Cruise News

NCL Welcomes Return of Norwegian Sky to Miami

MIAMI, May 6 ? NCL Corp (NCL) announced today that it will reflag and rename Pride of Aloha and launch the ship as Norwegian Sky, offering 3- and 4-day Bahamas cruises from Miami commencing this summer. The 2,002-passenger ship, built in 1999, will return to the NCL international fleet, and will be outfitted with NCL?s Freestyle 2.0 enhancements. It will be the youngest and highest quality ship sailing 3- and 4-day Bahamas cruises from Miami beginning July 14, 2008. The new itineraries go on sale today.

To welcome the ship to Miami, NCL is offering a ?Kids Sail Free Summer Vacation? promotion for reservations on Norwegian Sky made from May 6, 2008 to May 31, 2008 for sailings taking place July 14, 2008 to September 26, 2008. Children ages six months to 17 are eligible to sail free (government taxes and fees and fuel supplement apply).

?NCL pioneered the first Bahamas cruise from Miami more than 41 years ago and last had a ship in the three and four-day cruise market from Miami in 2003. By reintroducing Norwegian Sky and positioning the ship in Miami sailing short cruises to the Bahamas, we are returning to our roots. At the same time, we are raising the bar by offering a modern Freestyle Cruising ship that features a variety of accommodations, including balconies and suites, a multitude of on-board amenities and a choice of six restaurants,? said Colin Veitch, NCL?s president and CEO. ?In addition, we will outfit Norwegian Sky with the Freestyle 2.0 enhancements currently being introduced across our fleet. This, coupled with the port-intensive itineraries, offers guests seeking a quick getaway an unmatched cruise experience. There is no doubt that NCL?s three and four-day Freestyle product on the industry?s newest ship offers the highest quality and best value for money in the market.?

Norwegian Sky will depart Miami on Mondays sailing 4-day Bahamas cruises with full-day stops in Grand Bahama Island, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL?s private island in the Bahamas. On Fridays, the ship will sail a weekend getaway 3-day Bahamas itinerary, departing Miami at 5 p.m. with all-day stops in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, returning to Miami at 7 a.m. on Monday mornings. These sailings are scheduled through April 17, 2009.

Norwegian Sky will enter a wet dock in Miami during which a casino will be added. In addition, the ship will receive the significant product and hardware upgrades that are part of the company?s major fleetwide initiative, Freestyle 2.0. These enhancements include: a major investment in the total dining experience such as all new menus and Lobster Galore; upgrading the stateroom experience; new wide ranging on-board activities for all guests; and additional recognition, service and amenities for balcony and suite guests.

Originally launched in 1999, Norwegian Sky has more than 240 balcony staterooms, a choice of six different restaurants, 10 bars and lounges, multiple entertainment venues, two pools, extensive children?s facilities, a sports deck and a variety of spacious public rooms. Norwegian Sky had been reflagged and renamed Pride of Aloha in 2004 and sailed Hawai`i inter-island cruises until May 2008.

Private Cabanas Offered on Holland America Line's ms Eurodam

SEATTLE, May 7 -- Guests on Holland America Line's new ms Eurodam who want to enjoy the outdoors in the comfort of their own private haven will delight in the cabanas on the Observation and Lido decks of the company's first Signature-class ship. The airy, tented cabanas are located on Observation Deck in an area called the Retreat and around the mid-ship pool on Lido Deck. Furnished with modern woven chaises, ottomans and upholstered settees, all cabanas come stocked with bathrobes and plush towels, handheld fans, an Evian spray mister and iPods? preloaded with great music. Chilled waters are available and guests can look forward to iced fruit skewers in mid-morning and frozen grapes, chocolate-covered strawberries and a glass of champagne in the afternoon.

The Retreat
The 14 cabanas in the Retreat offer guests a spa-like private area where they can relax and recharge surrounded by healthy refreshments and luxurious leisure amenities. Fresh fruit, salads, wraps and juices are available at the Retreat, with light breakfast options offered as well.

Lido Cabanas
Eight cabanas around the Lido pool offer a private respite in a lively area of the ship. Lunch at the Lido cabanas will be served upon request from a menu of poolside favorites from the Terrace Grill or Lido Restaurant.

Discounted select services from the Greenhouse Spa and Salon are available on port days to guests who book the cabanas. The cabanas may be rented for the day or for an entire cruise. The Retreat cabanas are $45 on port days and $75 on sea days, while the Lido cabanas are $30 and $50 respectively.

The 2,104-guest Eurodam debuts this summer with European inaugural festivities, including a July 1 naming ceremony in Rotterdam with Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, followed by a maiden voyage in the Baltic region. The ship will offer its first trans-Atlantic cruise and sail Canada/New England in the fall, followed by Caribbean itineraries the remainder of 2008.

About Holland America Line
Holland America Line's fleet of 13 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 314 ports of call in 97 countries, territories or dependencies. A 14th ship, ms Eurodam, will launch in July 2008. Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, totaling more than $425 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine--a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes--Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.

NCL To Adjust Fuel Supplement

MIAMI, April 17 ? In response to the continued rise in oil prices, NCL Corporation announced today an increase to its current fuel supplement. The new fuel supplement will be $9 per person per day for the first and second guests in a stateroom and $4 per person per day for any additional guests in the same stateroom, based on the guidelines below.

Individual reservations: The increased fuel supplement applies only to new individual reservations made on or after May 1, 2008.

Group reservations: The increased fuel supplement applies to any group reservation booked on or after May 1, 2008. The increased fuel supplement will also apply to group space held prior to May 1, 2008 without specific names and full confirming deposit by April 30, 2008.

"With crude oil and refined product prices at record highs, our fuel bill stands at a level that was unimaginable two years ago," said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO. ?It is unfortunate, but necessary, that we now have to pass some of the increase in our fuel bill on to our customers, just as many other businesses are being forced to do. We appreciate the understanding of our travel partners and our guests as we make this necessary adjustment.?

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.

Royal Caribbean Intl Announces 2009-10 Caribbean Cruise Season, Offering Most...
 MIAMI, April 22 ? Consistently pleasant weather, beautiful beaches and rich cultures make the Caribbean a rejuvenating and enriching region for a tropical getaway or a family cruise vacation. For the 2009-10 cruise season, Royal Caribbean Intl will offer 31 distinct itineraries on 264 sailings, ranging from six to 14 nights. Vacationers can choose departures aboard nine of the world?s largest and most innovative cruise ships from the ports of Miami, Port Everglades, and Port Canaveral, FL; Cape Liberty in Bayonne, NJ; Galveston, TX; San Juan, PR; and Colon, Panama.

