Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Norwegian Dawn Cruise Cancelled After Power Failure Logo

Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Norwegian Dawn Cruise Cancelled After Power Failure

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that Norwegian Dawns next cruise, due out today; Sunday, has been cancelled due to the cruise ship losing power on its way back to Miami on its last voyage. The power failure happened off the coast of Puerto Rico at around 9 a.m. yesterday. Eventually enough power came on line for the Norwegian Dawn to limp into San Juan for repairs.

The Norwegian Dawn is currently offering short cruises out of Miami, Florida, a full list of Norwegian Cruises for 2010 will appear shortly.

Norwegian Cruise Line New Ticketing System eDocs Logo

Norwegian Cruise Line New Ticketing System eDocs

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will no longer be sending their passengers tickets out to travel agents; instead they are introducing eDocs a new online system where NCL will notify the travel agent that the tickets are ready, leaving the travel agent to download the documentation and get the tickets to the passengers.

The documentation supplied via eDocs includes the cruise ticket, printable electronic luggage tags and, where applicable, airline e-tickets, post-cruise hotel vouchers and pre- or post-cruise transfer vouchers.

eDocs comes online from October 12 with all tickets being supplied by way of the Norwegian Cruise Line new ticketing system eDocs from 11 December 2009.

NCL Norwegian Epic Waiting List Logo

NCL Norwegian Epic Waiting List

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced they are to set up a waiting list for the NCL Norwegian Epic transatlantic cruise which will be in either June or July 2010. All that is known is the cruise will start in Europe and end somewhere on the East coast of the States.

Norwegian Epic is set to be a 153,000 ton monster able to carry 4,200 passengers. For more details on the NCL Norwegian Epic waiting list call 0208 144 6200.

Norwegian Epic Logo

Norwegian Epic

NCL, Norwegian Cruise Line have named their new monster of a cruise ship, the first of the F3 class of ships, the Norwegian Epic.

Destined to cruise from Miami in early 2010, Norwegian Cruise Line have stated that Norwegian Epic will begin her cruising life offering a few cheap cruises from the UK before heading west on a repositioning cruise to Miami.

At 150,000 tons, Norwegian Epic will be the largest NCL cruise ship afloat.

NCL Alaskan Cruises Logo

NCL Alaskan Cruises

There really is no better way to see one of the most unspoilt and beautiful parts of the world than on Alaskan Cruises. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is one cruise line that will sail around this amazing glacial region in the summer of 2009 and also offer inland tours that will let you enjoy the national parks, forests, gorges, lakes and incredible wildlife that is Alaska.

NCL Alaskan cruises generally sail between early May and mid-September. The cruise ships used will be Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Pearl. Travel in style and luxury and enjoy the best of what Alaskan cruises have to offer.

NCL Most Improved Logo

NCL Most Improved

Norwegian Cruise Line has been voted the most improved cruise line by CruiseOne.

More than 1,000 cruise agents voted in the poll with Norwegian Cruise Line coming out on top for the Most Improved Cruise Line for 2008.

NCL has recently strengthened its partnerships with its travel partners and this improved partnership has paid off.

For the full press release see The Cruise News.

NCL Awarded for Social Responsibility Logo

NCL Awarded for Social Responsibility

Norwegian Cruise Line has been named as a finalist in the Condé Nast Traveler Magazine’s 2008 World Savers Awards.

The awards recognize companies from around the world for their leadership and social responsibility. They are recognized in five key areas which include poverty alleviation, cultural and environmental preservation, education, health and wildlife conservation.

“Sustaining maritime ecosystems is among NCL’s highest priorities,” said Colin Veitch, NCL’s CEO. “The protection of the oceans on which NCL makes its living is of paramount importance to the company and so it is with great pride that we accept this recognition from Condé Nast Traveler for our efforts.”

Norwegian Cruise Line has been recognized for all their hard work including their recycling, environmental protection technology and waste processing equipment. They also try to promote positive environmental habits amongst its young cruisers to make them aware of the importance of environmental issues.

