For the first time in three years, a Norwegian Cruise Line ship is sailing in Australian waters. But not just any ship, the revamped Norwegian Spirit has debuted following her $100 million bow-to-stern revitalization, bringing Norwegian’s signature “freestyle” cruising and a range of itineraries for cruisers to enjoy for the next three months.
Renovated Norwegian Spirit Sails Into Sydney
The Leo-class Norwegian Spirit sailed into Sydney Harbor on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, three years since the cruise line operated in Australian waters.
But the ship doesn’t just bring another option for cruisers to enjoy – Norwegian Spirit is arriving in Australia with her $100 million (USD) revitalization, the most expensive and extensive ever undertaken by Norwegian Cruise Line.
The updates were completed through a 43-day dry dock 2020, bringing aboard new restaurants and bars, updated hull art, new staterooms, and more. A Thermal Suite was added, as well as the Spice H2O retreat with its club-like vibes. Now, the ship has arrived Down Under to restart Norwegian Cruise Line sailings in this popular region.
“We’re thrilled to finally welcome Norwegian Spirit to Australia – she is well and truly worth the wait,” said Ben Angell, Vice President and Managing Director NCL, Asia-Pacific. Various dignitaries were on hand to welcome the ship and mark the momentous occasion.
“Australia and New Zealand are incredibly important markets for us, both as a source market and a destination, and we are committed to this region for the long term,” said Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line.
“I’m thrilled to be here in person to celebrate our return to Australia after a three-year hiatus, and to join the festivities as Norwegian Spirit spends an extended overnight visit in Sydney before she sets sail on her Christmas cruise tomorrow!”
Norwegian Spirit is the smallest, most intimate ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, weighing in at 75,900 gross tons and with a capacity to welcome 2,032 guests at double occupancy. Onboard, 912 international crew members provide excellent service for a memorable and refreshing cruise getaway.
Three Months of Sailings
Now that Norwegian Spirit has arrived, the ship will offer alternating departures from Sydney and Auckland, with port-rich 12-night itineraries that provide a marvelous overview of the region.
Ports of call on each sailing include Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Fiordland National Park in New Zealand, as well as Melbourne, Burnie, and Eden in Australia.
Norwegian Spirit brings more than just amazing itineraries to Australian cruisers, however. The ship is also offering travelers the opportunity to join a brand-first experience to “give back” in the coastal community of Eden on New South Wales’ Sapphire Coast on December 23.
In Eden, the cruise line’s new partner organization, Take 3 for the Sea, will host a special complimentary beach clean-up shore excursion in support of the organization’s ambitious goal to remove 50 million pieces of plastic from the world’s oceans by 2025.
This opportunity also reflects Norwegian Cruise Line’s commitment to sustainability and reducing single-use plastic. The idea is simple – if all guests “take 3” pieces of plastic off local beaches wherever they visit, the cumulative cleanup efforts can be extraordinary.
This effort can not only help preserve the beauty of Australia’s remarkable coasts, but can also inspire guests to participate in simple cleanup efforts wherever they may travel.
Norwegian Spirit will remain in Australia through March 2023. On March 28, the ship will depart Sydney for the last time with a one-way 15-night sailing to Papeete, Tahiti, and from there, the ship will continue on with one-way sailings to Honolulu and Vancouver.
The ship will remain homeporting from both Vancouver, Canada and Seward, Alaska for the 2023 Alaska summer season, before returning to Australia in December 2023.