?Royal Caribbean offers vacationers a wide range of Caribbean cruises departing from seven convenient homeports,? said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. ?We continue our legacy of delivering exhilarating Caribbean experiences in one of the world?s most spectacular destinations with some of the best ships in the industry geared for family and active vacations.?

Vacationers can choose year-round departures to the Caribbean from the ports of Miami, Port Canaveral, Cape Liberty, and San Juan. Freedom of the Seas debuts at Port Canaveral in May 2009 as the largest and most innovative cruise ship in the port?s history. The Freedom-class cruise ship will sail alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, replacing Voyager-class Mariner of the Seas, which will depart for its new homeport of Los Angeles in January 2009.

Unlike any other vacation experience, Royal Caribbean?s Freedom-class of ships exclusively feature amenities that have revolutionized the industry, such as the FlowRider surf simulator, the H20 Zone water park, a boxing ring, cantilevered whirlpools, and the four-bedroom/four-bath Presidential Family Suite. With eight restaurants and more than 15 bars and lounges, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas offer guests more ways to enjoy a memorable Caribbean cruise vacation.

From Miami, Liberty will sail alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries in the summer 2009 season, but changes to two alternating Western Caribbean itineraries in the winter. Liberty?s traditional Western Caribbean itinerary will alternate with a new Western Caribbean itinerary in November, which includes ports of call at Belize City, Belize; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.

Adventure of the Seas will homeport year-round at San Juan, offering two new alternating seven-night Southern Caribbean itineraries with Sunday departures, while Serenade of the Seas will join Adventure in the winter and offer a Saturday departure. New ports of call at Grenada, Dominica and St. Croix for both ships, and additionally Tortola and St. Kitts for Serenade, create two back-to-back voyages with no repeat calls. The distinct alternating itineraries of either ship will give vacationers the opportunity to combine two sailings into an extended 14-night Southern Caribbean odyssey.

Additional winter season highlights include the following itineraries:
--Independence of the Seas will sail six-night Western Caribbean and eight-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Port Everglades, giving vacationers a choice of six Caribbean itineraries aboard one of three Freedom-class ships.
--Explorer of the Seas will continue its third consecutive year-round deployment at Cape Liberty sailing Eastern and Southern Caribbean itineraries, ranging from eight to 12 nights. A special 14-night holiday cruise departs December 20, 2009.
--Voyager of the Seas will return to Galveston, TX in December 2009 to offer two alternating Western Caribbean itineraries, one new, featuring calls at Roatán, Honduras, and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
--Jewel of the Seas will sail 10- and 11-night Caribbean and Panama Canal cruises from Miami. On a very special holiday sailing, Jewel will make a maiden call on Christmas Eve at the new Jamaican cruise port of Falmouth.
--Enchantment of the Seas will return to Colon, Panama to offer seven-night Southern Caribbean cruises to Colombia and the ABC Islands. Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line to homeport in Colon.

Onboard every Royal Caribbean ship, guests enjoy complimentary 24-hour room service, award-winning Broadway-style musical revues from Royal Caribbean Productions, top-rated Adventure Ocean kids programming with teen-only spaces fleetwide, and Royal Caribbean?s Gold Service Standard of friendly and engaging service from staff and crew.

On many Western Caribbean itineraries, guests also enjoy a call at Labadee, Royal Caribbean?s private beach destination along the northwestern coast of Haiti. Labadee?s features a wide variety of watersports and excursions, a craft market, Labadee Luc?s Splash Bash pirate water park, and the Dragon?s Breath Flight Line, the world?s longest zip line over water at 2,600 ft.

Princess Cruises Builds on Tradition of Worldwide Itineraries, Combining Long...

SANTA CLARITA, CA, April 3 - Continuing its long tradition of bringing passengers to some of the world's most intriguing places, Princess Cruises has released its 2009-10 schedule of exotic itineraries which include long-time passenger favorites along with some new, emerging destinations. With the new program, passengers will be able to explore the splendors of Asia, the spectacular scenery of South America and Antarctica, the popular "Down Under" attractions of Australia & New Zealand, the South Pacific idylls of Hawaii and Tahiti, fall foliage journeys to Canada & New England, and a new world cruise adventure.

The new lineup of global cruises includes more than 110 sailings on 10 ships to all seven continents with six new itineraries and calls at more than 180 destinations including 11 new ports. Destinations include Africa, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Hawaii, Tahiti, India, South America, Canada & New England, and a world cruise.

New for this season, the line has increased capacity in Asia with two ships and three new 14- to 16-day itineraries offered on the newly named Ocean Princess (formerly Tahitian Princess), which will also venture into India and Africa. Other new itineraries include a 31-day West Africa Adventure and a special 13-day holiday sailing in Australia/New Zealand on Diamond Princess. In addition, Pacific Princess will set off on an extensive 107-day world cruise visiting 40 destinations. The 2010 worldwide sailing will feature maiden calls to a number of fascinating new ports, including Topolobampo for Mexico's Copper Canyon, Vietnam's "City of Peace" Halong Bay, and Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt.

The program's 10 ships offer a full range in size from the line's three intimate, 680-passenger small ships to the largest 3,100-passenger amenity-filled vessels. Ocean Princess will sail on a variety of new sailings in Asia, India and Africa. Pacific Princess will take over the line's popular Tahiti & Polynesia sailings before setting out on a new world cruise itinerary. Golden Princess will return to the lush Hawaiian Islands, now with Sunday departures from Los Angeles. Royal Princess will once again venture up the world's largest river - the mighty Amazon, while Star Princess returns to cruising around South America's Cape Horn and Antarctica, plus offering two South Pacific crossings between the West Coast and Sydney. Diamond Princess will again cruise through Asia and "Down Under" to Australia & New Zealand. The line will also continue to offer year-round cruising from Australia aboard Sun Princess, which is joined by Dawn Princess for Aussie-style voyages to New Zealand, Asia and the South Pacific, departing from Sydney or Melbourne. And in fall, Crown Princess joins Caribbean Princess to sail the Eastern seaboard to Canada & New England.

Eleven new ports debut - Muscat, the capital of Oman; Yangon in Myanmar; Qingdao, a beautiful seaside city in China; Fukuoka, western Japan's major cultural center; Phillip Island in southern Australia, where visitors can watch the local penguins on their daily parade; Newcastle, Australia; the Caribbean island of Nevis; and on the world cruise Topolobampo, the gateway to the majestic Copper Canyon in Mexico; Picton, New Zealand at the head of the South Island's lovely Queen Charlotte Sound; Halong Bay/Hanoi (Cai Lan) in Vietnam; and Sharm el-Sheik, a resort city on Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.

