Norwegian Cruise Line announced that due to increased year-to-date booking volumes it will raise fares up to 7% fleet-wide as of April 2. The 10-ship line cited strong interest in particular in its new ship, the Norwegian Epic, debuting in June and for the ‘Pride of America’, its Hawaii-based ship.
“Our first quarter Wave season promotion definitely persuaded consumers to book a Norwegian cruise vacation as we saw heavy call volumes translating to exceptional bookings,” Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Kevin Sheehan says in a statement.
Norwegian joins a growing list of cruise companies hiking prices as business rebounds from the downturn of 2009. The announcement comes just weeks after industry giant Carnival announced plans for its own across-the-board price hike of up to 5%, effective March 22. Like Norwegian, Carnival cited soaring bookings.
The announcement of a price increase should motivate the few waiting for last minute specials. They are not going to materialize. Instead prices will be higher later this year because of the lack of supply in cabins.

Effective Feb 26, 2009, guests who purchase NCL’s BookSafe Travel Protection Plan for any NCL cruise departing on or after 1st May, 2009, are eligible for reimbursement of any cancellation fees if an insured guest loses their job as long as the person has been an active employee at the same company for at least one year. “In this challenging economic environment, we are offering a safety net for guests who want to book a cruise, but are uncertain about what the future holds in terms of their employment,” said Andy Stuart, NCL’s executive vice president of global sales and passenger services. “Our BookSafe plan enables guests to book with confidence knowing that they will receive a full refund if they need to cancel their cruise because of job loss.”

 

NCL continues sailing to Bermuda with Norwegian Dawn sailing seven-day cruises with three full days in Bermuda and the newly renovated Norwegian Spirit exclusively sailing seven-day cruises from Boston.

Pride of America’s successful deployment in Hawai`i, sailing seven-day Hawai’i inter-island cruises round-trip from Honolulu, Oahu, has been extended through January 2012.

In 2010-2011, NCL will sail the following itineraries:

• Europe
  • Norwegian Gem
    • Seven-day Greek Isles, round-trip from Venice, Italy
      • Ports of call include: Split, Croatia; Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos and Iraklion (Crete), Greece.
      • In 2010, Norwegian Gem sails April 24; May 8 and 22; June 5 and 19; July 23, 17 and 31; August 14 and 28; September 11 and 25; and October 9 and 23.
    • Seven-day Adriatic, Greece and Turkey, round-trip from Venice, Italy
      • Ports of call include: Dubrovnik, Croatia; Nafplion and Athens (Piraeus), Greece; and Ephesus (Izmir), Turkey.
      • 2010 sail dates are: May 1, 15 and 29; June 12 and 26; July 10 and 24; August 7 and 21; September 4 and 18; and October 2 and 16.
  • Norwegian Jade
    • Seven-day Western Mediterranean, round-trip from Barcelona, Spain
      • Ports of call include: Monte Carlo, Monaco; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Rome (Civitavecchia), and Naples, Italy; and Palma, Majorca, Spain.
      • 2010 sail dates are: April 18 and 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30; June 6, 13, 20 and 27; July 4, 11, 18 and 25; August 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29; September 5, 12, 19 and 26; October 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31; and November 7 and 14.
  • Norwegian Jewel
    • 12-day Baltic Capitals, round-trip from London (Dover), England
      • Ports of call include: Copenhagen, Denmark; Berlin (Warnemünde), Germany; Tallinn, Estoria; St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm (Nynashamn), Sweden.
      • 2010 sail dates are: April 29; May 11 and 23; June 4, 16 and 28; July 10 and 22; and August 3, 15 and 27.
• Alaska
  • Norwegian Pearl
    • Seven-day Glacier Bay, round-trip from Seattle, Washington through the Inside Passage
      • Ports of call include: Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia.
      • 2010 sail dates are: May 9, 16, 23 and 30; June 6, 13, 20 and 27; July 4, 11, 18 and 25; August 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29; and September 5.
  • Norwegian Sun
    • Seven-day Alaska Northbound from Vancouver, British Columbia to Whittier, Alaska through the Inside Passage and Hubbard Glacier
      • Ports of call include: Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Icy Strait Point, Alaska.
      • 2010 sail dates are: May 2, 16 and 30; June 13 and 27; July 11 and 25; August 8 and 22; and September 5.
    • Seven-day Alaska Southbound from Whittier, Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia through the Inside Passage and College Fjord
      • Ports of call include: Sitka, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, Alaska.
      • 2010 sail dates are: May 9 and 23; June 6 and 20; July 4 and 18; August 1, 15 and 29; and September 12.
  • Norwegian Star
    • Seven-day Sawyer Glacier, round-trip from Seattle, Washington through the Inside Passage
      • Ports of call include: Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, Alaska; and Prince Rupert, British Columbia.
      • 2010 sail dates are: May 15, 22 and 29; June 5, 12, 19 and 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31; August 7, 14, 21 and 28; and September 4, 11, and 19.
• Bermuda
  • Norwegian Spirit
    • Seven-day Bermuda, round-trip from Boston, Massachusetts
      • Port of call: King’s Wharf, Bermuda.
      • 2010 sail dates are: April 23 and 30; May 7, 14, 21 and 28; June 4, 11, 18 and 25; July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30; August 6, 13, 20 and 27; and September 3, 10 and 17.
  • Norwegian Dawn
    • Seven-day Bermuda, round-trip from New York, New York
      • Port of call: King’s Wharf, Bermuda
      • 2010 sail dates: April 11, 18 and 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30; June 6, 13, 20 and 27; July 4, 11, 18 and 25; August 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29; and September 5.
• Hawai’i
  • Pride of America
    • Seven-day Hawai’i Inter-Island, round-trip form Honolulu, Oahu
      • Ports of call include: Kahului, Maui; Hilo and Kona, Hawai’i and Nawiliwili, Kauai with an evening sail by Kilauea Volcano and an afternoon cruise of the Napali Coast.
      • Pride of America sails every Saturday through January 2012.

