Cruises head for China

SHANGHAI Norwegian Cruise Line will introduce the first purpose-built ship customised for the China market in 2017, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ CEO Frank Del Rio announced Monday during the CruiseWorld China summit in Shanghai.
Currently under construction, the new ship is designed specifically for the China market with cabins, cuisine and onboard experiences that cater to the vacation preferences of Chinese guests.
“Our new purpose-built ship for China will have characteristics that are authentic to Norwegian Cruise Line and yet distinctively Chinese,” said Del Rio. “With this new ship, Norwegian will offer our Chinese guests a superior product and introduce a new standard of innovation into the marketplace.”
The new ship will be the second of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway Plus class and features the line’s style of cruising known as Freestyle Cruising.
NCLH team on the Bund in Shanghai
(left to right): the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) team on the Bund in Shanghai: Kimberly Leung, William Harber, David Herrera, Robin Lindsay, Winnie Chan, Simon Ho, Frank Del Rio (NCLH CEO), Richard Ambrose, Dorothy Mak, Harry Sommer, Constance Seck, Mark Kansley, Carmen Santamaria, and Caleb Wang.

(left to right): the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) team on the Bund in Shanghai: Kimberly Leung, William Harber, David Herrera, Robin Lindsay, Winnie Chan, Simon Ho, Frank Del Rio (NCLH CEO), Richard Ambrose, Dorothy Mak, Harry Sommer, Constance Seck, Mark Kansley, Carmen Santamaria, and Caleb Wang.

With a capacity of 4,200 passengers, this new Breakaway Plus-class vessel will provide a level of customisation beyond the physical design of the ship. Working with partners in China on the subtleties of Chinese culture, Chinese guests who sail on this new ship will be provided with quality service, cuisine, entertainment and overall experience that is simply not available in the China market today.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has opened offices in Beijing (Guomao CBD) and Hong Kong (Quarry Bay) and on Monday opened its Shanghai office in Xintiandi. These China-based offices support all three brands in the company’s portfolio – Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
“Our China offices house a dedicated team focused on our local travel agent partners, which is crucial to the success of our expansion in what will soon be the world’s second largest cruise market,” said Del Rio.”
The new ship will be delivered in Spring 2017. Norwegian will take delivery of the line’s first Breakaway Plus class ship, Norwegian Escape, 22 October. Two additional ships in this class are on order for delivery in 2018 and 2019.

sourced:ttrweekly.com