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NCL's Ultimate Touring Takes Freestyle Shore Excursions to the Next Level

Miami  - Jun 26, 2008  --- Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has launched a new class of private touring that offers more choices and convenience for guests wishing to explore ports of call however they want, whenever they want. From a private horseback riding lesson through the Tuscan countryside to chartering a catamaran to sail through the glacier-carved fjords of Alaska, these ultimate VIP tours provide options for small groups from two to 18 people. Ultimate Touring is available at all of NCL's ports of call and can be booked pre-cruise or on board at each ship's Shore Excursion Desk.

"These once-in-a-lifetime tours embody NCL's Freestyle Cruising by offering guests a completely customized experience to fit their individual needs, interests and schedule," said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO. "Now, guests sailing on any of our ships around the world have the option of choosing Ultimate Touring in all of our ports of call for a more personalized experience."

More than 60 percent of cruisers look for personalized shore excursion options* during their sailing, so this unique tour concept allows guests to discover Alaska, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, Hawai'i, Mexico and South American ports at their own pace. These once-in-a-lifetime tours include:

  • Helsinki, Finland - Archipelago Speed Boat Adventure: Guests jump on board a high speed boat and enjoy the sites on the way toward the narrow straight "Kustaanmiekka," and then go full throttle. After getting a taste of the speed on water, guests will land ashore amidst the archipelago. Here, they will be treated to a Finish-style culinary experience and sample a taste of Finnish beer.
  • Stockholm, Sweden - Rooftop Walk: During a guided walk conducted along the roofs of this historic city, guests will be stunned by the fantastic views and fascinating stories of a local guide. Tour locations include the Old Parliament Building, the Gamla Stan quarter and the Royal Palace.
  • Livorno, Italy - 4x4 Rally Experience: From Lamborghinis to Ferraris, Italians have a passion for cars, and now NCL guests can too at the famous Rally Club of Barga. The experience begins at the pier where a 4x4 car and driver take guests for a ride of approximately one and a half hours through the Tuscan landscape. Once at the club, a professional driver gives tips on navigating the full mountain course where guests are able to drive through the obstacles.
  • Valletta, Malta - Aerial View of Maltese Islands: Taking off from the spectacular Grand Harbor on a float plane, this 60-minute tour gives guests the chance to enjoy the beautiful archipelago from 1,500 feet in the air.
  • Ketchikan, Alaska - NCL's Freestyle Private Touring: An Alaskan's Chef Table: A six-course tasting menu is planned to highlight Alaska's sustainable, wild bounty. A personal chef serves a succulent meal while sharing secret methods of brining, roasting, smoking and grilling.

NCL also offers exclusive four- and nine-hour tours in a private vehicle-a car (up to two guests) or minivan (up to seven guests)-which allows complete freedom for guests to maximize their time by exploring only the places that interest them.

For a complete list of NCL's ports, and Ultimate Touring and Shore Excursion options, please visit www.ncl.com/shorex.

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.

 


 

NCL Redefines Nightlife at Sea, Reveals Hottest Clubs on its New Ships - F3

Norwegian Cruise Line - Freestyle Cruising Miami - Jun 17, 2008 --- 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 of NCL'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.

 


 

Viking River Cruises Wins 2008 Wave Award Recognition
 
LOS ANGELES, (June 6, 2008) — Viking River Cruises was again honored this month with the 2008 WAVE Award and “Editor’s Choice” Award for Best Overall Cruise Line for River Cruising at the third annual TravelAge West Western Agents’ Votes of Excellence (WAVE) Awards.

WStateroom - Viking River CruisesAVE Awards are awarded on the basis of votes by the trade. Travel agent professionals throughout the 14 Western states and readers of TravelAge West were invited to vote on the “best of the best” from a list of Editor’s Pick award recipients chosen by Editor-in-Chief Ken Shapiro and the editorial team of TravelAge West. Review methods included product analysis, site visits, a survey of a select group of travel agents and online research.

