Norwegian Epic to Have Studio Staterooms, New Spa Suites

In its latest "Epic" reveal, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) unveiled the full range of accommodations -- appealing to both low and high ends of the market -- on its new F3 class ship, Norwegian Epic. The line also announced that it is opening group block space reservations on Norwegian Epic today, exclusively for its travel agent partners.

Among the highlights of the new accommodation offerings are: a new design of studio inside staterooms; spa cabins, a first for the line; and the largest ship-within-a-ship complex at sea offering luxury accommodations.

"Since this ship is our largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising vessel to date, we've taken a fresh approach to our stateroom mix, offering niche accommodations such as our family and spa categories, along with creative, ground-breaking design as evidenced by The Studios with Living Room and largest ever Courtyard Villa complex," said Kevin Sheehan, NCL's CEO.

According to Sheehan, the new Studio staterooms are designed with the budget-conscious traveler in mind and were created to maximize space, as the Studios are slightly smaller than standard inside staterooms. Each studio can sleep up to two people and features a large, round window that looks out into the corridor, along with customizable color changing light effects that mirror different stages of the day. Guests can also change the light by mood settings, such as the love setting.

The 128 Studios occupy decks 11 and 12 and Studio guests have exclusive key-card access to the Living Room, a two-story lounge area featuring a concierge, bar, room service, two large TV screens, a quiet reading section and comfortable seating for hanging out.

NCL will also be introducing spa balcony, deluxe balcony staterooms and suites within the spa for the first time. Guests in the 39 Spa suites, which feature a unique look and feel, will have complimentary 24-hour access to the ship's thermal suite and fitness center. In addition, eight of the spa suites each feature an in-room whirlpool.

Norwegian Epic's ship-within-in-a-ship complex will be comprised of 60 suites and villas spanning two private decks (decks 16 and 17) at the top of the ship. The suite category choices will include Courtyard Villas, Penthouse Suites and Deluxe Owner's Suites. Guests staying in one of these suites will have exclusive access to the Courtyard Villa, which features a pool, two whirlpools, gym, saunas, sundeck, the Uber bar, a concierge lounge and indoor/outdoor dining.
Norwegian Cruise Line's popular family-friendly staterooms are available on the Epic as well. The majority of the staterooms, both deluxe balcony and balcony, many that connect, will be on two decks close to an expanded Kids Crew facility. The family staterooms will feature Norwegian's signature New Wave design.

NCL F3 Name Is Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Cruise Line today announced that its new F3 will be named the Norwegian Epic. NCL also announced that only agents will be able to block group space when the group space opens for sale in mid-March. Only groups will be open for sale in mid-March, not FITs. "It is a great opportunity for agents and when we open it up to consumers, agents will be ready to take the influx of sales," NCL executive vice president, global sales and passenger services Andy Stuart told agents in a Webinar today.

The Norwegian Epic will be home ported in Miami and sail on alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises year-round from Miami. The first sailing will be in summer of 2010, after a series of pre-inaugural cruises. Stuart said NCL "is determined to show this ship to as many agents as we can. We are excited about this new product."

Eastern Caribbean cruises visit St, Maarten, St. Thomas and Nassau and Western cruises will go to Cozumel, Costa Maya and Roatan. The two can be combined. "We are thrilled to return to Miami year-round," said Stuart.

With agents the only source for consumers to secure space on the Norwegian Epic, agents will be in great shape to be ready for bookings when the ship goes on sale, said Stuart. "It is a further demonstration of how travel agents are number one at NCL. This is the travel agents' ship and we would like agents to take ownership of the ship," said Stuart, noting that agents cut the first steel for the ship and that a number of NCL's top agents signed the first steel; their signatures are permanently welded into the Norwegian Epic's structure.

Call me in Mid-March to secure your space on this exciting ship, (706) 579-5005.

NCL Introduces Online Check-In

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has launched online check-in via its new "My NCL" portal. This online gateway enables guests to update and track pre-cruise activity.
"By checking in online with 'My NCL,' guests will speed up the boarding process," said Vivian Ewart, vice president of passenger services.

