The Norwegian Cruise Line company has told us, and everyone who has read their statement, what their next ship will be called, the first in the world built and designed specifically for the Chinese marketIts name is Norwegian Joy, which in Chinese characters is written 喜悦号 and it is pronounced Xi Yuè HàoIn the Chinese market, the shipping company itself presents itself as 诺唯真喜悦号 (Nuò Wéi Zhēn Xǐ Yuè Hào)integrating the corporate Chinese name and the ship's name to reinforce its local identity.
Norwegian Joy, in Spanish Alegría, to debut summer 2017 as a large-capacity vessel within the Breakaway Plus class, with space for some 3.900 touristThis class is characterized by offering larger ships than the original Breakaway, with greater tonnage and more features intended for leisure, gastronomy and onboard experiences.
A revolutionary ship for the Chinese market
What sets the Norwegian Joy apart from other large ships is that all The onboard details have been designed after thoroughly studying the culture and tastes of the Chinese traveler.Norwegian Cruise Line worked with local partners and experts in the Chinese market to adapt not only the catering, but also the entertainment, the design of the common areas, the type of cabins and even the signage and the commercial offer.
The objective is to offer resort-style vacation experiences...with the feeling of a large floating resort. Thus, guests find a wide selection of Mandarin and Cantonese restaurantsalong with European and international proposals. The shipping company summarizes this promise in the Chinese slogan 尽享喜悦 海上乐园, which translates as “Experience paradise at sea”, reflecting the idea of enjoying without restrictions throughout the entire journey.
Very soon this market will be the largest source of tourists on the planetHence Norwegian's commitment to adapting to this market with a ship designed from the ground up for this audience. In fact, the company is one of the few major cruise lines that has not limited its offering to simply transferring a Western model, but has reconfigured spaces and services to match the preferences of the Asian passenger, from the distribution of casinos to the importance of duty-free shopping areas.
Gastronomy, leisure and luxury shopping designed for the Chinese traveler
The onboard dining experience on the Norwegian Joy is a key element. In addition to the gastronomic offering based on Mandarin and Cantonese cuisinerestaurants are added Korean barbecue, sushi, noodles and international cuisineEverything has been designed so that the passenger can alternate between traditional Asian flavors and Western dishes, always maintaining the characteristic flexibility of Freestyle Cruising from Norwegian Cruise Line, without rigid schedules and with a wide variety of places to eat whenever you want.
Leisure has also become personalized. The shipping company has given a strong emphasis to... family activities The technological offerings already include a large virtual reality gaming area, simulators, interactive video walls, and karaoke booths, one of the favorite leisure activities in the Chinese market. All of this is combined with Western-style shows, including productions inspired by the Paris of the Moulin Rouge and high-level acrobatics, integrating references from East and West.
Shopping is another pillar of the ship. Norwegian Joy has been designed with a expanded luxury shopping districtwith numerous stores duty free and high-end international brandsThere is more retail space than on other similar ships in the company, with areas inspired by high-end Asian shopping malls, a particularly attractive factor for the Chinese passenger looking for luxury items during their vacation.
Tan Ping's Phoenix-inspired artistic helmet
In addition to the ship's name, Norwegian Cruise Line unveiled a new name and Chinese logoswhich will operate only in that market. The company name will be represented by the ideograms 诺唯真 (Nuò Wéi Zhēn)which can be translated as "a promising, exclusive and authentic shipping company", and reinforce the brand's positioning as a high-quality cruise line in China.
To underscore this message of exclusivity, the company commissioned the renowned Chinese artist Tan Ping The design of the artwork adorning the hull of the Norwegian Joy. Its main theme is the Phoenix, a mythical bird very present in Chinese art that symbolizes beauty and good luckThis motif has appeared for centuries in paintings, silks, and traditional architecture, making it a perfect symbol for a ship that wants to unite. tradition and modernity.
Tan Ping's modernist design uses fluid lines that convey forward movement and balance, in a palette dominated by reds, yellows and touches of blueRed represents the joy, perfectly in keeping with the ship's name; the yellow evokes the grandeur and majestic character of the ship, while the blue symbolizes the MarBy choosing these three primary colors, the artist also suggests a new beginning full of possibilities, as a starting point for unforgettable journeys on the high seas.
Norwegian Cruise Line highlighted that the work of Tan Ping It bridges the gap between East and West.Reflecting the essence of a technologically advanced ship that simultaneously respects traditional Chinese values and symbols, the design reflects the artist's vision of the Phoenix on a hull of this size. most ambitious project, capable of reaching more viewers than any other of his works, since the ship travels international routes.
VIP accommodations, The Haven and new cabin categories
The Norwegian Joy has been designed to offer first-class experiences at sea to Chinese passengers, with special emphasis on the VIP accommodations and luxury suitesThe ship features the exclusive complex The Haven by Norwegian®, "ship within a ship" which features high-end suites, private areas, its own restaurant, and relaxation spaces reserved for its guests. In the case of the Norwegian Joy, The Haven also includes a observation deck with 180º viewsdesigned to enjoy spectacular scenery with complete privacy.
