NCL Sun to be decommissioned

[OceanDreaming2]

Has anyone heard if the Sun will continue her South America cruises? We have one scheduled for March 2019.

[GeezerCouple]

Has anyone heard if the Sun will continue her South America cruises? We have one scheduled for March 2019.

 

Yes, yes...

 

The 2018 and 2019 S. Am cruises are not affected at all (or at least, not that has yet been disclosed).

The Jewel is replacing the Sun only for the Alaska season.

[MaineYachtClub]

The Panama Canal cruise on the Sun in October 2018 is missing also. The only PC traverse that I see in October is on the Pearl. Both end ports have changed. The NCL site still shows my reservation on the Sun, but I guess I'll be getting a letter.

[www3traveler]

Just received word a few minutes ago that the 24 September Alaskan cruise for The Sun has been canceled. I would suspect that the San Francisco- Miami Panama Cruise has also been canceled. The Jewel was NOT given as an option because as of now Her last sailing to Alaska is 17 September. My guess would be that She will do exactly as She this year, head for Hawaii and on to Australia and New Zealand.

[Cruiseenthusiast101]

Just received word a few minutes ago that the 24 September Alaskan cruise for The Sun has been canceled. I would suspect that the San Francisco- Miami Panama Cruise has also been canceled. The Jewel was NOT given as an option because as of now Her last sailing to Alaska is 17 September. My guess would be that She will do exactly as She this year, head for Hawaii and on to Australia and New Zealand.

 

The Panama Canal is most likely canceled, due to the fact that her first sailing is in late may, meaning would have sailed through it to already reach Cape Canaveral. After her summer season there she may do a few Panama Canal transits rountrip from Orlando, before heading to South America.

[ashley@cruisecritic]

I was just told that NCL Sun will be decomisioned and the Jewel will take over in May 2018.....

 

Not sure if someone already mentioned it, but Norwegian Sun will be undergoing a 2.5-week Project Edge upgrade in Victoria in April 2018 before repositioning to Port Canaveral. It will be offering Cuba and Bahamas itineraries, and it will be beverage-inclusive like Norwegian Sky currently is. Here's the story we wrote yesterday: https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7939. Below is the full press release the cruise line sent to Cruise Critic (minus photos).

 

 

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE ENHANCES SUMMER 2018 DEPLOYMENT

IN ALASKA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Norwegian Sun to be second Norwegian ship to offer all-inclusive cruises to both Cuba and the Bahamas from Port Canaveral and guest favorite Norwegian Jewel will cruise Alaska in the summer 2018 season

MIAMI – July 10, 2017- Norwegian Cruise Line today announced updates to the their summer 2018 deployment, featuring exciting new opportunities for guests to set sail to their dream destinations, while unpacking just once and enjoying the most free and flexible cruising experience at sea. New for 2018, Norwegian Sun will reposition to Port Canaveral and offer all-inclusive four day cruises to Havana, Cuba and Key West, and three-day cruises to the Bahamas. Norwegian Jewel will rejoin the youngest fleet sailing to Alaska in summer 2018, with a multitude of exciting itineraries including seven- and nine-day sailings from Seattle, Seward and Vancouver.

“Alaska continues to be one of the most popular destinations we sail to around the world. We are thrilled to be significantly increasing capacity in the region in summer 2018 with the redeployment of Norwegian Jewel and the inaugural season for Norwegian Bliss, providing more opportunities for our guests to experience a vacation of a lifetime in this incredible pristine destination,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer for Norwegian Cruise Line. “Our all-inclusive model aboard Norwegian Sky has been very well-received and as we evaluated the opportunity to expand upon that concept, we felt that Port Canaveral was the ideal location to offer our guests a value-rich on board experience and exciting action-packed ports-of-call, including an overnight call in Havana, Cuba.

Following her fall/winter season in South America and a dry dock enhancement, Norwegian Sun will spend her summer 2018 season sailing all-inclusive cruises from Port Canaveral, offering four-day itineraries that call on Key West and Havana, Cuba, along with three-day cruises to the Bahamas. Norwegian Sun accommodates 1,936 guests, providing freedom, flexibility and superior guest service with 16 dining options, 12 bars and lounges, entertainment options for all ages and more. All guests sailing aboard one of Norwegian Sun’s Cuba or Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral will also enjoy unlimited complimentary beverages included in their cruise fare as a part of the ship’s all-inclusive program. Norwegian Sun’s new itineraries include the following:

· Norwegian Sun will undergo a two-and-a-half week dry dock in Victoria, British Columbia as a part of the Norwegian Edge™, the brand’s revitalization program encompassing the entire guest experience, and re-enter service on April 19, 2018 where she will begin her journey to the east coast with a 17-day Panama Canal cruise departing from Seattle.

· Norwegian Sun’s four-day cruises to Cuba will depart Port Canaveral each Monday, beginning May 7, 2018, and feature a call on Key West, Florida and an overnight stay in Havana, returning to Port Canaveral each Friday. Norwegian Sun will transport guests to the heart of the action in both Key West and Havana, calling in Key West’s Old Town district and Havana Harbor, located in the heart of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Norwegian Sun will offer guests the opportunity to experience the wonderful culture and incredible history of Cuba, along with the warmth and friendliness of the Cuban people during OFAC-compliant* shore excursions.