“The WAVE Awards are a celebration of excellence in travel products, services and destinations,” said Michelle Rosenberg, publisher of TravelAge West. “This year’s WAVE winners have consistently demonstrated excellence within the travel marketplace.” TravelAge West will also feature Viking River Cruises in a special WAVE Awards Spotlight Issue due out in August 2008.
About Viking River Cruises“We’re very proud to be named Best Overall River Cruise Line for the third year in a row,” enthused Mike Wiersema, Vice President, Sales, Viking River Cruises. “We value our travel agent partners so highly, and it is gratifying to realize that this dedication has helped us serve travel professionals and their clients effectively. Given today’s exchange rates and fuel costs, there has never been a better time to sell all-inclusive, dollar-priced vacation packages, and we look forward to continuing to provide high-quality, affordable and memorable travel experiences to our clientele.”

More than 136 companies, individuals and destinations were celebrated by the readers of TravelAge West at the WAVE Awards ceremony. Honorees were recognized in 48 categories spanning the cruise, tour operator, airline, hotel and resort, and destination travel fields. The awards gave travel agents in the Western United States the opportunity to recognize outstanding travel supplier partners.

Viking River Cruises, the world’s largest river cruise company, offers quality service, gourmet cuisine and comfortable scenic cruising along the majestic rivers of Europe, Russia and China. The company has been honored multiple times as the top river cruise line on Condé Nast Traveler’s “Gold List” and Travel & Leisure’s “World’s Best” Awards. Travel agents have also recognized Viking River Cruises in 2006 as “Best Cruise Line: River Cruise” by Recommend and Travel Agent magazines, and in 2006, 2007 and 2008 as “Best Overall Cruise Line for River Cruising” by TravelAge West. Since its 1997 inception, the company has grown to a fleet of 21 vessels (will be 22 in 2009), and provides unique, deluxe vacations to experienced travelers with an interest in geography, culture and history. For additional information, contact Cruise Vacation World at 1-888-828-SEAS (1-888-828-7327) toll-free.
 

 
Crystal Cruises Announces Business Class Air Promotion for Summer 2009 European Cruises

Crystal Cruises - The difference is Crystal clearLOS ANGELES, June 2, 2008 - Amidst the news of recent airline service cuts and fare increases, Crystal Cruises is adding comfort and value to its 2009 air program. The luxury line is offering low Business Class air supplements from selected U.S. gateways for all summer Baltic, British Isles and Mediterranean cruises. Upgraded service starts at only $799 one way, $1598 round trip, to the Baltic and British Isles, and $899 one way, $1798 round trip, to the Mediterranean - up to 75% lower than unrestricted published business class fares. Business class air upgrades are in addition to Crystal's published air/sea fares, and are available from 17 U.S. gateways with cruises beginning June 18 through the end of August 2009.

In the summer of 2009, Crystal Symphony will make five seven- and 11-day cruises to the Baltic, including overnights in St. Petersburg, Russia, and one 11-day cruise around the British Isles. From June through August, Crystal Serenity will make five seven- and 12-day Mediterranean cruises departing from Barcelona, Rome, Venice and Athens.

The Business Class air promotion is capacity controlled and subject to space availability.

The Crystal Difference

Aboard the ultra-luxurious Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, refined elegance meets casual simplicity. With an emphasis on innovative product differentiation, the renowned Crystal experience is distinguished by classic service, abundant space, extensive choices and superior quality, providing worldwide vacations of seven to 100+ days that bridge the best of land and sea. Grounded in more than a decade of accolades, Crystal has been voted "World's Best" by the readers of Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler more than any other cruise line, hotel or resort in history. 


Norwegian Cruise Line First to Offer BOTOX® Cosmetic and Restylane® Treatments at Sea

Miami  -  Jun 2, 2008  --  Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), in partnership with Steiner Transocean, LLC ("Steiner"), announced today that it is the first cruise line to offer BOTOX® Cosmetic, Restylane® and Perlane® facial aesthetic treatments in its Mandara-operated spas. The treatments, which are part of Mandara's medi-spa program, are currently available on select NCL ships, including Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Spirit, with plans to launch fleet-wide this fall.

Guests can now return home from their cruise vacation looking and feeling rejuvenated. All of the facial aesthetic treatments are under the supervision of Steiner's Medical Director, Dr. Brad Herman, a Miami-based, board-certified plastic surgeon and his team of medically-licensed doctors who have been trained specifically in the administration of these treatments.

"Our spas are the best at sea and we are continually looking for ways to enhance the guest experience on board our ships," said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO. "By being the first to offer these popular medi-spa treatments, we are furthering the tradition of NCL-led innovation in the cruise industry."

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.

 


 

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