MIAMI --
Norwegian Cruise Line will return to Europe in 2005 -- but only for
two cruises, the line said Oct. 21.
NCL will use a
new ship, the Norwegian Jewel, which is under construction at the
Bremerhaven, Germany-based Meyer Werft shipyard and is scheduled
for an August 2005 debut.
The Norwegian
Jewel will offer two European sailings before heading to the U.S.
On Aug. 10 the Jewel will sail a 13-day Mediterranean-based
itinerary from Dover, U.K., and then a 12-day Baltic program, also
from Dover, on Aug. 23. The Jewel departs Dover on its
transatlantic cruise to New York on Sept. 4.
The ships
inaugural ceremonies will take place in New York, NCL said. The
Jewel will then sail a series of 11-day Canada and New England
Cruises before redeploying to Miami for alternating seven-day
eastern and western Caribbean itineraries.
The line earlier
this year said it would not offer a seasonal cruise program in
Northern Europe in 2005 and cited rapid expansion in North American
ports.
To contact
the reporter who wrote this article, send e-mail to Rebecca Tobin
at [email protected].