"We know our passengers are explorers who revel in the opportunity to see some of the world's exotic locales," said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. "So we've designed a full slate of itineraries to take them to all seven continents in the comfort of our wonderful ships."

New Tahitian/Ocean Princess Sailings to Asia, India and Africa - Tahitian Princess will sail on one last Africa, India and Southeast Asia itinerary from Cape Town to Singapore before being transformed into the new Ocean Princess. The newly renamed ship will then set off on a series of cruises through Asia, including new itineraries such as the Treasures of Southeast Asia between Singapore and Shanghai, South China Sea Explorer between Shanghai and Bangkok, and China & Japan Explorer between Shanghai and Tokyo. The ship will end the season with an Africa, India and Southeast Asia voyage from Singapore to Cape Town and a West Africa Adventure from Cape Town to London (Dover). Sailings depart between September 17, 2009 and May 7, 2010.

Golden Princess to Hawaii - Golden Princess returns to Princess' popular Hawaii route, offering convenient 14-day roundtrip sailings from the port of Los Angeles. The itinerary features visits to the Big Island (Hilo), Honolulu, Kauai (Nawiliwili), and Maui (Lahaina). Golden Princess will sail on 16 Sunday departures between September 27, 2009 and April 25, 2010.

Diamond Princess in Asia and Australia/New Zealand - Diamond Princess returns to the Far East with a series of voyages throughout Southeast Asia and China as well as Australia & New Zealand sailings. Choices include six cruises on a 16-day Beijing/Bangkok itinerary, five sailings on the favorite 12-day run between Sydney and Auckland, plus a new 13-day Australia/New Zealand holiday sailing that adds the new port of Phillip Island. Other itinerary options are an 18-day Eastern Australia and Asia cruise from Bangkok to Sydney, and a 20-day Western Australia and Asia sailing from Sydney back to Bangkok. Two Alaska & the Far East cruises begin and end the season, which runs from September 12, 2009 through April 30, 2010.

Royal Princess through the Amazon - Royal Princess will sail on nine sailings of an enhanced 14-day Amazon River adventure between Ft. Lauderdale and Manaus, Brazil. The 710-passenger ship will visit St. Barthelemy (or the new port of Nevis on two sailings), St. Lucia, Trinidad, Devil's Island, and the Amazon ports of Santarém, Boca da Valéria, and Parintins plus an overnight visit to Manaus. Royal Princess sails between December 19, 2009 and April 10, 2010.

Star Princess - South Pacific, South America and Antarctica - Star Princess will start the season with two South Pacific crossings, sailing between San Francisco or Los Angeles and Sydney. The ship then heads down to South America for sailings around Cape Horn (between Santiago and Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires) and two Antarctic adventures. The ship also will begin and end the South America season with an Andes & South America route between Santiago and Los Angeles or San Francisco. Star Princess' season runs from September 23, 2009 through March 30, 2010.

Pacific Princess to Tahiti and Hawaii - Pacific Princess takes over the popular 10-day Tahiti & Polynesia cruises, sailing roundtrip from Papeete and calling at Huahine, Rangiroa, Raiatea (overnight), Tahaa Scenic Cruising, Bora Bora (overnight), and Moorea. The ship offers seven departures between October 9 and December 8, 2009. In addition, the ship will sail on one Hawaiian Islands cruise from Vancouver to Honolulu, a Hawaii & Tahiti sailing, and a 26-day South Pacific & Andes Explorer adventure from Tahiti (Papeete) to Ft. Lauderdale which features an optional overland tour to Machu Picchu as well as a full transit of the Panama Canal.

Sun Princess and Dawn Princess Australia Departures - Both Sun Princess and Dawn Princess will offer a selection of sailings departing from Sydney and Melbourne, featuring Australian-style cruising. Itineraries include voyages to New Zealand, Tasmania, New Caledonia & Vanuatu, and Round Australia sailings that circumnavigate the continent. Sun Princess will also sail on a journey to China & Japan roundtrip from Sydney and Dawn Princess offers a Hawaii, Tahiti and South Pacific voyage. The season's sailings depart between October 17, 2009 and April 3, 2010.

World Cruise - Pacific Princess - Pacific Princess spans the globe with a 107-day journey of a lifetime from Ft. Lauderdale to Rome, visiting some of the most dramatic locations on the globe, including Aruba, San Blas Islands, Panama Canal transit, Costa Rica (Puntarenas), Guatemala (Puerto Quetzal), Acapulco, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Topolobampo (for Copper Canyon), Los Angeles, Honolulu, Fiji (Suva), Vanuatu (Vila), New Caledonia (Nouméa), Bay of Islands, Auckland, Picton (for Marlborough Sounds), Sydney (overnight), Cairns (for the Great Barrier Reef), Rabaul (Papau New Guniea), Micronesia (Chuuk), Guam (Northern Mariana Islands), Nagasaki, Pusan (South Korea), Beijing (Xingang - overnight), Hong Kong, Halong Bay/Hanoi (Cai Lam), Kota Kinabalu, Brunei (Muara), Singapore, Phuket, Maldives Islands (Male), Mumbai, Dubai, Muscat (Mina Qaboos), Safaga (for Luxor/Karnak), Sharm el-Sheik, Aqaba (for Petra), Suez Canal transit, Athens (Piraeus), and Sorrento/Capri. This world cruise departs on January 27, 2010 with segments ranging from 18 to 89 days available for explorers who'd like a shorter voyage.

Caribbean Princess and Crown Princess to Canada & New England - Along with the previously announced 7-day Caribbean Princess Canada & New England program, Crown Princess will sail on Princess' classic 10-day route between New York and Québec City. Ports of call include Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, Saint John (New Brunswick), Halifax, Sydney (Nova Scotia) and Ville Saguenay (Québec), plus an overnight stay in charming Québec City. The ship will offer three departures on this route between September 23 and October 13, 2009. In addition, Crown Princess will sail on a 15-day Canada & Colonial America itinerary from Québec City to Ft. Lauderdale on October 23, with an overnight in Québec City and calls at Corner Brook (Newfoundland), Sydney (Nova Scotia), Halifax, Saint John (New Brunswick), Bar Harbor, Boston, Newport, New York City, Norfolk, and Charleston. Caribbean Princess seven-day itineraries sail roundtrip from New York from August 22 to October 17, 2009 visiting Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, Saint John (New Brunswick) and Halifax.

