Cruise: Sneak-a-peek inside the £77 million Norwegian Spirit renovation

28 February 2020 - Daily Express

Norwegian Cruise Line has recently unveiled a £77 million refurbishment on board one of its most loved ships, The Norwegian Spirit, as part of its Norwegian Edge programme.

The programme aims to invest in guest experience, with Norwegian professing hopes this will “make sure every Norwegian holiday is up to the high standards our guests expect and deserve.”

The cruise ship emerged from a 43-day dry dock in Marseille, France, and headed to Civitavecchia Italy where it set sail on its first cruise since the makeover.

Amongst its new features are 14 new venues, additional and updated staterooms, enhanced public areas and a new-look on its facade thanks to fresh hull art.

The renovation is deemed one of the most extensive full ship transformations that the cruise line has ever seen.

The latest features draw focus to customer wellbeing, thanks to the enhancement of the Mandara Spa, introducing a thermal suite and relaxation area to its offering.

Customers can also work up a sweat in the modernised Pule Fitness Centre.

Foodies are in luck, with the ship boasting the second Onda by Scarpetta restaurant to take to the seas.

Other new complimentary dining venues include an additional main dining room, Taste; the 24-hour eatery, The Local Bar and Grill; the all-day dining outlet, Garden Café; the Great Outdoors Bar; and Waves Pool Bar.

The ship will also host two ritzy lounges, encapsulating both customer entertainment and relaxation.

The adults-only Spice H2O lounge offers a retreat complete with two hot tubs and a dedicated bar by day before transforming into an after-hours entertainment venue by night.

From comedy variety shows to magicians and dance parties, there's plenty of fun to keep guests busy through the day.

The ship also boasts its own basketball court, golf driving net, jogging track and casino.

Meanwhile shopaholics can treat themselves with an array of retail opportunities.

Then, as dusk settles in, guests can retreat to one of the ships’ cosy, modern cabins.

The newly renovated liner now boasts five penthouse suites, plus a selection of balcony, oceanview and inside cabins sleeping between two to four guests.

Norwegian Spirit took to the seas on its first cruise from Italy on February 14.

Over the coming months, cruisers can pick from a series of immersive 17, 20 and 28-day expeditions spanning three continents.

The ship will depart from Dubai, United Arab Emirates on March 2, 2020; and Cape Town, South Africa on March 22, 2020, before heading to Athens, Greece where it will home-port for the first time on April 19, 2020.

The cruise ship will also offer a season of seven-day voyages to the Greek Isles, Turkey, and Israel through Nov. 8, 2020.

The new itineraries are on sale now many which boast extended port times, will explore seven or eight ports in seven days, calling for the first time at destinations including Rhodes, Mykonos; Santorini and Corfu, Greece; Kusadasi and Istanbul, Turkey; Ashdod and Haifa, Israel; Limassol, Cyprus as well as two new ports of call for the brand, Patmos and Volos, Greece.

“It is truly exciting to celebrate Norwegian Spirit’s sail out of dry dock to incredible destinations following her significant renovation,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line.

“Europe is the number one destination for international arrivals, and we are very proud to position Norwegian Spirit for her first post-dry-dock season in this high-demand region.

“Our brand has been recognised 12 times in a row by the World Travel Awards as ‘Europe’s Leading Cruise Line’ and we are thrilled to offer our guests even more great itineraries in the region, allowing them to explore multiple destinations while unpacking only once.”

The newest revitalisation boosts Norwegian’s portfolio to a total of seven luxury ships.

Source: Daily Express

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