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Norwegian building ship specifically for Chinese guests
Norwegian Cruise Line is building a ship specifically for the China market, with accommodation, cuisine and onboard experiences that cater for the preferences of Chinese guests, it revealed today.
The Breakaway Plus ship currently under construction and due for delivery in 2017, will retain authentic NCL characteristics but be ‘distinctly Chinese in all its sensibility," said CEO Frank Del Rio.
"With this new ship, Norwegian will unquestionably offer our Chinese guests a superior product and introduce a new standard of innovation and excellence into the marketplace, with an unrivalled level of customization for the Chinese consumer. It will perfectly suit what modern Chinese travellers value from an upscale cruise experience," said Del Rio.
Further details, including the ship’s name, homeport and accommodation options have not yet been released.
The new ship, with a capacity for 4,200 guests, will be the second of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway Plus class and features the line’s unique style of cruising known as Freestyle Cruising.
Norwegian said it was working with partners in China and local experts on the subtleties of Chinese culture. "Chinese guests who sail on this new ship will be provided with an unmatched quality-level for service, cuisine, entertainment and overall experience that is simply not available in the China market today," said the cruise line.
The company has opened offices in Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai to support all three of its brands – Norwegian, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas.
"Our China offices house a dedicated leadership team uniquely focused on ensuring the success of our local travel agent partners, which is crucial to the success of our expansion in what will soon be the world’s second largest cruise market," said Del Rio.
"These offices will provide sales and marketing support to our travel partners whose customers not only wish to sail on our new China-based ship, but also on any of the incredible voyages around the world offered across our portfolio of brands."
The new ship will be delivered in Spring 2017. Norwegian will take delivery of the line’s first Breakaway Plus class ship, Norwegian Escape, next week. Two additional ships in this class are on order for delivery in 2018 and 2019.
Earlier this month, MSC announced it would base a ship in China for the first time. The MSC Lirica will sail out of Shanghai from next May.
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Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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