Oct 31

Norwegians Named their Ships Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss

 

Names for the Line’s two new Breakaway Plus vessels received the highest number of votes from Norwegian’s social community

Miami   –    Oct 8, 2013   —   

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that thanks to its Facebook fans around the globe the names of the line’s two new Breakaway Plus class ships are Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss. These names are the two that received the highest number of votes, out of the line’s top ten name prospects, in the “Norwegians Name Their Ships” contest, which asked fans in five countries to help select the names for the line’s two new Breakaway Plus vessels.

The contest, which ran from September 10 through September 24, 2013, garnered more than 100,000 votes from Norwegian fans located in five different countries, including the United States, Canada (excluding Quebec), Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom.

“The response to our `Norwegians Name Their Ships` contest was overwhelming,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s chief executive officer. “It reaffirms that we have a very engaged and passionate community of Norwegians and we are thrilled with the names they have selected for our two new Breakaway Plus Class Ships. Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss are two names that truly characterize our brand, Freestyle Cruising®, and the experience guests will have on board these fantastic new vessels.”

All those who submitted a vote for their favorite Breakaway Plus ship names were entered into a random drawing to win a trip for two to the first Breakaway Plus ship’s inaugural festivities, including round-trip coach airfare for two, ground transportation, balcony stateroom accommodations (double occupancy) and on-board meals. Winners will be announced today, October 8, 2013, on Norwegian’s Facebook Page at www.ncl.com/Facebook.

Norwegian’s new Breakaway Plus ships will be the largest in the line’s fleet at approximately 163,000 gross tons and 4,200 passenger berths each and will be similar in design and innovation to the line’s current Breakaway class, the first of which, Norwegian Breakaway, launched in New York in early May and the second of which, Norwegian Getaway, will launch in January and arrive in her homeport of Miami in February.

Oct 31

NORWEGIAN INTRODUCES INTERACTIVE DIGITAL SIGNAGE FLEETWIDE

 

Miami   –    Sep 9, 2013   —   

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that it will expand the innovative digital signage first introduced on Norwegian Breakaway to the line’s entire fleet by Summer 2015. The interactive touch screen signs will allow guests to order specialty items, get directions and reserve dining, shore excursions and entertainment simply with a scan of their stateroom key. The screens will also be a feature on the line’s newest ship, Norwegian Getaway, arriving to her homeport of Miami in February 2014.

Each Norwegian ship will have between 30 and 50 touch and static screens located in prominent areas around the vessel. The screens will give guests the opportunity to make reservations for restaurants, entertainment and shore excursions as well serving as a personal concierge. Guests will be able to order beverages, flowers, dining packages and more, including goodies and custom cakes from Carlo’s Bake Shop on Norwegian Breakaway to celebrate special occasions. The signs even provide guests with directions and maps to other locations on board, making it easy for them to navigate the ship.

“The interactive signage has been such a big hit on Norwegian Breakaway that we decided to expand it to our fleet so that all of our guests can take advantage of this exciting technology,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “With the introduction of these screens, Norwegian’s Freestyle Cruising is taken to a whole new level, allowing guests to further customize their vacation on their time. It’s all about freedom and flexibility.”

The signs will also serve a dual purpose of communicating important safety information. In the event of an emergency situation, they will be used to deliver guests critical messages.

The new digital signage debuted on Norwegian Breakaway when the ship arrived to her year-round homeport of New York City in May.

For more information on Norwegian Cruise Line, or to book a cruise, contact a travel professional, call Norwegian at 866-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), or visit www.ncl.com. Additional information on Norwegian Getaway can be found at www.getaway.ncl.com.

About Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 46-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which revolutionized the industry by giving guests more freedom and flexibility. Today, Norwegian invites guests to “Cruise Like a Norwegian” on one of 12 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed, resort style cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea. Recently, the line was named “Europe’s Leading Cruise Line” by the World Travel Awards for the fifth consecutive year.

