NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE INTRODUCES
NEW WAY OF CRUISING
THE CONCEPT
On may 28, 2000, Norwegian Cruise Line ushered in a new era of
cruising when it introduced its innovative Freestyle Cruising concept
aboard the cruise ship M/S Norwegian Sky. The concept, which challenges the
conventional model of cruising, is designed to meet the changing needs
of today's cruise passengers. It offers NCL passengers a more relaxed,
resort-style cruise product with complete flexibility and non-intrusive
service of the highest standard.
NCL plans to extend Freestyle Cruising to all of its ships by summer
2001. In addition, all new builds will be designed to accommodate the
concept.
COMPONENTS
Freestyle Dining:
Open seating and extended hours in the main dining rooms allows
guests to dine when they want, wherever they want and with whomever they
want. Passengers can dine in their choice of main restaurants any time
between the hours of 5:30 p.m. to midnight. Passengers have the option
to choose their dinner companions and request tables of any size from
two to ten each evening rather than being assigned to a specific table
for the length of the cruise. Meals cooked to order instead of prepared
banquet style within two scheduled time periods. Passengers can linger
over dinner or dessert without feeling rushed. Passengers who prefer to
dine at the same table and/or at the same time every evening may
continue to enjoy that style of dining.
Freestyle Attire:
Tradition of "formal nights" eliminated. Dress code is now
"resort casual." One completely optional "formal
night" (two on cruises longer than seven-nights) still offered in
various areas of the ship for those who enjoy dressing up for dinner.
Freestyle Service:
A ratio of roughly one crewmember per stateroom ratio brings
crew-to-guest ratio up to the level typically found at top land-based
resorts. More crewmembers provide a higher level of service and allow
many public rooms and restaurants to stay open for longer periods each
evening. Simplified gratuity system eliminates the traditional last
night rush to distribute tipping envelopes to dining staff and cabin
stewards. Recommended gratuities will be automatically added to each
guest's on-board account but are, of course, still optional. Guests have
the option of leaving an additional gratuity for exceptional service or
can choose to deduct the gratuity from their bill.
Freestyle Enrichment:
"Active Decompression" lifestyle programs offered on board
and ashore aimed at stimulating the mind and challenging the body.
Components include everything from computer and cooking classes to yoga
and mountain biking. Passengers looking for something different on their
cruise will be able to leave the ship with a sense of having learned
something, achieved something or simply regained the balance in their
lives. Passengers can still have a sense of "staying
connected" through the Internet Cafes on every ship. NCL was the
first cruise line to introduce Internet Cafes at sea and all new ships,
including Norwegian Sky, have Internet connections in every stateroom.
Freestyle Ships:
Plans are for one new Freestyle ship to be built every year with all
the features of the cruise ships of tomorrow, including nine or more
restaurants and upgraded staterooms. Norwegian Sun redesigned for
Freestyle Cruising featuring nine restaurants and ten different menus
every night. Launches September 2001. New, as-yet-unnamed ship will be
first "purpose-built" ship to accommodate Freestyle Cruising.
To enter service in October 2002.
