On Thu, 25 May 2006 09:48:15 -0700, Ray Goldenberg
wrote:
>As I reported back on April 25th here on r.t.cruises, the Norwegian
>Crown indeed has been sold
Hi Everyone,
Here is the official press release confirming my earlier post.
Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
NCL CORPORATION ANNOUNCES SALE OF NORWEGIAN CROWN
TO FRED. OLSEN CRUISE LINES
MIAMI - May 25, 2006 – NCL Corporation (“NCL”) today announced that
its parent company, Star Cruises, has agreed to sell Norwegian Crown
to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Pte. Ltd., Singapore effective August
2006. Star Cruises will concurrently charter the vessel back from
Fred. Olsen and NCL will continue her announced deployment through to
November 2007.
Norwegian Crown is presently owned by Star Cruises along with four
other mid-sized vessels also operated by NCL and Orient Lines. These
vessels are on inter-company charter between Star and NCL. Last week,
NCL announced that Norwegian Wind will be transferred in late April
2007 to Star Cruises to become SuperStar Aquarius, based in Hong Kong.
“Although a beautiful and well-maintained vessel, Norwegian Crown’s
smaller size is less suitable for Star Cruises’ ambitions in Asia,”
said Colin Veitch, president and CEO of NCL Corporation. “Fred. Olsen
Cruise Lines specializes in operating smaller and mid-sized upscale
vessels and this ship should fit perfectly in their fleet.”
This summer and fall, Norwegian Crown is sailing seven-day Bermuda
cruises from Philadelphia and New York and will sail her popular
14-night South American cruises throughout the winter season of
2006/2007. In summer 2007, she will again offer a full season of
Bermuda cruises from New York and Philadelphia and will end her
deployment as an NCL ship at the close of the Bermuda season at the
end of October 2007.
The 34,000 gross-ton Norwegian Crown, which entered service in 1988
for Royal Cruise Line, accommodates over 1,000 guests (double
occupancy) and features six restaurants, six bars and lounges, the
Crown Club casino, the Mandara Spa & Fitness Center, a Kid’s Center
and an Internet Café. Norwegian Crown has also operated in both the
Norwegian Cruise Line and Orient Lines brands as Crown Odyssey and
Norwegian Crown.
The departures of Norwegian Wind and Norwegian Crown from the NCL
fleet are designed to occur within the same period as the scheduled
delivery and entry into service of two new purpose built NCL Freestyle
Cruising ships of approximately 2,380 lower berth capacity each,
Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Gem.
NCL Corporation Ltd. (“NCL”) is an innovative cruise company
headquartered in Miami, Florida, with a fleet of 15 ships in service
and under construction. The corporation oversees the operations of
Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America, and Orient Lines. The company
christened its newest ship, Pride of Hawai`i on Saturday, May 20,
2006, the largest and most expensive U.S. flagged passenger ship ever
built. It is currently building two ships, Norwegian Pearl scheduled
for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2006 and Norwegian Gem scheduled
for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2007.
For further information, please contact your travel professional.
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