First Look - NCL's Newest Ship Norwegian Getaway

On February 1, 2014, NCL's newest ship Norwegian Getaway will set sail from Miami

Norwegian Getaway will sail seven-day cruises from Miami to the Eastern Caribbean with ports of call including Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas. 

Unparalleled magical entertainment experience called The Illusionarium will offer 12 performances per cruise, two shows per night

The Illusionarium is unlike any other entertainment experience at sea as it will transport guests in to fascinating world of magic and illusions by world-class magicians and feature supernatural special effects, with the centerpiece being a 30’ diameter video dome that will transport audiences to mystical places.

Fireworks Light Up the Night

Adding to the ship's excitement, Norwegian Getaway will also feature a dazzling display of fireworks on every cruise. 

As guests dance the night away under the stars in the open-air Spice H20 venue at the aft of the ship, a mesmerizing color-filled fireworks show will light up the night sky, right above the ship. The fully-produced show is a visual masterpiece that is set to music, creating an incredible finale to the cruise.

Aqua Park

The Aqua Park is one of Norwegian's biggest and features five multi-story water slides. 

Norwegian Getaway and her sister ship, Norwegian Breakaway, are the first cruise ships to feature the Free Fall - two side-by-side slides where guests will stand up and have the floor drop from underneath, propelling them into a thrilling loop. 

Offering another first with a twist are two additional side-by-side twister slides called The Whip delivering an unforgettable adrenaline rush as you plunge on a spiral race to the finish line. For those who prefer a more relaxing ride, there is a family-friendly open-flume body slide. The Aqua Park also features two swimming pools, four hot tubs and a semi-open air eatery.

Sports Complex

The three-story sports complex will feature a multi-level elevated ropes course that will challenge guests to more than 40 different elements, including a zip track. 

For a thrill like no other, guests will confront The Plank, a platform that extends eight feet over the side of the ship. Those who choose to test their courage on The Plank will be rewarded by having their photo taken after conquering this heart-pounding, yet breathtaking, feat. 

Kids will be challenged as well with a special ropes course just for them. In another first for the line, the nine-hole ocean-themed miniature golf course is located beneath the ropes course, offering family fun with friendly competition. A rock climbing wall, bungee trampoline and spider web, a 24-foot enclosed climbing cage complete with a spiral slide, round out the activities.

In other NCL News . . . 

Norwegian Cruise Line has been named "Official Cruise Line Partner of the GRAMMY Awards®. The companies will partner on the first GRAMMY-themed cruise scheduled to set sail in the fall of 2014. More details regarding the GRAMMY Experience venue, performances and the GRAMMY theme cruise will be revealed in the coming months.

Building Getaway Blog - http://www.buildinggetaway.ncl.com/


Information on Norwegian Getaway's accommodations and itinerary can be found at www.getaway.ncl.com.

The Rocketts Are NCL Breakaway Godmothers

The Rockettes, one of New York’s most illustrious and beloved icons, will christen Norwegian Breakaway as the official Godmothers.

The christening ceremony will take place in New York City on May 8, 2013 on board Norwegian Breakaway, the largest ship to homeport year-round in New York.

The partnership with the Rockettes will include Norwegian Cruise Line as the designated “Official Cruise Line” of the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall, and as the “Official Partner”of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

As part of their role as Godmothers, two Rockettes will sail aboard the first six sailings of Norwegian Breakaway, beginning May 12, 2013, and the first sailing of each month thereafter, taking part in special events for guests to enjoy.

More about Breakaway at NCL's site

Norwegian Star Crashes into RCI Ship

Really?!? This isn't the first time Norwegian Star has has a "fender bender"

While in Bermuda yesterday the Norwegian Star broke loose from her moorings - and while pushed by the wind sailed into the Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas moored at the next berth.

This happened as passengers watched from shore and aboard both ship.

Around 1:30 p.m. on Friday among 45 knot winds (52 miles per hour) the aft mooring lines holding Norwegian Star to the dock began to break.

As the aft mooring lines broke the wind took over moving the Star from the dock and into the nearby Royal Caribbean International Explorer of the Seas.

Both ships sustained some hull damage - Read story

Norwegian Breakaway Three-Story Sports Complex

Norwegian Breakaway is featuring the first Aqua Park at sea with five full-size water slides, including twin Free Fall slides, a three-story sports complex that includes the largest ropes course at sea, a nine-hole miniature golf course, basketball court, rock climbing wall and more.

