Norwegian Cruise Line will cruise roundtrip from South Africa for the first time ever during the 2021/22 cruise season, with a number of itineraries from Cape Town.
The news was revealed by Harry Sommer, Norwegian Cruise Line president and CEO when the line opened up advance itineraries for as far ahead as 2023 due to pent-up demand amid the global shutdown of cruises.
Norwegian Jade in Dubai
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“The just-announced itineraries for 2021 through 2023 are designed to provide guests with vacations of a lifetime,” he said. “We’ll set sail to more than 20 new incredible destinations including Antarctica, Greenland and South Africa while also sailing to the over 300 destinations our guests have come to love.”
While Norwegian Cruise Line has cruised from South Africa before, it has never homeported in the country. Now, Norwegian Jade will make Norwegian Cruise Line history as the first ship to do so.
Norwegian Jade’s South African cruises
Norwegian Jade will sail 12-day ‘Extraordinary Journey’ cruises from Cape Town to Cape Town between December, 2021 and January, 2022.
The first departs on December 21st, 2021, and the second departs on January 2nd, 2022, while the third roundtrip Cape Town cruise departs January 14th, 2022.
Norwegian Jade will then cruise for Dubai, but will return to South Africa in December, 2022 for another three identical itineraries. These cruises will depart on December 21st, 2022, January 2nd, 2023, and January 14th, 2023.
Prices start from US $729.
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The voyages will include visits to Luderitz and Walvis Bay, in Namibia as well as Durban, Mossel Bay and Port Elizabeth, with overnight calls in Cape Town and Richard’s Bay.
Norwegian Cruise Line had previously announced that Norwegian Jade would be cruising from Cape Town in 2021, but hadn’t released details about the itinerary or date of departure.
Norwegian Cruise Line made its maiden port call in South Africa this year with Norwegian Spirit, but the cruise was marred by the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic and her anticipated grand voyage from Cape Town was cancelled.
The central atrium aboard Norwegian Jade
At 93,000-gross tons Norwegian Jade is large enough to be packed with amenities and varied dining experiences for passengers, while still small enough to feel intimate and personable.
On-board, passengers will find 10 dining options, 15 bars and cafes, three pools, a spa and gym, casino, Broadway-style theatre and facilities for young children to teens. The 2006-built ship was thoroughly refurbished in 2017.
Categories: SA Cruise News