CABIN sizes will be increased by 25%-30% on the forthcoming sister ship to Norwegian Sky following feedback from the trade.
Agents told the company the cabins were too small during inaugural celebrations held on Norwegian Sky last summer (Travel Weekly August 16).
UK executive director Bill Ellerington claimed that neither passenger capacity of 2002 nor public areas would have to be reduced to accommodate the larger cabins. He said the ship would be constructed differently to incorporate the changes.
The new ship, due to be launched in September 2001 and as yet unnamed, will also have 50% more cabins with balconies than Norwegian Sky, which has 248.
NCL has an option to build a third ship in the Norwegian Sky class. Although it has not yet confirmed the order, Ellerington said staff were working on the basis that it would be built for delivery in May 2002. He denied that uncertainty created by Star Cruises’ takeover bid was holding back the plans. It was still unclear whether the bid would succeed as Travel Weekly went to press.
“Everyone is continuing with business as usual. The plans will go ahead unless there is a change of ownership and even then they may not change ,” said Ellerington.