A variety of cruisetour packages are available in Australia, Asia, South America and Canada/New England, offering cruise passengers the opportunity to add to their vacation with such wonders as the Angkor Wat, Ayers Rock, and Machu Picchu. Exotic cruises are available for booking on April 23, 2008. Past Princess passengers are eligible for up to $100 in Captain's Circle Launch Savings on bookings made by December 31, 2008 (excluding the world cruise). Past passengers booking the full world cruise by this date are also eligible for special offers, including air-inclusive travel or a $300 Captain's Circle Launch Savings discount (depending on cabin category booked).

Royal Caribbean Opens 2009 Alaska Cruise Season

MIAMI, April 3 ? Announcing its 20th consecutive season in the region, Royal Caribbean International today unveiled its 2009 Alaska cruise season. Vacationers to the ?Last Frontier? can choose from 10 distinct itineraries, ranging from seven to 15 nights, on 57 sailings departing from San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Seward (Alaska), and Vancouver. On select itineraries, guests can extend their Alaska adventure with a Royal Caribbean cruisetour to go deeper inland. Royal Caribbean?s 2009 Alaska cruises and cruisetours open today for booking.

?Royal Caribbean International is the premier cruise line for active vacationers to discover Alaska,? said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. ?Royal Caribbean?s history of sailing the region has allowed us to continue offering some of the most compelling and robust vacation experiences in Alaska. Our cruisetours take our guests? experience to the next level and make a Royal Caribbean Alaska vacation truly memorable.?

Guests will sail aboard one of three Royal Caribbean ships deployed in the region in 2009: Radiance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Rhapsody of the Seas. Radiance-class Radiance and Serenade are considered among the world?s most gracefully-designed cruise ships and feature the 10-story glass-enclosed Centrum, offering spectacular vistas of the coastal landscape. Vision-class Rhapsody offers a more intimate cruise experience and a wide range of onboard amenities. Guests on Radiance of the Seas can extend their vacation with one of 21 Royal Caribbean cruisetour options for a more immersive Alaska experience. Ranging from three to seven nights, cruisetours combine a Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise with inclusive activities, transportation and hotel stays, all escorted by an experienced Adventure Specialist. A new seven-night cruisetour itinerary will give guests a more comprehensive Alaska adventure, highlighting Seward, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks. On 19 cruisetour options, guests will enjoy a segment aboard the Wilderness Express, Royal Caribbean?s luxurious, glass-domed railcar, offering unobstructed views of Alaska?s terrain.

During the day, guest can opt for a rejuvenating session in the onboard Day Spa, or capture an unparalleled birds-eye view from the top of the line?s iconic rock-climbing wall. Onboard every Royal Caribbean ship, guests can enjoy complimentary 24-hour room service, award-winning Broadway-style musical revues from Royal Caribbean Productions, top-rated Adventure Ocean kids programming with teen-only spaces fleetwide, and Royal Caribbean?s Gold Service Standard of friendly and engaging service from staff and crew.

Additional highlights of Royal Caribbean?s 2009 Alaska Cruise Season include:

Radiance of the Seas will alternate seven-night itineraries departing from Seward and Vancouver, while Serenade of the Seas will offer a seven-night, round-trip itinerary from Vancouver. Radiance of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas? itineraries will feature a visit to Hubbard Glacier, the largest glacier in North America and the only advancing glacial formation in the state. Sailing round-trip from Seattle, Rhapsody of the Seas will feature cruising through the Inside Passage and up the narrow 32-mile Tracy Arm Fjord in order to reach the 200 feet-high Sawyer Glacier. In addition, guests will enjoy a full-day call at Victoria, British Columbia, one of the highest rated overall ports of call by past guests. Guests on Serenade of the Seas also can extend their vacation with a three- or five-night Whistler or Canadian Rockies cruisetour out of Vancouver. The three-night Whistler cruisetour features a train-ride to visit the 2010 winter Olympic destinations of Vancouver and Whistler, while the five-night Canadian Rockies package features the picturesque Lake Louise. Royal Caribbean also will make 38 calls at Icy Strait Point in 2009, more than any other cruise line. As the only wilderness port of call in Alaska, Icy Strait Point is adjacent to the largest Tlingit Native American settlement, and claims the world?s longest zip line measuring at 5,330 feet in length.
Carnival Offering All-Inclusive Cruise/Air Packages to Europe

MIAMI, March 25 -- For those seeking a more affordable way to see Europe this summer, Carnival Cruise Lines is offering special cruise/air packages for its 12-day "Grand Mediterranean" and "Mediterranean, Greece & Turkey" cruises aboard the 2,974-passenger Carnival Freedom. The special rates are available in conjunction with nearly 40 different North American gateway cities and eight different "Grand Mediterranean" and "Mediterranean, Greece & Turkey" voyages departing June through August. Both itineraries operate round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia).

"With today's high euro/dollar exchange rates, a 'Fun Ship' cruise is already one of the most affordable ways to experience and explore Europe's fascinating history, culture and architecture, and these new cruise/air packages make the value greater than ever," said Lynn C. Torrent, Carnival's senior vice president of sales and guest services.

The special cruise/air packages are available in conjunction with Carnival Freedom's 12-day "Grand Mediterranean" cruises departing June 3 and 27, July 9 and 21 and Aug. 2 and 26, 2008. These voyages visit seven ports: Naples, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Venice (two-day call), Italy; Messina, Sicily; Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; and Livorno, Italy. On these cruises, guests can visit Capri, Taormina, Monte Carlo, Florence and Pisa, home to centuries-old landmarks and celebrated museums. The two-day Venice call offers myriad opportunities to view that city's stunning architecture and visit magnificent museums and cathedrals.

Cruise/air packages are also available in conjunction with Carnival Freedom's 12-day "Mediterranean, Greece & Turkey" voyages departing June 15 and Aug. 14. These voyages feature eight ports: Naples, Italy; Marmaris, Turkey; Izmir (Ephesus) and Istanbul, Turkey; scenic cruising of the Dardanelles; Athens (Piraeus) and Katakolon, Greece; and Livorno, Italy; and an overnight call in Rome (Civitavecchia). Highlights include Greece's legendary Acropolis and the ancient settlements of Olympia, Priere, Didyma, and Miletus. Guests can also visit Istanbul's fabled Blue Mosque, and tour the Coliseum or Vatican City during the overnight call in Civitavecchia.

A "floating resort" in every sense of the word, Carnival Freedom features 22 lounges and bars, four swimming pools, a 13,300-square-foot spa, 100 percent "bow-to-stern" wireless Internet access, cell phone service, and "Carnival's Seaside Theatre," a 270-square-foot LED screen displaying movies, concerts and other programming.

