Norwegian Cruise Line has begun the six-month countdown to the Australasian debut of the all-new Norwegian Spirit for her inaugural local sailing season.
A completely reimagined ship following her extensive bow-to-stern US$100m renovation – the most expensive refurbishment in NCL’s 55-year history – Norwegian Spirit’s arrival on 22 December 2022 also marks NCL’s long-awaited return to Australian waters.
Subscribe to LATTE’s free eNewsletter to keep up to date with everything in the luxury travel industry.
“Australia, it’s time to get into the spirit!” said Ben Angell, VP and MD NCL APAC. “Our final preparations are underway and we’re counting down to the moment we celebrate an NCL ship sailing into Sydney Harbour for the very first time in three years. Following her extensive renovations, Norwegian Spirit now offers a whole host of new features that appeal to the adult Australian cruiser.”
Harry Sommer, CEO and President, Norwegian Cruise Line, added: “We can’t wait to resume our Australasian operations and support local communities once more.
“Forward bookings for Norwegian Spirit are incredibly robust as our guests from all over the world vote with their feet – Australia-New Zealand cruising is back and it’s more popular than ever. My advice to local travellers thinking about a cruise is to book early to avoid disappointment.”
Norwegian Spirit will sail 10 local itineraries between December 2022 and March 2023, including a selection of eight 12-day open-jaw sailings between her dual home-ports of Sydney and Auckland, visiting a variety of regional and metropolitan destinations such as Hobart, Burnie, Melbourne and Eden in Australia, as well as Napier, Tauranga, Wellington and Akaroa in New Zealand.
The ship will offer two Extraordinary Journeys through the South Pacific, from Papeete to Sydney in December and Sydney to Papeete in March 2023. Norwegian Spirit then returns in December 2023 for her second season homeported in Australian waters.
A smaller ship at just over 2,000 guests, Norwegian Spirit is packed full of features that appeal to the adult cruiser, including the adults-only Spice H20 pool retreat, which transforms into an open-air cocktail lounge and nightclub after dark, as well as the newly doubled-in-size Mandara Spa, featuring a Thermal Suite with steam room, sauna, shower experience and heated-tile loungers.
Also onboard are 14 dining options to choose from – such as the rich French flavours of Le Bistro and contemporary Italian at Onda by Scarpetta – guests can look forward to holidaying their way, with no set dining times, tables or dress codes.
Enthralling entertainment options include ‘Elements’, a visual feast of flying, dance and magic; as well as upbeat pop-country music and stage extravaganza, ‘Blazing Boots’. At night, guests will relish the chance to retreat to their elegantly reimagined stateroom – from spacious suites to balcony staterooms with floor-to-ceiling windows for the ultimate ocean vistas.
For more information on Norwegian Spirit’s Australia/New Zealand cruises in 2022, 2023 and 2024, click here.