NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE EXPANDS COMMITMENT TO SEATTLE MARKET: TWO
SHIPS TO HOMEPORT IN 2003
Seattle Cruise Innovator Doubling Capacity
to Alaska From Seattle
MIAMI, April 22, 2002 - In an expansion of its successful
Homeland Cruising program, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will
homeport two of its newest ships - Norwegian Sun and Norwegian
Sky - in Seattle in 2003 for seven-day Alaska voyages. In
addition, Norwegian Wind will continue to offer seven-day
Alaska cruises out of Vancouver in 2003.
Already the region's most experienced operator, NCL will
offer more berths in Seattle than any other cruise line in
2003. The expanded Seattle presence will be highlighted by
the arrival of Norwegian Sun, the first ship built exclusively
for Freestyle Cruising to be deployed in Alaska.
Norwegian Sun will join Norwegian Sky in Seattle in 2003,
making NCL the first and only operator to base two ships in
the city for cruises to Alaska. NCL pioneered Alaska cruising
from Seattle in 2000, launching the first regular sailings
to the 49th state aboard Norwegian Sky.
"NCL has enjoyed two very successful seasons in Seattle
since taking what was considered a bold step by deploying
a new ship there in 2000," said Colin Veitch, NCL's president
and CEO. "Seattle has proven to be an ideal starting
point for NCL's scenic Alaska vacations, prompting us to double
our capacity there."
NCL's Alaska itineraries include seven-day routes that highlight
Glacier Bay and Sawyer Glacier.
Beginning May 11, 2003, Norwegian Sun will offer seven-day
sailings departing roundtrip from Seattle on Sundays and calling
at Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay (or Sawyer Glacier), Ketchikan
and Victoria, British Columbia. Norwegian Sky joins Norwegian
Sun on May 17, 2003, with seven-day Alaska itineraries from
Seattle on Saturdays including calls at Juneau, Skagway, Sawyer
Glacier, Ketchikan and Victoria, B.C.
Beginning May 19, 2003, Norwegian Wind, NCL's third ship
in Alaska, will offer seven-day sailings departing roundtrip
from Vancouver on Mondays calling at Skagway (or Haines),
Sawyer Glacier, Juneau and Ketchikan.
"Norwegian Cruise Line has long been at the forefront
of itinerary development and we've continued that tradition
with our innovative Alaska deployment for 2003," Veitch
added. "By positioning two ships in Seattle and one ship
in Vancouver, we are expanding our Homeland Cruising program
of close-to-home departures while adding exciting options
for passengers who want to experience the pristine beauty
of an Alaska cruise vacation and the flexibility of Freestyle
Cruising."
Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line is an international cruise
company and industry innovator that operates a fleet of nine
ships sailing to more than 140 ports around the world. NCL
is currently building Norwegian Dawn (for delivery December
2002), a 2,200-passenger sister ship to Norwegian Star.
For further information on NCL, contact a travel agent or
NCL in the U.S. and Canada at (800) 327-7030; in Miami-Dade
County, Fla., (305) 436-0866; visit NCL's web site at www.ncl.com;
or on AOL at keyword: NCL; or to download high resolution
photography visit www.ncl.com/hires.
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