Booked guests can log onto www.ncl.com, from reservation inception up until 24-hours prior to departure, and click on the online check-in icon to begin the process. Guests will be asked to enter their name, ship, sailing date and reservation number in order to create a username and password. Once a profile is created, all guest preferences, including reservation details, required pre-cruise information, shore excursion reservations and printable cruise ticket are stored on their "My NCL" account.

The guest check-in form on "My NCL" is intuitive based on the guest's nationality and itinerary and will automatically alert the guest of the appropriate documentation needed to sail.
Guests can also log into their "My NCL" account at any time to update their profile and cruise vacation preferences, print their e-docs, as well as check on their Latitudes (past guest program)status.

What's new at Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

NCL announced today its Freestyle 2.0 fleet wide initiative featuring significant enhancements in its onboard product that will further improve the guest experience. The enhancements include a major investment in the total dining experience; upgrading the stateroom experience across the ship; new wide ranging onboard activities for guests all of ages; additional recognition, service and amenities for balcony, suite and villa guests; and a re-launch of a tiered Latitudes past guest recognition program.

"Our innovative Freestyle Cruising and exciting, dynamic fleet of new ships have combined to make NCL a truly unique and exciting cruise vacation," said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO. "We have achieved the milestone of offering the youngest fleet in the cruise industry, and will now focus our attention on delivering the next generation of freestyle cruising - Freestyle 2.0 - a significant enhancement to the guest experience fleet wide."

NCL will immediately begin to roll out Freestyle 2.0 fleet wide. Highlights of the different onboard initiatives include:

Freestyle Dining:

An increased investment in food of $50 million before we deliver our first F3, equating to a 20 percent increased investment in food per passenger per day plus major fleet-wide capital investments;

• Lobster Galore - Lobster in the main restaurant on multiple days and in one restaurant every night of the cruise;
• A signature specialty dish in every restaurant (i.e. 48oz Porterhouse in the steak house, chocolate fondue tower in the action station restaurant);
• An enhanced nighttime dining/ambience in the action station restaurant with table cloths, muted lighting and enhanced service;
• One or two alternative restaurants open for lunch on sea days;
• A new and expanded room service menu;
• A "bubbly welcome" - a welcome aboard glass of bubbly for everyone;
• A Taste of Freestyle on embarkation day - samplings from all of the specialty restaurants;
• A major hardware investment to bring all buffets to Norwegian Gem/Norwegian Pearl "action station restaurant";
• An investment in back of house to refine the reservations process and system.

Stateroom Experience:

• An upgrade in bedding and sheets, pillows, duvets;
• An upgrade in towels and bathrobes;
• An upgrade in in-room amenities including coffee maker and expanded TV offerings;
• Addition of sofa beds to suite categories.
  Balcony and mini suites:
• A distinctive colored key card for ship wide recognition;
• An "at your service" hotline;
• A separate check-in for balcony and mini suite guests;
• A personal escort to stateroom;
• Priority disembarkation.
  Suites and Villas:
• All suites and villas to have concierge and butler service;
• Welcome champagne in suite/villa;
• Upgraded canapés every day;
• Private breakfast/lunch in Cagney's Restaurant;
• An exclusive concierge lounge;
• Priority disembarkation;
• Priority restaurant reservations;
• Dedicated Butler presence in the Courtyard*;
• Private breakfast/lunch in the Courtyard*.

Onboard activities:

• An enhanced educational, entertainment and lifestyle program - NCL "U":
• A range of new classes such as Improv, organic cooking, bartending, sommelier, etc.;
• An enhanced Health and Wellness program;
• An enhanced Pool Deck experience;
• Entertainment taken upscale;
• Drink flags on all deck chairs;
• Pool of indulgence - Evian spritz, cold towels, etc.;
• Quiet zones and times.

Past Guest Latitudes program:

• A new program with various tiers rewarding both spend and frequency;
• A new range of tangible, meaningful and deliverable benefits;
• A staffed concierge lounge for Latitudes members.

Freestyle 2.0 enhancements will begin rolling out immediately and will be largely implemented by summer of 2008.

*Available to Villa and Owner's Suite guests.