Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has marked another milestone in the grand return of its ships with the redeployment of the Norwegian Epic and the Norwegian Getaway to the Mediterranean. A third of NCL's 17-ship fleet is now operational again, welcoming guests aboard after the company suspended cruises for more than 500 days.
Norwegian Epic, the fourth of the company's 17 ships to resume operations, has successfully completed its first voyage to some of Spain's most sought-after ports of call from Barcelona. During its seven-day voyage, the Norwegian Epic called at Livorno, the gateway to Tuscany's Renaissance heritage, Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, Cagliari (Sardinia), and Palma (Mallorca).
Reaffirming the company’s commitment to enhancing the guest experience at sea, NCL has unveiled the new The Haven by Norwegian™ aboard the Norwegian Epic, following an extensive refurbishment in Marseille, France, in late 2020. The Norwegian Epic was the first in the fleet to debut the “ship within a ship” concept in 2010, offering keycard access to the area, private amenities, exclusive services, and the most luxurious accommodations on board. The recent renovation has resulted in 75 refurbished and upgraded suites, as well as redesigned experiences, including The Haven Restaurant and The Haven Courtyard Pool and Sundeck. Furthermore, the Norwegian Epic boasts one of the largest The Haven spaces in the NCL fleet.
“It’s been thrilling to see our grand return to sea unfold over the past three months, with a third of our fleet now back in service, offering unforgettable vacation experiences,” said Harry Sommer, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). “The joy of reuniting with our families and welcoming our guests aboard will never fade. Returning to one of our most popular homeports in Europe, debuting the newly renovated The Haven by Norwegian™ aboard Norwegian Epic, is a testament to our unwavering commitment to exceptional quality and raising the bar for excellence across our entire fleet.”.
“We are delighted to welcome NCL back to the Port of Barcelona,” said Jose Alberto Carbonell, General Manager of the Port of Barcelona. “For the past 18 months, we have worked diligently with the NCL team to ensure a safe resumption of cruising from Barcelona for guests, crew, and the citizens of our city. We are happy to finally celebrate the return of cruising together.”.
Also today, the Norwegian Getaway embarks on its maiden voyage from Rome (Civitavecchia). Through October 25, it will sail a combination of 10- to 11-day itineraries around the Greek islands, calling at Dubrovnik, Corfu, Katakolon—NCL’s newest homeport on the Peloponnese peninsula—Santorini, Mykonos, Naples, and Livorno (Florence/Pisa). With up to 13 hours in each port and no more than two days at sea, guests can spend their time exploring ancient ruins and medieval architecture or simply savoring the region’s diverse and popular cuisine.
“Reaffirming our long-standing partnership with NCL, we are delighted to welcome the Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Getaway back to the port of Civitavecchia this month, and to see both ships embark on their first voyage from our shores in almost two years,” added Pino Musolino, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Port System Authority of the Central Northern Tyrrhenian Sea. “The cruise industry is a vital cornerstone for our country and region, contributing over 1,800 jobs annually in Civitavecchia alone and more than €402 million per year. We are therefore thrilled to welcome both the NCL crew and guests, and look forward to working closely with the NCL team once again.”.
NCL restarted its cruise operations on July 25, 2021, after a suspension of more than 500 days, with seven-day Greek Island itineraries aboard the Norwegian Jade. The redeployment of the entire fleet will continue in partnership with local governments and will be guided by the robust protocols of the company’s SailSafe health and safety program, a cornerstone of which is that all crew and guests must be fully vaccinated to embark on voyages through December 31, 2021. In collaboration with leading experts from the SailSAFE Global Health and Wellness Council, the protocols will be regularly assessed and modified as needed, with science-based decisions to protect guests, crew, and the destinations visited. Updates will be posted as the protocols evolve and additional information becomes available.
Escape to the vacation of your dreams with NCL's current promotion
Don't just dream about it, do it! Book your NCL cruise by September 30, 2021, and save an incredible 30% and enjoy all the Free at Sea vacation upgrade packages for just €99 per person on a 7-day cruise. Enjoy the premium onboard beverage package, exceptional specialty restaurants, savings on shore excursions, and other great benefits.
So where do you want to go? Discover idyllic island life on a Greek Islands cruise from Venice or Rome, or let the Norwegian Getaway whisk you away to the historic cities of the Baltic Sea, including the treasures of St. Petersburg. Fly to the exotic East and sail from Bangkok to Singapore, beautiful Vietnam, and beyond. Soak up the Caribbean beaches on a cruise from New York, which also stops in New Orleans, or take the cruise of a lifetime to South America and Antarctica.
And thanks to the Sail Safe health and safety program, in which all guests and crew members are fully vaccinated, you can enjoy maximum freedom on board. https://www.ncl.com/es/es/Free-At-Sea-1ogn0c/
