Norwegian Spirit to be deployed year round featuring 10- and 11-day itineraries

MIAMI, FL, June 30, 2004 – In January 2003, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced an industry first -- it was deploying Norwegian Dawn out of New York year round. Since that announcement, the city has seen a revival of cruising out of the Big Apple.

Today, NCL announced it would further strengthen its commitment to New York and solidify its position as New York’s leading cruise line by adding a second year round ship – Norwegian Spirit -- for a total of two ships sailing year round and a summer ship – Norwegian Crown -- sailing to Bermuda.

“NCL’s deployment of Norwegian Dawn year round out of New York has proven to be extremely successful,” said Colin Veitch, president and CEO of NCL. “Our travel partners have been clamoring for an expansion of our cruises to the Caribbean out of New York. With Norwegian Spirit taking over Norwegian Dawn’s 10- and 11-day Exotic Southern Caribbean itinerary, Norwegian Dawn can now offer another first for the city, winter itineraries out of the Big Apple to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

“And with three ships in the summer of 2006 we will be offering a variety of Bermuda, Bahamas and Caribbean cruising all just a short cab ride away for New Yorkers.”

"We are extremely pleased by this announcement as it expands NCL’s relationship with New York City, which is already the company's leading home port in the mainland United States," said Kate Ascher, executive vice president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation. "The company has been a terrific partner in our planning process to revitalize our cruise piers, and we look forward to expanding our partnership with NCL to make sure New York City continues to capture a large share of the growth in the rapidly growing cruise industry."

After her summer season in Alaska and a month-long dry dock in October 2005, Norwegian Spirit will sail to New York where on November 17, 2005 she will begin a series of 10- and 11-day Exotic Southern Caribbean itineraries taking over the Norwegian Dawn’s extremely popular existing winter season.

Norwegian Spirit’s 10-day itinerary from New York features St. Thomas, USVI; St. John’s, Antigua; Bridgetown, Barbados; Philipsburg, St. Maarten and Tortola, BVI. In 2005, sail dates for the 10-day are Nov. 17, Dec. 8 and Dec. 29 and in 2006, Jan. 19, Feb. 9, March 2, March 23, April 2, April 12, and April 23.

The 11-day features St. Thomas, USVI; St. John’s, Antigua; Bridgetown, Barbados; St. George’s, Grenada; Roseau, Dominica; and Tortola, BVI. In 2005, sail dates for the 11-day itinerary are Nov. 27, Dec 18 and for 2006, sail dates are Jan. 8, Jan. 29, Feb. 19 and Mar. 12.

Norwegian Dawn will now be deployed on a series of 10- and 11-day itineraries out of New York in the winter to the Eastern and Exotic Western Caribbean and will continue her popular seven-day itinerary to Florida and the Bahamas the rest of the year.

Norwegian Dawn's unique 11-day Western Caribbean itinerary from New York features calls in Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Mexico; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. Sail dates in 2005 for this 11-day sailing are October 30, November 20, December 11 and 22. Sail dates in 2006 are Jan 22, Feb 12, Mar 5, 26.

On Norwegian Dawn's 10-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary, she will call at St. Thomas, USVI; Tortola, BVI; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. Sail dates in 2005 are Oct 9, 19, Nov 10 and Dec 1. Sail dates in 2006 are Jan 2, 12, Feb 2, 23, Mar 16, Apr 6, 16, 26.

Norwegian Crown will sail every Sunday from May 22 through September 18, 2005 out of New York offering her unique three-port seven-day Bermuda itinerary, calling in St. George's, Hamilton, and King's Wharf. On September 18th, she will sail on a special six-day cruise to Bermuda, calling in St. George’s and Hamilton, Bermuda to conclude her summer New York deployment.