The Company took delivery of its most innovative ship to date, the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway on April 25, 2013. Known as New York’s ship, Norwegian Breakaway is the largest vessel to homeport year-round in the city, sailing to Bermuda for the summer. Norwegian Breakaway’s features include hull art by legendary artist Peter Max, seafood restaurant Ocean Blue by famed New York Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, bakery by Buddy Valastro, star of the TLC series “Cake Boss,” and fitness classes and a retrospective display from the ship’s iconic godmothers, the Rockettes®. The entertainment lineup includes three Broadway shows: Rock of Ages, Burn the Floor and Cirque Dreams? & Dinner: Jungle Fantasy. Sister ship Norwegian Getaway, currently under construction at Meyer Werft will be the largest ship to homeport year-round in Miami and will sail Eastern Caribbean voyages beginning in February 2014. The Company also has two larger “Breakaway Plus” vessels on order for delivery in the fall of 2015 and spring of 2017

Oct 31

DHANI JONES TEAMS UP WITH ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL ASQUANTUM EXPERIENCE ADVISOR FOR SPORTS AND FITNESS

Former NFL Linebacker and Avid Traveler to Tackle the Active Lifestyle Onboard Quantum of the Seas
MIAMI, October 7, 2013 – Royal Caribbean International – the cruise line known for pushing the limits of what’s possible at sea with industry-leading ship design, amenities, programming and activities – has teamed up with athlete and adventurer Dhani Jones to create a game plan for active cruising onboard its newest ship, Quantum of the Seas, when she launches from the New York area in November 2014. As Quantum Experience Advisor for Sports and Fitness, Jones is the latest celebrity expert to suit up for the cruise line’s Quantum Experience Advisors program, whose roster also includes interior designer and HGTV-star Genevieve Gorder. Royal Caribbean is documenting the creative process with both Jones and Gorder and fans can tune in to RoyalCaribbean.com/QuantumoftheSeas to follow their progress.

“Mixing an active lifestyle with a zest for life comes naturally for Dhani Jones, whose passion for exploring the world has taken him from the sports field to countless countries around the globe,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Executive Vice President, Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “We’re thrilled to draft Dhani as our latest partner to help us take on all things sports and fitness onboard Quantum of the Seas.”

Dhani Jones, a former National Football League player for 11 seasons, is also known for his off-the-field adventures. Starring in his own Travel Channel show, Dhani Tackles the Globe, the self-proclaimed adventurer participated in many of the world’s games. From Rugby to Sambo, Jones immersed himself in each culture and learned how athletes around the world compete in their favorite sports. Off the field, Jones is currently starring in a new show on FOX Sports 1, Jones and Mosley, and also is an author, entrepreneur and philanthropist, founding a company that sells high-end bow ties for various charities around the world.

Since June 2013, Jones has been collaborating with Royal Caribbean’s guest activities team on their home turf in Miami to create a playbook for thrills and excitement onboard Quantum of the Seas. Over the course of multiple creative sessions, Jones has been lending his expertise on the latest active trends and providing fresh ideas for Quantum’s SeaPlex, the largest sports and entertainment complex at sea – which will feature first-at-sea innovations such as bumper cars, roller skating and a circus school, complete with a flying trapeze.

The next few months will see Jones sampling the existing programs and signature innovations found only on Royal Caribbean, while adding his trademark touches to distinct spaces onboard Quantum of the Seas, including four custom-themed SeaPods which will be found on the mezzanine level of the SeaPlex and will offer spectacular views of the sea. Jones also will help influence programming in the adjacent Sports Deck, which serves up signature Royal Caribbean innovations such as the rock-climbing wall, the FlowRider surf simulator and RipCord by iFLY, the first skydiving experience at sea which allows everyone from first-time flyers to seasoned skydivers to enjoy the sheer thrill and exhilaration of skydiving in a safe, controlled, and simulated environment.

“I’m having a phenomenal time working with Royal Caribbean as a Quantum Experience Advisor,” said Jones. “It’s giving me the opportunity to demonstrate my passion for sports, travel, fitness and adventure, and draw on my own experiences traveling the globe to contribute ideas that will bring good fitness and good fun to Quantum of the Seas.”

In addition to Jones, Royal Caribbean also has partnered with Genevieve Gorder, one of America’s favorite interior designers and the most popular personalities on cable television network HGTV, as the Quantum Experience Advisor for Design. Gorder has been working with Royal Caribbean’s newbuild and design team since May 2013 to influence and inspire the décor and furnishings in the loft and suite accommodations onboard Quantum of the Seas, where her soulful and whimsical style will be felt throughout. The cruise line plans to reveal several other Quantum Experience Advisors in the coming months, and consumers can stay up-to-date on the program by visitingRoyalCaribbean.com/QuantumoftheSeas.

