NCL voted most improved cruise line

Norwegian Cruise Line was voted ‘most improved cruise line’ by CruiseOne, over 550 independent cruise travel agencies and Cruise Inc., the nation’s first host agency network, at the agency’s 15^th annual 2008 national conference which was held at sea on the 14-22 September.

"In 2008, we have seen significant enhancements with Partnership 2.0 - so much so that our more than 1,000 cruise agents voted NCL "Most Improved Cruise Line" for 2008," said Dwain Wall, CTC senior vice president, general manager, CruiseOne & Cruises Inc. "The voting, done in August, was one of the highest participations we've seen and NCL was definitely number one in this important category. On behalf of all CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. agents, we thank NCL for their commitment to travel agents. It is clear that Partnership 2.0 has been a great success for both of us."

"Earlier this year, NCL set out to strengthen its relationships with its travel partners through Partnership 2.0, so it is gratifying to see that those initiatives have resonated with them," said Kevin Sheehan, NCL's president. "We want our travel partners to know that we are continuously listening to their feedback in order to better improve the way we do business together."

NCL is currently building a new third generation Freestyle Cruising project known as F3, set to launch 2010. With the youngest fleet of ships in the industry, NCL is giving guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea. The most recent addition to the NCL fleet is the 2,400 guest Norwegian Gem.

NCL's Ultimate Touring excursions

Norwegian Cruise Line have further enhanced their Freestyle Cruising options with the introduction of Ultimate Touring, a new five-star class of exclusive tours allowing guests to explore ports of call in true VIP style. Ultimate Tours provide small groups of two to 18 people with their own personalised on shore adventure, so whether it’s a floatplane over the Alaskan fjords, a speed boat ride through the Finnish archipelagos or a private boat charter in the Caribbean.

Stephen Park, General Manager NCL UK comments, “Our guests already have the freedom to enjoy our ships however they choose with our extensive Freestyle dining, entertainment and relaxation options, and this concept has now extended to our tours.

“Ultimate Touring enables agents to offer customers a tailor made element, as guests can now experience tours in the privacy of a couple, or with a group of friends or family. They are likely to be popular with NCL’s high-end Suites & Villas customers, so agents can use as an additional selling tool.”

Norwegian Cruise Line boasts one of the most flexible choices of accommodation options afloat. NCL’s Suites and Villas include a range of ultra luxurious and contemporary living spaces including the 5,750 square feet Garden Villa, complete with three bedrooms, private garden and hot tub, or Courtyard Villa with private balcony, sundeck and butler service.

The new shore excursions from Norwegian Cruise Line can be booked pre-cruise by agents or guests can make bookings at the dedicated on board shore excursions desk.

Ultimate Touring excursions include:

Exclusive Overnight to Cairo: Travel via a private vehicle with own guide and enjoy luxury suite accommodation whilst exploring the highlights of Cairo as well as a cruise along the River Nile

Antique Exclusive Ocean Racing: This is an exclusive private charter offering a fully interactive experience under the watchful eye of a professional crew. You’ll be welcomed into a prestigious yacht haven in the Caribbean with the opportunity to race amongst the most famous yachts in the world.

Tuscany on horseback: Get back to nature with a horseback ride through the 56,000 acre San Rossore National Park and enjoy the spectacular pine tree forest in the Italian countryside

Norwegian Majesty clean up in Bermuda

Norwegian Cruise Line has been giving something back to St Georges in Bermuda where one of their ships, Norwegian Majesty, has docked during the summer. Seventeen officers and crew members including Captain Goran Blomqvist, the doctor and environmental officer, collected over 25 bags of rubbish over a 3 mile area.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s ship Norwegian Majesty is sailing seven-day cruises to Bermuda from Baltimore and Philadelphia from 4 October 2008.

NCL a World Savers Awards finalist

Norwegian Cruise Line has been named as a finalist in Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s 2008 World Savers Awards. The awards focus on 38 travel companies from around the world who have lead the way in social responsibility in the following five areas: poverty alleviation, cultural and/or environmental preservation, education, wildlife conservation and health.