To book one of these new itineraries, guests should contact us at 877-325-7522.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is the innovator in cruise travel with a 42-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.

Today, NCL has the youngest fleet in the industry with 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea.

NCL is presently building a new third generation Freestyle Cruising project known as F3, for delivery in 2010.

Chic, upscale and one-of-a-kind experiences inspired by the nightlife capitals of the world – South Beach, Ibiza, the Riviera, and, of course, Vegas

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has revealed its vision for the future of nighttime experiences at sea designed specifically for its two next generation of Freestyle Cruising ships, F3, set to debut in 2010. From Riviera chic and Ibiza style to Miami trendy and Vegas flair, the nightclubs on NCL’s new F3 ships will create never-before-seen experiences at sea and feature multiple uses for day or night, along with exclusive, adult-only venues.

Five of the ships’ distinct hotspots were revealed at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas at the hotel’s private Venus Pool to press, NCL’s Partnership 2.0 Advisory Board, local travel partners and consumers flown in for the event. The five venues include the industry’s first true Ice Bar; POSH Beach Club, a first of its kind beach club at sea that offers an exclusive, adults-only setting at the top of the ship; Halo, the Ü ber Bar, a private bar and lounge in the ship-within-a-ship villa complex; Bliss Ultra Lounge, NCL’s all-day entertainment and nightclub complex with four-lane bowling alley; and Spice H₂0, an adults-only aft pool deck experience. With these signature outlets, NCL’s nightclub experience will rival even Vegas’ energy and passion for nightlife.

“There is nothing ordinary about these ships. The F3’s are unconventionally extraordinary,” said Colin Veitch, NCL’s president and CEO. “Every experience on board will be unique and like no other. F3 won’t have massive void spaces and rooms only used for one thing. What’s particularly unique about these spaces is they will have multiple uses – sunning, bowling, dining and, of course, party playgrounds. But this is just the beginning. We have a lot more to reveal in the upcoming months so stay tuned.”

NCL’s Ice Bar – chill out and chat up. Inspired by the original ice bars and ice hotels in Scandinavia and one of only 14 ice bars in the world, the cruise industry’s first true ice bar is the ultimate chill. This frozen chamber of iced vodka is set in changing hues of blue, green and purple LED lighting that simulates the Northern Lights and creates a distinctive arctic atmosphere. The centerpiece is a giant ice cube that glows and changes colors as the hottest techno beats add to the energy of this unique nightlife attraction. In addition, NCL’s Ice Bar features a bar, walls, tables, stools, glasses and life-size sculptures all made from ice. Located on deck seven, Ice Bar will accommodate 25 guests who will be given fur coats, gloves and hats to keep them warm, since the room’s temperature will not rise above 17 degrees Fahrenheit – creating the ultimate chill. To enter, guests will pay a cover charge with a drink or drinks included.

