Norwegian Cruise Line sets Escape’s UK launch
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Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ship Norwegian Escape will launch in the UK at the end of October 2015 with a consumer mini cruise and trade launch in the pipeline.
Francis Riley, vice president and general manager, international of Norwegian said no concrete plans have been made for the celebrations, although it will look to the success of the Norwegian Getaway launch for inspiration.
Norwegian Escape will first arrive at Southampton on 27 October 2015 and will set sail for a one-night cruise to return to the port for an inaugural event the following day. On 29 October it will then set sail for its homeport in Miami.
Norwegian Getaway launched in January with travel agents hosting potential cruise clients onboard, and was hailed a success by Riley.
“Our ‘try before you buy’ event with Norwegian Getaway was very successful with a good number of bookings as a result. It’s a theme we like that fits under our Partners First programme where we work hand in hand with partners to grow the business,” he explained.
Norwegian Escape’s European inaugural will take place in Hamburg instead of Rotterdam to offer Norwegian more exposure in the German market, but the cruise line is still focused on developing its UK business particularly with the launch of Escape and Norwegian Epic visiting the UK next year.
“The UK market has performed extremely well and exceeded our revenue goals; Norwegian Getaway kicked off a good year for us,” Riley said. “We have focused on developing the fly/cruise market and we’re now a major player. In 2015 business is already showing some good signs, we are up double digits in the UK and the early indications are very encouraging.”
Talks are underway for where Norwegian Escape, plus the line’s other three ships on order, will be deployed when they enter the fleet, with Riley saying “nothing is on the table”.
While its European business continues to have opportunities the line could also look to make a presence in Asia or Latin America, or even in the US at second-tier ports.
What’s ahead for Norwegian Cruise Line?
- A return to South American cruises including the Panama Canal in 2015
- Cruises in Norway in May and June 2015
- Norwegian Epic year-round based from Barcelona from April 2015
- Norwegian Escape’s launch in October 2015
- Norwegian Bliss to follow, plus two other new ships by 2020
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