Nine and a half months after Norwegian Cruise Line’s first ship restarted sailings after the industry shutdown, every vessel in the fleet is now back in passenger service.
The line’s first ship to return after a 500-day pause was Norwegian Jade on July 25, 2021 out of Piraeus — the port for Athens. Since then, the line’s ships have all slowly been coming back into service around the world.
On Friday, the final vessel returned to service, as Norwegian Spirit set sail on a 12-night voyage from Papeete, Tahiti to Honolulu, Hawaii.
“This is an incredibly important day in our history and a defining moment for our future,” said Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We are moving full speed ahead, having already welcomed more than half a million guests for an exceptional vacation at sea.”
Norwegian Spirit, which underwent a $100 million dry dock in early 2020, will be sailing through the south Pacific into mid-June. Highlights of the ship’s current itinerary will include Bora Bora, Raiatea — considered the most sacred island in the South Pacific, Nāwiliwili, and Kaua’i, Hawaii.
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After the South Pacific cruises, Spirit will spend the summer sailing five to 11-night Alaska voyages roundtrip from Seattle.
Norwegian Spirit‘s renovation was the most extensive in the company’s history. The vessel now features 14 new venues, additional and updated staterooms, enhanced public areas, and new hull art.
Highlights of the ship include:
- A doubled-in-size Mandara Spa with a new thermal suite
- An expanded Pulse Fitness Center
- Onda by Scarpetta specialty restaurant
- An additional main dining room, Taste
- The Local Bar & Grill, which is open 24 hours a day
- Great Outdoors Bar
- The Social Comedy & Night Club
- Spinnaker Lounge with the Humidor Cigar Lounge
- Adults-only sundeck Spice H2O with two new hot tubs and a dedicated bar
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