Photo: Amit Cotler For those involved in the industry, the launch of a new cruise ship is a huge event in every respect. The "floating city", the luxury, the new attractions, the shows, and the culinary delights, everything always breaks records and feels new and refreshing. Despite the endless competition and the records that, as mentioned, each company breaks every year, this is an exciting event even for veterans in the field.
We met with Kevin Bubolz, Norwegian Cruise Line's Vice President and General Manager of the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe, and Africa region, aboard NCL LUNA, the newest addition to Norwegian Cruise Line's growing fleet.
Kevin Bubolz, Vice President of NCL (Photo: Amit Cotler)"I've been in the industry for 20 years, and the launches of new ships are the most festive and best times we have. The first moments of a new ship are very unique. On the evening of the launch, I walked around among the guests and watched how they enjoyed the various facilities and how they reacted to the innovations. And yes, there's no doubt that seeing how people experience the ship, the new design, and the feeling of a "new ship" still excites me, even after so many years in the industry."
So tell us a little bit about what the most noteworthy innovations on NCL Luna.
"There's a lot. First of all, the ship is more than 20 meters larger than its predecessor, the Aqua . The upper deck area has impressive innovations, such as play areas for older youngsters, including the upgraded mini-golf. In addition, the connection to the pool is more convenient than in any part of the upper deck. Beyond that, the ship continues the Aqua line , but with adjustments aimed at increasing the sense of space."
How does the ship suit different audiences, from families to couples?
"First of all, it's important to explain that you can find everything you're looking for here, to adapt the ship to you and not the other way around. Alongside lively areas and family activities, quiet areas and adults-only areas have also been added, and the goal is to allow each passenger to choose the type of vacation that suits them, without compromising on quality or privacy."
One of the impressive innovations on the new ship is the ELTON show, based on Elton John songs in a fast-paced show that lasts 45 intense and amazing minutes.
Photo: Shutterstock"Yes, here the upgrade is particularly significant," says Bubolz. "Instead of long Broadway-style musicals, we chose to focus on shorter, more intense shows."
We are talking here about a performance by one of the world's greatest, but also most meticulous, artists.
"And it is developed in full cooperation with the artist," reveals Bubolz. "We worked very closely with Elton John's team. The choice of Elton was precise. The goal is to adapt the performance to a diverse and international audience, most of whom know and can hum the songs, even those who do not speak English. The production begins for each ship, and in this case, in our hangar complex in Tampa, Florida, and this is also the place to note that this is not outsourcing but a full production that is entirely NCL ."
Photo: Norwegian Cruise LineTake us a little behind the scenes, what does it mean to develop a ship of this magnitude?
"It's a long and complex story that takes five years. Although construction only lasts 18 months, the planning, strategic decision-making, design and additional stages take many years. In the case of LUNA, it is already an evolution of an existing series of ships (Prima Class), and therefore some of the changes are based on experience gained from previous ships."
Where can we see LUNA in the coming years?
"The ship will begin its operations with cruises from its home port in Miami to the Caribbean, and will later move to operations from New York with cruises to Bermuda."