NCL’s Year of Freestyle Vacation Continues

As was mentioned before, Norwegian Cruise Lines is offering a series of promotions during this "wave" season. First up was the Epic, now Alaska and Panama Canal sailings are on sale, with up to 6-category upgrade and 50% reduced deposits, along with onboard credit on select sailings!This offer is good through January 31. If you're interested, call or email me at amber@cruiseresource.com!

An Epic Announcement for Solo Travelers on NCL!

Earlier this week when I posted the Wave Season specials, I highlighted that solo occupancy cruisers were being offered reduced single supplements on the Epic. Today, NCL makes the offer even better!NCL has not traditionally been a solo-friendly line, with almost entirely 200% supplements fleet-wide, and only a few reduced supplement sailings each year. Starting Monday, January 18, they will

It’s Wave Season! FULL List of Special Offers!

Once again, cruise wave season is upon us, the time when most bookings for the year are made, and the cruise lines roll out attractive specials to entice you. Below is a FULL list of wave season offers by cruise line! Most of these offers are available through February 4, 2010, though other booking dates may be listed in the specific offers:Azamara Club Cruises: Receive up to $400 in Onboard

NCL’s Telling You One More Time - Stop Procrastinating!

In a very late night announcement (or early morning, depending on where you are), NCL has announced their latest "Pity the Procrastinator Sale."

Starting this very minute, July 6, and lasting through August 2, you can receive up to a 6 category upgrade on all 2010 and 2011 sailings! (Inside to Inside, Oceanview to Oceanview, etc.) Not sure if you're ready to book yet? Decide quickly, as that's where the "procrastination" part comes into play. NCL at some point will reduce the upgrade to only a 3 category upgrade if you wait... and that could happen as soon as tomorrow!

Still not sure? Third and Fourth guests in a stateroom start at only $99 plus taxes.

The faster you act, the better the deal and the better the selection. This includes the new Norwegian Epic!

(Wanting to book something still for 2009? Don't worry, I'm not letting you get left out - stay tuned for a special for you starting on July 9! Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh)

So call or email me now! (Yes, believe it or not, I'm still working - that's why you're the FIRST to know!)

NCL Reduced Single Supplements

While NCL isn't the most generous when it comes to reduced single supplements, they do from time to time make me aware of a few specials. I know that some of you anxiously await notification of these specials, so here they are!

• Norwegian Jewel, 10/10 and 10/20/09, 10 Nt Canada/New England from New York, 150% supplement
• Norwegian Majesty, 9/13 and 9/23/09, 10 Nt Canada/New England from Philadelphia, 150% Supplement
• Norwegian Spirit, 10/16/09, 7 Nt Canada/New England from Quebec to Boston, 150% supplement
• Norwegian Sky, 7/10/09 through 9/11/09, all 3-Nt Bahamas sailings from Miami, 150% supplement

Not all categories may be included, but a quick peek at the dates look promising. So if you're wanting a getaway this summer or fall and love solo Freestyle Cruising, NCL is making you an offer you shouldn't refuse! Call or email me for more details and to book these special fares.

Forget Wow Sales - Here Comes the NOW Sale!

When's the best time to buy your cruise? According to Norwegian Cruise Lines, it's NOW! Starting on Tuesday, June 16, and running through June 19, they are holding their NOW Sale, offering up to $250/cabin onboard credit and 50% reduced deposits ! I've mentioned before that the best time to book NCL is during one of their periodic sales, and this is one of those opportunities. Take advantage of the reduced deposit to help your cash flow, but more important use the onboard credits toward your gratuities, specialty dining, excursions... whatever!

But wait... there's more! NCL has spearheaded a lot of innovations in cruising, and they're changing something else which has been a given in the industry for recent memory... the type of soda onboard. Most cruise lines stock Coke products, and the Coke trucks are ubiquitous at the various ports around the world. But in a first for the major lines, NCL is partnering with Pepsi. Pepsi lovers rejoice! You no longer have to bring your caffeine of choice onboard (Coke lovers, join me in a moment of silence when we board NCL ships).

To celebrate this partnership, book a NCL cruise by October 15, 2009, for sailings through 2010, and receive a commemorative Pepsi Cup aboard and unlimited fountain soda refills for the cruise. This is applicable for up to 2 people per cabin and combinable with most other promotions.

Norwegian Epic Deck Plans Released!

While individual reservations for the Norwegian Epic won't open for another month, I've received access to the deck plans and the ability to make group bookings immediately!

There are a number of surprises in these deck plans, such as "studio" staterooms with some exclusive features, and of course the increasingly-popular Spa stateroom categories.

"Since this ship is our largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising vessel to date, we've taken a fresh approach to our stateroom mix, offering niche accommodations such as our family and spa categories, along with creative, ground-breaking design as evidenced by The Studios with Living Room and largest ever Courtyard Villa complex," said Kevin Sheehan, NCL's CEO.

According to NCL, the new Studio staterooms are designed with the budget-conscious traveler in mind and were created to maximize space, as the Studios are slightly smaller than standard inside staterooms. Each studio can sleep up to two people and features a large, round window that looks out into the corridor, along with customizable color changing light effects that mirror different stages of the day. Guests can also change the light by mood settings, such as the love setting.

The 128 Studios occupy decks 11 and 12 and Studio guests have exclusive key-card access to the Living Room, a two-story lounge area featuring a concierge, bar, room service, two large TV screens, a quiet reading section and comfortable seating for hanging out.

NCL will also be introducing spa balcony, deluxe balcony staterooms and suites within the spa for the first time. Guests in the 39 Spa suites, which feature a unique look and feel, will have complimentary 24-hour access to the ship's thermal suite and fitness center. In addition, eight of the spa suites each feature an in-room whirlpool.

