List of cruise news articles updates on Norwegian Cruise Lines thoughtout the day en-gb http://www.iglucruise.com 2010-03-16 Norwegian Cruise Lines' (NCL) largest vessel following news that the 4,200-passenger ship is set to be unveiled during the summer.

According to USA Today, Norwegian Epic completed its first sailing trials at sea last weekend and "passed with flying colours", paving the way for its launch later in the year.

President and chief operating officer Roberto Martinoli revealed to the website after the tests at the STX Europe shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, that the ship's performance was faultless.

"Everybody is smiling, and everybody is very happy, as the trials went very, very well," he told the news provider after the event.

"We did well at speed, [and] did very well in terms of sea-keeping, although the sea was very calm. Also the way the ship manoeuvres is incredible."

More than 60 per cent bigger than NCL's existing ships, the 153,000-tonne vessel will feature single occupancy cabins, which are not common in the sector.

Written by Chris Smith.



]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/norwegian-epic-completes-sea-trials_a19616781 2010-02-15

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/norwegian-spirit-to-offer-year-long-itineraries-from-new-orleans_a19614137 2010-02-12 Norwegian Cruise Lines, which presented them with a complimentary cruise holiday.

More than 300 in-studio audience members of the US comedian were given a surprise seven-day Freestyle Cruising vacation for two as part of the cruise line's contribution to the show's 12 Days of Giveaways.

Norwegian's Freestyle Cruising is designed to offer holidaymakers a more flexible cruising experience to enable them to have the freedom to enjoy their cruise with a variety of choices.

Expressing his "pleasure" with the contribution, Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer, explained that Ms DeGeneres is "one of the funniest, most engaging personalities on television today".

He said: "We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate 2010 as the year to take a Freestyle vacation than by giving away cruises to Ellen's entire audience so that they can experience Norwegian's signature Freestyle Cruising for themselves."

The company recently said that it will kick off the next phase of freestyle cruising with the launch of Norwegian Epic in summer 2010.

Written by Chris Smith.

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/norwegian-cruise-lines-surprises-studio-audience-with-free-cruise_a19521327 2009-12-18 Norwegian Cruise Lines has declared 2010 the 'the year of the freestyle vacation' with a host of new bargains designed to encourage more cruise lovers to opt for the voyages.

A six-category upgrade and on-board savings certificates worth hundreds of dollars are now being offered on any of the company's ten freestyle cruising ships on all bookings made before March 14th 2010.

According to Norwegian's chief executive officer Kevin Sheehan, the company is set to introduce the next phase of freestyle cruising with the launch of Norwegian Epic in summer 2010.

"It has been ten years since Norwegian first introduced its innovative freestyle cruising, so it is fitting that we celebrate 2010 as 'the year of the freestyle vacation'," he explained.

He said that travel partners should make sure cruise lovers are aware of the "value-oriented offers" so that more people can enjoy a freestyle vacation.

The Passenger Shipping Association recently stated 16 new ship launches are expected to kick off the next decade of cruising in 2010.

Written by Chris Smith.

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/2010-the-year-of-the-freestyle-vacation-_a19514196 2009-12-15 Norwegian Cruises has revealed that an increasing number of families are shunning traditional resort-based breaks in favour of a cruise holiday as the sector attracts new people.

A younger generation of cruise lovers is being lured into taking a holiday at sea thanks to "freestyle cruising", which has helped boost demand, according to the company.

Norwegian UK general manager Stephen Park explained that the flexibility has attracted families and young couples, bringing a much more diverse range of people onboard.

"There had been pent up demand for freestyle cruising and cruising did have this perception of being for an older generation; very traditional and dressed in black tie every night," he said.

Mr Park stated that some cruise ships are still catering for that market diligently, adding that "the key about cruising, especially this year, is value for money".

According to projections from the Passenger Shipping Association, 1.65 million Brits will opt to go on a cruise in 2010.

Written by Chris Smith.

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/more-families-opting-for-cruise-holidays_a19506059 2009-12-10 Mediterranean cruises are set to benefit from improved international connections now that Norwegian Cruise Line has entered into a service partnership with the low-cost airline Jet2.com.

Under the new initiative, passengers will be able to fly from either Manchester or Edinburgh to the Italian port city of Venice, from where they will be able to embark on a Mediterranean cruise.

