NORWEGIAN Cruise Line Holdings (NCL) is expanding quickly into Asia with the opening of its Singapore and Tokyo offices this month to support the continuing penetration of its three brands – Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises into the region.
It first opened its Asian head office in Sydney in November 2015, followed by offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. It also has plans to enter Mumbai and Delhi.
Even though they are late to market, NCL’s senior vice president and managing director for Asia-Pacific, Steve Odell, said they are looking to quickly expand their trade distribution channels.
“While making sure to protect our past relationships with big partners Jetour and Miramar Travel, we would also grow our distribution by expanding the number of partners,” he explained, adding that a call centre has recently been established in Hong Kong to support the travel trade.
He continued: “In 2016, events and trade initiatives like educational seminars and training are planned. This ranges from classroom training to familiarisation trips. A 40 pax fam tour to Hawaii will set off this week and travel agents from Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong are invited.”
The group had also announced the NCL Joy late last year, a purpose-built cruise liner for the Chinese market that will launch by 2Q2017 from its homeport in Shanghai. The new ship will be the second of NCL’s Breakaway Plus class ships.
Other plans include Regent Seven Seas Cruises having WiFi available onboard its vessels in April, and the inaugural launch of the 56,000-tonne Seven Seas Explorer which features the largest suite rooms available at sea.