Norwegian Epic's ship-within-in-a-ship complex will be comprised of 60 suites and villas spanning two private decks (decks 16 and 17) at the top of the ship. The suite category choices will include Courtyard Villas, Penthouse Suites and Deluxe Owner's Suites. Guests staying in one of these suites will have exclusive access to the Courtyard Villa, which features a pool, two whirlpools, gym, saunas, sundeck, the Uber bar, a concierge lounge and indoor/outdoor dining.

Norwegian Cruise Line's popular family-friendly staterooms are available on the Epic as well. The majority of the staterooms, both deluxe balcony and balcony, many that connect, will be on two decks close to an expanded Kids Crew facility. The family staterooms will feature Norwegian's signature New Wave design.

There are still some "reveals" to come, and blank public spaces on the deck plans, but if you're dreaming of this innovative new ship, knowing that NCL strives to be a design and lifestyle leader in the cruise industry, you can now start planning your inaugural season bookings!

And if you have at least 5 cabins ready to go, I can book you immediately! Give me a call or email me for details on dates, fares and availability.

Norwegian Epic Deck Plans

NCL Reduced Single Supplements Are Back!

Great news for all my single occupancy NCL fans! After negotiations, NCL is once again bringing us news of reduced single supplements!

Since October, they'd removed all notifications of reduced single supplements. I've been working with the highest levels of NCL to bring them back, and just in time for the new year they've agreed!

I've updated the NCL page at www.singlescruiseresource.com - Norwegian Reduced Single Supplements, and will keep it updated with new specials as NCL announces them.

The two reduced supplement sailings announced today are the Norewgian Jewel's Spring Transatlantic from Miami to Dover, and the fall return Transatlantic from London to New York. Of course, bookings on these two sailings are also eligible for the Freestyle Savings Event onboard credit benefits.

If you're interested in either of these sailings, let me know!

NCL F3 Lives!

After months of uncertainty as to the future of the NCL F3 project (NCL's next generation of mega-ships), NCL and STX Shipyards today announced they have reached an agreement which would allow the project to go forward to completion.

Back in September, the future of the ship was put in doubt (Is the F3 in Trouble?). Since then, the rumours as to the disagreement have been flying - is it that Apollo Management, the owner of NCL, wanted more input? What aspects of the design were objectionable?

We got a hint a couple days ago when NCL signed a 10-year agreement with the Port of Miami that there might still be a future of the F3 project. One of the provisions hidden in the agreement text was a commitment by the Port of Miami to make adjustments to the pier facilities should they be necessary to accommodate a F3 ship.

And now today we get the agreement. NCL and STX Europe (formerly Aker Shipyards) have agreed to revise the original F3 order. STX France Cruise is now building one F3 ship at 150,000-tons with a total of 4,200 passenger berths, representing the largest ship in NCL’s fleet. This will mean a continuation of the original hull which is currently in the early phases of construction, with delivery set for late May 2010, as originally scheduled. The planned second vessel, currently only in the preparatory stages, will not be built. Further terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“With this agreement, we can all focus on completing the new vessel successfully,” said Kevin Sheehan, NCL’s president and CEO. “We are looking forward to the arrival of our much-anticipated F3 ship as it represents a major step forward for NCL in terms of ship size, design and innovation.”

“We are pleased that the ongoing construction of the ship for NCL will continue. We, along with our subcontractors, will now make the necessary adjustments to our plans for this project," said Jacques Hardelay, president of STX France Cruise SA.

To date, information has only been revealed regarding F3’s staterooms and nightlife. NCL plans to unveil the full F3 story in the near future. Further information can be found online at http://www.f3.ncl.com/.

In other words, the F3 will be an oddity in contemporary cruise building - a one-of ship. Interesting! I'm sure we'll get more information as time goes on.

Advance Notice: NCL’s Freestyle Resolution Sales Event!

Formerly know as the Sale of all Sails, the Freestyle Resolution Sales Event is NCL's largest sale of the year, typically starting in January (for "Wave" season). Kicking off a bit early this year, this is your exclusive advance notice! As I mentioned in the "When to Book" editorial, whenever possible with NCL you want to wait for one of their promotions. This is one of the richest offers of the year, so it's time to book!

"Wave" season is traditionally the months of January, February and March, when the majority of the bookings for that year are made. It's been a bit less dramatic the past 2 years, and it appears the cruise lines may be doing what they can to spur sales during this critical time. Holland America's "View and Verandah" sale is also a "Wave Season" promotion, though it always starts in December, so this year isn't as unusual for them.

Beginning on Monday, December 15, the following offers will be applicable for all 2009/2010/2011 bookings on NCL:

Per stateroom onboard credit on ALL 3-5 day cruises:

• $30 Inside (I-II)
• $40 Oceanview (H-CC)
• $80 Balcony (BI-BA)
• $100 Mini-Suite (AG-AF)
• $150 Suite and Villa (AE-A1)

Per stateroom onboard credit on ALL 6+ day cruises:

• $50 Inside (I-II)
• $100 Oceanview (H-CC)
• $150 Balcony (BI-BA)
• $300 Mini-Suite (AG-AF)
• $500 Suite and Villa (AE-A1)

Applicability:

• All published 2009-2011 sailings
• Combinable with all fare codes except travel agent and interline
• Does not include 1- and 2-night cruises
• Category AE aboard Norwegian Sun and Pride of America receives $300 onboard credit
• Booking Window December 15, 2008-February 1, 2009

Existing Bookings:

• Anyone outside of final payment can move to the promotion, but at current terms
• Current pricing would apply
• Current onboard credit would replace any other amenity

I've also been given a hint there may be a fleet-wide reduced deposit promotion as well, but have not gotten full confirmation on that.

Call or email me for more information and to take advantage of this terrific promotion!