The line also announced that the ship will feature Nickelodeon experiences for the whole family and will include a Nickelodeon themed Kids’ Aqua Park.

The Aqua Park features five multi-story water slides. In the Kids’ Aqua Park, children can meet Nickelodeon characters from Bikini Bottom, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick, Squidward and more. The tropical area will include a kid-sized pool and slide.

The three-story sports complex will be Norwegian’s largest and feature the line’s first ever ropes course. The ropes course with its multi-level structure that offers 40 different challenging elements, including a zip track.

Guests will confront The Plank, a platform that extends eight feet over the side of the ship. Those who choose to test their courage on The Plank will be rewarded by having their photo taken. Kids have a special rope course just for them. A nine-hole ocean-themed miniature golf course is located beneath the ropes course.

A rock climbing wall, bungee trampoline and spider web, a 24-foot enclosed climbing cage complete with a spiral slide, round out the activities.

Norwegian Breakaway will be the fourth Norwegian ship to offer Nickelodeon experiences, including the all-new Pajama Jam Character Breakfast, Dora’s Dance Party, Nickelodeon Character Meet and Greets, Story Time with Dora and Nickelodeon Arts and Crafts.

In addition, Nickelodeon’s Splash Mobs add an element of surprise with spontaneous, impromptu games that are exciting for the whole family with pies, slime and other surprises. Nickelodeon characters and themed activities will also be featured in Splash Academy, the ship’s two-story youth area offering merriment for kids ages three to 12.

Norwegian Breakaway will also feature adult-only outdoor enclaves. Spice H2O, located at the back of the ship on deck 16, is an adult-only escape with contemporary Asian influences offering day-time relaxation and night-time exhilaration.

Several sun loungers surround a huge video screen, complete with two hot tubs and a dual waterfall feature. At night, guests can dance under the stars or chill at the bar with accompanying lounge area, featuring comfortable seating while admiring the ocean views.

On deck 17, guests ages 18 and over will have the opportunity to enjoy another private retreat – Vibe Beach Club – by purchasing an access pass. A full-service bar, water spritzers and chilled towels are also available.

For more information, visit www.breakaway.ncl.com

Source: TravelAgentCentral

NCI Offers Free Kids Excursions

Norwegian Cruise Line is offering free shore excursions for children 12 and under when their families book a 2012 cruise through May 13.

Teen-agers 13 to 17 years old will receive half-off shore excursions when in the same stateroom with a paying adult on the same excursion.

The offer applies to all 2012 sailings fleet-wide for all ports of call. However, the offer excludes motorized flight tours, golf, Orlando theme parks and Atlantis in the Bahamas.

All shore excursions for adults and children related to this offer must be pre-booked online prior to sailing. The children and teen rates will automatically be deducted in the shopping cart upon checkout.

http://www2.ncl.com/

NCL Extends "Norwegians Take it to the Next Level"

Norwegian Cruise Line is extending its “Norwegians Take it to the Next Level” sales event through Sunday, April 15, 2012, providing guests with an additional opportunity to take advantage of cruise savings.

All new cruise reservations on all ships booked through April 15, 2012, will receive a free upgrade within the same stateroom category, along with e-coupons providing on-board savings worth $400 (for sailings taking place before Dec. 31, 2012).

As a special bonus, the line is offering cruisers a mini-suite for the price of a balcony; balcony staterooms for the price of an oceanview, and oceanview staterooms for the price of inside staterooms on all ships and destinations. Cruise deposits during this time for sailings of three days or longer are reduced by 50%.

The offer is available on new reservations booked on any of the line’s Freestyle Cruising ships to destinations such as Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, Bermuda, Bahamas/Florida, Caribbean, Canada/New England and the Panama Canal, along with transatlantic crossings.

For more information, visit www.ncl.com

Norwegian Cruises Adds New Fitness Equipment

NCL adds TRX Suspension Fitness Training on Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line is expanding its fitness program by offering TRX Suspension Training classes across its fleet.

The group exercise classes, currently only available on board Norwegian Epic, will be available fleet-wide by the end of February. The TRX Suspension Training classes encompass strength training with adjustable resistance straps.

The classes are held four times a week on seven-day sailings and are $20 for a single class or $60 for four classes.

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NCL Cruise Video - Take The Vacation You'll Remember

Smoking at Sea

Passengers abroad Princess Cruises will not be allowed to smoke in staterooms or on balconies staring Monday - with one exception. Look for other cruise lines to tighten up on their "smoking policies" soon.

