Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the world’s leading cruise line, made a double debut monday to honor its much-anticipated cruise comeback: Norway Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade was the first of its 17-ship fleet to arrive in Athens after 500 days (Piraeus).
Guests sailing on Norwegian Jade’s immersive Greek Isles itinerary will wake up in a new destination every day until November 2021, with the ability to spend eight to nine hours exploring some of Greece’s most picturesque islands, including luxurious Crete, bustling Mykonos, historical Rhodes, and the iconic blue and white Santorini.
“Welcoming our guests and crew on board has been one of the most memorable moments of my over 30-year career. We are excited to embark on the Great Cruise Comeback with a brand-new itinerary and homeport for our brand, offering our guests an even greater selection of unique vacations at sea.”
Harry Sommer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Norwegian Cruise Line
Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis added, “We are delighted to welcome Jade from Norway and her guests to Greece. The planned itineraries will provide one-of-a-kind experiences that combine our rich history, bustling culture, and world-renowned cuisine.”
The deployment of Norwegian Jade in Athens is part of a long-term strategy to increase the brand’s presence in Europe, which is one of the line’s most popular cruise destinations. The Company intends to station nine ships in the region by 2023, with the Norwegian Dawn, Epic, Escape, Getaway, Gem, Jade, and Star sailing in Greece.
“We are overjoyed to welcome Norwegian Jade and her guests to Greece. The planned itineraries will offer unique experiences that combine our rich history, bustling culture and famous gastronomy.“
Harry Theoharis, Greek Minister of Tourism
As part of the Company’s larger restart efforts, Norwegian Jade is the first ship to resume voyages. Norwegian Encore will be the first ship to return to service from the United States on August 7, 2021, when she makes her debut in Seattle for her inaugural season of Alaska cruises. The fleetwide redeployment will continue in collaboration with local governments and will be guided by the strict protocols of the Company’s SailSAFETM health and safety program, which includes requiring all crew and guests to be fully vaccinated before embarking on voyages through Oct. 31, 2021. The robust protocols will be evaluated on a regular basis in collaboration with the SailSAFE Global Health and Wellness Council’s leading experts.
The cruise line’s Peace of Mind cancelation policy remains in effect for cruises with embarkation dates through Oct. 31, 2021. Guests booked on these sailings have the flexibility to cancel their cruise 15 days prior to departure and receive a full refund in the form of a future cruise credit which may be applied to any sailing through Dec. 31, 2022.