The world’s leading large cruise brand will establish China as its home port, introducing a Breakaway Plus-class ship
Offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai have also officially commenced operations to support the company’s global market expansion plans
Shanghai, October 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Frank Del Rio, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.·De·Rio(Frank Del Rio, announced today at the China Cruise Summit that the first new ship built by Norwegian Cruise Line for the Chinese market will debut in 2017. The new ship currently under construction has been specially designed to cater to the unique vacation preferences of Chinese consumers in terms of accommodation, dining, and onboard experiences.
Norwegian Cruise Line – the second Breakaway Plus-class ship
De·Del Rio said: “Our new ship, tailor-made for the Chinese market, will retain the distinctive features of Norwegian Cruise Line while incorporating Chinese characteristics. The launch of this new ship will offer Chinese consumers a premium cruise product experience, while also introducing innovative and high-quality new standards to the current Chinese cruise market, providing an unparalleled customized service. China’s young, travel-loving generation can also discover cruise products that match their tastes through the experience of high-end cruising.”
As the second Breakaway Plus-class ship of Norwegian Cruise Line, the new vessel will continue the brand’s renowned Freestyle Cruising concept. Onboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, Chinese consumers can fully enjoy a resort-style vacation experience, freely arranging their itineraries as they wish — including world-class entertainment performances, a variety of refined Chinese cuisine (including Cantonese dishes) and European fare, shopping at duty-free stores, or participating in exciting onboard activities.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s creativity is recognized as among the best in the cruise industry. The new ship is not only custom-tailored but will also be the most innovative ship ever built specifically for the Chinese market. With a passenger capacity of 4,200, this Breakaway Plus-class new ship will not only provide the same freedom and flexibility as other Norwegian Cruise Line ships but will also integrate the vacation needs of Chinese travelers into the design of the onboard experience and facilities. Beyond the special hull design, the brand has also worked closely with local Chinese marketing experts to deeply understand the needs of the target consumer group in China, ensuring that when they step aboard the new ship, they will enjoy a distinctive, high-quality, all-encompassing experience in terms of service, dining, entertainment, and more, setting it apart from other cruise products currently available in the Chinese market. In the coming months, we will gradually reveal more details about the new ship, including its name, home port, accommodations, dining, and entertainment offerings.
To best support its market expansion plan in China, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has established offices in Beijing’s CBD and Quarry Bay in Hong Kong, and today the office in Shanghai’s Xintiandi has also officially commenced operations. These three offices will serve the company’s three brands — Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises — offering a range of high-end, ultra-high-end, and luxury cruise products to meet the diverse needs of different types of Chinese travelers.
De·Del Rio also mentioned at the summit: “The company’s management team in China is committed to ensuring the success of our local partners — travel agencies — which is key to our success in China, a market that will soon become the world’s second-largest cruise market. Our offices here will provide marketing and sales support to our partners, and we believe their guests will not only be eager to board our new ships with China as the home port but also want to experience the incredible voyages offered by our other cruise brands around the world.”
The Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. team in Shanghai’s Bund (from left to right): 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.
The new ship built by Norwegian Cruise Line for the Chinese market will be completed in 2017. The company’s first Breakaway Plus-class ship — Norwegian Escape — will be launched on October 22, 2015. Two other ships of the same class will also be completed in 2018 and 2019.
For more information about Norwegian Cruise Line, please visit www.goncl.cn or www.ncl.com.
About Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ: NCLH) is the world’s leading cruise operator, offering a diverse range of cruise itineraries through its three brands — Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises — spanning the high-end and luxury cruise product lines. These brands operate a young fleet, currently consisting of 21 ships with a total passenger capacity of approximately 40,000, visiting over 420 destinations. Between now and 2019, six additional ships will be added.
As the most innovative brand in the cruise industry, Norwegian Cruise Line has continuously redefined the traditional concept of cruising over the past 50 years. Its pioneering Freestyle Cruising concept offers guests a resort-style, flexible vacation experience at sea, completely transforming traditional cruise travel. Coupled with unparalleled entertainment and dining experiences, it perfectly meets the needs of China’s young cruise-loving generation.
For Chinese travelers seeking a luxurious holiday, The Haven by NorwegianTM can meet their needs. The Haven is an exclusive area on the ship accessible only by special keycard, featuring top-tier amenities, spacious accommodations, and personalized services including private concierge and butler service. Additionally, the highly acclaimed Norwegian Cruise Line offers a wide selection of staterooms — ranging from single cabins to multi-generational suites suitable for Chinese families.
Norwegian Cruise Line is committed to providing world-class cruise vacation experiences for guests traveling to Europe, the Caribbean, and the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii). New cruise itineraries further demonstrate the company’s international expansion plans. In the fall of 2016, the newly refurbished Norwegian Star will lead its guests to explore new worlds on more attractive and unique routes, with stops in Sanya and Hong Kong; this marks Norwegian Cruise Line’s first return to China since 2002.
Oceania Cruises is a leader in premium leisure cruising. It offers guests exquisite dining experiences, comfortable accommodations, relaxed dress codes, and personalized services. The brand’s five ships provide destination-focused cruises, visiting over 330 ports worldwide. For decades, Oceania Cruises has operated multiple routes passing through China. Oceania Insignia and Oceania Nautica will call at Sanya, Hong Kong, Xiamen, Shanghai, and Tianjin in 2016.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the leader in the ultra-luxury cruise market, operating three award-winning, all-suite ships. The ticket includes suite accommodations, personalized service, gourmet dining, and carefully selected wines; it also covers pre-cruise luxury hotel stays and gratuities for every port of call, while guests in premium suites enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi. The brand’s current three ships — Seven Seas Navigator, Seven Seas Mariner, and Seven Seas Voyager — cover vast sailing areas with over 350 destinations worldwide. In July 2016, the brand will welcome its fourth ship — Seven Seas Explorer — the most luxurious ship in its history, with a passenger capacity of 750.
Image - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20151012/0861509567-a
Image - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20151012/0861509567-b