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About Norwegian Cruise Line
2009 Editors' Picks Awards Winner!
Best for Big Ship Suites (Courtyard Villas)
2009 U.K. Editors' Picks Awards Winner!
Best for Non-Stop Fun
Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is notable for revolutionizing the cruise experience via its "Freestyle Cruising" philosophy. Eschewing traditional cruise line stuffiness -- in dress codes, dining options and even entertainment offerings -- NCL has inspired other lines to copy its more successful "freestyle" concepts. NCL has also carved itself a niche in the homeland cruising specialty, featuring departures from a number of continental U.S. homeports that include New York, Seattle, Baltimore, New Orleans, Boston and Philadelphia, among others. (The most recent addition to the roster is Port Canaveral, from which NCL will cruise for the first time in 2010.)
Aiming to operate the cruise industry's youngest fleet, the line is currently focused on ridding itself of pre-Freestyle-designed ships. As such, Norwegian Dream sailed its last cruise with NCL on October 26, 2008 (the line is currently seeking a buyer), and Norwegian Majesty left the fleet for Cyprus-based Louis Cruise Lines in November 2009. The line did reverse its plans in one instance: Pride of Aloha, which finished its Hawaiian itineraries in spring 2008, has stayed on with the cruise line and now sails three- and four-night Bahamas cruises from Miami under its original name, Norwegian Sky.
On its newest ships, NCL is testing a number of amenities -- like luxury villas, martini and Champagne bars, interconnecting cabins, onboard bowling alleys and electronic restaurant reservation systems -- that are reminiscent of land-based resorts. Another distinction is NCL's revolutionary (for mass-market cruising) disembarkation policy, which is so relaxed that it is more resort-like than cruise-like. Norwegian Epic, part of the embattled F3 project, is set to take freestyle cruising to the next level when it debuts in spring 2010.
In addition, NCL is the only cruise line to offer year-round Hawaiian itineraries. At present, the NCL America fleet, which formerly consisted of three ships, has been significantly downsized; only Pride of America remains in Hawaii.
NCL is also known as an aggressive discounter, and past initiatives have included $99 kids' fares, cruises for $25 a night beforem taxes, and complimentary onboard credit. In 2009, with economic times uncertain, the line announced a new plan offering reimbursement for guests who cancel their cruises because of job loss.
Starting with one ship in 1966, NCL was first established by Oslo-based Klosters Rederi A/S, one of Norway's oldest and most respected shipping firms. Its first ship (M/S Sunward) repositioned from Europe to the then-obscure Port of Miami for Caribbean cruising. The line added four more vessels by 1971 and the former S/S France (which was renamed the Norway) in 1979, and NCL was on its way to becoming an industry leader and one of the largest cruise companies in the world.
Malaysia-based Star Cruises acquired NCL in 2000. As a result of the investment by Star Cruises, the largest Asian-based cruise line, NCL underwent an unprecedented growth spurt that resulted in the introduction of ships specifically designed to carry out its Freestyle innovations. To date, the line has launched eight brand-new ships since 2001.
In 2007, NCL entered into another chapter when Apollo Management agreed to become a 50 percent owner of the cruise line, sharing leadership with Star Cruises. The cost for half the company? A mere $1 billion. Since then, NCL has massively committed to Freestyle 2.0, a new initiative to upgrade services and programs on existing ships -- including spending $50 million alone on dining enhancements.
Orient Lines, which at one time was a two-ship cruise line operated under NCL's banner, ceased operations in April 2008 when Marco Polo, its last remaining vessel, was sold.
 Read the complete Norwegian Cruise Line Review
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Read More About Norwegian Cruise Line Ships:
Norwegian Dawn
• Norwegian Epic
• Norwegian Gem
• Norwegian Jade
• Norwegian Jewel
• Norwegian Pearl
• Norwegian Sky
• Norwegian Spirit
• Norwegian Star
• Norwegian Sun
• Pride of America
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