Here's the most recent cruise line politices:

Princess: With cabins now off-limits, smokers will be able to smoke in designated areas only including Churchill's cigar lounge and sections of the disco, casino and open decks.

Holland America Line: Starting Sunday, the cruise line will also ban smoking in staterooms fleet-wide.

Norwegian Cruise Line: As of Jan. 1, no smoking in cabins, but balcony stateroom guests can light up on balconies. Cigar and pipe smoking isn't permitted in either area. Guests can smoke in designated areas such as sections of the casino and in some outdoor public spaces and open decks.

Carnival Cruise Lines: Since Dec. 1, smoking is banned in all cabins across its 23-ship fleet, but not on outside balconies, except for Spa staterooms. Guest surveys showed less than 5% of guests opted to smoke in their cabins.

Ok, back to the exception to Princess Cruise Lines smoking policy . . .

Princess is making e-cigarette users, sometimes called "vapers," the exception. E-cigarette users can smoke in staterooms and balconies, but will be banned from other areas on the ships.

Also, Carnival and Norwegian cruise lines are restricting e-cigarettes to designated smoking areas only.

We will post updates as we get them

Norwegian Re-Brands Children and Teens Program

NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) has re-branded it's on-board kids and teen activity program. The details (including new program name) will be released in the coming months.

The new program will be launched next month on the Norwegian Gem - and eventually the entire NCI fleet will feature the new activities.

One of the main features about the new program is new age groups will be defined. The new groups will consist of 3-5 years; 6-8 years; 9-12 years and two groups of teens - 13-14 and 15-17. In addition to the new breakdown of these age groups, there will also be new programs for babies and toddlers 6 months old to 2 years.

The focus of the new program will be sporting activities, arts/crafts, theater and technology. Depending on the age group the activities will change every 30 to 60 minutes, and set within blocks of programming time in the morning, afternoon and evening.

New creative themes include circus day, theater/technology/sports and port of call day. NCI is teaming up with Cirque Du Jour is a company that specializes in teaching children real circus skills such as scarf juggling, ball juggling, plate spinning, clowning and acrobatics has also been hired. It will create circus workshops and shows. Family friendly events will include parades and scavenger hunts.

And the new programs expand beyond the dedicated children's facilities into other areas of the ships.Kids and teens will have new activity options at the on-board sports courts, rock walls, theaters and lounges.

In order to successfully implement these programs, NCI will increase the ratio of staff to children, as well as establish new criteria for hiring of counselors. Counselors will have to have a college degree in recreation or child care (or the equivalent experience).

 All the new programs will supplement the exclusive Nickelodeon family events, shows and activities that Norwegian already has on several ships: Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Jewel and, starting in mid-February, Norwegian Gem.

Nickelodeon activities include pool games, breakfast with the characters, where kids – and adults – can eat, sing and play with SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Patrick, Diego and more; Dora’s Dance Party, where kids can join Dora and the Nickelodeon cast to dance and sing along; meet and greets with Nickelodeon characters including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and many more.

In addition, there are also other family activities offered, including Nick Jr. story time, family trivia and special arts and crafts sessions.

Visit www.bookncl.com

New NCL's Breakaway Sets Sail From New York 2013

Norwegian Cruise Line’s new  4,000 passenger ship, Norwegian Breakaway, will sail from her year-round homeport of New York City to the Bahamas & Florida and the Caribbean during her inaugural winter season.  

The 144,037-ton ship will enter service in April, 2013.

Following a summer inaugural season sailing seven-day cruises from New York to Bermuda, Norwegian Breakaway will embark on a series of 25 seven-day cruises to the Bahamas & Florida beginning on Sunday, October 13, 2013. 

The ship will also sail two 12-day Southern Caribbean itineraries on January 5 and 19, 2014, along with two Weekend Escape cruises on January 17 and 31, 2014.

These cruises go on sale to Norwegian’s top travel partners and Latitudes Rewards members (past guests) today and to the general public on Friday, January 6.

Norwegian Breakaway’s Bahamas & Florida cruises depart on Sundays and include stops in Nassau, Bahamas; Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay; and Orlando & the Beaches (Port Canaveral), Florida; along with three relaxing days at sea. These sailings run through April 27, 2014.  The ship’s 12-day Southern Caribbean cruises include the following ports of call: San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Castries, St. Lucia; Bridgetown, Barbados; and Basseterre, St. Kitts; along with five relaxing days at sea.

In October of 2011, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Norwegian Cruise Line announced that beginning in May 2013, Norwegian Breakaway will be the largest ship to homeport year-round in New York City, bringing 140,000 additional embarking passengers into New York City over two years, resulting in an estimated $35 million in additional direct spending.

