Thread: Norwegian Star to Port in Vancouver for Winter Olympics

Norwegian Star is sailing next month to its ultimate port of call -- the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

After a four-night repositioning cruise from Los Angeles, the Star will be berthed in Vancouver where it will become a four-star hotel throughout the Games.

Newwest Special Projects, an Edmonton-based company, has partnered with Norwegian Cruise Lines to dock the deluxe cruise ship at Vancouver Wharves near the Lions Gate Bridge. That's just 10 minutes from downtown and across from Stanley Park with a stunning view of the Coastal Mountains and the city.

Businessperson Dennis Laliberte helped to boost the options for accommodation at the Games by chartering the ship that becomes a 1,119-room floating hotel handling 2,240 guests.

Calling it the "largest hotel'' in Vancouver during the Games, Laliberte said the ship will offer many of the usual enticements enjoyed while at sea.

This includes a variety of accommodations, from inside cabins to deluxe suites, gourmet dining in 13 restaurants as well as room service, a 1,100-seat show lounge with Las Vegas-style entertainment and shuttle service to transportation heading to Games venues, shopping and nightlife.

The showroom will also be the setting for live Olympic broadcasts while some people who have booked cabins aren't even planning to attend the Games, Laliberte said.

This includes someone who has booked for 16 nights while some Vancouver-area residents plan to mark Valentine's Day and the Chinese New Year onboard while the ship makes its off-season stop in Vancouver.

Laliberte chose to partner with NCL as he likes the "freestyle-type atmosphere'' on its ships that fits nicely with the Olympics.

The Star, which also has eight lounges, a spa, three pools and fitness centre, will be in Vancouver for 20 nights.

Newwest is marketing its onboard accommodation in 10, two-night options known as "Wave One'' to "Wave 10'' from Feb. 10.

An added opportunity to enjoy the ship at sea is to cruise from Los Angeles (San Pedro Pier), leaving on Feb. 6 and arriving at its North Vancouver berth on Feb. 10. There's also a return voyage, leaving Vancouver on March 2, arriving in L.A. on March 6.

The four night pre-Olympic cruise includes two days at sea, a day in Victoria and arrival at 8 a.m. in Vancouver. On the return, there's a day in port at San Francisco.

this should be intersting to see how this works out.

4 Star hotel?

I'll have to get my aunt to take photos of her for me.

how far away are you from vancouver curtis ?

Smitty, I dont leave in Vancouver, my aunt does.