POSH Beach Club – the best nightlife day or night. Adult guests who purchase a POSH pass for the day or the week will take a private glass elevator to enter this luxurious and exclusive outdoor entertainment complex styled with Mediterranean flare and combined with the sizzle of South Beach and the Riviera. During the day, guests can lounge on white-cushioned day beds and in private cabanas in a sun-kissed setting and cool off in the 35-foot long cascading waterfall while the POSH VIP Host and crew cater to every whim. At night, things heat up as POSH Beach Club becomes an open air night club, complete with VIP bottle service, while the DJ sets the vibe for the non-stop party. Four POSH experiences a day are delivered:

• Early Morning (6 to 9 am) – POSH Vive
  • Guests awake to yoga classes and body-and-soul treatments in private cabanas as the sun rises and the day starts anew.
• Morning (9 to Noon am) – POSH Rehab
  • Guests can relax and recover from a night out with Salty Dogs, Bloody Mary’s, and mimosas combined with chill out tunes.
• Afternoon (Noon to 6 pm) – POSH Sol
  • The best nightlife in the daytime with guests lounging on day beds, enjoying funky beach music and spiked POSH snow cones while chilling under a lit waterfall.
• Evening (8 pm to whenever) – Pure POSH
  • A pure, sizzling, sexy, nightlife experience where guests enjoy sparkling drinks and bottle service served on silver trays. Look out Vegas, the vibe here is hot… guests can dance all night under the stars or lounge on a POSH bed… truly Riviera style.

Halo, the Über Bar – heavenly and very exclusive. Garden and Courtyard villa guests have exclusive VIP access to this Über Bar located at the top of the ship on the private deck 16. This Über Bar showcases the best of the best, from the best liquors around the world to the best art featured and available for purchase with jewelry-clad servers displaying the best jewelry onboard for purchase. LED screens, framed like masterpieces and placed strategically around the room, set the mood with video montages showing the best artwork, music videos, films, iconic images of celebrities, places, fashion and more. Private gaming tables, including baccarat and blackjack, add to the sexy style in this adult-only club.

Bliss Ultra Lounge and Nightclub – back by popular demand. NCL takes its popular Bliss Ultra Lounge and Nightclub, featured on Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Pearl, to the F3 ships. Bliss features NCL’s signature bowling alley at sea as part of this all-day entertainment and nightclub complex with the feel of a decadent Las Vegas nightclub. Located on deck seven, this hotspot is perfect for all-day bowling, dancing or just hanging out. In the evening, Bliss transforms into a hip, high-energy ultra lounge with plasma screens displaying music videos, shadow dancers entertaining the crowd and non-stop music. A dance floor, private VIP areas and mood-lit bowling complete this totally unique seagoing experience. Bliss features NCL’s popular White Hot Night, the ultimate dance party set in a wonderland of white. Guests are encouraged to wear white to the party and they can purchase specially designed “white hot” shirts and feather boas. Bliss on the F3 ships feature the addition of gaming tables with dealers.

Spice H₂0 – what an aft-pool never dared to be. Infused with Latin and Asian influences, colors and vibes, this adults-only complex located at the back of the ship on decks 15 and 16 features a huge LED screen displaying vibrant video images from charging bulls to flamenco dancers, and synchronized swimmers to tap dancing Geishas all combined with dynamic music to create a truly unique and sensory experience. During the day, guests can soak up the sun in lounge beds around the pool while enjoying chill-out Asian tunes and Asian-inspired cuisine in Chinese to-go containers. As the sun sets, Spice H₂0 is transformed to an Ibiza-inspired beach club with

live entertainment and dinner served tableside or directly on beds. At night, the mood is red-hot with Latin mash-up vibes, dancing and unique entertainment atop the covered pool.

