NCL Corporation and Cooking Light—the nation’s largest food magazine—have renewed their partnership to provide healthy meal options on board NCL ships in 2008.  NCL has offered Cooking Light-branded menu options on its ships since 1999.

“Freestyle Cruising offers guests a world of options, including the chance to stay healthy on board through amenities such as fitness rooms and rock climbing walls or with healthy, delicious meal options at our many restaurants,” said Andy Stuart, executive vice president of sales, marketing and passenger services for NCL Corporation.  “Our relationship with Cooking Light enhances our guest dining experience with unmatched culinary expertise from a trusted brand.”

As part of the agreement, Cooking Light will continue to provide appetizer, entrée and dessert recipes that are regularly incorporated and rotated among menus on NCL and NCL America ships, which offer up to 10 restaurants on each vessel.  A Cooking Light chef will board NCL ships to oversee recipe execution and taste test meals, and will provide direction and additional menu suggestions throughout the year.  Menu items include delicious fare such as jerk-style chicken with cinnamon, thyme, jalapenos and allspice and sautéed tilapia with lemon-peppercorn pan sauce.

“We chose to continue our partnership with NCL based on the success of the relationship so far in introducing Cooking Light to a new audience and extending our brand,” said Chris Allen, senior vice president and publisher of Cooking Light and Health. “Working with an innovative cruise line like NCL further reinforces that eating smart and staying in shape can always fit into our readers’ lifestyles, even on a relaxing cruise vacation.”

Ship Shape Cruise on Norwegian Dawn

Cooking Light will also host its annual Ship Shape cruise, for the ninth year in a row, aboard Norwegian Dawn Nov. 11-18, 2007, departing roundtrip from Miami.  Embarking on an Eastern Caribbean itinerary, this health-and wellness-focused voyage calls on Samana, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas—NCL’s own private Caribbean island.

Guests will enjoy morning walks, customized shore excursions, cooking demonstrations and question and answers sessions with Cooking Light chefs, a private beach party in St. Thomas, Iron Chef-style cooking competitions, and more.  Ship Shape cruise rates start at $655 per person.