Norwegian Cruise Line Gets ‘Wired’ Fleetwide: Internet Cafés To Be Featured On All Ships By February 2000

Tremendous Success of World’s First Internet Café aboard M/S Norwegian Sky Triggers Fleetwide Installation

MIAMI, Fla., December 1, 1999 -- Since the debut in August of the world’s first Internet Café at sea aboard the M/S Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Cruise Line’s new vessel, it has already become immensely popular for those guests seeking to go on-line. As a result, Norwegian Cruise Line will install Internet Cafés fleetwide by February 2000. In addition, five computer terminals will be added to the existing nine aboard the Norwegian Sky on January 16. Internet Cafés will be fully operational fleetwide as per the following schedule:

The Internet Café aboard all ships will be available for use on a 24 hour-a-day basis. Guests can send and receive e-mail messages, check the stock market, get news updates, play computer games and more. Additionally, the Norwegian Sky is the first NCL ship to offer in-stateroom connections to the Internet.

"We’re thrilled that the Internet Café has been so popular on the Norwegian Sky," said Art Sbarsky, Executive Vice President of NCL. "These days, there is a high demand for technology and convenience, even while on vacation. Guests want to be able to keep up with friends and family, as well as with stocks and news. The introduction of the Internet Café aboard all NCL ships will help us fulfill this demand while continuing to provide quality service."

Current pricing for the Internet Café or in-stateroom usage is 75 cents per minute with a five- minute minimum. Other key features offered include a 30-second video e-mail message, computer games, computerized photographic imaging, MS Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint applications and printing. Guests may purchase a lasting, high tech souvenir of their cruise--a Norwegian Sky customized screen saver. Currently available on the Sky, NCL also plans to offer laptop rentals.

Providing the satellite connection and internet services for the Internet Café aboard the Norwegian Sky, is Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), a subsidiary of ICG Satellite Services, Inc., and Digital Seas International, Inc. (DSI). NCL has signed a multi-year contract with these two companies that provides for the outfitting of the NCL fleet.

For reservations or information, contact a travel agent or call NCL in the U.S. and Canada at (800) 327-7030; in Dade County, Fla. at (305) 436-0866.

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