MIAMI -- Norwegian Cruise Line signed a deal to build a
2,000-passenger cruise ship from the partially completed hull that
was to be the Costa-Olympia.
The 76,000-ton ship will be called the Norwegian Sky and is to
be delivered in August 1999. NCL officials said the company would
spend $300 million on the project, with construction to take place
at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany.
Construction of the vessel was begun at the Bremer Vulkan
shipyard in Bremer, Germany, by Costa Cruise Line, but work was
halted after the shipyard declared bankruptcy.
NCL officials said the Norwegian Sky would be "extremely
compatible" with the line's fleet.
Public rooms will be spread over 12 decks surrounding a midship
atrium. They will include a Sports Bar and the Bistro restaurant as
well as a wine bar, a champagne bar and a cigar club. The ship's
two main dining rooms will be connected by a smaller, third dining
room.
All outside staterooms will have two lower beds that convert to
a queen, a sitting area and large circular windows. And 258 cabins,
including 21 junior suites, will have private balconies.
Eight owners' suites will feature private outdoor Jacuzzis.
Standard cabins will measure about 150 square feet, and five cabins
will be equipped for wheelchair accessibility.
Officials did not say on what itinerary the ship might be
deployed.