Information on Norwegian Breakaway’s accommodations and itineraries can be found on Norwegian’s website.

Source: USA Today, Critic Critic Blog  

Onboard Gourmet Dining

Cruising has always been a great vacation value with room, food and activities included upfront. 

Major cruise lines have added upscale or unique dining experiences for an extra cost. Cruise prices have stayed relatively the same, and these additional onboard revenues are definitely adding to the bottom line profits of the major cruise lines - Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian.

Of course cruisers do not have to spend additional money to have a great cruising experience, but you do need to know many of the onboard restaurants do come with an addtional charge.

Carnival's Steakhouses - Each ship has a different name for the Steakhouses which all offer superb steaks, veal chops, lobster, fish of the day, lamb chops and other enticing entrees. The cost is $30 per person - and you should note some of the entrees are not included in the cost.

Royal Caribbean - Allure of the Seas features a whopping 26 dining options, and 12 incur an additional charge. 150 Central Park (shown above) restaurant on Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas has a $40 per person cover.

Norwegian Dawn - Brazilian steakhouse for an additional $20 charge.

Disney Dream - Remy gourmet restaurant with a $75 per person charge - and that does not include alcohol.

Celebrity Cruise - Qsine onboard Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Summit and Celebrity Infinity with a $35 - $40 cover charge.

Crystal Cruises - Both Crystal Serenity and Symphony have Silk Road and the Sushi Bar with a $7 per person service charge for both.

Holland America - The Pinnacle Grill on the entire fleet with a $10 cover charge for lunch, and $25 for dinner. Kids priced at $12.50.

NCI's New Branding Campaign

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that it is unveiling a new brand platform and integrated national advertising campaign, "Cruise Like a Norwegian," that embraces and celebrates the community of diverse vacationers who embody the passion, freedom and flexibility inherent in a Norwegian Cruise Line Freestyle Cruising(R) vacation.

Cruising like a "Norwegian" is for those who live life to the fullest, embrace new adventures and are passionate about their experiences.

The visual embodiment of the campaign is a brand essence video that illustrates the passion and enthusiasm of Norwegian cruisers who can "Dine like a Parisian," "Surf like a Hawaiian," "Party like a Brazilian," and "Love like a Venetian," among other things.

An original score "Let's Go!" was created to accompany the video. Television advertising includes one 30-second and two 15-second spots running during prime time on the ABC and CBS television networks, as well as on seven national cable channels, including Travel Channel, HGTV, MSNBC and Discovery Channel.

The brand platform comes to life onboard Norwegian's ships when guests are officially welcomed into the Norwegian community and can experience the "Cruise Like a Norwegian" themed Sail-Away Party and drink menu; all new White Hot Party with "Norwegian" elements; special "Cruise Like a Norwegian" photo and video opportunities; and a revised farewell show, so guests will continue to feel a part of the Norwegian community until their next cruise.

To experience the campaign and watch the brand essence video, visit www.ncl.com/facebook and click on the See How We Cruise tab.

NCI Picks New York Port for Latest Ship

Norwegian Cruise Line's next ship, the Norwegian Breakaway, has picked New York as its home port.

The 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway will be the largest cruise ship ever to home port in the city - and modifications will have to be made to the terminal.

This is a big boost to New York as it will bring approximately 70,000 additional visitors and also create restaurant, retail and hotel jobs. Nearly half of cruisers sailing out of New York spend an average of two nights in the city as part of their vacation.

Norwegian Breakaway initially will sail from New York to Bermuda, with 22 week-long voyages to the destination scheduled between May 2013 and October 2013. The ship's itineraries beyond Oct 2013 have not been released.

Breakaway joins the 2,394-passenger Norwegian Gem, which also sails year-round out of New York.

Norwegian Cruise Line "Freestyle Dash" Offer on Caribbean Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line is launching the “Freestyle Dash” limited time offer on Tuesday, September 27 on all sailings to the Caribbean.

Deal Dates: September 26, 2011 - April 18, 2013

Guests can choose from a variety of itineraries, from quick three-day Bahamas getaways to 11-day voyages to the southern Caribbean -

AND travelers can book from five convenient embarkation ports; Miami, Orlando & the Beaches (Port Canaveral), Tampa, New Orleans and New York City.

Guests have the opportunity to escape the cold of winter and go snorkeling in St. Thomas or cave tubing in Belize by taking advantage of special cruise savings through September 30, 2011.