Apollo Buy Share of NCL Logo

Apollo Buy Share of NCL

Private equity group, Apollo Management, have paid $1 billion dollars to NCL for a 50% stake in the cruise line. NCL have stated that the money will be used to implement a series of enhancements to their fleet known as Freestyle 2.0.

Outside investment in NCL seemed inevitable as they try to compete in what is a very competitive market with the likes of the Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean. The first of two $1.1 billion F3 prototypes is due in 2009 which adds to the considerable spending NCL has undertaken in the last few years.

The original sole shareholder, Star Cruises, has retained the other 50% share in the company.

Seven New Ships due in 2007 Logo

Seven New Ships due in 2007

Estimated Inaugural: February, 2007
Cruise Line: Carnival Cruises
Ship Name: Carnival Freedom
Size: GRT: 110,000
Capacity: 2974 (double occupancy)
Builder: Fincantieri – Sestri, Italy

This is an additional Conquest class vessel ordered as part of a four-ship deal with Fincantieri, two of which ended up going to the Carnival brand. As a Conquest-class, it will not fit through the Panama Canal. Given that there is an almost two-year lag between this ship and the previous one of this class delivered (Carnival Liberty), there will likely be some progressions in the design.

Estimated Inaugural: April, 2007
Cruise Line: MSC Cruises
Ship Name: MSC Orchestra
Size: GRT: 89,600
Capacity: 2,550 lower berths – 3,000 total & 1,000 crew
Builder: Aker France – St. Nazaire, France

This will be the second of the Musica class.

Estimated Inaugural: May 19, 2007
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
Ship Name: Liberty of the Seas
Size: GRT: 160,000
Capacity: 3600 lower berths
Builder: Aker Finnyards – Finland

This will be the second of the “Ultra Voyager-class” When it is delivered the class will still have bragging rights to being the largest passenger ships in the world.

Estimated Inaugural: Spring, 2007
Cruise Line: Princess Cruises
Ship Name: Emerald Princess
Size: GRT: 116,000
Capacity: 3100
Builder: Fincantieri – Monfalcone, Italy

This is an additional Caribbean-class vessel ordered as part of the four-ship order with Fincantieri, the only one in the order designated for Princess. It will be the third in the series. It has not necessarily been designated for the Caribbean as the previous two were, but it will likely have a long life in whichever ocean it starts since it will not fit through the Panama Canal.

Estimated Inaugural: May, 2007
Cruise Line: Costa Cruises
Ship Name: Costa Serena
Size: GRT: 112,000
Capacity: 3000 (double occupancy), total capacity 3,780
Builder: Fincantieri – Sestri, Italy

This will be the second of Costa’s Concordia class. Deployment is thought to be year round in the Mediterranean.

Estimated Inaugural: October, 2007
Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Ship Name: Norwegian Gem
Size: GRT: 92,000
Capacity: 2,384 lower berths
Builder: Meyer Werft (Papenburg Germany yard)

This will be the third in the Norwegian Jewel series with 540 staterooms and suites with private balconies.

Estimated Inaugural: December 11, 2007
Cruise Line: Cunard Cruises
Ship Name: Queen Victoria
Size: GRT: 90,000
Capacity: 2000
Builder: Fincantieri – Marghera, Italy

This ship will be similar to HAL’s line of Vista-class vessels, but with Cunard’s own twists in the design and slightly larger. It will be built to Panamax standards, so it can be used in both the Atlantic and Pacific. 86% of the cabins will be outside, 71% of those with private verandahs. In September 2004 the design was enlarged as part of an order of four other ships from Fincantieri. It was originally slated for 88,000 tons and a capacity of 1968. Eleven meters were added to the length raising the tonnage to 90,000 and increasing the capacity to 2000, but the ship will still be able to transit the Panama Canal.

Initial Deployment: The first two voyages will be round trips from Southampton. Cunard says it will be used for a mix of cruises, ocean crossings and world cruises.