News

Turquoise Water And Pink Sand In The Port Of Boston’s Future; NCL and Bermuda Announce Long-Term Agreement

November 7, 2007

The Massachusetts Port Authority's (Massport) port director Mike Leone said that a new 10-year agreement announced today between Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and the Government of Bermuda will continue to fuel the growth of Boston as a cruise ship destination.

The announcement of the 10-year agreement between NCL and Bermuda notes that in 2009, one of NCL's newest and largest ships, Norwegian Spirit, will sail the Boston-Bermuda itinerary. Norwegian Spirit, which can hold 2,000 passengers, will sail at least 22 cruises per season with a weekly itinerary departing Boston on Fridays with overnights in Bermuda from Sunday through Wednesday. The agreement also calls for NCL to continue through the 10-year term its tradition of being the exclusive line to sail from Boston to Bermuda.

"The news of the larger ship is tremendous, and proves the demand of the Boston-Bermuda itinerary,” said Leone. "Norwegian Spirit brings 33% more capacity to the Boston cruise market. We are extremely happy to continue our long-standing relationship with NCL, and look forward to continued growth and success.”

"This new commitment is about providing the people of New England with an option to Bermuda that is both luxurious and convenient,” said Bermuda's Premier, Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown. "In fact, this travel option will be such a hit with New Englanders I expect they will take the ride to Bermuda on the Norwegian more than once over the next 10 years. And let's not forget under this new deal, cruise passengers will be in our ports longer giving them more time to experience all that Bermuda has to offer including turquoise water and pink sand."

"Since NCL first began sailing to Bermuda, it has been one of our most popular itineraries, and we have developed a truly unique relationship with the community and government of our host destination,” said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO. "Over the past 15 years, we have deployed ships from more US homeports to meet the growing demand from US travelers to visit Bermuda. Our new 10-year agreement with Bermuda confirms NCL's position as the leader in Bermuda cruising.”

"We are very excited about Norwegian Cruise Lines' announcement that they have entered into a long term agreement with the Bermuda Government to sail from Boston to Bermuda,” said Bill Walsh, president, Cruise Travel Outlet. "An agreement of this length demonstrates NCL's continued commitment to Boston, and underscores the enormous growth potential in the Boston Cruise Market.”

Norwegian Majesty, which holds 1,500 passengers, sailed the Boston-Bermuda itinerary since 1994. In 2008, Norwegian Dream will replace Norwegian Majesty beginning her inaugural season on Sundays from May 11 through August 24, and again from September 28 to October 26, 2008 with seven-day, weekly sailings to Bermuda. A brand new itinerary of seven-day cruises to Canada/New England begins on August 31 through September 21, 2008. Norwegian Spirit made her NCL maiden voyage in 2004. She is 880 feet long and weighs 77,000 gross tons.