Royal Caribbean International has unveiled future plans for the first Quantum Ultra-class ship to be based in the Asia-Pacific region.
Set to be launched in mid 2019, the yet-to-be-named ship will be the next progression of the ground-breaking Quantum class and will join her sister ships, Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas.
The new ship will explicitly be designed for guests in the region, highlighting even more cutting-edge and unparalleled experiences and facilities. The announcement was made as Royal Caribbean unveiled its full roster of 2018-19 China, Singapore and Australia itineraries.
As part of the deployment plans for 2018-19, Mariner of the Seas will relocate to a new home in Miami, Florida embarking on a “Global Odyssey” from Asia that boasts three long sailings from Singapore to Dubai; Dubai to Barcelona; and Barcelona to Miami.
Mariner of the Seas will relocate to a new home in Miami, Florida
Voyager of the Seas will have her first full season in Singapore in 2018-19, offering 3- to 7-night journeys all over Southeast Asia with stops that include ports in Thailand and Malaysia.
Voyager of the Seas will have her first full season in Singapore in 2018-19
The new 2018-19 deployment season offers added places of interest, including an extended offering of open-jaw itineraries for adventure-seekers travelling down under with new 10-night open-jaw itineraries between Auckland, New Zealand and Melbourne or Sydney, Australia on Radiance of the Seas.
During the Australian summer, Ovation of the Seas will reposition to Sydney for her longest season in Australia, regaining the title as the largest ship based in the region.
Norwegian Cruise Line announced this week that Norwegian Jewel– part of Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) 14-strong fleet – will be based year-round in the Asia Pacific with departures to and from Australia commencing October 2017.
Kick-starting with an initial schedule of 15 sensational sailings through to March 2018. Bookings for Norwegian Jewel’s inaugural Australasian itineraries will open on 29 June 2016.
[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] Executive Vice President of International Business Development for NCLH, Mr Harry Sommer, said: “We are incredibly excited to announce Norwegian Jewel will be calling Australia home fromvember 2017, giving local travellers the opportunity to cruise to or from Sydney on a range of amazing itineraries along the Australian and New Zealand coastlines, together with enticing island destinations such as Tahiti, Fiji and New Caledonia, before she begins a series of south-east Asian journeys early in 2018.” [/pullquote]
In a nod to Norwegian Jewel’s new adopted home port, guests will be treated to the finest local Australian produce including regional beef, lamb, seafood, fine wines and ales on her voyages from Sydney. Additionally, guests will enjoy award-winning entertainment straight from our shores – with the epic home-grown ballroom spectacular Burn the Floor being confirmed as part of Jewel’s on-board entertainment.
[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “Norwegian Cruise Line offers freedom and flexibility never before seen in Australia, and we’re delighted that Australians will now be able to experience premium-contemporary freestyle cruising much closer to home, with some additional local flair,” said Mr Sommer. [/pullquote]
With a wide range of accommodation ranging from inside and oceanview staterooms to family suites and expansive, luxurious suites with 24-hour butler service in The Haven, together with 16 dining options ranging from Teppanyaki to Brazilian Churrascaria with no set dining times or pre-assigned seating, Norwegian Jewel epitomises NCL’s flexible ‘freestyle’ approach to life on board.
[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] Commenting on the announcement, Mr Sommer said: “With Australasia home to some of the world’s fastest growing cruise markets – including Australia, which grew by a further 15 percent in 2015 to deliver a new record of 1,000,060 passengers, making it the world’s fourth largest passenger market, equal to China – NCLH is making a major commitment to the region across all of its three brands, kick-starting with the regional deployment of Norwegian Jewel,” Mr Sommer said [/pullquote]
From Airlie Beach to Auckland, Port Lincoln to Papeete, Burnie to Bali and Kangaroo Island to Komodo, Norwegian Jewel will be visiting some of the region’s most incredible ports across 15 specially-crafted itineraries, commencing on 3 October 2022 with a 39-night combination cruise from Vancouver to Sydney taking in Hawaii and the South Pacific which can be undertaken in three segments.
Highlights of Norwegian Jewel’s inaugural local season include:
Seven Sydney round-trip cruises including a 5-day Sydney-Tasmania-Sydney cruise departing 12 November 2017, as well as a 9-day voyage visiting a swathe of burgeoning regional destinations including Eden, Kangaroo Island and Tasmania’s Burnie, departing 14 December 2017.
Norwegian Jewel’s 10 to 16-day Australia and New Zealand itineraries depart between November 2017 and February 2018, with highlights including cruising through New Zealand’s striking Milford Sound and the spectacular Bay of Islands.
Jewel will make her way from Sydney to Singapore on an 18 day adventure departing 20 February 2022 where guests can enjoy the best of Far North Queensland, Darwin, and enjoy a visit to the enchanting Komodo Island.
Following her Australian season, Norwegian Jewel will undertake a range of exotic Asian itineraries visiting Vietnam, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Korea and more, offering Australian travellers the opportunity to explore some of the best Asia has to offer on a 40-night combination voyage from Sydney through to Yokohama – Gateway to Tokyo.