The new Quantum class will debut in November 2014 with Quantum of the Seas, followed by her sister-ship Anthem of the Seas in April 2015. The Quantum-class ships span 16 decks, encompass 167,800 gross registered tons, carry 4,180 guests at double occupancy and feature 2,090 staterooms.

Oct 31

ROYAL CARIBBEAN ANNOUNCES MARINER OF THE SEAS’ WINTER 2014-15 SEASON

MA-in-Hong-Kong-Night

 

MIAMI, Sept. 30, 2013 – Royal Caribbean International today unveiled 29 new Southeast Asia sailings aboard Mariner of the Seas. Starting in November 2014, Mariner of the Seas will homeport at Singapore and sail three- to five-night itineraries, calling at ports such as Phuket, Thailand, and Penang, Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) in Malaysia. A special seven-night itinerary, departing February 11, 2015, will overnight at Bangkok (Laemchabang), Thailand, and call at Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam. Mariner of the Seas’ winter season will conclude with an eight-night itinerary from Singapore to Shanghai (Baoshan), China, departing on March 7, and featuring an overnight at Hong Kong with calls at Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My) and Xiamen, China.

Guests of Mariner of the Seas enjoy a wide range of onboard amenities that are still unmatched by any other cruise line. Mariner of the Seas is among six Royal Caribbean ships that exclusively feature the DreamWorks Experience at sea.  Guests can partake in parades, themed activities and other onboard events based on DreamWorks Animation’s popular feature-film characters, including Po of “Kung Fu Panda;” Shrek and Fiona of “Shrek;” and Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, and the Penguins from “Madagascar.” The ship also is equipped with a 3-D movie theater playing the latest DreamWorks Animation films.

Royal Caribbean’s younger guests in the complimentary and award-winning Adventure Ocean children’s program can relish in an exhilarating line-up of activities, games and adventures rooted in the popular DreamWorks Animation films. Guests of all ages can meet their favorite characters over the DreamWorks Character breakfast in the main dining room and take advantage of plenty of photo opportunities throughout the day. Additionally, guests can tune-in to DreamWorks Animation programming on a dedicated RCTV channel in every stateroom.

Guests also enjoy the industry’s largest and most premium selection of duty-free shopping, including the first standalone IWC Schaffhausen boutique and the largest luxury and fashion watch store at sea. More than 10 of the world’s best-known brands’ cosmetic and perfume lines, designer accessories and fine leather handbags from Coach, Burberry and Michael Kors, and nearly 30 brands of high-end watches are available on board.

The ship’s Casino Royale delivers the next level of world-class gaming. Guests can join in more than 30 table games and have a choice of nearly 300 slot machines throughout the 9,600 sq. ft. space. Additionally, high-rollers also will have exclusive access to parlors for high-stakes gaming in comfort, style and privacy.

Furthermore, Mariner of the Seas isone of Royal Caribbean’s Voyager class of ships, which first introduced the active cruise vacation concept. The ships feature iconic Royal Caribbean International amenities such as the rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, a nine-hole mini-golf course, full-size basketball and sports court, and the Royal Promenade, a boulevard that stretches nearly the length of the ship and is flanked by restaurants, lounges and boutiques.

As the one true global cruise brand, Royal Caribbean International caters to an international clientele and deploys its cruise ships throughout the world. On Mariner of the Seas’ Asiacruises, Royal Caribbean offers a culturally enriching cruise experience, in which vacationers will find that the majority of fellow guests are from the Asia-Pacific region and speak languages from the region. While guests will enjoy a more authentic regional experience, including additional onboard choices that reflect the region’s tastes and flavors, English is always spoken by the ship’s staff and crew.

Oct 31

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON WORLD’S LARGEST SHIP: ROYAL CARIBBEAN MARKS STEEL CUTTING MILESTONE FOR OASIS 3

Oct 31

GENEVIEVE GORDER EPISODE 1: DIVING INTO SHIP DESIGN

Oct 31

THE QUANTUM OF THE SEAS VIDEO COLLECTION

Oct 31

Princess Cruises Ships – Royal Princess & Regal Princess

Oct 31

Royal Princess Water & Light Show

Feb 14

NEW! Royal Princess – Piazza and Atrium