Norwegian Cruise Line finalized an
agreement with Bermuda to sail at least 44 cruises a year to
Bermuda for the next 10 years.
The line said it
would use two of NCL's "newest and largest ships" for the summer
cruises, which would primarily depart from New York and
Boston.
In a conference
call to discuss the itineraries, CEO Colin Veitch said the
deployment would equal about a fifth of NCL's summer deployment. It
is "a major commitment," he said.
In 2009, the
2,000-passenger Norwegian Spirit will sail from Boston to Bermuda,
departing on Fridays and calling in Bermuda from Sundays through
Wednesdays. The 2,200-passenger Norwegian Dawn, meanwhile, will
sail from New York on Sundays and call in Bermuda Wednesdays
through Fridays.
The smaller
Norwegian Majesty (1,500 passengers) will sail to St. George's,
Bermuda, from Charleston, S.C., Philadelphia and
Baltimore.
Traditionally,
ships from the East Coast overnight in Bermuda for several
nights.
NCL said that as
part of the agreement the line would partner with Bermuda's Dept.
of Tourism and Chamber of Commerce; part of the partnership
includes developing a new program to encourage passengers to dine
in restaurants ashore. The line has previously offered passengers
vouchers for lunch or dinner at participating shoreside
restaurants.
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