The CruiseWeb Blog » Norwegian

Norwegian Cruise Line today unveiled the contemporary hull design which will adorn Norwegian Epic, the company’s largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date, scheduled for delivery in May 2010.

Norwegian Epic’s hull artwork, designed by the company’s internal marketing team, is painted on both sides with free form rolling waves of varying sizes that run through a modern color spectrum of lime, aqua, red, and purple and are dotted by silver circles.

Norwegian Epic’s hull design is a departure from the rest of the line’s signature hull artwork which typically is inspired by the ship’s name or the destination the ship sails from. Instead, the hull artwork on Norwegian Epic takes on the characteristics of the ship’s interior features – a sophisticated, modern and sleek design and color palette that is seen in everything from the innovative curved design of the New Wave staterooms to the more contemporary design of the ship’s public areas.

“A Norwegian Cruise Line ship is instantly recognizable with its distinctive hull art that conveys each ship’s personality and the freedom and flexibility that is found on board,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “With Norwegian Epic, we are taking Freestyle Cruising to the next level, so it is fitting that her hull artwork conveys more of the modern, sleek design guests will find once they are on board the ship.”

The 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic incorporates many innovations including several new types of staterooms – the curved New Wave staterooms; 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; a new category of inside staterooms for the budget-conscious traveler – The Studios; and spa and family-friendly accommodations. The ship also boasts unique nightlife options with the first Ice Bar at sea; an expansive Aqua Park with the only tube slide and largest bowl slide at sea — The Epic Plunge; seven decks of Freestyle Family Fun with highlights including a 33-foot high, 64-foot wide extreme rock climbing wall and the first ever rappelling wall at sea; the most bowling lanes at sea with six in two venues; a mixed-use sports deck with the ability for guests to engage in eight different athletic activities; as well as three separate kids’ and teen activity areas and the first squash court at sea. In addition, Norwegian Epic will offer the next generation of Freestyle Dining with 14 restaurant choices – the most at sea – and 18 bars and lounges.

Norwegian Epic is scheduled to sail year-round to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami, beginning in summer 2010. The ship’s Western Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. Norwegian Epic’s Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas. These cruises go on sale to the public on May 21, 2009.

NCL to adjust Mexico itineraries for safety

The Cruise Web — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:37:58 +0000

Courtesy of NCL

Travel Advisory: Updated 7pm 04/28/09

Miami – Apr 28, 2009

The health and well-being of our guests and crew is of the utmost importance to Norwegian Cruise Line. Accordingly, the company is closely monitoring the health advisories regarding the current Swine Influenza (Swine Flu) situation.

As a precautionary measure due to the recent travel advisory relating to Mexico, the company is cancelling Norwegian Pearl’s final two calls in Mexico on its current repositioning cruise. The stops were scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, April 29 and Friday, May 1, 2009. Instead, the ship will call on San Diego, Calif., on Saturday, May 2. Apart from this sailing, Norwegian Cruise Line’s scheduled deployment does not include any other ports of call in Mexico until the end of September 2009.

Norwegian Cruise Line has stringent protocols for cleaning and sanitation on all of its vessels to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. In addition, the company is taking proactive precautionary measures to protect its valued guests, including, but not limited to, fleet-wide guest screening via a health questionnaire prior to embarkation and on-board education regarding Swine Flu symptoms and preventative actions. As a result, the company does not anticipate that its guests’ cruise experience will be impacted.

Furthermore, Norwegian Cruise Line’s on-board medical centers are stocking an appropriate amount of the anti-viral medication used to treat the illness, in the unlikely event the need for its use becomes necessary.

Any further updates will be posted to ncl.com. For information on Swine Influenza, visit the CDC’s web site at www.cdc.gov

NCL Awarded Top Accolades for 2008

The Cruise Web — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:16:29 +0000

Courtesy of NCL

2008 10th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards
Porthole Cruise Magazine
- Best Alternative Dining Room Cuisine
- Best Spa Facilities
- Best Hawaii Itineraries
- Best Bermuda Itineraries

2008 World Travel Awards
- Norwegian Cruise Line named Europe’s Leading Cruise Line

2008 Editors’ Picks Awards
Cruise Critic
- Norwegian Cruise Line won for Best Entertainment and Best Suites

2008 Magellan Awards
Travel Weekly
- Gold awarded in the Cruise Ship/Suite Design category for NCL’s Garden and Courtyard Villas
- Gold awarded in the Advertising/Marketing category for for Norwegian Gem’s “It Girl” campaign; NCL’s overall brand print advertising; Partnership 2.0 print advertising; and the “Pity the Procrastinator” marketing promotion
- Silver awarded in the Advertising/Marketing category for NCL’s print advertising

2008 6th Annual SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Awards
SpaFinder Magazine
- Norwegian Cruise Line named one of the top ten best cruise ship spas

2008 World Savers Awards
Condé Nast Traveler
- Norwegian Cruise Line named as finalist for its environmental programs

2008 Condé Nast Traveler
Cruise Issue
- Norwegian Gem named one of the best cruise ships for “spa lovers”
- Norwegian Jade named one of the best cruise ships for “foodies”

2008 World’s Best Awards
Travel + Leisure
- Top 10 Large-Ship Cruise Lines (Norwegian Cruise Line, #10)

2008 Readers’ Choice Platinum List
Celebrated Living Summer
- Top Five Cruises, Large Resort Ships – #2

2008 Best Family Cruises
Family Circle
- Norwegian Cruise Line named the best cruise line for those who like to be independent

2008 8th Annual Readers’ Poll
Condé Nast Traveler
- Norwegian Pearl named one of the top large cruise ships worldwide

2008 Readers’ Choice Award
Southern Living
- One of the best cruise lines

Norwegian Cruise Line Children’s Programs

The Cruise Web Team — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:24:51 +0000

Big sister, little brother, second cousin, or nephew, NCL gives kids what you want, when they want it, and that’s no small task! NCL is the premier family cruise line with all the flexibility and complimentary kids’ activities to keep every member of your family having a GREAT time from beginning to end. From arts and crafts, to sports, to video games, you’ll find it on an NCL cruise.

Isn’t it time you had a “Freestyle” vacation?

Complimentary Youth Programs:

Juniors (Ages 2-5)

Storytelling and Painting
Developmental Activities
Arts and Crafts
Age-Specific Games
Treasure Hunt
Family Activities

First Mates (Ages 6-9)

Wii and Xbox
Children’s Pool Area
Pizza Making Party
Age-Specific Games
Parties
Crafts and Classes
Family Activities
Computer Games

Navigators (Ages 10-12)

Wii and Xbox
Sports Activities
Family Activities
Arts and Crafts
Parties
Video Arcade
Scavenger Hunt
Computer Games
Team-Building Challenges

Teens (Ages 13-17)

Wii and Xbox
Sports Activities
Teen Dance Club
Parties and Movies
Video Arcade
Teen Dinner
Computer Games
Team-Building Challenges

The Youth Staff

You like NCL Youth Staff because they are carefully chosen from Education and Recreation programs at their University. Your child will like our Youth Staff because they are fun. Actually, they are experts in fun- they design specialized activities for all ages. And they’ll keep a constant watch over your children to make you happy. Not to mention, each staff member is CPR and First Aid certified, so your child will be safe and secure at all times plus they’re trained in communication and confidence building too.

Contact our Cruise Consultants to learn more about the NCL children programs.