By
Rebecca Gibson |
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel re-entered service on 17 May, following an extensive two-week drydock refurbishment.
The ship has been renovated in preparation for her much-anticipated arrival in Houston, Texas on 11 October 2014, following the summer season in Alaska.
Norwegian Jewel is the first ship to be retrofitted with the popular O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, which was first introduced on Norwegian Epic, Breakaway and Getaway. The Sugarcane Mojito Bar, first installed on Getaway, was added adjacent to the ship’s Brazilian-style steakhouse Moderno Churrascaria, which has been relocated to Deck 13. In addition, Carlo’s Bake Shop by Buddy Valastro, star of TLC’s Cake Boss and Next Great Baker, has been added in the Java Café.
“O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill is a huge hit on three of our new ships, so we wanted to ensure that guests sailing on our existing fleet – beginning with Norwegian Jewel – could experience the welcoming atmosphere and the traditional pub fare,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s CEO. “Our guests are going to love the addition of both O’Sheehan’s and the Sugarcane Mojito Bar which can only add to the already great dining and lounging opportunities onboard.”
Other enhancements include updates to the Casino and Photo Gallery, new carpets and flooring throughout guest areas, window replacements, upgrades in galley areas and a refurbished pool deck.
A digital signage system, which was first introduced on Breakaway, will also be added to the ship over the summer. The interactive touch screen signs will allow guests to order specialty items, navigate the ship, and reserve dining and shore excursions by scanning their stateroom key.
A series of technical modernisations were also carried out during the drydock, including upgrades to the lifeboat and tender boat release systems, maintenance work on the thrusters and stabilisers, and ballast and bilge piping replacement. Shore power connectivity features were also installed.
In addition, Green Tech Marine fitted an exhaust cleaning system – known as a scrubber – to reduce Norwegian Jewel’s fuel emissions and overall energy consumption. The ship’s Azipod hydrodynamic systems have also been upgraded, while the hull has been covered with a state-of-the-art silicone paint on the hull to improve fuel efficiency.
On 17 May, Norwegian Jewel began a series of seven-day Alaska cruises from Seattle, US. Operating until 13 September, the itineraries will include ports of call at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway in Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia. Following the Alaska cruise season, Norwegian Jewel will reposition to Houston, Texas, US, to sail a series of Western Caribbean cruises on 11 October. Port calls include Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; and Banana Coast, Honduras.