THE COLLISION involving Norwegian Cruise Line’s ship Norwegian Dream could cost the company up to $12m in lost profit for 1999.
President and chief executive Geir Aune has told the Oslo Stock Exchange the cost will be between $5.2m and $11.9m. However, he is hopeful of clawing back some portion of the money in 2000.
Four cruises have so far had to be cancelled after the collision, involving a cargo tanker off the coast of Kent (Travel Weekly August 30) and compensation has been paid to affected passengers who will all receive a full refund and 50% off a future sailing.
Passengers on Norwegian Dream at the time of the collision, which occurred right at the end of the cruise, have been offered a $300 credit towards a future voyage. The cause of the collision is still unknown.
The ship is undergoing repairs to its bow and bridge wing at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany and is expected to be ready in time for a 12-day cruise out of Rome to the Black Sea and Greek Isles departing October 11.