Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Gem was named in a ceremony last night in New York City infront of 2,000 travel industry professionals and media.
The ship’s godmother was announced moments before as 31-year-old Cindy Cardella from New Jersey. She was chosen from more than 500 past NCL guests who entered an online competition by explaining how they embodied the spirit of NCL’s “It” Girl campaign and concept of Freestyle Cruising.
NCL Corporation President and CEO Colin Veitch thanked the cruiseline’s agent and operator partners as well as its 15,000 staff who “deliver a flawless Freestyle Cruising experience around the world.”
Norwegian Gem will be based out of New York operating seven-day Bahamas and Florida itineraries and 10 and 11-day Exotic Southern Caribbean itineraries through the winter months.
NCL chairman Tan Sri LIM Kok Thay credited the cruiseline with revolutionising ex-New York cruising and said its decision to base a ship there year-round had contributed to the city announcing a $150m investment in its cruise terminals.
Norwegian Gem will move to Barcelona in April 2008 for the summer season and operate seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises taking in Rome, Naples, Villefranche plus the port of Valetta in Malta – a first for NCL.
About Norwegian Gem:
Length: 965 ft
Breadth: 125 ft
Tonnage: 93,530
Guest capacity: 2,394
Staterooms: 1,197
Restaurants/bars: two main dining rooms plus Tequila (tapas), Cagney’s Steakhouse, Orchid Garden (Asian), Le Bistro (French), Blue Lagoon (diner), Garden Cafe (casual), La Cucina (Italian), 10 bars.
Facilities: Stardust Theatre, rock-climbing wall, Yin & Yang Spa, two pools, four hottubs, water slide, video arcade, kids’ club, bowling alley