MIAMI, Fla., July 19, 2000 - Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will help guests unlock the mysteries of the Orient in 2001 with its first-ever cruises to Southeast Asia. The 1,748-passenger cruise ship M/S Norwegian Wind will embark on an exciting new series of Asian Cruisetours between October and December 2001.

Now available for booking, the Norwegian Wind's Asia sailings will be a welcome addition for even the most seasoned traveler who may have previously found it difficult to successfully navigate the complexities of the Far East in comfort, while still receiving an in-depth experience. By balancing the in-depth cultural experience of a long tour with the leisure and relaxation of a cruise, NCL has combined the best elements of both for an unsurpassed Far East vacation.

The season will begin with a special 21-day Northern Circle cruise from Vancouver to Beijing (China), followed by a series of Southeast Asia Cruisetours operating on a triangle between Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore. Combining five different seven-night cruise itineraries with land packages, NCL will offer a total of 17 different Cruisetour vacations for guests to choose from, as well as providing peace of mind by handling every detail from start to finish.

According to Colin Veitch, NCL's president and chief executive officer, the Asia cruises will be set apart from those of other cruise lines as guests benefit from the experience provided by NCL's parent company, Star Cruises, the leading cruise line in Asia Pacific. They will also experience first-hand NCL's recently announced Freestyle Cruising concept.

"We are in the unique position to offer exceptional cruises to Asia based on the depth of experience shared with us by Star Cruises," said Veitch. "We are able to take advantage oftheir knowledge and resources to make our cruises something our guests will find to be very, very special. Coupled with our innovative new Freestyle Cruising concept, guests will experience the region as they should - in a relaxed, enriching, resort-style setting."

Guests Travel with Peace of Mind

NCL ensures that guests are free to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience by taking care of every possible detail. All of NCL's Asia Cruisetours include:
· land accommodations at first class hotels, with service charges, taxes and tips included
· transpacific air from Los Angeles or San Francisco (low air add-ons available from other cities)
· intra-Asia flights and transfers
· meet and greet service, round-trip transfers and baggage handling in each city;
· all English-speaking local guides
· half-day or full-day sightseeing tours in land portion of each Cruisetour
· full American breakfast daily
· optional shore excursions in each port of call, which can be pre-ordered
· optional upgrades to deluxe hotels (except China) or to business and first class air seating (all upgrades subject to availability)
· a choice of optional pre- and post- hotel and land packages In addition, a hospitality desk at each hotel is available to act as a dedicated concierge for NCL guests, assisting them with restaurant reservations, destination information, tours and more.

The Great Wall, Forbidden City, Stanley Market and more

NCL has created a vast array of Cruisetour options to choose from, each providing a distinctive itinerary from which to experience the wonders of the East. Options include:

Asia Express Cruisetour (12 nights)
A tantalizing introduction to Asia, this cruisetour combines five nights in a choice of two of Asia's great cities (Hong Kong/Bangkok; Hong Kong/Singapore; or Bangkok/Singapore) with a seven-day cruise to exotic Asian ports. Guests can explore the gilded temples of Bangkok, roam through the city-state of Singapore, or discover the ancient ways and modern wealth of Hong Kong. In between each city, the Norwegian Wind cruises through the balmy waters of the South China Sea or to stunning resort islands around the Malay Peninsula.

Great Cities of Asia Cruisetour (15 nights)
Combines hotel stays in three of Asia's most exciting cities -- Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong - with seven days of sailing to some of the less accessible places in Southeast Asia. The ship winds its way along the coast of Vietnam to highlights like Halong Bay, Saigon and Nha Trang, or along the spice routes to Penang in Malaysia and Thailand's premier resort of Phuket.

China & Hong Kong Cruisetour (16 nights)
Highlights of this Cruisetour include a stay in Beijing, with tours of Tianamen Square and the Summer Palace, as well as the incredible Great Wall of China and the Terracotta Warriors of Xian. Also includes Shanghai and Hong Kong as well as a seven-day cruise through the South China Sea and spice routes.

Grand Asia Cruisetour (21 nights)
An extravagant Cruisetour that combines three nights in Beijing, two nights in Xian, two nights in Shanghai, two nights in Hong Kong, three nights in Bangkok and two nights in Singapore with a seven-day cruise to ports in Vietnam/Thailand or Thailand/Malaysia. Guests will get a full experience of the Far East including the Forbidden City, the 2000-year-old Terracotta Warriors of Xian, spectacular Victoria Peak, the bustling Stanley Market and much more. -more-

China In Depth Cruisetour (14 nights)
An incredible journey through the People's Republic of China, Korea, Japan and Hong Kong, the Norwegian Wind cruises the Yellow Sea, visits Nagasaki, Japan, discovers the beauty of Kagoshima, Japan - which is often compared to Naples and makes its way through the Formosa Strait, among other memorable highlights. This Cruisetour, which starts in Beijing and ends in Hong Kong, also includes visits to Great Wall of China, Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City.

14-night Cruise Packages
Yet another option offered by NCL is a number of a 14-day cruise packages in Asia. These cruises feature a potpourri of many of the most popular and exotic ports throughout Asia. For example, on one 14-night offering, passengers will embark in Hong Kong, visit Danang, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Ko Chang, Bangkok and Ko Samui, Thailand; Penang, Phuket, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and disembark in Singapore.

"Our cruise tours are truly the best way to see Asia," said Veitch. "By balancing the in-depth cultural experience of a land tour with the leisure and relaxation of a cruise, we have combined the best elements of both for an unsurpassed experience."

Sailing into 2002, Norwegian Wind will offer a 19-day Holiday cruise from Singapore to Sydney, followed by cruises to Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific and Hawaii.