'The launch of the Norwegian Joy cruise ship reiterates our strong commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, and is designed to be appealing to Asian guests,’ said Steve Odell, svp and md Asia Pacific of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH).
Norwegian Joy berthed at Marina Bay Cruise Centre without guests at its first port of call in Asia, coming from the shipyard in Germany where she was completed last month.
Harry Sommer, executive vp international, business development told SCN such a sailing gave the company the opportunity to finish all interior work on the ship, crew more time to train onboard and allows for a coast guard inspection at Guam.
Sommer said it would have been difficult to sell a Europe to China cruise and would much rather focus on selling cruise itineraries out if China that they know are in demand.
'We believe this is the premier ship in China and as such it can command the highest prices. And we will do our best to keep it that way,' Sommer remarked.
Norwegian Joy, is on her way to Hong Kong and then Shanghai, which together with Tianjin near Beijing will be her homeports when she commences operations at the end of June.
Sommer said there will a couple of pre-inaugural 4-night cruises on June 16, out of Tianjin and and June 23, out of Shanghai, for stakeholder-guests, including from China's e-commerce gaint Alibaba Group which NCLH launched a partnership with earlier this month.
Alibaba, which has an extensive consumer-base, is expected to work with NCHL to increase awareness in China of what cruise vacations offer.
Sommer added bookings for the inaugural cruise from Shanghai in late June are almost full.
Guests will be able to choose from itineraries ranging from three to six nights, starting from US$449 per person.
The ship will be offering year-round short itineraries.
Given current South Korea travel restrictions, Norwegian Joy itineraries look toward Japan with calls at ports such as Nagasaki, Kochi, Miyazaki and Kitakyushu.
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