The ship features new dining venues, upgraded technical systems and refurbished public areas
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Norwegian Cruise Line’s newly refurbished Norwegian Star has returned to service following a two-week drydock as part of the Norwegian Next enhancement programme.
Norwegian Star is the third ship to be revitalised as part of the programme, which was launched in 2014.
The ship now features the fleet’s first Five o’Clock Somewhere Bar, which was developed in partnership with Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville to offer guests Caribbean-inspired drinks and live music performances each night.
Meanwhile, its popular Asian fusion restaurant, Ginza, now offers a full complimentary with dishes from a dedicated noodle bar, as well as new à la carte offerings such as Japanese Hot Rock Ishiyaki for a nominal fee and a sushi menu developed by expert sushi chef Yuki Ieto. These dishes can be eaten at the restaurant’s sushi bar, or chosen directly from the industry’s first moving sushi belt.
The ship has also been retrofitted with the popular O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, a 24-hour complimentary restaurant, while Moderno Churrascaria, the Brazilian-style steakhouse, was relocated to Deck 13. Sugarcane Mojito Bar, first introduced on Norwegian Getaway, was added adjacent to the new restaurant.
“Our guests can dine like nowhere else at sea with Norwegian’s Freestyle Dining and these exciting new venues on Norwegian Star make it even easier, more exciting and more fun for guests to enjoy the freedom and flexibility that only a Norwegian cruise can offer,” said Andy Stuart, president and COO of Norwegian.
Other upgraded areas include the galleys, pool deck, and the casino and photo gallery. Carpets, flooring and some windows were also replaced throughout the guests areas.
An interactive digital signage system, which was first introduced on Norwegian Breakaway, has also been added to allow guests to order speciality items, navigate the ship and reserve dining and shore excursions by scanning their stateroom keys.
Technical modernisations also took place during the drydock. Engineers upgraded the lifeboat and tender boat release systems, replaced ballast and bilge piping, carried out thrusters and stabiliser maintenance, updated the Azipod hydrodynamic propulsion systems, and recovered the hull with silicone paint to further improve fuel efficiency. In addition, the ship was outfitted with gas exhaust cleaning systems from Green Tech Marine to help reduce fuel emissions and improve overall energy consumption. Norwegian Star has also been fitted with shore power connectivity.
This summer, Norwegian Star will homeport in Copenhagen, Denmark, and offer seven- to 14-day itineraries to the Baltic capitals and Norwegian fjords. The ship’s nine-day sailing to the Baltic capitals will includes calls at Berlin, Germany; Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland; and Stockholm, Sweden.