Norwegian Gem is Coming to Life

The following is a press release issued directly from Norwegian Cruise Line in regards to the building of their brand new cruise ship (Norwegian Gem). Personally, I am very excited about the Norwegian Gem because it will be sailing round-trip from New York City beginning late 2007 and all of 2008. I was just recently on NCL's Pearl, which is the sister ship to the Gem and was truly impressed by everything this ship had to offer including it's unbelievable bowling alley. Wow! I will be posting my review of the Norwegian Pearl within the coming weeks. Until then, I hope you enjoy this article updating the progress of the Gem.

On March 5, Norwegian Gem's main superstructure was completed as block numbers 62 and 63, weighing 600 tons, were lowered onto the ship's aft at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, where the ship is currently under construction. Once this section is welded to the ship's hull, the final outfitting work in the accommodations area will begin.

On Thursday, March 8, the ship will be moved backwards in the dock so that the final block at the ship's nose and funnel can be installed. With these final blocks in place, Norwegian Gem, NCL's fourth Jewel-class ship, will have its complete form.

Built specifically for Freestyle Cruising, Norwegian Gem is designed to provide guests the most customizable experience at sea. She features multiple restaurants, vibrant public rooms, versatile, family-friendly accommodations; and NCL's popular style of accommodations, Courtyard Villas, which along with the ship's two Garden Villas make up the biggest, most luxurious, most innovative suite complexes at sea. Additionally, Norwegian Gem will feature the industry's second on board bowling alley -another NCL industry first, which debuted in late 2006 on her sister ship, Norwegian Pearl.

Norwegian Gem is currently scheduled for delivery in October following which she will sail five new Mediterranean itineraries. After a series of inaugural events on the east coast, Norwegian Gem will be home ported year-round in New York featuring a seven-day Bahamas & Florida itinerary in December 2007, February, March and April 2008. In January and February 2008, she will sail a series of 10- and 11-day Exotic Southern Caribbean itineraries roundtrip from New York.

Norwegian Cruise Line Announces Military Appreciation Program

The following is a press release issued from Norwegian Cruise Line on February 26, 2007:

Showing its support for U.S. service men and women and their families, NCL Corporation today announced a new military appreciation program that provides special reduced rates to members of the U.S. military on all NCL and NCL America sailings.

"We are pleased to offer a special rate to those who serve in our armed forces," said Andy Stuart, executive vice president of marketing, sales and passenger services for NCL. "From rock climbing walls and bowling alleys, to connecting staterooms and youth and teen facilities and programs, NCL's signature Freestyle Cruising ships provide the ideal getaway for military families to relax and spend quality time together."

NCL's military appreciation program offers qualifying active military personnel, retired personnel and veterans a reduced rate, based on sailing date and itinerary, on one stateroom per sailing. Spouses of active military members serving duty overseas are also eligible. The military appreciation program rates apply to new reservations only.