Norwegian Cruise Line’s 1998-built cruise ship Norwegian Spirit is to undergo a major refurbishment in January, 2020, directly before her cruise to Dubai and South Africa.
The overhaul will be the ship’s first since 2008 and will see the addition of 14 new cafes, restaurants, bars and lounges, extra staterooms (such as the all-new Suite Stateroom) and an expanded Mandara Spa.
Norwegian Spirit’s cabins, such as her Balcony Staterooms, will be totally overhauled
“As we continue to introduce new innovative ships to our fleet, with Norwegian Encore making her debut next month, we are committed to ensuring that the experiences our guests have come to enjoy are available on even our most storied ships,” said Andy Stuart, the outgoing President & CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line.
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“We are excited to reinvigorate Norwegian Spirit so that she continues to provide lasting memories for guests as they sail to some of the most exotic destinations around the world,” he added.
Andy Stuart is due to step down as CEO of the cruise line at the end of the year after Norwegian Encore has been introduced into the fleet. He will remain with the company in an advisory capacity to ensure a smooth transition, according to Norwegian.
Norwegian Spirit will introduced the new suite category after her refit
In true Norwegian Cruise Line style, the ship will get new complimentary dining venues, including The Local Bar & Grill, The Great Outdoors, Garden Café and guest-favourite Italian restaurant La Cucina.
Norwegian Spirit refurbishment – The Local Bar & Grill
New specialty dining venues will include Onda by Scarpetta, which will debut this week aboard the new Norwegian Encore when she is delivered to the cruise line in Bremerhaven.
Brand new bars and lounges include the Spinnaker Lounge, Magnum’s Champagne and Wine Bar, Bliss Ultra Lounge and the Humidor Cigar Lounge.
Splash Academy, the children’s waterpark, will be replaced with the adults-only retreat Spice H2O, a daytime lounge featuring two new hot tubs and a dedicated bar, which transforms into an after-hours entertainment venue.
Norwegian Spirit refurbishment – Spice H2O Lounge
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Mandara Spa will double in size to nearly 7,000 square feet and include a relaxation area with heated loungers, a new Jacuzzi room, a sauna, steam room and water therapy experience. There will also be an expanded fitness centre.
Norwegian Spirit – Mandara Spa
Reflecting the ship’s far more modern and contemporary interiors will be a new design of hull art as well.
The project will cost US $100-million, part of the cruise line’s Norwegian Edge program, which has so far cost almost half a billion dollars and involved refurbishments to five ships in the fleet between 2016 and 2020 (Spirit will be the sixth).
Norwegian Spirit in Hong Kong
The 2018-passenger capacity cruise ship will enter dry dock in the Chantier Naval de Marseille in Marseille, France on January 2nd, next year. She’ll remain there for 40 days until repositioning to Barcelona for her 20-night voyage to Dubai, departing February 11th, 2020.
She’ll do a turnaround in Dubai before a 20-night voyage to Cape Town, followed by a 24-night cruise to Singapore. Norwegian Spirit will remain in Asia until early 2021, offering extended itineraries of eight to 24 days.
Categories: Middle East Cruise News, SA Cruise News