The list of finalists is detailed in the September issue of Condé Nast Traveler magazine which was available to buy on newsstands Tuesday 19 August. The World Savers Awards will be presented during an award ceremony on 23 September at the 2^nd annual Condé Nast Traveler World Savers congress in New York City.

Norwegian Cruise Line last year recycled 96 tons of cardboard, 206 tons of wood pallets, 275 cubic meters of cooking oil; 364 tons of plastics, 909 tons of scrap metal, and 1,813 tons of glass. NCL also recycle used cooking oil from its ship at the Port of Miami, more than 15,000 gallons of it was offloaded and donated to an organic farmer in Vero Beach, Florida who converted the oil to 870 gallons of useable bio-diesel for his farming equipment.

NCL ships recycle whenever and wherever it is possible. They have invested heaving and not just on new environmental protection technology but also on a shore-side environmental departed and on every ship there is a trained environmental officer. Every one of NCL’s ships has a state-of-the-art solid and liquid waste processing equipment on board.

“Sustaining maritime ecosystems is among NCL’s highest priorities,” said Colin Veitch, NCL’s CEO. “The protection of the oceans on which NCL makes its living is of paramount importance to the company and so it is with great pride that we accept this recognition from Condé Nast Traveler for our efforts.”

Dramatic rescue of two sailors by NCL

It was an exciting days for guests on board NCL’s Norwegian Dawn last Monday 30 June, following a dramatic rescue of two stricken sailors. The sailors issued two separate distress calls 12 hours apart and luckily each man was rescued within a day.

The first rescue occurred just over 210 miles off the coast of Cape Cod. A sailing boat called ‘Patriot’ was making its way back from Bermuda where it had taken part in a competition race but unfortunately one its team members, Andrew Paul Giglia, was suffering from shock and required immediate rescuing. The US Coast Guard contacted NCL’s Norwegian Dawn which was cruising only 52 miles away. Norwegian Dawn immediately changed course and made radio contact with Patriot.

Norwegian Dawn Captain Trygve Vorren performed a skillful manoeuvre, flanking the 40 foot sailboat and deploying the life boat. There was a high wind and waves of up to 15 feet but thankfully a three person rescue team from Norwegian Dawn were able to get the sick sailor aboard and whisked off for treatment by the ship’s doctor.

Amazingly, within 12 hours off rescuing the first man, Captain Vorren was contacted about another potentially more serious injury on the sailboat Misty approximately 260 miles south of Montauk, New York. A male crew member, Hillary Bercovici, aboard Misty had a head injury and was losing consciousness. By a stroke of coincidence, Norwegian Dawn was the closest ship again, only 32 miles away.

Weather conditions were reported as very rough, with rain and high winds of up to 33 knots and 20 foot swells. Despite this, Norwegian Dawn found the vessel, lowered a life boat and with the same three crew members from the first rescue, transferred the injured sailor to the cruise ship where he received immediate medical attention, which included five stitches to the forehead.

Norwegian Cruise Line are a dab hand at ship rescues. It is actually the third time in as many months that NCL has been involved in a sea rescue.

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.

NCL's New Wave Staterooms

NCL’s next generation of Freestyle Cruising ships, F3, will feature the New Wave Standard, New Wave balcony and New Wave deluxe staterooms. This represents a huge leap forward in cruise ship accommodation with an entirely fresh take on bathroom design, contemporary curved architecture and open living space.

There are some distinctive design features in the New Wave staterooms, from curved walls and lines creating a modern chic experience. NCL have optimised the living space with a bathroom that is completely unique with a separate shower stall, separate water closet and a modern vanity top sink.

Staterooms will be designed in sophisticated earth toned palettes, accented with a splash of colour and rich, dark wood. There are concealed contour LED lighting and back-lit domed ceilings to set a relaxing atmosphere.

"From the introduction of the first Caribbean cruise more than 41 years ago to the launch of Freestyle Cruising in 2000 and beyond, NCL has always blazed a trail of innovation," said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO. "We have thrown away the rule book with the design of F3 and today are revealing the very first element with our New Wave staterooms. Gone are the regimented typical designs and in place are sleek staterooms that are totally outside the box, designed for the needs of tomorrow's guests."

Included with the amenities and comforts of NCL’s Freestyle 2.0 enhancements will be upgraded bedding, linens and towels, Euro pillows, Elemis bathroom products and MP3 connectivity. Balcony and deluxe staterooms have bathrobes, a customised fruit menu, a fresh baked cookie at turn down on the last night of cruise, priority restaurant reservation and special colour key card for ship wide recognition.

"Today's announcement is just the first chapter in a series of innovations we will be revealing about our new F3 ships leading up to their launch in 2010," Veitch said. "These ships will further deconstruct the traditional cruise ship experience with innovations in design, accommodations, luxury and entertainment to create a cutting-edge resort vacation experience unlike any other at sea."

The 150,000 ton F3 class ships are expected to be delivered in 2010.

EUROPEAN DEPLOYMENT GIVES NCL SALES BOOST

Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed the company's increased European ­deployment has been central to its boost in new year sales.
The cruiseline's year-on-year sales are 50% up and its biggest sellers are departures from Southampton, Dover and Barcelona, which are targeted to the UK market.


NCL has increased its capacity in Europe by about 70% for 2008.


Head of sales Nick Wilkinson said: "European deployment has definitely been central to our business this year - we have the right mix from the UK.


"January has been going well. We would expect that because of the ­increased number of ships operating for the UK, we are exactly where we would like to be.


"Our best sellers are Mediterranean cruises on Norwegian Jade out of Southampton and Baltic itineraries from ­Dover on Norwegian Jewel.


"Our family market is also increasing - particularly out of Southampton. We have had a large uptake on the mini cruises, which is great for people who really want to get a feel for cruising or are interested in city breaks."


Cruises from Barcelona on Norwegian Gem - the newest ship to join the fleet - are also selling well. Wilkinson did, however, highlight that the Caribbean is not as strong this year, even in the late market.


Wilkinson said travel agents had been very supportive of the new year campaign, which he described as a "single clear message of £200 off per stateroom".


NCL is also planning a new campaign from March to keep agents selling the product.


"We need to have something to ­follow on from our latest campaign - it seems the peak selling period is extending right through to April."


A ship visit invitation and educational programme is also due to be sent to agents this week.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE GETS $1BN CASH INJECTION

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced fleet-wide upgrades following a $1 billion cash injection from private equity group Apollo Management.

Improvements will be made to dining, cabins and activities by summer 2008. The announcement was made at the christening of Norwegian Gem in New York City at the end of last year.


An extra $50 million (£25.5 million) will be spent on food and restaurant amenities in the next two years, which equates to an increase of 20% per passenger per day. Most of this will be spent on refitting the ships with Action Station restaurants, replacing traditional buffets with multiple points of service that aim to dispense with trays and queues.


Guests will be greeted with champagne on arrival whatever their cabin grade and there will be signature dishes at each restaurant. Room service will be available from all restaurant menus and reservation technology will be improved.


Among planned enhancements to the cabins, amenities, mattresses and towels will be upgraded balcony cabins and mini-suites will receive a 24-hour telephone concierge service and priority embarkation while suites and villas are to have concierge and butler service, in-room welcome champagne, a private breakfast and lunch area and outdoor butlers in the courtyard villas.


NCL president and chief executive Colin Veitch said Freestyle 2.0 had been driven by agent feedback.


"We don't want to rest on our laurels - we have achieved the milestone of offering the youngest fleet in the cruise industry and will now focus our attention on delivering the next generation of Freestyle Cruising - a significant enhancement to the guest experience across the fleet."


Many Freestyle 2.0 features are in place on Norwegian Gem, which sailed its inaugural US cruise this week. Soft refits will be rolled out across the fleet this summer and the Action Station restaurants will be fitted as each ship goes into dry dock.


Apollo Management will own 50% of NCL under the terms of the agreement, announced in August. Veitch said the $1 billion (£510 million) will be used to reduce debt and to help pay for the ships on order for 2010.

Emily Bamber in New York

NCL WINTER WAVE CAMPAIGN

NCL (Norwegian Cruise Lines) have just announced their Winter sales campaign which has resulted in some great cruise itineraries at giveaway prices. The campaign runs from 1st December until 29th February featuring their summer departures from April through to November in 2008. Their brochure prices have been discounted by £100 per person. On certain special packages available through Jetline Cruise (such as Alaska) up to $125 per cabin on board credit is available. These offers are capacity controlled and can be withdrawn at any time once capacity has been reached and so the advice is to book early.

Norwegian Cruise Lines (or NCL as it is better known) is American owned and operates one of the most modern fleets of cruise ships afloat. These ships are big and impressive floating resorts with lots of facilities, on the face of it they have nothing to do with Norway! NCL are known for their Freestyle approach to cruising where you can do what you want - when you want. When it comes to dining they have thrown the rule book away - there are no set dining times and set tables to sit at. All ships in the NCL fleet have a multitude of restaurants on board. Some are buffet style and the rest are full waiter service restaurants where you make reservations to dine in - as you would at home. For some of these restaurants there is a service charge - well worth it when you are dining in Gourmet French Bistros and fascinating Asian Fusion venues such as Teppenyaki - sheer entertainment in itself.

Unlike many cruise lines where lead in prices are based on far off October and November 2008 dates we have found some great prices from May through to August. This is the most sought after period for early bookings. Here is just a sample of what is on offer:

• NCL Gem (Brand New Ship) 7 nights Med Fly cruise from only £599pp on 4th May. This is one of the best 7 nights cruise itineraries we have found. It sails from Barcelona visiting Malta, Naples for Pompeii, Rome, Livorno, Villefranche. This price is based on a Gatwick departure, for Customers living in Belfast we you can fly direct the day before the cruise and stay in a hotel with breakfast before your cruise with prices starting from £649pp. On the 1st of December we will have a special promotion for departures from Liverpool where prices start from just £499pp.

• NCL Sun 10 Night Caribbean fly cruise package January - March from only £699pp. Perfect to beat the Post Christmas blues - plus there is a free upgrade to ocean view cabins on selected dates. The price includes return flights from London, 2 nights hotel stay in Miami South beach and a 7 night West Caribbean cruise.

• NCL Sun 11 Night Alaska Fly cruise package from only £899 pp. This package includes direct return flights from London to Vancouver, 3 nights Vancouver hotel stay and 7 nights cruising the scenic wonders and wildlife of the Alaskan coastline. Plus there is up to $125 per cabin on board credit depending on the grade of cabin booked.

• NCL Jewel 12 Night Scandinavia and Russia cruise from Dover - prices start from just £849pp based on 5th and 17th May departures. Ideal for people who do not want to fly.

• NCL Jade 13 Night Southampton to Barcelona Fly cruise package 23rd Aug from only £969pp. An incredible low price during the school holidays and also an ideal cruise to take advantage of August Bank Holiday Monday. Child prices start from just £299pp.

• NCL Jade 14 nights Mediterranean No Flying cruise special from Southampton. Prices start from just £949pp based on 30th may and an incredible low price on 9th Aug of just £1199pp. Child prices start from £479pp.

NCL TO CRUISE TO BERMUDA FOR NEXT TEN YEARS

Bermuda is a great cruise destination, and those living in the mid-Atlantic and northeastern USA can easily drive to an embarkation port. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and the Bermuda Government recently announced that they have reached a long-term agreement that calls for two of NCL's ships to be deployed to Bermuda for the next 10 years, commencing 2009 and running through 2018. These ships will predominantly depart from New York and Boston and will each sail at least 22 cruises per season, making extended calls in Bermuda. The combined itineraries of the two vessels will provide for overnights in Bermuda from Sunday through Friday.

In 2009, the 2000-passengers Norwegian Spirit will sail from Boston to Bermuda, departing on Fridays, calling in Bermuda from Sunday through Wednesday. The 2200-passenger Norwegian Dawn will sail from New York on Sundays, calling in Bermuda from Wednesday through Friday. Also in 2009, Norwegian Majesty (the ship which has served NCL's Boston-Bermuda business for 15 years) will sail to St. George's, Bermuda from Charleston, Philadelphia and Baltimore.

Courtesy of About.com
Picture courtesy of Bermuda Ministry of Tourism & Transport

FRED OLSEN PREPARES TO CONVERT NEW ADDITION TO FLEET

NCL's (Norwegian Cruise Lines) Norwegian Crown has been handed over to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines in preparation for its expansion and conversion into the Balmoral.

The fifth ship in the Fred Olsen fleet is to be extended through 30 metre mid section being inserted at a Hamburg shipyard.

Public areas will all be redesigned while alterations to accommodation includes the addition of balconies on several cabins and suites to bring the vessel in line with three of the line's four other ships, Black Watch, Braemar and Boudicca.

Balmoral is due to sail on its inaugural cruise from Dover on January 30 on a 14-night cruise to the Canary Islands.

by Phil Davies

NCL'S NEW "IT" GIRL MAKES HER GLAMOROUS DEBUT

She's hot, she's hip, she's the ultimate trip – Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) new "It" Girl of Freestyle Cruising® is here.

On Friday, 5 October NCL's latest ship, Norwegian Gem, made her debut in Dover and just like any "It" Girl, she wowed everyone who saw her. The inaugural event on Friday evening attracted celebrities like Ruby Wax, a bevy of paparazzi and travel professionals from around the UK to a Gem of a Night on-board celebration, culminating in a Fireworks Fantasia on Dover's Promenade.

The Jewel-class ship offers 15 decks of fun, including opulent suites and Villas, a four-lane ten-pin bowling alley, rock climbing wall, high-energy Broadway-style shows and the sheer indulgence of the South Pacific Spa and Beauty Salon. This "It" Girl has it all and with around one crew member for every stateroom, service is everything an A-lister would expect. She even has her own "HerSpace" page at www.gemitgirl.co.uk where you can win great prizes such as £50 of Harvey Nichols vouchers or a Nintendo Wii™ every week until the end of December 2007. And if you would like to get aboard this fantastic Gem of a ship then you could also win a 7-night Mediterranean cruise to experience for yourself all that she has to offer.

Norwegian Gem is fantastic but don't just take our word for it, check out her video right here and see for yourself.

Like any "It" girl, Norwegian Gem will be good at selling herself but to help her along we have created a selection of photographs for you to use on your website.

After spending the winter in the Caribbean, Norwegian Gem will reposition in Europe in April 2008 where she will pick up her series of 28 seven day Western Mediterranean itineraries roundtrip from Barcelona.

If you were at the festivities of the inaugural in Dover then thanks for coming and we hope you had a great time; if not then please enjoy her webpage, video and photographs and you never know you could be the lucky winner of that cruise aboard Norwegian Gem.

If you would like help marketing any of NCL's itineraries both for print and web then please visit our trade partners website at www.ncl.co.uk/agents/index.htm, password: freestyle, username: cruising.

Special Jetline Cruise offer: 13 Night fly cruise package to the Caribbean from New York on the Norwegian Gem from only £799pp. Book now for 14th January 2008 or 4th February 2008.

SENSATIONAL NEW ALASKA DEAL WITH NCL

We have just started to promote an 11 night package to Vancouver which includes 3 nights hotel stay in Vancouver and a 7 night Alaska cruise from only £899pp in May 2008. The cruise is on board the NCL Sun.

Norwegian cruise Lines are ideal for people who do not want set dining times and tables to sit at for dining on board. NCL promote a freestyle approach to cruising where each ship has several smaller restaurants on board for greater choice, freedom and flexibility for dining. In turn this allows you to enjoy your cruise in your own time frame and at your own pace with out having to fit everything around set dining times. Some restaurants are buffet style, the rest are waiter service where you make reservations as you would in a restaurant at home.

Onboard the NCL Sun choose from:

• Le Bistro - French Restaurant.
• Il Adagio - Italian restaurant
• Ginza - Asian Fusion
• East Meets West - with its Sushi bar and Teppanyaki area - cooked at your table!
• Pacific Heights
• Garden café
• Las Ramblas - Tapas Bar
• Four seasons restaurant
• Seven Seas restaurant.
  

Also look out for our fabulous late booking Caribbean offers onboard the NCL Sun in November this year. 11 nights from only £699pp.