The Norwegian cruise liner operates two separate cruise packages out of the historic city, alternating between its 'Venice and the Greek Isles' and its 'Venice and the Aegean Sea' itineraries.

At the same time, Jet2 flights into Barcelona will also be timed to coincide with the departure of the Norwegian Jade as it embarks on its weekly 'Mediterranean Treasures' cruise between May and September, it has been confirmed.

News of this travel agreement comes as Norwegian Cruise Line has confirmed that its 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic liner will enter service next June, with fleet veteran Captain Trygve Vorren to take the helm.

Written by Chris Smith

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/norwegian-offers-new-links-to-mediterranean-cruises_a19420990 2009-10-22 Norwegian Cruise Lines ' (NCL) magnificent ship the Norwegian Epic.

The company opened the order book for its largest vessel to the general public today (September 17th) for its inaugural voyage, which will be from Southampton to New York.

Departing the south of England city on June 24th 2010, the transatlantic journey will end in New York on July 1st 2010.

"In true maritime fashion, Norwegian Epic will make the non-stop crossing from the UK to New York in just one week," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian's chief executive officer.

"This seven-day voyage gives our guests the opportunity to be the first to immerse themselves in all of the innovative and varied activities, world-class dining and spectacular entertainment that will be offered on Norwegian Epic."

Norwegian Cruise Lines has also announced that a new seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise will be added to the ship's maiden season

Popular theatre company Blue Man Group, which uses a combination of music, comedy and multimedia theatrics for its shows, will perform in the ship's 685-seat theatre.

Written by Chris Smith.

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/norwegian-epic-now-booking_a19366907 2009-09-17 Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) are now on sale, the cruise operator has announced.

Prices for cruises in 2010 start at $699 (£445) per person, with the first trip to the eastern Caribbean scheduled to leave Miami on July 17th next year.

The liner, which can accommodate 4,200 people, includes a range of new features, such as the curved New Wave accommodation that consists of 60 suites and villas located on two private decks at the top of the ship.

Norwegian Cruise Lines has also incorporated a 685-seat theatre into the liner, with Blue Man Group scheduled to perform on the Epic during the summer 2010 season.

"With Norwegian Epic, we are re-inventing cruise ship entertainment by offering multiple entertainment options for every taste and age," Chief Executive Officer of the firm Kevin Sheehan stated.

Last month, NCL announced that its Norwegian Sun ship is to be relocated to Europe from next year.

Written by Tom Musk

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/sales-begin-for-norwegian-epic-cruises_a19181610 2009-05-21 Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) has announced plans to homeport one of its ships at Port Canaveral from October 2010.

The 1,936-passenger Norwegian Sun will offer seven-day cruises around the east and west Caribbean from October 9th next year until April 2011.

Kevin Sheehan, NCL's president and chief executive said the cruise line was always looking for "attractive" ports to base its ships.

"By bringing Norwegian Sun to Port Canaveral, we are offering cruisers in Central Florida and to those vacationing in Orlando quick and easy access to Freestyle Cruising," he commented.

Norwegian Sun's Caribbean itineraries will include Nassau, St Thomas and the US Virgin Islands.

The cruise line currently operates a fleet of 11 modern vessels and serves destinations including Canada and New England, Alaska and the Panama Canal.

Other ships in the fleet include the Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Jewel.

Written by Fiona Mayers

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/ncl-announces-port-canaveral-sailings_a19026024 2009-02-13 Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) has announced plans to homeport one of its ships at Port Canaveral from October 2010.

The 1,936-passenger Norwegian Sun will offer seven-day cruises around the east and west Caribbean from October 9th next year until April 2011.

Kevin Sheehan, NCL's president and chief executive said the cruise line was always looking for "attractive" ports to base its ships.

"By bringing Norwegian Sun to Port Canaveral, we are offering cruisers in Central Florida and to those vacationing in Orlando quick and easy access to Freestyle Cruising," he commented.

Norwegian Sun's Caribbean itineraries will include Nassau, St Thomas and the US Virgin Islands.

The cruise line currently operates a fleet of 11 modern vessels and serves destinations including Canada and New England, Alaska and the Panama Canal.

Other ships in the fleet include the Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Jewel.

Written by Fiona Mayers

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/ncl-announces-port-canaveral-sailings_a19022847 2009-02-12