It may be October, but it does not mean holidaymakers cannot start planning their next vacation. An additional cruise liner is due to start calling at Grand Harbour every week next year and is expected to bring to Malta over 60,000 passengers.
The Norwegian Cruise Line's latest addition - the Norwegian Gem - is getting ready to take voyagers on a tour of the Mediterranean that combines the beauty of Italy, the gothic wonder and flavoursome tapas of Barcelona and the warmth and joie de vivre of the French Riviera.
"Together with the very active help of the Malta Tourism Authority and Air Malta, we are trying to establish the port of Valletta as an international cruise hub by bringing over foreigners to start off and finish cruises in this country," said Michael Abele, chief operating officer of Cruises International, NCL's sole agency in Malta.
"Our company is investing heavily in trying to promote the so-called fly-cruise concept for Malta. We have established contacts with some leading and even smaller tour operators in Europe and the Middle East and are confident we will attract thousands of foreigners to fly to Malta for the specific reason of taking a cruise on board the Norwegian Gem," he explained.
Between May and November next year, the Norwegian Gem will offer sailings on 27 departure dates.
Besides Malta, a new port of call for NCL, the seven-night itinerary includes stops in Naples, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Villefranche and Barcelona.
NCL went for the very best ports in the Western Mediterranean, offering a variety of visits. Passengers can take optional excursions to Naples or Capri, Rome, Florence and/or Pisa, Nice and/or Monaco and Barcelona.
For Maltese nationals wishing to join the cruise in a Category 4 (inside) twin cabin, prices start at Lm249.42 (€581) inclusive of taxes for the November 4, 2008 sailing. Passengers wishing to avail themselves of peak season travel will need a higher budget. A Category 7 (oceanview) twin cabin costs Lm618.62 (€1,441) for the July-August sailings and Lm283.77 (€661) for the November sailing.
A Category 14 (balcony) twin cabin costs Lm721.65 (€1,681) in the July-August sailing period and Lm348.59 (€812) in the November sailing.
A Category 4 twin cabin costs Lm558.52 (€1,301) for the July-August sailings.
These rates are valid for bookings made until this November 30. When sharing a stateroom with parents, children aged 15 or younger pay taxes only.
"It is very relevant to point out that, due to the high demand of this product, NCL have only allocated a small number of cabins per week for the Maltese market, especially when it comes to inside cabins," Mr Abele said.
"I would also like to point out that the number of cabins containing three and four beds is very limited, which means that families have to book early to find availability," he added.
Cruises International has appointed SMS Travel and Mondial Holidays as its preferred travel agency partners to promote NCL cruises in Malta and Gozo.
Norwegian Gem facts
Service entry date: October 1, 2007
Gross tonnage: 93,530
Length: 965 feet
Breadth: 125 feet
Draft: 28 feet
Speed: 25 knots
Decks: 15
Guest capacity: 2,394
Crew: 1,154
Dining facilities: All restaurants offer freestyle cruising dining with open seating and flexible, extended hours
Freestyle cruising
Hardly any rules, nothing compulsory, a holiday at sea according to your own preferences and wishes - these associations hardly come to one's mind when thinking about cruising, but it's exactly what freestyle cruising is all about.
This innovative way of cruising challenges the conventional model of cruise holidays and is designed to meet the changing needs of today's cruise passengers. It is characterised in particular by having no fixed dining times, no formal dress codes, up to 13 different restaurants, lounges, bars, entertainment and activity options as well as a relaxed disembarkation, leading to a very casual atmosphere on board.
With such a variety of different types of cuisine, passengers will be absolutely spoilt for choice. With a choice of Tex Mex, Oriental, French, Japanese, Italian and much more, there is a world of different tastes on offer with the Norwegian Cruise Line. Should passengers, however, prefer to dine at the same table and/or at the same time every evening, reservations may be arranged on board accordingly. NCL's ships feature a restaurant seating guide, displayed on flat-screen monitors placed in key areas onboard. They show each restaurant's current occupancy status as well as possible waiting times.
Ms Grech attended the Norwegian Gem's inaugural cruise from Rotterdam to Dover, courtesy of Cruises International.