Worldwide Cruising News 10 | Page 21

Arriving Soon to Homeport in Sydney Norwegian Jewel is on its sold out repositioning voyage to Sydney where it will arrive on 12 November for a series of nine cruises before leaving Sydney on a sold out repositioning voyage through Asia to Tokyo. The 2,376-guest 93,502 tonne Norwegian Jewel will be a welcome addition to the Sydney skyline. Built in 2005 (upgrade in 2014) the ship has 15 bars and lounges and 16 dining options. Steve Odell, senior vice president and managing director Asia Pacific, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, said the ship will offer Australians "a very different style of cruising" with more freedom and flexibility, a wider range of dining and entertainment options, and The Haven suites, which would appeal to extended families. See the December issue of Cruising News for a special report on Norwegian Jewel – Editor Viking Looks to the Stars Viking Cruises has announced that American chemist, emergency room physician and recently retired NASA astronaut Dr. Anna Fisher will be honoured as godmother to its fifth ocean ship, which will debut in July 2018. The new ship has been named Viking Orion after the prominent constellation and in honour of Dr. Fisher’s contributions to NASA’s Orion exploration vehicle project. The announcement was first made by Viking Chairman, Torstein Hagen, during a press conference in New York City celebrating the first call in Manhattan for the company’s third ship, Viking Sky. The 930-guest Viking Orion reached a major construction milestone recently when the ship met water for the first time during her “float out” ceremony at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard. Dr. Fisher attended the 28 September ceremony and assisted with several maritime traditions. Viking Orion will spend her maiden year sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean, before making her way to Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Second World Cruise Ahead of its first-ever World Cruise scheduled for this year, Viking Cruises has announced Viking Sun will continue to sail the globe on the company’s second World Cruise, which will span 128-days, five continents, 21 countries and 44 ports, with 10 port overnights. Departing on 3 January 2019 this grand journey will mark Viking Sun’s second voyage around the world. Sailing from Miami to London, the new 2019 World Cruise itinerary allows guests to explore South America and the islands of the South Pacific; call upon ports in Africa, from Cape Town to Dakar; and cruise the Strait of Magellan, Tasman Sea, and Indian Ocean, before concluding in London. As with all Viking itineraries, guests receive a complimentary shore excursion in each of the 44 ports and free unlimited Wi-Fi; World Cruise guests also receive Business Class airfare and all gratuities and service fees, along with an extensive list of added-value included features in their cruise fare. “We offer itineraries that are designed for explorers, and our World Cruises are the most extensive and culturally immersive journeys available in the industry. Our first World Cruise is 100 percent sold out, and we are pleased with the initial response to our second World Cruise itinerary among new and returning guests,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises. www.worldwidecruisecentres.com.au 21