Flo Powell (Director at ACE) greeted me onboard the Norwegian Sun at 09:45 am. Accompanied by Flo were a small team from Norwegian Cruise Lines who would later give us a guided tour of the ship.
We were taken into The Atrium (Atlantic Deck 5) and had to wait a short time before our Conference Room was free (Promenade Deck 5). Waiting for us there was Debbee Dale (Debbee Dale Development, and has compiled Training and Development for ACE) who outlined what our session would entail.
Debbee covered the vast cruise statistics (1.65 million ex UK Cruisers, the fact that 59% of cruisers come from America and 28% from Europe – to name just a few). Debbee also “touched” upon National Cruise Week and Flo informed us of a few facts like, Fred. Olsen said that this was their best National Cruise week, CCS also fared well and details about the cruise offers that all the cruise lines promoted during that week.
Debbee then captivated us with the various ways of selling, be it rational or emotional! We also covered ideosensory trancing, the 4 P’s (Product, People, Process and Physical) and Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis. We all whispered to each other how wonderful Debbee is, and she really is.
As Martin (our NCL Rep) was unable to make the visit we were played a DVD from him welcoming us onboard, we just could not figure out if he was on the right or the left in the video?
Jude was our guide for our ship tour, we came out of the conference area and we took a right towards the Stardust Lounge, passing the Photo Gallery on the way. We then made our way to Pool Deck 11 and viewed the Great Outdoors Café, Garden Café, Pacific Heights Restaurant (and we were all starving just looking at all the food), then on to the Sun Deck, the Beauty Salon, Gym, Spa, Sports Bar and Video Zone. Then up to Sports Deck 12 to see the speciality restaurants, (we were advised of their cover charges) and then down to International Deck 7 to see the Casino, the Shopping Arcade, various Bars and into the Stardust Lounge (Balcony) to see and entertainer practising for that evenings’ show.
Some facts and figures about NCL and the Norwegian Sun:
• The Ship was built in 2001
• It is one of two Sun Class Ships (the Norwegian Sky being the other) and the first ships ever designed and built for Freestyle Cruising.
• At double occupancy this ship can carry 1936 passengers
• It has 13 Decks
• It has 12 Dining Options
• 10 Bars & Lounges
• Norwegian Cruise Lines sail to over 150 ports of call on five continents. You will find cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, South America, Bermuda and Hawaii. With 11 cruise ships and over 50 itineraries to choose from, it's easy to find a cruise that's right for everyone.
• The NCL Youth Programme will certainly keep kids of all ages entertained. There are four complimentary programmes: Juniors (Ages 2-5), First Mates (Ages 6-9), Navigators (Ages 10-12), and Teens (Ages 13-17)
• Mandara Spa operate the Spas on all NCL Ships, there is jogging and walking tracks, basketball courts and a fitness center that is open 24 hours with televisions, treadmills, and elliptical, free weights, special classes, and more.
• NCL have a fantastic online training programme called NCLU (U=University) for more information on this cruise line or if you would like to increase your knowledge register today at www.nclu.co.uk
• The Sun sails from Belfast to Dublin (where ACE have another Cruise Expo) then back to Dover. From there the ship will reposition to Port Canaveral for its 14 night Eastern and Western Caribbean Cruises.
• In 2011 this ship will remain in the Caribbean based out of Port Canaveral until April 2011.
Jude finally stopped at the Four Seasons Restaurant at 1pm where we were wined and dined and I was quite lucky to be sat beside Flo and Debbee. I had the Salmon for my main course, it was excellent. The crew were very friendly and attentive.
After lunch it was time to kiss and say goodbye to all the lovely people onboard the Norwegian Sun and once we had our passports we left the ship.
I have to say I really liked this ship, and the only negative on the day was not being able to view any staterooms.
To be honest, I think I prefer this ship to the Epic or the Jewel Class Ships.
NCL have recently informed us of the direct flight from Belfast Intl (BFS) to Reus to coincide with the Epic’s sailings’ from Barcelona in 2011, however, I feel their prices are not competitive (more expensive) than with their competitors offering like-for-like!
A very big thank-you to Natalie at ACE for confirming my place and especially to Flo for hosting the day.
Warm Regards
Brendan
Travelmax Worldwide, Belfast - Tele: 02890 799 775 or 07817 406 234.
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