NORWEGIAN Cruise Line looks increasingly confident about the recommencement of local cruising early next year, with Chief Executive Officer Harry Sommer (pictured) saying he’s encouraged by the Government’s staged plan to reopen depending on vaccination targets. Speaking at a special Great Cruise Comeback panel in Seattle on the weekend to...
NORWEGIAN Cruise Line looks increasingly confident about the recommencement of local cruising early next year, with Chief Executive Officer Harry Sommer (pictured) saying he’s encouraged by the Government’s staged plan to reopen depending on vaccination targets.
Speaking at a special Great Cruise Comeback panel in Seattle on the weekend to celebrate Norwegian’s inaugural post-pandemic voyage from the United States (TD 06 Aug), Sommer noted the current cruise ban, but said Australia “seem to be making some progress on the vaccination front”.
He said comments by PM Morrison indicating it will be possible for all Australian adults to be vaccinated by the end of the year, as well as the 80% target which will allow “a return to some sense of normality”.
“If you triangulate around that, we hope we can start cruising in the Australia and New Zealand bubble in early Feb of next year,” Sommer said.
“We currently have Norwegian Spirit, our beautifully refurbished ship, on sale for voyages from 09 Feb forward.”
The event, which was live-streamed from Pier 66 at the Port of Seattle, also featured Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) Chief Executive Officer Frank Del Rio as part of a panel discussion moderated by Visit Seattle Chief Executive Officer Tom Norwalk, who highlighted the economic impact of cruising on the city, which more than 1.3 million passengers visit annually.
The event saw Norwegian’s SailSAFE Global Health & Wellness Council Chairman, former Food & Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, describe the extensive health and safety measures in place, with Norwegian Encore setting off on Sat on a series of week-long Alaska cruises.
