Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has launched its biggest ever Freestyle Resolution Sales Event, three weeks ahead of the traditional start to Wave Season, the period from January through March when the majority of cruises are booked. The early release and enticing offer is another facet of NCL’s Partnership 2.0, a company-wide initiative to further strengthen its relationship with travel partners.

Travel partners who make a reservation from now through February 1, 2009 on any NCL sailing can offer their clients up to a $500 on-board credit. The amount of the on-board credit varies depending on the length of cruise* and category of stateroom booked. For example, on sailings of six days or longer, the on-board credit ranges from $50 for an inside stateroom; up to $150 for a balcony and $500 for a suite or villa. For three to five day sailings, the on-board credit ranges from $35 for an inside stateroom up to $150 for a suite/villa.

“With Wave Season fast approaching, we wanted to help jumpstart our travel partners’ business by putting together a consumer promotion that offers a fantastic value for their clients,” said Andy Stuart, NCL’s executive vice president, global sales and passenger services. “NCL’s Wave Season promotion combines a strong consumer offer, with extremely competitive travel partner compensation, the benefit of the recently suspended fuel supplement and incremental investment in marketing to drive customers into travel agencies across the country – we believe this is a winning combination.”

During the promotion, travel partners can find more information and numerous marketing tools to help promote the Freestyle Resolution Sales Event at www.bookncl.com. Here, travel partners can download flyers and banner ads, forward customizable emails and play the Freestyle Resolution photo game for their chance to win one of five seven-day cruises for two. Travel partners registered as NCL U students will receive emails, bulletins and widget updates on the promotion.

To support the promotion and drive consumers to travel partners’ doors, NCL is launching a multi-faceted national marketing campaign, along with Hispanic targeted efforts, which include banner ads on popular consumer travel sites, radio advertising, direct mail and email. In addition, NCL will make available incremental co-op marketing funds to travel partners who are looking to invest in incremental marketing during this forthcoming Wave Season.

On December 30, NCL will take to the Internet and the streets of South Florida asking consumers to declare their New Year’s resolutions in an effort to promote its Freestyle Resolution offer. Consumers who log onto www.nclresolutions2009.com or visit the resolution wall from noon to 9 p.m. at Bayside Marketplace (Miami) on December 30 and 31; Lincoln Road (Miami Beach) on January 1 and 2; or Sawgrass Mills Mall (Sunrise) on January 3 and 4 will be entered to win a four-day Bahamas cruise, round-trip from Miami, on Norwegian Sky.

*One and two-day sailings are excluded from NCL’s Freestyle Resolution promotion.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is the innovator in cruise travel with a 42-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.

Today, NCL has the youngest fleet in the industry with 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea.

NCL is presently building a new third generation Freestyle Cruising project known as F3, for delivery in 2010.