Above: NCL executives and staff at the launch event
Expectation and excitement were as high and bright as the full moon over Sydney as Norwegian Cruise Line celebrated the unveiling of a new ship.
Company executives joined industry partners, travel media and distinguished guests including astrophysicist Dr Angel Rafael Lopez Sanchez to celebrate the launch of Norwegian Luna.
The event was held at the Aster Bar on the 31st floor of the InterContinental Sydney, giving guests an ideal view of the celestial wonder above – although the telescopes set up on the balcony did help.
“It’s always exciting to launch a new ship,” said Damian Borg, NCL Director of Sales, Strategy & Operations Asia Pacific in an interview with Traveltalk at the event.
“There’s lots of new ships out there but we’ve got a fond place in our hearts with this Prima Class of ships that we’ve launched.”
Luna is the second ship in NCL’s Prima Plus Class, a twin-sister to Norwegian Aqua, which will launch in March 2025. Luna will debut in March 2026 with seven-day Caribbean voyages from Miami and Borg is hoping more Australians will embrace the destination.
“It’s a destination that’s a little but further away for Australians but we feel that a lot of those really mature cruisers are looking for new products. So we are hoping to entice people to make that trek across to the Caribbean.”
Could she ever come to Australia?
“We’d love her to come to Australia. Let’s sing that loud and proud,” he said with a smile.
While the chances of the company’s 21st ship appearing Down Under may be slim, there’s no denying Luna will make a splash when she finally hits the water.
Her hull art will showcase a vibrant dreamscape by ELLE, the highly acclaimed American street artist who has partnered with popular brand names such as Nike, Reebok and Ralph Lauren.
She will also feature the Aqua Slidecoaster, a first-of-its-kind hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, all-new three-bedroom duplex Haven Suites, a digital sports complex and Sukhothai, the company’s Thai specialty restaurant.
“Quite simply, there’s never been more demand for cruising. 2023 was a record year for the industry,” said Ben Angell, Vice President and Managing Director, Norwegian Cruise Line Asia-Pacific.
“The number of Australians taking holidays at sea has overtaken pre-pandemic levels, rising to 1.25 million in 2023, slightly more than 1.24 million who sailed in 2019, and while there are undoubtedly challenges in the local cruising sector, there’s almost uncapped opportunity for growth and fly/cruise when Australians travel to an international country to join a cruise.
“There’s never been a better time to position the exceptional value, convenience and almost endless variety an international cruise holiday offers.
“Fly/cruise presents an unbeatable holiday proposition, but it also provides a pathway for significant and sustainable growth for cruising in this region.”
# Hear more of Damian Borg’s comments in today’s Talking Travel podcast
