NCL Corporation today announced that three NCL Freestyle Cruising vessels – Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Star and Norwegian Sun – will return to Alaska for the 2008 season.
Norwegian Pearl, NCL’s newest ship featuring the first bowling alley at sea, and Norwegian Star will sail seven-day roundtrip cruises from Seattle , while Norwegian Sun will sail seven-day roundtrip cruises from Vancouver . All of the itineraries will sail Alaska ‘s Inside Passage and feature either Glacier Bay or Sawyer Glacier. NCL’s 2008 Alaska cruises are on sale now beginning at $699.
NCL’s Freestyle Cruising offers guests the flexibility of having no fixed schedules or dining times, no formal dress codes and a variety of activity options – perfect for families and individuals alike who prefer to do what they want, when they want.
“With Freestyle Cruising, our guests can enjoy the Alaska experience to the fullest,” said Colin Veitch, NCL’s president and CEO. “In particular, Freestyle Cruising gives them the freedom and flexibility to explore ashore and really make the most of this spectacular destination without worrying about returning to the ship for a set dining time.”
NCL will offer the following Alaska itineraries from May through September 2008:
Norwegian Pearl
• Seven-day Alaska Glacier Bay, roundtrip from Seattle
• Ports of call include Juneau , Skagway , and Ketchikan , Alaska and Victoria , British Columbia
• Norwegian Pearl sails May 4, 11, 18, and 25; June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29; July 6, 13, 20 and 27; August 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31; and September 7 and 14.
Norwegian Star
• Seven-day Sawyer Glacier itinerary, roundtrip from Seattle.
• Ports of call include Ketchikan , Juneau and Skagway , Alaska and Prince Rupert , British Columbia .
• Norwegian Star sails May 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31; June 7, 14, 21 and 28; July 5, 12, 19 and 26; August 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30; and September 6 and 13.
Norwegian Sun
• Seven-day Sawyer Glacier itinerary, roundtrip from Vancouver
• Ports of call include Ketchikan , Juneau and Skagway , Alaska .
• Norwegian Sun sails May 11, 18 and 25; June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29; July 6, 13, 20 and 27; August 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31.
NCL’s Alaska voyages feature more than 130 adventurous shore excursions, including:
• Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest: In Juneau , guests can take a guided jet-powered catamaran around Stephen’s Passage, a summer feeding ground for humpback whales.
• Adventure Kart Expedition: For family adventure in Ketchikan , guests venture to the Cape Fox Rainforest Preserve and navigate an obstacle course in a custom-designed Tomcar on their way to Mahoney Lake.
• A Toast to the Gold Rush: In Skagway , guests celebrate the Gold Rush by riding the scenic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, taking a dramatic walk across the new Yukon Suspension Bridge over the Tutshi River and then discovering the “Garden City of Alaska” during a tour of the Jewell Gardens.
• Great Canadian Rafting Adventure: In Prince Rupert , guests can raft the Skeena River , one of the most spectacular river valleys in Canada ‘s North, home to the majestic white Kermode bear and a countless number of flora, fauna, geologic phenomena and cultural history.
Introduced and available during the 2007 season, NCL will again feature one-of-a-kind Freestyle Private Tours on all Alaska cruises calling in Juneau and Ketchikan . Freestyle Private Touring is a completely personalized experience comprised of carefully chosen tours created exclusively for NCL guests, encouraging them to customize their time ashore and discover Alaska at their own pace. Tours include a personal guide, giving guests an exclusive insider’s perspective.
NCL Freestyle Private Tours are available by various modes of transportation including 20-foot private skiff, chauffer-driven Hummer(r), luxury SUV and floatplane. Since each tour is completely private and tailored to each group’s interests, the experience is a perfect option for families and small groups wanting to spend quality time together and have an Alaskan experience unlike any other.
NCL Corporation Ltd. is an innovative cruise company headquartered in Miami , Florida , with a fleet of 15 ships in service and under construction. The corporation oversees the operations of Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America, and Orient Lines. The company recently took delivery of its newest ship, Norwegian Pearl, and is currently building Norwegian Gem for delivery in October of 2007. In addition, NCL plans to build up to three new third generation Freestyle Cruising ships for delivery between 2009 and 2011. NCL is on target to have the youngest fleet in the industry by the end of 2007 with the introduction of Norwegian Gem, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea.