A wide variety of formal and casual dining options - including twin two- level main dining rooms, a reservations-only supper club and a 1,400-seat casual eatery with 24-hour pizza and ice cream - are also available. Organized activities for kids in three age groups, including "Camp Carnival" for kids 2- 11, "Circle C" for 12- to 14-year olds, and "Club O2" for older teens - are among the ship's numerous family-friendly amenities.

Also featured is a wide selection of spacious staterooms, including hundreds with private balconies - ideal for scenic European cruising. All Carnival Freedom staterooms include the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.

Carnival is currently accepting reservations on all of the Carnival Freedom's various 2008 European departures. Rates are based on interior accommodations for select departure dates and subject to change without notice. Special rates for third and fourth guests sailing in the same stateroom, as well as pre- and post-cruise land stays in Rome are also available.

New Seven-Day Eastern Caribbean Itinerary Added to Carnival Conquest's Routes...

MIAMI, March 26 -- Carnival Cruise Lines' 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest will offer a new 7-day itinerary from Galveston, Texas, that will include port calls to Key West, Fla., and Freeport and Nassau, The Bahamas. The new weeklong cruise option will be offered approximately once a month from February 2009 through April 2010 and will complement the ship's existing Western Caribbean cruise schedule featuring stops at Montego Bay, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico.

"Carnival is the number one cruise line sailing from Galveston, operating more ships and carrying more passengers than any other cruise line, and this new Eastern Caribbean itinerary provides yet another exciting 7-day option designed to appeal to both repeat guests and first-time cruisers," said Lynn C. Torrent, Carnival's senior vice president of sales and guest services.

While Key West may be famous to some for its Key Lime pie and conch cuisine, America's southernmost tip is filled with colorful bars and equally colorful characters in what may as well be the tropics. For history enthusiasts, Ernest Hemingway's house displays his original manuscripts and is home to his famed six-toed cats.

Freeport and Nassau embody the laid-back atmosphere of The Bahamas with their pristine white sand, turquoise waters, gentle surf and exotic marine life. For those who prefer a more active experience, the islands also offer sophisticated shopping, world-class fishing, Victorian mansions and vibrant bazaars.

Carnival Conquest, the signature vessel in the line's popular Conquest-class series, offers a host of on-board facilities and features: 22 lounges and bars, four swimming pools (one with a 214-foot-long "Twister Waterslide"), a 14,500-square-foot spa, a variety of formal and casual dining options, ship-wide Wi-Fi Internet access and cell phone service. Carnival Conquest also offers a variety of accommodation categories, all of which feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system, with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.

Family friendly amenities include three different youth programs--"Camp Carnival" for ages 2-11, "Circle C" for 12- to 14-year-olds, and "Club O2" for older teens--with facilities, activities and counselors specific to their age group.

Royal Caribbean Announces Summer & Fall 2009 Cruises

MIAMI, March 27 - Royal Caribbean Intl announced the line´s summer and fall 2009 itineraries sailing from the Northeast, offering more convenient homeports from which to embark on a memorable cruise. Vacationers can choose from one of 17 distinct and exhilarating itineraries to Canada and New England, Bermuda, and the Caribbean on 66 Royal Caribbean sailings from the New York, Boston, Baltimore, and Norfolk metropolitan areas. Bookings for these summer and fall 2009 cruises are open.

"Royal Caribbean continues to offer close and convenient homeports for vacationers in the Northeast United States," said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. "Explorer of the Seas will begin its third consecutive year of year-round service from the New York metropolitan area, and Grandeur will be the only ship to offer Bermuda and Caribbean getaways for Mid-Atlantic vacationers from Norfolk´s new cruise port, Half Moone Center. With three ships sailing from four Northeast ports, including Boston and Baltimore, vacationers have a wide array of options for an invigorating Royal Caribbean cruise."

Guests on Royal Caribbean's cruises from the Northeast will sail aboard one of three of the world´s most innovative ships, Explorer of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas.

As one of the largest cruise ships in the world, Voyager-class Explorer offers guests still-uncommon, industry-revolutionizing amenities, such as an onboard ice-skating rink, full-size basketball court, inline skating track, iconic rock-climbing wall, and the Royal Promenade, a boulevard of shops, restaurants, bars and lounges that runs nearly the length of the ship. Jewel of the Seas' highlights include a 10-story, glass-constructed Centrum, glass elevators facing the sea, and the highest percentage of outside cabins in the Royal Caribbean fleet, offering spectacular vistas of the autumn foliage. Grandeur of the Seas´ design offers a more intimate guest experience with all the amenities that come with a larger ship.

Onboard every Royal Caribbean ship, guests enjoy complimentary 24-hour room service, award-winning Broadway-style musical revues from Royal Caribbean Productions, top-rated Adventure Ocean kids programming with teen-only spaces fleetwide, and Royal Caribbean´s Gold Service Standard of friendly and engaging service from staff and crew.

Vibrant Kaleidoscope of Canada & New England Colors and Cultures
Explorer of the Seas will offer nine-night round-trip itineraries from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, NJ, with calls at Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and Quebec City, Quebec, a guest favorite and the line´s highest rated port of call. Guests also cruise the Saguenay River, the line´s second-highest rated Canadian port. Jewel of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas will make maiden calls at Rockland, ME, as the largest cruise ships to call at the port. In addition to the wide variety of restaurants, galleries and museums, Rockland will turn the city´s main street into a pedestrian mall to welcome guests.

From Boston, Jewel of the Seas will take guests on five- and seven-night round-trip itineraries, while Grandeur of the Seas will offer eight- and nine-night round-trip sailings from the port of Baltimore. Jewel and Grandeur will call at Canadian ports of St. John, New Brunswick, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, as well as the Maine ports of Portland, Bar Harbor and Rockland.

Great Bermudian & Caribbean Escapes
Royal Caribbean will sail to Bermuda and the Caribbean in 2009 with two ships, Explorer of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas.

From Cape Liberty, Explorer of the Seas will continue to offer alternating five-night Bermuda and nine-night Bermuda and Caribbean itineraries. The nine-night voyage includes a day-visit at Kings Wharf, while the five-night itinerary overnights there, giving guests an opportunity to take in the island´s nightlife.

During April through mid-June, Grandeur of the Seas will offer alternating five-night Bermuda and nine-night Eastern Caribbean round-trip itineraries from Norfolk. The five-night itinerary also features an overnight call at Kings Wharf, and the nine-night sailing makes a call at Labadee, Haiti, Royal Caribbean´s private beach destination.

In June, Grandeur repositions to Baltimore, also to offer similar and alternating itineraries through November.

MSC Cruises' Newest Ship MSC Orchestra to Join MSC Lirica for 2008-09 Caribbe...

