By
Cherie Rowlands |
Norwegian Cruise Line ship, Norwegian Dawn, was officially welcomed to the Port of Tampa for the first time, during a plaque exchange ceremony on 11 November.
The 2,224-passenger ship – which has replaced Norwegian Star as the cruise line’s homeport choice at Tampa – was host to port officials, local tourism leaders, travel agents and media representatives, who attended the event and received a guided tour of the vessel.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome Norwegian Dawn to the Port of Tampa and to see a continued commitment by Norwegian Cruise Line to make Tampa one of its home ports, bringing significant economic benefit to the Tampa area and the region,” interim port director and CEO Charles Klug said.
Passenger and crew spending from Norwegian Dawn is expected to contribute around US$8 million to the local economy, according to a written statement from the port authority.
Norwegian Dawn is sailing a series of seven-day Western Caribbean cruises including calls calling at Roatan and Bay Islands in Honduras, Belize City, Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico.