The South Korean ports Busan and Jeju were on 'almost every one of our itineraries,' said the evp international business development.
In reporting first quarter earnings and discussing the business outlook today, NCLH noted its positive momentum has been 'offset by recent uncertainties in Norwegian Joy's Chinese source market caused by the South Korea travel restriction.'
Speaking in late April, Sommer said NCLH had some 'minor advantage' compared to competitors like Costa and Royal Caribbean, already operating in China, because Norwegian Joy's sailings don't start until July. So Norwegian hasn't been scrambling to reroute a ship that's in service. The line adjusts itineraries on a 90-day rolling basis, which encompasses the major booking window for cruises in China.
Dropping South Korea means adding a sea day or another port in Japan. However, most China cruises are short—four to five nights—and it takes one sea day to reach Japan.
On the positive side, Sommer said there are now 12 ports in southern Japan that a ship the size of Norwegian Joy can visit. That's up from just four or five a year or so ago.
Japan has been extending piers, dredging or simply conducting Coast Guard inspections of ports to ensure larger ships can safely call. For example, nothing needed to be done at Kitakyushu apart from the Coast Guard authorization, according to Sommer, and Sakaiminato will become certified to take ships of Norwegian Joy's size next year.
Already in April, officials from Sasebo visited NCLH to discuss whether extending the pier by 10 meters would facilitate Norwegian Cruise Line calls. Sommer said Sasebo reached out to other lines, as well, and Royal Caribbean has already booked.
Pointing to the South Korean presidential election [held yesterday], the NCLH executive said the company hopes for positive developments in the country's China relations.
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