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The Norwegian Jade, NCL's renamed cruise ship Pride of Hawaii which will make its European debut in its new incarnation in late March, will become the first NCL cruise ship to sail year-around in European waters, the company announced on Feb. 27th.

Instead of bringing the Norwegian Jade back to the Caribbean for winter sailing as is the widespread cruise industry custom, NCL said the ship would homeport in Barcelona for the next two winters and offer Eastern Mediterranean and Canary Island cruises.

"We've seen strong growth in Europe and Freestyle Cruising has been a big success with our European guests," said Colin Veitch, NCL president and CEO.

"Norwegian Jade has been very well-received in her first season, and our full three-ship fleet in Europe is doing so well that we are now confident in committing a ship year-round to this strongly growing market," Veitch said.

Unlike some of the new Costa ships which sail year-round in the Mediterranean, the Norwegian Jade will not have a retractible roof over its pool areas to keep cruisers warm on chilly days.