Freo in the Spirit for NCL ship’s first visit

Fremantle was again the focus as a key cruise gateway with Tuesday’s arrival of perennial favourite Norwegian Spirit to open its third season in Australia.

Spirit’s morning arrival also marked the ship’s maiden voyage to Fremantle, where many of the ship’s almost 2000 international passengers spilled out of the passenger terminal throughout the morning for some local sightseeing.

Ben Angell, managing director and vice-president of APAC, Norwegian Cruise Line, says: “We’re thrilled to visit Fremantle for the very first time, and our guests are just as excited to explore this beautiful port and the other incredible destinations we’ll visit across Western Australia.”

Spirit sailed directly from Singapore on its way to summer homeport destination Sydney via Freo, Busselton, Albany, Adelaide and other east coast ports. The ship is scheduled to sail a series of Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific and South-East Asia itineraries over the next three seasons.

A defining change since I sailed on the ship in 1998 as the brand new Star Cruises’ Superstar Leo in Asia, came in 2020, when its interior was completely overhauled. Another spruce-up was made in 2022 for a total spend of more than $US120 million-plus ($180m) to lift Spirit to its current premium standard.

As Australian-based executive Craig McLaurin tells me before I board the ship for a tour on Tuesday, current operator Norwegian Cruise Line’s bow to stern refurbishment was a game changer.

“I think the best thing was they used modern stylings and modern colour palettes . . . it looks like a much more modern ship. And I think people love that. They love that feel that it’s still cosy and comfortable, but it’s not ostentatious.”

The vessel is decidedly adult-centric with no kids’ clubs or water slides, rather a focus on refined style and sophistication.

“Our tagline for this ship is ‘where grown-up getaways begin’, and that’s exactly how we see Norwegian Spirit,” Craig says.

The main structure of the ship was left intact so a few areas felt familiar, like the exposed elevator shafts and sky-high ceiling with art deco-style window panels in the central atrium. So too the long and expansive Stardust Theatre in the unusual spot aft. It is flanked on both sides by elevated lounge seating, VIP corporate box-style, in shiny wood panelling and glass balconies.

Among Spirit’s most impressive features is its more classic style complemented with high-end amenity and venues that open outwards to its surrounds, providing nice vistas and an airy feel.

Contemporary ships do this to a much broader extent, but Spirit brings the outdoor environment to life in beautifully finished venues like the Spinnaker Lounge (deck 12 forward), Windows restaurant (deck six aft), The Great Outdoors (deck 12 aft) and the main pool deck which is spacious and has a pool bar, plenty of lounge beds and places to sit and dine with ocean panoramas.

The Social Club “fireplace” lounge and bar is a personal favourite venue for its fabulous retro look, including its green-dominated colour scheme, plush lounge chairs and pearl-shaped light fittings. Adjacent is the comedy club.

The tour culminated in a lunch at Cagney’s Steakhouse, one of five specialty restaurants aboard, highlighted by the tender and succulent grilled New York strip steak.

Norwegian Spirit is scheduled to visit WA again in January 2028 on a call to Esperance before an overnight in Fremantle.

Ben says Norwegian Spirit is key to NCL’s broader commitment in the Asia-Pacific region.

“With her return already confirmed for the 2026-27 season and beyond, close-to-home cruising across Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific is here to stay,” he says.

SHIP FACTS

Built: 1998 (as Superstar Leo for Star Cruises)

Gross tonnage: 75,904GT

Overall length/Max. beam: 268m/37m

Guests: 2032

Crew: 904

Venues: 14 dining options including eight complimentary venues; nine bars and lounges; two swimming pools and six hot tubs.

Last refurbished: 2022

ncl.com