 

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Jan 24 ? MSC Cruises will be bringing two state-of-the-art ships, including its newest, to Fort Lauderdale for an exciting 2008-09 Caribbean season that features seven itineraries, 16 enchanting ports, the line?s first call in Bermuda and several special theme cruises. Guests can select itineraries that feature the tropical Deep Caribbean, the wonders of the Western Caribbean, the jewels of the Eastern Caribbean, the exotic Caribbean featuring Panama and the pink sand beaches of Bermuda as well as transatlantic voyages between Fort Lauderdale and some of Europe?s most intriguing ports of call. Most of the itineraries include visits to Cayo Levantado, the line?s private island experience in the Dominican Republic, where guests have the option to explore the waters around the island and view humpback whales as they arrive in the warmer Caribbean waters off the coast of the Dominican Republic to mate and enjoy their newborns.

MSC Cruises? newest ship, MSC Orchestra, which debuted in 2007, will sail her inaugural Caribbean season, joining MSC Lirica, which has sailed Caribbean waters for several seasons. At 92,400 gross tons, 196 feet high and 961 feet long, with 16 decks (13 of which are passenger decks), MSC Orchestra is the largest member of the line?s fleet to sail the Caribbean. It can carry 2,550 passengers (double occupancy) in 1,275 staterooms (80% outside staterooms, most with a private balcony).

?MSC Orchestra is ideally suited for the preferences of our American and Canadian guests,? says Richard E. Sasso, president and CEO of MSC Cruises (USA). ?It is an elegant ship that epitomizes the line?s ?Beautiful. Passionate. Italian.? approach to cruising.?

With more than 236,800 square feet of public areas and 5 restaurants (L?Ibiscus, Villa Borghese, La Piazzetta, Four Seasons, the Shanghai Chinese Restaurant ? the only dedicated Chinese restaurant at sea), 10 bars (two of which are open air), 3 meeting and conference rooms, a 21-foot by 12-foot outdoor LED screen that airs movies on the pool deck, and the 16,146 square feet for the Body and Mind Spa, MSC Orchestra represents the perfect combination of grace and style.

MSC Orchestra will arrive in Fort Lauderdale Jan. 2, 2009. The following day she will begin sailing alternating 7-night roundtrip itineraries through April 25, 2009:

--Eastern Caribbean, calling at Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. John, Antigua; and Nassau, Bahamas, as well as two days at sea.
--Western Caribbean, calling at Key West, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic, and two days at sea.
--A special 7-night roundtrip Bermuda sailing departs Fort Lauderdale April 25, 2009. This itinerary includes three days in King?s Wharf, Bermuda and a day in Nassau, Bahamas, as well as two sea days.

MSC Orchestra is scheduled to depart Fort Lauderdale May 2, 2009 on an 18-night voyage that will include a two-day visit to New York before heading eastbound to Copenhagen. The itinerary includes calls at Ponta Delgado, Azores; Lisbon, Portugal; Vigo, Spain; La Coruna, Spain; and Dover, England before arriving in Copenhagen.

MSC LIRICA?S ITINERARIES
MSC Lirica will arrive in Fort Lauderdale Dec. 3, 2008 to begin a Caribbean season that includes the following itineraries:

--10-night Deep Caribbean, calling at San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Port Castries, St. Lucia; St. John?s, Antigua; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Cayo Levantado, as well as three days at sea.
--10-night Caribbean featuring Panama, calling at Costa Maya, Mexico; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Cristobal, Panama; Cartagena, Colombia; and Cayo Levantado, and four days at sea;
--7-night Western Caribbean, calling at Key West, Cozumel, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cayo Levantado and two sea days. One of the Western Caribbean sailings is the New Year?s cruise.
--7-night Eastern Caribbean, calling at Cayo Levantado, Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Nassau, Bahamas, and two days at sea. This is the line?s Christmas cruise.

MSC Lirica begins its eastbound transatlantic crossing on April 23, 2009. The 16-night cruise calls at San Juan, Puerto Rico; Fort de France, Martinique; Funchal, Portugal; Lisbon, Portugal; Vigo, Spain and Le Havre, France, before arriving in Dover, England on May 9, 2009.

Theme Cruises
The 2008-09 Caribbean season will also feature several special theme cruises:
--Baseball Theme Cruises: Because MSC Cruises has received such strong response from previous seasons to guests who have had the opportunity to mingle and learn from some of the greats of the game, five baseball theme cruises are slated for the 2008-09 Caribbean season, including MSC Lirica?s Dec. 13 sailing and MSC Orchestra?s Jan. 24, Feb. 28, March 28 and April 11 departures.
--Big Band Cruise: MSC Lirica?s Dec. 3 Deep Caribbean itinerary will featuring the 15-piece Les DeMerle Big Band with vocalist Bonnie Eisele. Featuring the sounds of Ellington, Basie, James and Miller, plus Broadway hits, rock ?n? roll classics, hot Latin grooves and show-stoppers from the ?40s through today. The band will also perform a Big Band Jazz Concert and conduct a lecture on the Big Band era.

?Kids Sail Free? with MSC Cruises on all sailings all the time. Children ages 17 and younger sail free when they accompany two full-fare-paying adults in a stateroom (government fees and taxes are additional

Carnival Cruise Lines to Host 2008 'Wild Winners' Tournament

 

MIAMI, Jan. 18 -- Carnival Cruise Lines, the world's largest cruise operator, in conjunction with the Ocean Players Club, a casino rewards program for guests sailing aboard the World's Leading Cruise Lines, is hosting its 2008 "Wild Winners" Tournament, comprised of a series of slot, blackjack and poker tournaments. The tournaments will be held on 10 different seven- to nine-day "Fun Ship" cruises operating January through October 2008, culminating in a grand final event on board Carnival's newest ship, the 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor in November.

"With convenient homeports located throughout the U.S. and a variety of itineraries to choose from, guests not only enjoy a memorable and fun cruise vacation, but also have the opportunity to compete for thousands of dollars in cash prizes," said Vicki Freed, Carnival's senior vice president of sales and guest services.

The preliminary slot and blackjack tournaments each offer a cash prize of $2,500. All first place winners receive complimentary balcony accommodations for two and a free entry to the Final Event on the Carnival Splendor Nov. 17. The Grand Final slot and blackjack tournaments will each offer $25,000 in cash prizes and the winner of the poker grand final event will win a $10,000 seat to the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas, NV, plus $1,000 cash for travel expenses. Entry fees for the slot and blackjack tournaments are $100 per person and $150 per person for the poker tournament.