The four-day offer provides up to $250 per stateroom (based on cruise length and category) to spend on board, reduced cruise deposits and upgrades on select sailings.

From Miami, guests can enjoy three or four-day day cruise to the Bahamas on board Norwegian Sky. For a longer retreat, guests can set sail on a 10 or 11-day cruise to the southern Caribbean on board the newly enhanced Norwegian Dawn.

Departures from Orlando & the Beaches (Port Canaveral) on Norwegian Sun allow guests to combine the thrills and theme parks of Orlando with a seven-day cruise to the Eastern or Western Caribbean beginning on October 16, 2011.

Guests looking to explore the ancient ruins of Costa Maya, Mexico can enjoy more time in the port on the Norwegian Spirit though April 8, 2012.

Beginning on October 14, 2012, Norwegian Pearl offers guests an opportunity to experience another Freestyle Cruising ship in New York.

And for guests seeking a longer cruise retreat, Norwegian Gem will offer nine-day eastern Caribbean cruises from October 20, 2012 through April 18, 2013, departing from New York.

Visit www.ncl.com

Source: Travel Agent Central

NCL To Launch Two New Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line just announced it will launch two new class of Freestyle Cruising ships.

The two new-generation cruise ships are scheduled to be launched in the spring of 2013 and 2014. Both ships will carry 4,000 passengers - 200 fewer passengers than Epic -  and will be built at the Meyer Werft plant in Germany. Meyer Werft built the Jewelclass ships: Gem, Pearl, Jewel and Jade.

Additional details about each of the new ship's features will be released as construction progresses.

New Cruise Ship For Disney

There is a new ship in the Disney Cruise Line - the Disney Dream will set sail in 2012.
Disney Dream is designed to be larger, more luxurious, and more whimsical than all others before it.

One of the main features of the new Disney Cruise line is the addition of a water coaster. This attraction will be set on the top deck, and will be aimed at entertaining scores of children.

Cruises Offer More Vegas/Broadway Entertainment

There has never been as many entertainment choices for vacationers at sea.

Norwegian Epic features the Blue Man Group - the new Allure of the Seas is featuring a Broadway production of Chicago in December.

It's all about competition for the dollars spent by vacationers. Cruise lines such as Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean are in a race against land resorts to prove that sea vacations are just as good -- and at a better price.

Ten years ago, Disney Cruise Line set the entertainment bar for the rest of the cruise industry, says Motter, inspiring changes to children's programs. Disney was the first to put big shows like Toy Story, the Musical on cruise ships.

The next Disney ship, Disney Dream, slated to arrive in January 2011, will feature a new musical, Villains, with all of the great Disney villains of the past: Captain Hook, Cruella de Vil, Ursula from The Little Mermaid, and Jafar from Aladdin.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas raised the bar last December with an array of entertainment that includes the Broadway musical Hairspray and an outdoor AquaTheater with the largest and deepest pool at sea and 30-foot diving platforms. 

Read full article at Miami Herald

New Travel Channel from YouTube

YouTube has introduced a new online travel channel called the YouTube Vacationer.

The new channel is sponsored by Norwegian Cruise Line, and features short destination videos and activities for the Caribbean/Bahamas; Europe; United States and Canada; Latin America, Middle East, and Africa.

Some of the videos are provided by Lonely Planet (Honduras, Costa Rica, Italy) and National Geographic (Egypt, the Northern Lights), along with practical travel guides and tips from Howcast and eHow.

Subcribers can create and share their own "Vacation You" experiences - and new videos from travel experts will be posted weekly. 

http://www.youtube.com/vacationer

YouTube Vacationer

Norwegian Cruise Line and YouTube have created a new travel channel, the YouTube Vacationer, where visitors can get ideas and advice from travel experts as well as create a 60-90 second montage of their ideal cruise vacations and share it.

Featuring Norwegian's message, "Tap into the Vacation You," the video site features specialists such as Lonely Planet, National Geographic and the Travel Channel.

In addition Norwegian's Freestyle Cruising gives users the ability to interact with more than 2 million combinations of video content to choose from when creating and uploading their experiences.

When using with Norwegian's "Vacation You" part of the channel, on the home page, visitors can select from a series of short video clips that offer ideas for their Freestyle Cruising vacations.

Then you can share the videos you've created on Facebook, Twitter or via email.

Videos available from the home page include the following regions: Caribbean/Bahamas, Europe, Exotic, US and Canada.

Visit www.youtube.com/vacationer