentary dining options include a new main dining room, Taste; the 24-hour venue, The Local Bar and Grill; and all-day dining options such as Garden Café, Great Outdoors Bar, and Waves Pool Bar. Making their debut are the Bliss Ultra Lounge and the Spinnaker Lounge, which houses the Humidor Cigar Lounge. The Splash Academy, the children's water park, will be replaced by Spice H2O,a daytime space with two new whirlpools and a bar, which transforms into an after-hours venue. The Mandara Spa will double in size to 650 square meters and will include a relaxation area with heated loungers, a new jacuzzi room, as well as a sauna, steam room, and hydrotherapy facilities. The Pulse gym will allow guests on board to start or maintain their fitness routine. Additionally, the hull will feature a new artistic design.
Additionally, the company has announced the introduction of Onda by Scarpetta aboard the Norwegian Spirit, joining the roster of critically acclaimed Scarpetta restaurants in New York City that will debut this November. Reaffirming NCL’s commitment to providing superior dining experiences across its fleet, guests will enjoy the rich and bold flavors for which the modern Italian restaurant is known, including a selection of beautifully prepared seafood.
“As we continue to introduce new and innovative ships to our fleet, with the Norwegian Encore debuting next month, we are now more committed than ever to ensuring that the experiences our guests have come to enjoy are available even on our most historic ships, such as the Norwegian Spirit. We are excited to revitalize the experiences aboard the Norwegian Spirit, with the goal of it continuing to be the foundation upon which many of our guests have created unforgettable memories while sailing to some of the world’s most exotic destinations,” said Kevin Bubolz, Managing Director Europe for the company.
With expanded itineraries ranging from eight to 24 days to some of the most sought-after destinations across three continents (Europe, Africa, and Asia), the Norwegian Spirit will emerge from Marseille sporting a new artistic hull design, enhanced offerings, and a greater focus on adults on board. It will be the first in the fleet to visit Bali (Celukan Bawang), Jakarta, and Surabaya, Indonesia; Beppu, Kumamoto, Nagoya, and Tokyo, Japan; Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan; and Yangon, Myanmar. Following two exotic 20-day expeditions exploring Greece, Israel, Egypt, and Abu Dhabi from Rome (Civitavecchia) and the Seychelles, Madagascar, and South Africa from Dubai, it will sail a series of destination-rich itineraries to Southeast Asia, China, and Japan from Singapore, Hong Kong, China; and Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan, throughout the remainder of 2020.
