Norwegian Cruise Line and STX come to an agreement

Norwegian Cruise Line and STX France Cruise SA, STX Europe’s French shipyard, have come to an agreement to revise the original F3 order but are continuing to move forward with the construction of the first F3 cruise ship. STX France is now building only one F3 ship and at 150,000 tons with a total of 4,200 passenger berths it will be the largest ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet.

Building will continue of the original hull which is at the moment in the early stages of construction and delivery is set for late May 2010, as originally planned. The planned second vessel, only in the preparatory stages, will not be built. Any further terms of the agreement have not been released.

"With this agreement, we can all focus on completing the new vessel successfully,” said Kevin Sheehan, NCL’s president and CEO. “We are looking forward to the arrival of our much-anticipated F3 ship as it represents a major step forward for NCL in terms of ship size, design and innovation.”


"We are pleased that the ongoing construction of the ship for NCL will continue. We, along with our subcontractors, will now make the necessary adjustments to our plans for this project," said Jacques Hardelay, president of STX France Cruise SA.



Norwegian Cruise Line to date have kept details of the F3 ship close to their chest and have only released information regarding F3’s staterooms and nightlife. No doubt there will be further exciting details released as construction progresses.



Known as the innovator in cruise travel with a 42-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, Norwegian Cruise Line introduced Freestyle Cruising which allows 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.

Norwegian Cruise Line's F3 ships to be Ice Cool

The newest addition from Norwegian Cruise Line, F3 Generation, is set to be a ‘cool’ cruise ship. With rock climbing walls, bowling alleys, ice skating rinks and boxing rings announced as some of the recent cruise ships innovations, what more could Norwegian Cruise Line think of.

Well, Norwegian Cruise Line has just announced their latest innovation to feature on their new F3 generation cruise ships to be launched in 2010. Norwegian Cruise Line plan to feature the Ice Bar, a frozen chamber of iced vodka, lit up internally to stimulate the Northern Lights and provide an all round Artic experience.

The F3 generation Ice Bar was inspired by the original ice bars and hotels which can be found in Scandinavia and will be one of only 14 bars in the world. It will be the only Ice Bar to be situated on a cruise ship, making it an industry first for Norwegian Cruise Line.

The centrepiece in the Ice Bar will be a gigantic ice cube that will change colour to the techno beats, adding to the energy and atmosphere on this amazing nightclub venue. In addition, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Ice Bar will have a bar, tables, stools, glasses and life size sculptures all made from ice. The Ice Bar will be situated on deck seven and can accommodate 25 guests who will be provided with fur coats, gloves and hats to keep them warm – a necessity when the temperate of the room will be a consistent 17 degrees Fahrenheit.

Keen to attract a younger generation of cruisers, Norwegian Cruise Liner have over-hauled their entire night time activities for the F3 generation ships. In addition to the Ice Bar, ships will feature POSH Beach Club, inspired by the nightlife capitals of the world, South Beach, Ibiza and Vegas.

Guests can purchase a POSH pass for the day or week, providing access via a private glass elevator to an exclusive, adults-only outdoor setting at the top of the ship. During the day, guests can relax on white cushioned day beds and in private cabanas in a Mediterranean styled area combining the sizzle of South Beach, cooling off in the 35 foot long cascading waterfall. At night the atmosphere will hot up as POSH Beach Club becomes an open air night club.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s F3 ships will feature a world of new innovations. The 150,000 ton ships will each total a capacity for 4,200 guests and will be the largest in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet.

NCL's F3 ships Keel Laying Ceremony

At a ceremony at Akers Yard in St. Nazair, France, the keel for the first of Norwegian Cruise Line’s F3 ships with laid.

F3 is the cruise lines third generation and the next evolution of the company’s innovative Freestyle Cruising ships. The first block of the keel with a double bottom block, number 5006, weighing in at 322 tons and was put in place marking the start of the overall construction of the ship.

Executives from Star Cruises, Apollo Management, NCL and Aker Yards attended the landmark ceremony. In a maritime tradition each attendee was invited to place a specially designed coin in a tube which was then welded shut and positioned in the keel for good luck.

The two F3 ships will weigh 150,000 tonnes and will each have a total of 4,200 passenger berths, consequently being the largest ships in NCL’s fleet.

"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, NCL'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."

Chairman of Star Cruises Tan Sri KT Lim added, "History is in the making today as NCL'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, "NCL 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 F3 ships will have the highest proportion of cabin mix, with 100 per cent of outside staterooms featuring private balconies and in total each ship will have 1,415 balcony staterooms. The new ship design will offer 60 per cent more guest space than any other NCL ship and will provide guests with an even wider range of onboard activities, amenities and stateroom options.

There will be more details of the F3 ships innovative accommodations, public spaces, dining, entertainment, cutting edge technology and casino released on the lead up to the launch of the first F3 ship in 2010.