Tournament dates are as follows:

Feb. 3 -- Carnival Pride: seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise departing from Long Beach/Los Angeles March 8 -- Carnival Freedom: seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise departing from Miami April 23 -- Carnival Miracle: eight-day Eastern Caribbean cruise departing from New York May 10 -- Carnival Glory: seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise departing from Port Canaveral, FL June 15 -- Carnival Pride: seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise departing from Long Beach/Los Angeles July 19 -- Carnival Liberty: seven-day Western Caribbean cruise departing from Fort Lauderdale Aug. 17 -- Carnival Conquest: seven-day Western Caribbean cruise departing from Galveston, TX Sept. 13 -- Carnival Victory: seven-day Fall Foliage cruise departing from New York Oct. 18 -- Carnival Spirit: nine-day Mexican Riviera cruise departing from San Diego Nov. 17 -- Carnival Splendor: four-day Eastern Caribbean cruise departing from Fort Lauderdale (Grand Final Event) 

The Ocean Players Club offers something for every level of player, from awards for playing slots to establishing credit lines and betting limits for high rollers. Players can earn points at the slots toward instant cash rewards, complimentary beverages, free gifts, and future cruise benefits. Membership in the Ocean Players Club is free and enrollment is coordinated with the casino host on board.

'Turf's Up!' The Grass Really Is Greener on Celebrity Solstice
 

MIAMI, Jan. 18  -- There is a new job opening at Celebrity Cruises: groundskeeper. The perfect candidate must be willing to perform his or her duties while traveling the world aboard a beautifully appointed ocean liner. The successful candidate also must be a dedicated horticulturist who possesses an unmistakable enthusiasm for the unexpected, as the greens will be miles out at sea.

When Celebrity Solstice launches in December, vacationers will find that the grass really is greener on a Celebrity Cruises vacation. The ship will present an industry first on the top deck of the ship: real, growing grass, set in an innovative new country club environment known as "The Lawn Club." The half-acre Lawn Club on Celebrity Solstice will invite guests to enjoy bocce ball and croquet, practice their putting, picnic with a basket of wine and cheese, or simply feel the grass between their toes, while sailing the oceans of the world. The area also will feature the Hot Glass Show, another first in the industry, developed in collaboration with The Corning Museum of Glass; the Patio on the Lawn; the Lawn Club Shop, and the Sunset Bar.

"We want our guests to experience the unexpected, like the thrill of sinking a putt on a freshly manicured lawn in the middle of the ocean," said Dan Hanrahan, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. "The experiences on and around the lawn exemplify what we aim to achieve: to recognize, celebrate and indulge our guests in style."

Achieving that reality was no easy task. Celebrity worked with design firm Wilson Butler Architects to design the entire club area, then engaged a team of landscape architects and irrigation specialists along with turf and soil scientists at the University of Florida. Together, they conducted extensive research and tested a variety of grasses to determine which can withstand the winds, sun, shade and temperature variations that will affect the grass and soil as the ship sails in the Caribbean this winter. Other considerations included the ability of the grass to tolerate foot traffic, irrigation and day-to-day care and maintenance of the grass. Even the weight of the grass and soil had to be considered, as well as the water they absorb from the atmosphere and from irrigation.

Metric Facts about The Lawn Club on Celebrity Solstice

At 2,130 square meters (22,927 square feet), The Lawn Club is just over a half-acre in size.

The Lawn Club is:

Over three times larger than New York's Rockefeller Center ice skating rink (668 sq. meters) 1.7 times larger than an Olympic-size swimming pool, which is 1,250 sq. meters The equivalent of 8.2 tennis courts (these are 260 sq. meters each) 2.4 times the size of Centre Court at England's Wimbledon Lawn & Tennis Club, which is 902 sq. meters One-third the size of a regulation soccer field, which is 6,500 sq. meterss

The Lawn Club is the central element of the top-deck experiences on Celebrity Solstice. The Patio on the Lawn offers elegant yet relaxed sitting areas where luxury meets casual country club charm. Guests can read the morning paper, lose themselves in a good novel, or enjoy a cup of gourmet coffee with friends, courtesy of the patio's coffee cart service.

"Everything about the Celebrity Cruises brand is authentic," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman of Celebrity Cruises. "Our vision for a completely genuine experience demanded nothing less than real grass, and we sought out the right innovation to make that vision a reality."

The Hot Glass Show, presented in collaboration with The Corning Museum of Glass, is the patio's main feature. In its own, dedicated glassblowing studio, the Hot Glass Show will present the history and craft of glassblowing, from its ancient origins to its current countless uses. Three resident "gaffers" -- highly skilled glassblowing artists -- will educate and entertain cruisers with live glassmaking shows, lectures and workshops.

The area also features the Sunset Bar -- the ideal sailaway setting on any ship, enhanced on Celebrity Solstice by the natural grass in The Lawn Club. Located at Celebrity Solstice's highest point aft, the Sunset Bar provides breathtaking views in a relaxed atmosphere.

"We're confident our guests will be thrilled with The Lawn Club and the many new entertainment and sports options it offers," Hanrahan said.

Celebrity's current fleet will be joined by Celebrity Solstice in 2008, Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, and a fourth Solstice- class ship in 2011.

New Menus Filled With Regional Flair Enliven Cuisine Aboard Holland America L...
 SEATTLE, Jan. 8 -- From coconut scallops in the Caribbean and Spanish tapas in the Mediterranean to chicken mole in Mexico, guests sailing aboard Holland America Line's premium cruise ships in 2008 will savor new menus reflecting their ship's current itinerary. Master Chef Rudi Sodamin has incorporated flavors, techniques and recipes from around the world on new menus fleetwide. Menus are changing to reflect the ship's sailing itinerary, and local foods are brought on board to better reflect the regional cuisine. The new Mexico and Caribbean menus are the first to debut and are available now on ships sailing those itineraries.

"Part of the fun of travel is experiencing new cultures," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales, and guest programs. "By incorporating regional dishes, Chef Rudi has brought the excitement of visiting new destinations to the dining room."

Fresh fish will be brought on board in the Caribbean and Mexico along with local produce such as chayote, bread fruit, guava and fresh Mexican chiles. Island spices, local fish and produce, and Sodamin's knowledge of local specialties spice up the menu. On the Mexico itinerary, a guest might dine on Chicken mole, a Mexican regional specialty. In the Caribbean, the recipe changes to Caribbean jerk-style chicken. Other sample dishes include: chili-rubbed tuna brochette, chilled West Indian lassi soup, mahi mahi with roasted corn salsa and plantains, Mexican tortilla soup with mushrooms, and guava stuffed chicken.

