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Latest News...Let the memory-making begin – the ultimate family vacation is finally here. Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated Star of the Seas* arrived today in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, for the first time. With just one week to go before the first vacationers set sail on the vacation of a lifetime, more than 2,000 Royal Caribbean team members came together to welcome the newest Icon Class ship ...
Ernie RollerAtlanta
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Norwegian Dawn artwork extends to the hull4/11/2002
Both sides of newbuild Norwegian Dawn’s hull are decorated with artwork -- the starboard side depicting dolphins playing in Technicolor waves to reflect the ship's Caribbean itinerary from Miami and the port side featuring the Statue of Liberty in reference to the Bahamas and Florida route from New York. The hull also bears the reproduced signatures of artists Renoir, Matisse, Van Gogh, Monet and Warhol.As earlier reported here, NCL will install art treasures on loan from Star Cruises chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay's personal collection inside its latest Freestyle ship. Original Impressionist oil paintings by Monet, Van Gogh, Matisse and Renoir will hang in Le Bistro restaurant, and 25 signed silkscreen prints by Warhol will pop up in three stairwells.
NCL unveiled the hull artwork by Keith Allan as Norwegian Dawn was floated out at Meyer Werft. Mozambique-born graphic designer Allan works in London with SMC & Tillberg Design Group, who created Dawn's interiors.
On Saturday, the 97,740gt newbuild sailed down the Ems River and is performing preliminary sea trials before docking at Eemshaven for final outfitting. Official sea trials for the 2,240-passenger vessel are scheduled for Friday to Monday. Norwegian Dawn then sails to Southampton for a one-night trade preview on December 6. The ship arrives at New York on December 14 for inaugural activities on the 16th before launching scheduled sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami on December 21. The inaugural summer season from New York kicks off on May 18.
quote:Originally posted by eroller:---------------------------On Saturday, the 97,740gt newbuild sailed down the Ems River and is performing preliminary sea trials before docking at Eemshaven for final outfitting.
At least Celebrity have had the guts too!
It has been facinating to see how the brand is being changed, where new ships are coming from, and how they are trying to get a piece of the market with Carnival/Princess and RCCL looming over them. I really think NCL is the most interesting player to watch- they take risks, and are trying new things.
Deploying the Dawn from NY was a great move (only to be out done my Carnival with the Legend). And Freestyle, while personally unattractive, should give NCL a brand identity to build from. Opening up the Hawaii market and being the first (recent line) to place a ship from Seattle to Alaska were also smart moves.
The big question is- what's next. Will they put a new ship in Europe? Will they design a new class (beside the Project America ship)? Will they retire or move older ships? Will they open new home ports to the Caribbean?
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