Norwegian Cruise Line has announced its return to service, with select Greek Isles and Caribbean voyages now open for sale, and with a SailSAFE Health and Safety Program underpinning the company’s return to cruising.
Norwegian Cruise Line has just announced its anticipated return to service, with new itineraries in Europe and The Caribbean, starting July 25, 2021.
The company will relaunch at a reduced capacity, with just three of its 17-ship fleet to welcome passengers back on board: Norwegian Jade, Joy and Gem. The much-anticipated re-launch will allow guests to spend the summer exploring sites and sunny beaches with new 7-day cruises to the Greek Isles on Norwegian Jade, first departing from Athens (Piraeus) July 25, 2021. They can also island hop on a 7-day long Caribbean cruise setting sail from Montego Bay, Jamaica, starting Aug. 7, 2021 on Norwegian Joy; or from Punta Cana (La Romana), Dominican Republic on Norwegian Gem, starting Aug. 15, 2021.
“Over a year after we initially suspended sailings, the time has finally come when we can provide our loyal guests with the news of our great cruise comeback,” said Harry Sommer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Norwegian Cruise Lines. “We have been working diligently towards our resumption of operations, focusing on the guest experience with health and safety at the forefront. The growing availability of the COVID-19 vaccine has been a game changer. The vaccine, combined with our science-backed health and safety protocols, will help us provide our guests with what we believe will be the healthiest and safest vacation at sea.”
While the company’s health and safety protocols were quite robust in the past, Norwegian has spent 2020 refining them even further, using the latest scientific findings and expert advice. Just yesterday, the parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings launched its SailSAFE Health and Safety program, based on three pillars: 1) Safety for all passengers and crew, including vaccination requirements, universal testing and enhanced screening protocols; 2) Safety aboard the ships, with first-rate air filtration, sanitation measures and medical resources; and 3) Safety when going ashore, in collaboration with land-based tour operators to extend health and safety measures at each port of call.
The company set up a SailSAFE Global Health and Wellness Council, with six of the most noted experts in their fields. The Council is led by Chairman Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former Commissioner of the FDA and Co-Chair of the Healthy Sail Panel, and both Council and Panel will work together on the implementation and continuous improvement of health and safety protocols throughout the company.
Passengers can now also follow along as Norwegian makes its final preparations to welcome guests on board with its new docuseries, EMBARK, premiering April 15 at 8 p.m. the company’s website and Facebook.
