Since Norwegian Cruise Line is a trend  setter in inaugurating new cruising regions, the news that Norwegian Jade will stay in Europe 12 months per year is indeed interesting.  The 2,400-passenger ship will home port in Barcelona and sail the Eastern Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Morocco.

While Europeans will make up the bulk of Norwegian Jade’s passengers from November through March, North Americans may be tempted to visit southern Europe and Africa when temperatures are moderate, the ports have fewer tourists and airfare is much lower in price. 

From November 2008 through April 2009, the ship will sail on 12-day Eastern Mediterranean cruises with port calls in Rome (Civitavecchia); Athens (Piraeus); Ephesus, Turkey; Alexandria, Egypt (overnight) and Malta.  In addition, nine-day Canary Islands and Morocco cruises include five ports of call: Casablanca and Agadir, Morocco; Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands; Funchal, Madeira; and Granada (Málaga), Spain.

For guests already booked on Norwegian Jade’s 12-day transatlantic sailing or seven-, 10- or 11-day sailings from New York from mid-December through April 2008, NCL is offering the opportunity to move their reservations to comparable sailings on Norwegian Gem. Guests who make the change will receive full price protection and a $100 on-board credit per person (maximum $200 per stateroom).  Additionally, NCL will pay for air changes fees (up to $100 per person) or hotel cancellations fees (up to $50 per room) for guests who booked air or hotels on their own.  Air and hotel booked through NCL will be protected at the original rate.  Guests who choose to sail on a different NCL sailing (other than the one offered) will receive a $50 on-board credit per person (maximum $100 per stateroom) on another voyage.  Guests who instead wish to cancel will receive a full refund. 

Are you tempted to try Freestyle cruising in Europe in the winter? 

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