In an effort to enhance the fine dining experience on board, Sodamin will continue to introduce new menus as the ships change sailing destinations. He's developing new menus for Northern and Southern Europe, as well as other destinations. On European itineraries, guests can enjoy prosciutto and coppa from Italy, Spanish tapas, Mediterranean olive oils and produce, artisanal cheeses and Norwegian salmon. Alaskan sailings will continue to feature wild Alaskan seafood.

Dinner menus in the main dining room have been redesigned with a fresh, modern look. A list of starters includes appetizers, soups and salads. Next is an entree section, followed by Chef Rudi Sodamin's recommendations for the day. A selection of entrees available daily includes favorites such as Caesar salad and New York strip steak. Wine and champagne recommendations appear at the bottom of the menu.

Guests on board may choose to dine in a variety of venues, from a quick bite poolside to a formal five-course affair. Every ship features an elegant main dining room; sophisticated Pinnacle Grill where guests can sample Sterling Silver beef and fresh seafood; the casual indoor-outdoor Lido Restaurant, and the Terrace Grill on deck for lunchtime fare.

NCL Closes $1 Billion Investment by Apollo

MIAMI, Jan 7 ? NCL Corp (?NCL?), parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line and NCL America, announced the closing of a $1 billion cash equity investment by private equity group Apollo Management, LP (?Apollo?) in NCL.

The infusion strengthens NCL?s balance sheet and will enable the company to make significant investments in a number of key areas, in addition to funding continued expansion of what is already the youngest fleet in the industry. The company recently announced it will take its signature Freestyle Cruising to the next level with the introduction of Freestyle 2.0, a major enhancement to its on-board product fleet wide, that will further improve the guest experience, including an increased investment in food of $50 million over the next two years, and an upgrading of stateroom bedding and amenities across the fleet. The company also announced a new travel agent program, Partnership 2.0, which includes major changes to the way NCL does business and is designed to strengthen its relationships with travel partners. Both programs will be implemented within the first half of this year, and are part of the preparation for NCL?s next large step forward, the introduction of the ?F3? concept ships in 2010, under construction now in France at a cost of over $1.1 billion per ship. Concurrent with the new investment, the company has bolstered its senior management team with the addition of two key executives, one to the position of EVP and CFO and the other who will spearhead a new strategic planning and business development initiative. NCL is also building on its successful brand identity campaign with increased investment in consumer marketing, including the launch of a series of six new television commercials that will air nationwide beginning today.

?With the Apollo investment, NCL is now in the strongest financial condition we have ever enjoyed in our 41-year history,? said NCL Corporation?s President and CEO Colin Veitch. ?With both Star Cruises and Apollo as dedicated and supportive shareholders, and with a fleet that has just become the youngest in the industry, we will take our vision of innovation to new and exciting levels.?

Steve Martinez, partner at Apollo Management, noted, ?NCL has the youngest, most distinctive fleet in the industry, along with its innovative Freestyle Cruising that delivers an experience that is vastly different from the traditional cruise product. Given this and the upcoming introduction of its F3 concept ships, we see NCL as having sizeable growth potential. We are pleased to solidify this partnership with Star Cruises and the existing management team of NCL, so that we can work together to propel this company forward.?

As of closing, Apollo, through its affiliates NCL Investment Ltd. and NCL Investment II Ltd., has become a 50 percent owner of NCL. Star Cruises (?Star?), NCL?s previous sole shareholder, has retained all of its existing shares in NCL and, like Apollo, is a 50 percent owner. Apollo will name a majority of the NCL board of directors with certain consent rights retained by Star.

?We welcome Apollo as we embark on the next phase of growth in NCL?s history,? said Star Cruises Chairman and CEO Tan Sri KT Lim. ?We are extremely proud of what we have achieved to date with NCL, but we are even more optimistic about what the future holds for the company now that Apollo has joined us. NCL is well positioned for continued success in 2008 and beyond.?

The completion of the investment constitutes a change of control under NCL?s outstanding 10 5/8% senior notes due 2014 (the ?Notes?). NCL will make a change of control offer within 30 days of the closing at 101%, together with accrued but unpaid interest up to but not including the date of repurchase, for the Notes as required under the indenture governing the Notes.

New Menus Filled With Regional Flair Enliven Cuisine Aboard Holland America L...
 

SEATTLE, Jan. 8 -- From coconut scallops in the Caribbean and Spanish tapas in the Mediterranean to chicken mole in Mexico, guests sailing aboard Holland America Line's premium cruise ships in 2008 will savor new menus reflecting their ship's current itinerary. Master Chef Rudi Sodamin has incorporated flavors, techniques and recipes from around the world on new menus fleetwide. Menus are changing to reflect the ship's sailing itinerary, and local foods are brought on board to better reflect the regional cuisine. The new Mexico and Caribbean menus are the first to debut and are available now on ships sailing those itineraries.

"Part of the fun of travel is experiencing new cultures," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales, and guest programs. "By incorporating regional dishes, Chef Rudi has brought the excitement of visiting new destinations to the dining room."

Fresh fish will be brought on board in the Caribbean and Mexico along with local produce such as chayote, bread fruit, guava and fresh Mexican chiles. Island spices, local fish and produce, and Sodamin's knowledge of local specialties spice up the menu. On the Mexico itinerary, a guest might dine on Chicken mole, a Mexican regional specialty. In the Caribbean, the recipe changes to Caribbean jerk-style chicken. Other sample dishes include: chili-rubbed tuna brochette, chilled West Indian lassi soup, mahi mahi with roasted corn salsa and plantains, Mexican tortilla soup with mushrooms, and guava stuffed chicken.

In an effort to enhance the fine dining experience on board, Sodamin will continue to introduce new menus as the ships change sailing destinations. He's developing new menus for Northern and Southern Europe, as well as other destinations. On European itineraries, guests can enjoy prosciutto and coppa from Italy, Spanish tapas, Mediterranean olive oils and produce, artisanal cheeses and Norwegian salmon. Alaskan sailings will continue to feature wild Alaskan seafood.

Dinner menus in the main dining room have been redesigned with a fresh, modern look. A list of starters includes appetizers, soups and salads. Next is an entree section, followed by Chef Rudi Sodamin's recommendations for the day. A selection of entrees available daily includes favorites such as Caesar salad and New York strip steak. Wine and champagne recommendations appear at the bottom of the menu.

Guests on board may choose to dine in a variety of venues, from a quick bite poolside to a formal five-course affair. Every ship features an elegant main dining room; sophisticated Pinnacle Grill where guests can sample Sterling Silver beef and fresh seafood; the casual indoor-outdoor Lido Restaurant, and the Terrace Grill on deck for lunchtime fare.

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