Spice H₂0 will serve up four spicy vibes per day:

• Morning (8 to 11 am) – Sunny Spice
  • Spicy Bloody Mary’s and Spicitinis combine with breakfast and relaxing tunes.
• Afternoon (11 am to 4 pm) – Aqua Spice
  • Guests enjoy the energy of the in-crowd as they sun the day away with Asian margaritas, bottle service and beers from around the world. Asian-inspired food is served in Chinese to-go containers.
• Late afternoon/early evening (4 to 9 pm) – Sunset Spice
  • A perfect sunset every day – either live or via the big screen. Live entertainment, flowing champagne and an eclectic menu that isn’t available anywhere else on the ship. As the sun sets, it becomes a more intimate environment with Spanish guitars and red-hot dancers setting the vibe.
• Evening (9 pm to whenever) – All Spice
  • The entertainment is non-stop throughout the evening in this outdoor amphitheater. A visually captivating aerial ballet video comes to life as the pool floor rises and aerial performers mix dance moves with acrobatic choreography inside a metallic sphere to create a mesmerizing experience. Then guests can dance the night away on the covered pool.

Guests will be able to purchase a Beyond the Velvet Rope package to gain access to the exclusive clubs.

NCL’s F3 ships will incorporate a world of new features. They represent the company’s third generation of Freestyle Cruising ships; a further evolution ofNCL ’s progressive dismantling of the structure, regimentation, and constraints of the traditional cruise experience. The 150,000-ton ships will each total 4,200 passenger berths, representing the largest ships in NCL’s fleet.

NCL Corporation Ltd. is the holding company for various subsidiary companies involved in owning and operating the ships of Norwegian Cruise Line. NCL today has the youngest fleet in the industry, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea, and has recently added its latest new ship, the 2,400 passenger Norwegian Gem.

For high resolution, downloadable images, please log onto NCL’s Web site at www.f3.ncl.com. For further information on NCL Corporation, contact (877) 325-7522.

As oil prices have continued to rise since NCL’s earlier announcement of a fuel supplement, the company announced today an increase to its current fuel supplement. The new fuel supplement will be $11 per person per day for the first and second guests in a stateroom and $5 per person per day for any additional guests in the same stateroom, based on the guidelines below.

Individual reservations
The increased fuel supplement applies only to new individual reservations made on or after June 20, 2008.

Group reservations
The increased fuel supplement applies to any group reservation booked on or after June 20, 2008. The increased fuel supplement will also apply to group space held prior to June 20, 2008 without specific names and full confirming deposit by June 19, 2008.

NCL Corporation Ltd. is the holding company for various subsidiary companies involved in owning and operating the ships of Norwegian Cruise Line. NCL is building two new Third Generation Freestyle Cruising (“F3″) ships for delivery in 2010.

NCL today has the youngest fleet in the industry, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships in the market, and has recently added its latest new ship, the 2,400 passenger Norwegian Gem.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced that Norwegian Pearl recently received the Port of San Francisco’s Cruise Ship Environmental Award. In 2007, Norwegian Sun was honored with the same award. The Port’s program recognizes annually those cruise ships whose on-board environmental systems help decrease air and water pollution. The three categories evaluated are air emission reduction, wastewater treatment and recycling and disposal programs for solid waste.

“It’s an honor for Norwegian Pearl  to be recognized by the Port of San Francisco for the environmental standards and practices we have in place to protect the waters on which we sail and earn our livelihood,” said Colin Veitch, NCL’s president and CEO. “We have shown our commitment to maintaining the highest level of environmental protection standards by using low-sulfur fuels, reducing air emissions, efficiently and effectively treating our wastewater and recycling and disposing properly of solid waste while in port.” The Cruise Ship Environmental Award was created by the Port of San Francisco’s Cruise Terminal Environmental Advisory Committee (CTEAC). Established in 2003, CTEAC advises the Port Commission on cruise ship-related water and air quality issues. Committee members include regulatory agencies, environmental organizations, organized labor, community groups and maritime industry representatives.

“The Port of San Francisco is pleased to acknowledge the officers and crew members of Norwegian Pearl  for going above and beyond the existing regulations to preserve and protect the air and water quality of San Francisco Bay and beyond,” said Peter Dailey, maritime director for the Port of San Francisco. “We sincerely appreciate Norwegian Cruise Line’s commitment to safeguarding the environment.”

Norwegian Pearl  accommodates more than 2,400 guests and includes a world of innovative features and amenities, including 10 restaurants, 13 bars and lounges, two swimming pools and a casino. The ship also features an industry first – a four-lane, ten-pin bowling alley at sea and an impressive 30 foot rock climbing wall. Norwegian Pearl offers five- and nine-day sailings to the Western and Southern Caribbean, seven-day Alaska and nineteen-day Panama Canal itineraries.

