NCL launches Norwegian Edge

Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed The Norwegian Edge, a new corporate programme that involves a significant two-year $400 million investment by the company through 2017. The centrepiece of the programme is an extensive ship refurbishment initiative that will elevate the experience on board the Norwegian fleet.

“Norwegian has a long history of investing in its fleet to offer guests the latest and greatest innovations, but the investment to raise our ships to The Norwegian Edge standard of excellence takes it to new levels,” said Andy Stuart, Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief operating officer. “The new standards of The Norwegian Edge programme will entice our guests to return again and again to ships that will look and feel as if they were just delivered, with all new menus and new dining experiences, visiting incredible exclusive destinations that reflect the quality finishes, amenities and outstanding service found across the Norwegian fleet.”

The extensive ship revitalisation programme will transform many spaces on board nine of the fleet’s ships to reflect the premium look and feel of the line’s newest ships.

The refurbishment programme began in October 2015 with a full refresh of Norwegian Epic that included the debut of new venues like The Cavern Club; restaurant makeovers in La Cucina and a new look for Cagney’s, Le Bistro, Moderno Churrascaria, The Manhattan Room and the Garden Café.

Norwegian Gem followed in November, debuting significant enhancements.

Throughout the course of the refurbishment programme, a total of seven additional ships will go into dry dock for both guest-facing and technical enhancements: Pride of America and Norwegian Sun in spring 2016; Norwegian Dawn in summer 2016; Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Pearl in winter 2017; and Norwegian Jade in spring 2017.

New for 2016, all ships in Norwegian’s fleet now offer upgraded complimentary dining room menus and the addition of optional à la carte priced items in the main dining rooms, such as grilled lobster tails and surf and turf entrees.

Beginning on 31 January Norwegian will also be expanding the new speciality dining menus that debuted on Norwegian Escape across the fleet. The introduction of these new enhanced menus at the line’s signature speciality restaurants – Cagney’s Steakhouse, Le Bistro and La Cucina – along with new offerings at Moderno Churrascaria and Teppanyaki, will further elevate guests dining experience with more options and new flavours. New menus will be offered on Norwegian Breakaway as of 31 January; Norwegian Getaway on 14 February; Norwegian Epic on 6 March; Pride of America after her dry dock on 15 March; Norwegian Gem on 1 April; and Norwegian Dawn after

Norwegian has further expanded plans for the line’s privately-owned destinations including the development of the Caribbean’s premier resort-style experience at Harvest Caye, Belize.

New features are also in store for the line’s private Bahamian island, Great Stirrup Cay. The island was recently enhanced in 2014 and will debut several new offerings and high quality amenities for guests by spring 2017.