NCL Pulls a Switcheroo

After announcing that the Pride of Aloha would be leaving the NCL America fleet and be transferred to Star Cruises (NCL's parent company), which anticipated selling the Aloha, NCL today announced a bit of a switcheroo. Instead of saying goodbye to the Pride of Aloha, she will instead be transferred to NCL, reflagged in the Bahamas with an international crew, and renamed back to her original name, Norwegian Sky.

That's not all the changes for her, either. NCL is going to use her to re-enter the popular 3- and 4-night Bahamas market out of Miami, a market they left back in 2003 due to lack of available ships. This market is one I expect to become more popular in the next year as some feel they need to tighten their belts, not to eliminate vacations, but perhaps scale them back a bit. These shorter cruises make for a great, affordable quick getaway. When she begins service, she will be the newest ship for any line serving these shorter Bahamas itineraries.

It was originally thought that she couldn't serve the new "NCL 2.0" as she had fewer restaurants than the newer ships, but for the shorter market, she can offer the choice that makes NCL so popular, and perhaps introduce more people to the concept.

Of course, during her wetdock prior to introduction in this market, she will be re-fitted with a casino and have other NCL 2.0 enhancements added. However, both her itineraries are fairly port intensive, featuring visits to Nassau and the NCL private island, Castaway Cay, with the 4-night option also visiting Grand Bahama Island, so you might not even notice the casino is there.

Sailings will start on July 14, 2008, and bookings through April, 2009, are currently on sale, starting at $229/person for the 3-night itineraries and $329/person for the 4-night options.

Sailings between July 18-September 26, 2008 have an additional bonus of a "Kids Sail Free" promotion if booked byMay 31, 2008. Call me for details and the fine print.