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November 7, 2007 – Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and the
Bermuda Government announced today that they have reached a
comprehensive, long-term agreement that calls for two of NCL’s
newest and largest ships to be deployed to Bermuda for the next
10 years, commencing 2009 and running through 2018. These ships
will predominantly depart from New York and Boston and will each
sail at least 22 cruises per season, making extended calls in
Bermuda . The combined itineraries of the two vessels will
provide for overnights in Bermuda from Sunday through Friday.
The agreement also calls for NCL to continue through the 10-year
term its tradition of being the exclusive line to sail from
Boston to Bermuda .
“Since NCL first began sailing to Bermuda , it has been one of
our most popular itineraries, and we have developed a truly
unique relationship with the community and government of our
host destination,” said Colin Veitch, NCL’s president and CEO.
“Over the past 15 years, we have deployed ships from more US
homeports to meet the growing demand from US travelers to visit
Bermuda . Our new 10-year agreement with Bermuda confirms NCL’s
position as the leader in Bermuda cruising, plus we now have a
solid basis on which to commit two of our fleet of brand new
purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships long term – a significant
upgrade from our perspective and from Bermuda ’s.”
In 2009, Norwegian Spirit, with a double occupancy capacity of
2,000 guests, will sail from Boston to Bermuda, departing on
Fridays, calling in Bermuda from Sunday through Wednesday.
Norwegian Dawn, with a guest capacity of more than 2,200, will
sail from New York on Sundays, calling in Bermuda from Wednesday
through Friday. Also in 2009, Norwegian Majesty (the ship which
has served NCL’s Boston-Bermuda business for 15 years) will sail
to St. George’s , Bermuda from Charleston , Philadelphia and
Baltimore .
“NCL has been a loyal and productive partner in helping us
rebuild the reputation of our tourism product. I am proud to say
this ongoing partnership will continue now for at least another
ten years,” said Bermuda ’s Premier, Dr. the Hon. Ewart F.
Brown. “This proves once again that major players in the global
tourism industry are bullish on Bermuda – and they are bullish
for the long term.”
As part of the agreement, NCL will partner with Bermuda’s
Department of Tourism and Chamber of Commerce to contribute to
the Bermuda experience. This includes becoming one of the
sponsors for the annual Bermuda Music Festival, supporting the
St. George’s Foundation and the Bermudian Heritage Association,
and developing a new program to continue encouraging cruise
guests to dine in restaurants ashore.
This 10-year agreement follows NCL’s announcement In May 2007 of
its largest deployment to Bermuda in the company’s history with
its 2008 itineraries from five East Coast cities. The 2008
Bermuda itineraries include: Norwegian Dawn sailing from New
York, featuring the city’s only seven-day cruise to Bermuda;
Norwegian Dream replacing Norwegian Majesty sailing from Boston
offering Boston’s only Bermuda cruise; and Norwegian Majesty
sailing to Bermuda from three cities: Philadelphia, Baltimore
and Charleston.
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