NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE REDEFINES CRUISING
TO BERMUDA
Norwegian Sea to call at Bermuda in
2003 from New York and Philadelphia; Norwegian Majesty to
sail from Boston
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MIAMI - July 29, 2002 - Norwegian Cruise Line, which revolutionized
the cruise industry with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising
two years ago, will launch a new product in 2003 designed
to redefine the Bermuda cruise experience.
The cruise line announced today that Norwegian Sea, based
in New York and Philadelphia, will join the Boston-based Norwegian
Majesty cruising to Bermuda in 2003. This positions NCL as
the largest brand cruising to Bermuda and the only line to
offer Bermuda sailings from all of the Big Three northeastern
cities of Boston, New York and Philadelphia. Both Norwegian
Sea and Norwegian Majesty will launch a program that will
redefine the cruise experience for passengers sailing to Bermuda,
including:
-
An exciting extension of NCL's Freestyle Dining program
which will allow passengers to choose not just any one
of the 10 restaurants onboard the two NCL ships but any
of a selection shore side of 30 to 50 of Bermuda's top
restaurants;
-
A full-time Bermuda concierge on each ship; guests can
learn from these local Bermudians about the cultural heritage
and historical richness of the island on board through
one-on-one sessions, lectures and seminars; the Bermuda
concierges will also assist with shore side restaurant
reservations and with the most up to date information
available to maximize the enjoyment of NCL's guests during
their stay on the island.
The expanded deployment offers a multitude of sailing choices
for guests, with more than 45 cruises to Bermuda in 2003 from
Boston, New York and Philadelphia; this also marks the first
time NCL will sail from Philadelphia.
This program marks a long-term commitment to Bermuda by
NCL, with a new three-year commitment for Norwegian Sea and
a renewal of the Norwegian Majesty contract through the 2006
season.
It also signifies a strengthening of the longstanding cooperation
between Bermuda's Department of Tourism and NCL, and a return
to NCL's historical position as the industry leader carrying
more passengers to Bermuda than any other cruise line brand.
"NCL has redefined the modern cruise experience"
said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO, "and will
continue to look for fresh, innovative ways to branch out
from the traditional model of cruising. What we've done now
with the Bermuda experience reinforces this approach. Our
long-term relationship with Bermuda and the expansion of our
Homeland Cruising program to offer sailings from all three
of the largest cities in the northeast means NCL passengers
can experience the true Bermuda with NCL for years to come."
NCL Introduces the Industry's First Shore Side Dining
Program
NCL's Freestyle Dining heads ashore, when the company launches
the industry's first shore side dining program with Norwegian
Sea and Norwegian Majesty in Bermuda.
Beginning next year, NCL will provide its guests with a
$25 lunch voucher to use at popular shore side restaurants.
A $5 per person charge will be added to each guest's onboard
account for the lunch voucher, and for just $5 more, the voucher
can be upgraded to a $50 dinner voucher.
"Freestyle Cruising is all about choice and this program
gives our guests the opportunity to experience an authentic
local dining experience in any one of 30 to 50 restaurants
ashore, offering an even greater destination experience,"
Veitch said. "They will also enjoy unforgettable Bermuda
adventures with our full shore excursion program including
a new tour for 2003 -- the African Diaspora Heritage Trail
-- as well as a number of special events celebrating Bermuda's
rich culture to be held at some of the island's historical
places."
Added to NCL's shore excursion line-up for next year, the
African Diaspora Heritage Trail tour traces several hundred
years of Bermuda history, including its role first in the
emergence and then in the abolition of slavery and focusing
on the influence of African cultures in the development of
Bermuda. The trail highlights more than ten locations of significance
to this history including: the newly restored Commissioner's
House at the Bermuda Maritime Museum where slavery and its
dramatic impact on Bermuda are the focus of a large exhibit;
the Royal Naval Dockyard, built during the War of 1812 by
slaves and refugees from the East Coast and Florida who volunteered
their services; and the Bermudian Heritage Museum, founded
in 1994, chronicling the culture, lives, history and traditions
of black Bermudians with exhibits relating to the Black benevolent
societies that flourished post-Emancipation.
Also new to the shore excursion program will be a number
of Bermuda themed events to take place at local historical
sites such as the Commissioners House at West End Dockyard
and St Katherines in St George's. These events will offer
NCL's guests a taste of Bermuda's rich culture, featuring
both local cuisine and entertainment. Developed in association
with the Government in Bermuda these exclusive events will
offer an authentic flavor of Bermuda's history in some of
the islands most historical locations.
Guests sailing on either Norwegian Majesty or Norwegian
Sea can participate in a wide range of NCL shore excursions,
including an Eco Coral Reef & Nature cruise where guests
will learn about the flora and fauna of Bermuda as well as
view assorted fish in their natural habitat from a glass-bottom
boat. On the Bike and Swim adventure, passengers wind down
country lanes, passing many interesting historical features
including pink beaches and 17th century British forts. During
the Kayak Safari, participants paddle along lagoons and beach
areas of the inner coral reef, spotting egrets, blue herons
and Bermuda longtails as well as other interesting species
of birds and fish.
The Peppercorn Helmet Dive offers guests a unique underwater
adventure - taking a leisurely stroll along a sandy bottom
in 12-15 feet of warm turquoise water, amid spectacular coral
reefs with inquisitive tropical fish that feed from guests'
hands. The helmet provides a constant stream of air and unlike
snorkeling, the participants head stays dry, allowing guests
who wear glasses or contact lenses the opportunity to experience
Bermuda underwater.
Norwegian Sea to offer 20 sailings from New York
and Philadelphia in 2003
NCL has deployed Norwegian Sea to offer 20 sailings from
New York and Philadelphia to Bermuda in 2003. Bermuda cruises
from either New York or Philadelphia start from $699 per person.
Beginning June 8 through Sept. 21, 2003 Norwegian Sea will
sail every Sunday from New York to Bermuda calling at St.
George's, Hamilton and King's Wharf. On Sept. 28, 2003 the
ship will reposition from New York to Philadelphia and then
sail a six-day cruise to Hamilton and King's Wharf, Bermuda
before beginning three weekly calls on October 5, 12 and 19,
2003.
On October 26, Norwegian Sea will reposition to Miami from
Philadelphia on a special Fall Bermuda/Caribbean cruise calling
at King's Wharf, Bermuda; Tortola, British Virgin Islands,
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands and Oranjestad, Aruba
The cruise industry's only Boston-to-Bermuda series resumes
on May 4, 2003, when the Norwegian Majesty embarks on its
popular series of seven-day cruises to Bermuda calling at
St. George's through October 19, 2003. Norwegian Majesty was
the industry's first ship to offer Bermuda cruises departing
roundtrip from Boston. Bermuda cruises from Boston begin at
$799.
Norwegian Sea to Sail Four Colonial America/New England
Showcase Cruises in 2003
On April 27th, 2003, Norwegian Sea will sail one two-week
Colonial America cruise featuring nine ports. Norwegian Sea
will also sail three one-week New England Showcase cruises
from New York beginning May 11th calling at Halifax, Nova
Scotia; Bar Harbor, Maine; Boston and Martha's Vineyard, Mass.;
and Newport, Rhode Island. On May 31, Norwegian Sea will sail
an eight-day Bermuda cruise visiting the same ports but adding
Portland, Maine as a stop.
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 2,240-passenger sister ship to Norwegian Star.
--- The above products will be available for booking
starting August 1, 2002. ---
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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