Ship Norwegian Gem Makes Inaugural Call
Sparkling in the St. Maarten sunshine, Norwegian Gem, one of the world newest cruise ships, docked alongside Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise Pier for its inaugural call Tuesday.
Adorned in a gem motif, the ship is enwrapped in quiet elegance and freestyle cruising for passengers who want to leave schedules on shore. The ship left from New York more than a week ago and is on the last lap of an 11-day cruise that brought it to St. Maarten.
The next time it will be in port is February 12, before shifting to a seven-day cruise that will keep it closer to its home port. In summer, it will reposition to Europe.
Captain Mikael Hilden had high praise for the St. Maarten Ports Authority (SMPA) harbour pilot who had assisted in guiding him alongside the pier for his and his ship's first visit here. He commended the pilot for being knowledgeable and skilful.
SMPA Deputy Managing Director Vanessa Williams welcomed Hilden, the 2,394 passengers and 1,100 crew members at a plaque exchange ceremony aboard the new ship that was christened in December 2007. She told the captain that, like the 965-foot-long ship, St. Maarten prided itself on high passenger/visitor satisfaction with 95 per cent disembarkation in port.
Norwegian Gem is one of only two ships with a bowling alley and boasts 22 restaurants and bars catering to every taste and desire of passengers for all night dining and night clubs fitted with furniture that take a cue from richly coloured gems.