Alongside The Haven, a new category of Concierge cabins, with more space and personalized services For those seeking added comfort without opting for the most exclusive categories, this area offers cabins with larger balconies and priority access to certain services, catering to passengers who value personalized attention and comfort.
The ship also incorporates cabins designed specifically for families, with a large amount of connecting cabins for family groups traveling together, a very common demand in the Chinese market. Most cabins have been designed to accommodate couples with one or more childreneliminating the single cabins that are present on other ships in the company. In this way, the design reflects a a society very family-oriented and focused on sharing holidays.
In addition to the luxury suites, mini-suites, and balcony cabins, both exterior and interior, some of the interiors have been equipped with virtual balconiesLarge screens project real-time views of the outside world, allowing passengers to enjoy a feeling of openness to the sea even in categories without a physical window.
Innovative entertainment: go-kart track, virtual reality and adult zones
The shipping company Norwegian Cruise Line announced the construction of a new ship, the new Norwegian Joy destined exclusively to the Chinese marketThis ship, which will have a capacity for 3.900 passengers, will feature home ports in Shanghai and Tianjin (Beijing) in its operations targeting the Asian market, becoming a benchmark of innovation and entertainment at seaThe initial statement indicated that its port of departure and maiden voyage were still unknown; later, the shipping company confirmed home ports in Shanghai and Tianjin.
The Chinese name of the new ship will be Xi Yue Haowhich will also be engraved on the hull in Chinese characters. This ship is considered twin brother of the Norwegian Escapebut it also includes some exclusive news for the Chinese market, both in terms of domestic distribution and the type of activities available.
New features on board the Norwegian Joy:
- The first two-level electric car racing trackLocated on the ship's upper deck, it's a unique attraction at sea that allows you to compete with ocean views.
- A combat zone with laser raysDesigned for dynamic and highly visual gameplay, intended as family and group activity.
- The villas Port with service of Butler included, which reinforce the feeling of luxury and exclusivity.
- New accommodations Concierge, with more space and amenities on board, geared towards a discerning passenger seeking a premium experience.
- A new area for virtual games and state-of-the-art simulators, with immersive experiences for all ages.
- Two new water slides with large loops, which add excitement to the ship's water park.
- A zone > all with adultswhere you can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of family areas.
The ship has the world's only offshore go-kart trackThis circuit, located on the upper deck, has Two levels and allows you to compete behind the wheel of electric karts with the ocean as a backdrop. For many passengers, the ultimate prize is the race photograph, an exclusive image that immortalizes an experience that is very difficult to find elsewhere.
In addition to the go-kart track, the Norwegian Joy offers a large hovercar bumper car track y racing simulators state-of-the-art equipment capable of recreating nighttime competitions with real-time 3D graphics, 360-degree surround sound, and multisensory effects. All of this is complemented by two multi-story water slidesdesigned for those seeking speed and adrenaline.
Strategic expansion of Norwegian Cruise Line and global positioning
2016 and 2017 will be important years for the company, which, while positioning itself in the Chinese market, has opened Commercial offices in major cities of China, is committed to strengthening the European market. These offices in Beijing (Guomao CBD) and Shanghai (Xintiandi) They support the group's three brands: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruisesconsolidating its presence in Asia Pacific.
Furthermore, Norwegian Cruise Line plans an investment of approximately $400 million, almost 370 million euros, in two years, for the fleet renewalThis investment adds to the commitments already made to expand the Breakaway Plus class, increasing the number of ships and modernizing existing ones with new technologies and energy efficiency improvements, such as systems for air lubrication in the hull that reduce resistance and fuel consumption.
The company closed 2015 with a net profit of $427,1 millionand expects to increase its revenue by 30 percent during this period. These financial results reflect the good prospects for the cruise sector and the growth potential of emerging markets like China, which is shaping up to be the second largest cruise passenger market in the worldsecond only to the United States.
In this context, the Norwegian Joy becomes a strategic pillar for the expansion of Norwegian Cruise Line. It not only opens the door to millions of new customers in Asia, but also serves as innovation laboratory The product has been tested by a very demanding audience. The experience gained with this ship allows the company to adapt and improve its future designs, both for Asia and other global destinations.
And so, little by little, they tell us the details of this ship, the Norwegian Joy, Designed from the hull to the last interior detail for the Chinese marketWith a blend of art, technology, gastronomy, and luxury, it's one of Norwegian Cruise Line's most unique ships. For travelers seeking a different kind of cruise, with experiences that don't exist on other ships With a clear influence from Asian culture, the Norwegian Joy represents one of the most complete offerings available in the cruise industry today.