· Norwegian Sun’s three-day cruises to the Bahamas will feature calls in Nassau** and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s popular private island beach paradise that was recently enhanced with new food and beverage outlets, expanded Cabanas for daily rental and a new underwater snorkeling garden.

Following her winter 2017/2018 season sailing in Australia and Asia, Norwegian Jewel will journey from Tokyo (Yokohama) to Seattle and will replace Norwegian Sun as Norwegian’s third ship sailing in Alaska in summer 2018. As the namesake of Norwegian’s "Jewel Class" ships, the 2376-passenger Norwegian Jewel is a guest favorite and thrills with a myriad of dining and entertainment offerings. Featuring 16 dining options including Norwegian’s signature specialty restaurants Cagney’s, La Cucina and Le Bistro; along with 15 bars and nightclubs, Norwegian Jewel is a perfect ship to explore the stunning beauty of Alaska. Her wide variety of accommodations includes some of the largest suites at sea in The Haven® by Norwegian, the ship’s exclusive suite complex. The famous three-bedroom Garden Villa boasts nearly 5000 square feet of luxury and is located at the top of the ship, with an expansive 2314 square foot balcony that comes complete with a hot tub and private sundeck. The ship’s onboard activities and entertainment include shows Le Cirque Bijou and Band on the Run, a sports deck for basketball, volleyball, tennis and much more. Norwegian Jewel’s new summer 2018 itineraries include the following itineraries:

· Beginning May 26, 2018, Norwegian Jewel will reposition from Seattle to Vancouver with a nine-day Alaska cruise. This scenic itinerary will visit the region’s best destinations, with calls in Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Ketchikan.

· Norwegian Jewel will sail a seven-day roundtrip cruise from Vancouver to Alaska departing on June 4, 2018 with calls on Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan.

· Beginning June 11, 2018 from Vancouver, Norwegian will offer guests the freedom and flexibility to enjoy alternating embarkation ports in Vancouver and Seward. From Vancouver, Norwegian Jewel will sail seven-day Glacier Bay cruises calling on Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and disembarking in Seward. From Seward, Norwegian Jewel will feature seven-day Inside Passage Alaska cruises calling on Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and disembarking in Vancouver. Both itineraries will include a sail past the breathtaking Hubbard Glacier.

To book a cruise aboard one of these exciting new itineraries on Norwegian Jewel or the all-inclusive Norwegian Sun, contact a travel professional, call Norwegian at 866-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), or visit http://www.ncl.com.

*Norwegian Cruise Line is currently authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer carrier services to authorized travelers between the United States and Cuba under the travel guidelines for US citizen travel to Cuba. Norwegian Cruise Line will continue to work with the administrations in both Cuba and the US to comply with any policy changes and regulations so that the brand may provide guests with educational and culturally rich experiences in Cuba, with all sailings subject to potential changes due to governmental relations.

** Selected dates to include calls on Freeport and Great Stirrup Cay.

[Visigoth]

I was just told that NCL Sun will be decomisioned and the Jewel will take over in May 2018.....

 

Press Release:

(11:24 a.m. EDT) -- As demand for Cuba sailings continues to rise, Norwegian Cruise Line will deploy a second ship -- Norwegian Sun -- to the region. The vessel will also serve as the line's second alcohol-inclusive ship.

Beginning in May 2018, following a 2.5-week dry dock, Norwegian Sun will begin sailing from Port Canaveral, offering four-day itineraries to Havana and Key West (beginning May 2018), as well as three-day voyages to the Bahamas.

During the refurbishment, the ship will receive Project Edge upgrades, which might include cabin overhauls and the addition of venues that are popular on other Norwegian ships.

The ship will also include soda, juice and alcohol in its fares -- a concept introduced on Norwegian Sky in 2015. Norwegian Sky homeports in Miami and is the only Norwegian vessel to visit Cuba and provide a beverage-inclusive experience.

"Our all-inclusive model aboard Norwegian Sky has been very well-received, and as we evaluated the opportunity to expand upon that concept, we felt that Port Canaveral was the ideal location to offer our guests a value-rich on board experience and exciting action-packed ports-of-call, including an overnight call in Havana, Cuba," Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer for Norwegian Cruise Line, said in a statement.

[bostongal965]

This news makes me happy! DH & I want to do Cuba, but were probably going to jump ship (pun intended) to Royal. Coming from Georgia, I'd rather leave from Tampa than Miami. I'd rather go to Key West than the Bahamas and the Sky is not my favorite ship. However, I love the Sun (sailed her 3 times so far) and Pt. Canaveral is just as convenient to me as Tampa. I'm stoked!

[skoolbusdrvr]

i live here in orlando, just heard on news ncl sun coming to port canerval, in may2018 sailin in summer time to cuba and key west for 4 days all inclusive like star. so excited, also will be doing 3 days to bahamas.

[acubed]

We just got our new rooms on the jewel.....the Sun will NOT be going to Alaska in 2018

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums