Holiday News

Norwegian Sky sparkles after summer makeover
June 30, 2009 - Norwegian Sky has undergone a complete refurbishment enhancing the guest experience for its popular three and four-night Bahamas itineraries from Miami.
The NCL ship, which entered the Miami mini-cruise market approximately one year ago, has received enhancements to its public areas including a larger dance floor in Dazzles Bar and Nightclub, the refurbishment of existing staterooms and suites plus the addition of three new staterooms. Says gneral NCL manager Stephen Park: "Norwegian Sky is great for customers looking for mini-breaks with guaranteed sun and is easily combined with a stay in Miami or Florida. These short itineraries are an excellent way for families, friends and couples to test the water with cruising, and with such low prices they offer exceptional value."
More on the Norwegian Sky makeover

How the new Norwegian Epic will look
May 14, 2009 - The contemporary hull design which will adorn Norwegian Epic has been revealed.
NCL's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date is scheduled for delivery in May 2010, and reservations for her 2010/2011 inaugural season go on sale on Thursday, May 21.
Norwegian Epic's hull artwork is painted on both sides with free form rolling waves of varying sizes that run through a modern colour spectrum of lime, aqua, red, and purple and dotted by silver circles.
More on the new look Norwegian Epic

Epic to feature largest suite complex
March 21, 2009 - NCL has revealed the full range of innovative accommodation on board its next generation Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, which will include the biggest ship-within-a-ship suite complex at sea and a new category of inside staterooms called The Studios.
The 4,200-passenger Epic, set for delivery in May 2010, will feature the biggest ship-within-a-ship suite complex at sea, comprising 60 suites and villas on two private decks at the top of the ship.
Guests in these suites will have exclusive access to the Courtyard Villa complex featuring a pool, two whirlpools, gym, saunas, sundeck, indoor and outdoor dining, a bar and nightclub, and concierge lounge.
More about the new Epic suite complex

NCL's next generation cruise ship is revealed
March 7, 2009 - Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled the first images of its new 153,000-ton, 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic, the company's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date.
Currently under construction at STX Europe in St Nazaire, France, the strikingly contemporary, balcony-rich, 19-deck ship will be 1,068ft long, 133ft wide, with a draft of 28.5ft when completed in May, 2010.
NCL will open Norwegian Epic's sailings for group block bookings exclusively for travel partners later this month, and ruises are scheduled to go on sale to the public this spring.
More about the new Norwegian Epic

New Year sale offers big savings
December 18, 2008 - NCL has launched a New Year sale, offering discounts of up to £400 per stateroom on many of its 2009/2010 sailings.
There are savings on Europe, Caribbean, Hawaii, South America, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal, Alaska, Canada & New England and Transatlantic itineraries when booking from now until February 28.
NCL is also introducing deposits of just £50 per person on its mini-cruises to encourage bookings. Short Breaks, which range from two to five nights, are ideal for first time cruisers or couples looking for a romantic weekend.
More about the New Year sale

Norwegian Spirit returns from makeover
November 24, 20089 - Norwegian Spirit is back in business after completing a multi-million dollar refurbishment aimed at enhancing the guest experience.
The 2,376 passenger ship, which joined the fleet in 2004, has receiving a complete renovation to all its public areas, staterooms and suites as part of the upgrade process, before embarking on a series of Exotic Western Caribbean sailings from New Orleans.
The refurbishments come in addition to the extensive improvements already made as part of NCL's fleet-wide initiative implemented to boost the on board experience, from food and beverage, to self-improvement classes and upgraded staterooms.
More about Norwegian Spirit's refurbishment

Lucky 7 upgrades
September 23, 2008 - NCL has launched a dedicated Alaska brochure offering five new itineraries for 2009 - and agents who are quick off the mark can make the most of an early booking incentive to upgrade guests up to seven stateroom categories on their Alaskan adventure.
The Freestyle Cruising Alaska brochure showcases brand new Alaskan Adventures including Alaskan Seascapes to the Golden Gate, which takes in Ketchikan and San Francisco, and Pacific Coast & Sawyer Glacier, setting sail from Los Angeles, cruising to Vancouver. A new addition also featured is an add-on tour of Alaska's Denali National Park.
The brochure takes advantage of NCL's 'Better Stateroom, Better Price, Better Book Now' autumn campaign, allowing guests to save up to £190 per person.
More about NCL in Alaska in 2009

Travel in style with 5-star shore excursions
September 23, 2008 - Norwegian Cruise Line has launched Ultimate Touring - a new five-star class of exclusive tours giving guests the opportunity to explore ports of call in true VIP style.
Whether it's a private boat charter in the Caribbean, a floatplane over the Alaskan fjords, or a full throttle speed boat experience through the Finnish archipelagos, the tours provide small groups of two to 18 people with their very own personalised adventure.
Says UK general manager Stephen Park: "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 and villas customers."
More about NCL's Ultimate Touring

NCL boosts Fam Trip places
May 21, 2008 - Norwegian Cruise Line has been quick to make a significant increase in the number of familiarisation spaces on board its ships this summer in response to direct feedback from travel agent partners.
This is the first initiative to result from the company's Partnership 2.0 programme, which is designed to make NCL easier to do business with, in addition to facilitating better service and communication, plus stronger relationships between NCL and its trade customers. 
Says NCL general manager Stephen Park: "We looked at the feedback from our agent survey and realised more of our travel agent partners want to see our ships. We're pleased as it demonstrates a genuine desire to proactively sell NCL. To address this we are doubling the total number of trips available to agents this season. What's more, agents also told us that they want the NCL brand to be far more visible, so we are now looking at ways to address this."
More changes will be implemented in the coming months to improve the way NCL conducts its business in direct response to feedback from the Partnership 2.0 survey.
Agents interested in participating in an NCL fam trip or ship visit this summer should email shipvisit@ncl.com for more information.

Star finalises $1bn NCL deal with Apollo
January 11, 2008 - Star Cruises has formally completed the $1 billion investment deal with Apollo Management in Norwegian Cruise Line and NCL America. The deal gives Apollo a 50 per cent stake in NCL, with Star Cruises retaining its 50 per cent interest
Star Cruises chairman Tan Sri K T Lim said: "We are extremely proud of what we have achieved to date with NCL, but we are even more optimistic about what the future holds for the company now that Apollo has joined us."
NCL president Colin Veitch added: "NCL is now in the strongest financial condition we have ever enjoyed in our 41-year history. With both Star Cruises and Apollo as dedicated and supportive shareholders, and with a fleet that has just become the youngest in the industry, we will take our vision of innovation to new and exciting levels."