Norwegian Cruise Line has not ruled out a return to cruising from the UK, said president and chief operating officer Roberto Martinoli.
NCL started sailing from Southampton for the first time in 2008 and is back this year, but is pulling out for summer 2010. He said the cruiseline would return when it had more tonnage, but only to operate short cruises.
Instead of being based in Southampton, Norwegian Jade will be based in Barcelona, from where it will sail seven-night Mediterranean cruises. Norwegian Gem, which was in Barcelona, will move to Venice, to operate seven-night eastern Mediterranean cruises.
Martinoli agreed the ex-UK market was strong and expanding – the Passenger Shipping Association’s annual cruise review this week reported a 23% increase in the number of Brits choosing ex-UK cruises last year – but said NCL’s passengers want shorter cruises.
“We are committed to the UK, which is the most important market in Europe and expanding. But we are seeing more demand for shorter cruises. They are doing better for us,” he said.
He added that cruising from the UK over the Bay of Biscay is not ideal at the start and end of the summer season. “Brits want good weather on holiday. It’s easy for them to fly to Venice, and they will be cruising to some attractive destinations.”
As well as quitting Southampton, NCL is cutting capacity from Dover next summer, when the 1,936-passenger Norwegian Sun replaces the 2,376-passenger Norwegian Jewel cruising to the Baltic and Norwegian fjords.
Martinoli said: “It is a slight reduction because we needed a faster ship operating out of New York. It is nothing to do with poor UK sales. We could return to sailing from Southampton, when we have more tonnage, but sailing shorter cruises. They are good for attracting first-time cruisers.”
NCL only has one new ship on the way – the 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic, which is being built at the STX Europe yard in St Nazaire, France, and is scheduled to depart on its maiden voyage in July 2010.
It will be sailing alternating eastern and western Caribbean cruises from Miami, but not before making a visit to Southampton so the UK trade and past passengers can see the ship.
Martinoli said it would be impossible to get funding for more new ships in the present economic climate, but said the cruiseline is talking to shipyards so it will be ready to expand when the economy improves.
A key question would be whether to build a sistership to Epic or design a new class of ship, but as nothing will happen for a while, NCL will have time to see how well the new vessel performs.
Martinoli said he will also be looking to see whether elements of Norwegian Epic’s dining and entertainment programme can be rolled out easily to the existing fleet.
Among the new features revealed in New York last week are a Cirque Dreams and Dinner experience, where passengers dine while watching a two-hour acrobatic show, and the Blue Man Group, which will perform an hour-long show eight times per cruise in the theatre.
He said: “Epic has been designed with lots of small venues, so we can offer different entertainment options to appeal to different people. The theatre has only 674 seats. Blue Man Group is an interactive show. It works best in a smaller theatre.”
Highlights of Norwegian Epic
Aqua Park: Features three slides including the first “tube” ride at sea – passengers sit in a rubber ring and get shot out into a big bowl that the tube will circle for a few times before going through a hole in the middle.
The first abseiling wall at sea, as well as a 33ft-high climbing wall with two capabilities levels.
The first ice bar at sea and an adults-only outdoor Beach Club.
Inside Studio cabins with a communal two-deck living room for passengers on a budget. New Wave cabins with wavy walls and family-friendly staterooms close to the kids’ club.
A huge ship-within-a-ship complex at the top of the ship with 60 villas and suites, a private pool, private indoor/outdoor dining, adults-only nightclub and concierge service.