NCL Corporation Ltd. is the holding company for various subsidiary companies involved in owning and operating the ships of Norwegian Cruise Line. NCL is building two new third generation Freestyle Cruising ships for delivery in 2010. NCL today has the youngest fleet in the industry, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea, and has recently added its latest new ship, the 2,400 passenger Norwegian Gem.

Leonard Fluxman, president and chief executive officer of Steiner Leisure, said, “We believe this expansion of our medi-spa services provides yet another opportunity to perpetuate our philosophy of imparting inner and outer beauty for our guests. As beauty and wellness needs continue to evolve, we always strive to present our guests with a premium selection of treatments that suit their individual lifestyle and preferences.”

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a simple, non-surgical treatment that can safely and effectively soften lines and reduce wrinkles. BOTOX® Cosmetic has been used therapeutically for over 18 years, and according to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, has been the number one non-surgical cosmetic procedure in the US since its FDA approval for cosmetic use in 2002. Guests who want to reduce lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth can opt for the number one selling dermal filler in the United States: Restylane® or its sister product Perlane®. Restylane® and Perlane® treatments can provide volume and fullness to the skin with instantaneous and long-lasting results. Guests can schedule a 30-minute consultation with the medi-spa physician on board who will create an individualized treatment plan.

These medi-spa treatments supplement NCL’s wide-range of skin, body, massage, and hair and nail care already available on board. Other treatments available at sea include GoSmile Tooth Whitening, Microdermabrasion and Ionithermie Cellulite Reduction Program, a body contouring treatment instantly improving the look of cellulite.

NCL Corporation Ltd. is the holding company for various subsidiary companies involved in owning and operating the ships of Norwegian Cruise Line.

NCL is building two new third generation Freestyle Cruising ships for delivery in 2010. NCL today has the youngest fleet in the industry, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea, and has recently added its latest new ship, the 2,400 passenger Norwegian Gem.

During a ceremony today at Aker Yards in St. Nazaire, France, the keel was laid for the first of Norwegian Cruise Line’s F3 ships, the third generation and the next evolution of the company’s innovative Freestyle Cruising ships. The first block of the keel, number 5006, a double bottom block weighing 322 tons, was put into place marking the start of the overall construction of the ship.

The milestone ceremony was attended by executives from Star Cruises, Apollo Management, NCL and Aker Yards. Upholding maritime tradition, each attendee was invited to put a specially designed coin in a tube that was welded shut and placed in the keel for good luck.

“The F3 ships are our most innovative project in the company’s 41-year history and will provide a totally unique vacation experience,” said Colin Veitch, Norwegian Cruise Line’s president and CEO. “Today as we lay the keel for this groundbreaking new ship, we are one step closer to revolutionizing cruising as we know it.”

The two 150,000-ton F3 ships will each total 4,200 passenger berths, representing the largest ships in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet.

Chairman of Star Cruises Tan Sri KT Lim added, “History is in the making today as Norwegian Cruise Line’s first F3 ship begins to take shape. We are proud to be a part of bringing this new innovative ship to fruition, one unlike any the world has seen before.”

Steve Martinez, partner at Apollo Management, noted, ” Norwegian Cruise Line already has the youngest fleet in the industry. We are excited to launch the construction of this next generation of Freestyle Cruising ship.”

The new ship design will offer 60 percent more guest space than Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest ships to date, which will be used to provide guests an even wider range of on-board activities, amenities and stateroom options. The ships’ cabin mix will be the richest of any NCL ship with 100 percent of outside staterooms featuring private balconies. In total, each ship will have 1,415 balcony staterooms.

More details about the F3 ships including other innovative accommodations, public spaces, dining, entertainment/nightlife, cutting-edge technology and casino will be announced leading up to the launch of the first F3 ship in 2010.

For the latest updates on F3 with downloadable high-resolution images of the New Wave staterooms, visit F3.ncl.com.

NCL Corporation Ltd. is the holding company for various subsidiary companies involved in owning and operating the ships of Norwegian Cruise Line.

 Norwegian Cruise Line is building two new third generation Freestyle Cruising ships for delivery in 2010. NCL today has the youngest fleet in the industry, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea, and has recently added its latest new ship, the 2,400 passenger Norwegian Gem.