Norwegian Cruise Lines Appeals to Individualists
Alison Blackman
January 03, 2007
The 93,530-ton, passenger Norwegian Pearl, the newest of 15 ships in Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) fleet, boasts the first bowling alley at sea, a rock-climbing wall, 10 restaurants, 13 bars and lounges, two swimming pools, a luxury spa, a casino,and a pair of ultra luxurious Garden Villas and Deluxe Owner's Suites. It's the family-friendly atomosphere and “Freestyle Cruising concept, however, that really makes it (and NCL) distinctive.
The Norwegian Pearl was christened in Miami, Florida, on December 16th, 2006, taking it’s place in a fleet of 15 vessels that give NCL the advantage of one of the youngest cruise ship fleet, afloat. The Norwegian Pearl is also the second to last of NCL’s “Jewel class” ships (the Norwegian Gem launches Fall ‘07) before a new class of vessels arrive, carrying more than 4,000 passengers per voyage.
The design and size of the jewel class ships were specifically built for NCL’s Freestyle Cruising. This casual and flexible cruise concept particularly appeals to passengers who don’t want to be regimented on vacation, offering them a wide range of dining and recreation options, without the need for rigid dress codes or dining, traditional on many cruise lines. NCL has defined the Freestyle Cruising concept brilliantly in it’s latest media campaigns, including two television commercials that send the clear message NCL passengers won't be dealing with regimentation. NCL has also capitalized on a clever graphic featuring a school of blue fish and one white fish swimming the other way out of the group. The “white fish” signifies the individualistic passenger and the out-of-the-box attitude of Norwegian Cruise Lines. It can be found on everything from print literature, to the glass doors leading to the pool deck on the Norwegian Pearl.
The Norwegian Pearl may be modern with an innovative cruise format, but it received a traditional christening on December 16th, 2006 in Miami, officially named by it’s Godmother, entertainer and Emmy award-winner, Rosie O'Donnell. Ms. O’Donnell was an appropriate choice, since both O’Donnell and her partner Kelli O’DONNELL love cruises, and have a strong connection to NCL through their association with R Family Vacations. That travel company, founded in 2004 by Kelli and Gregg Kaminisky and NCL (as a family-friendly cruise line) made history, when it chartered another NCL Jewel class ship, the Norwegian Dawn, for the industry's first family-friendly gay cruise. The concept was so unique that HBO made it the subject of a documentary: "All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise.” Klaus Lugmaier, Hotel Director of the Norwegian Pearl who was onboard that cruise remembered the excitement: “Everyone had such a fantastic time. It was wonderful to see love these families have. And, of course, cruising appeals to everyone!” NCL has also been generous in its support Rosie’s For All Kids Foundation, a non-profit organization serving economically disadvantaged and at-risk children and their families. The line donated the entire Norwegian Pearl on December 15th 2006 for a one-night charity cruise, raising $600,000 for the foundation.
To compete in the travel market, cruise ships tend to try and outdo each other with unique features. The Norwegian Pearl’s most unique feature is the Bliss Ultra Lounge and Night Club, a fantasy room that combines the cruise industry’s first four-lane ten-pin bowling alley at sea with adult entertainment and family fun. The Asian/Arabian Nights melange to styles adds an exotic touch to this large room, featuring elaborate, double lounge couches, a large bar area with a dance floor that also functions as a night-time disco, and an area with interactive video game rides. The ship also has a rock-climbing wall (the first on any NCL ship), 10 restaurants, 13 bars and lounges, a luxurious day spa, two swimming pools, a casino, and some special accommodations including two ultra-luxurious Garden Villas (complete with their own outdoor area and whirlpools) and Deluxe Owner's Suites.
2007 Cruise Itineraries and Information: Beginning in January, 2007, the Norwegian Pearl will sail a five- and nine-day Western and Southern Caribbean schedule. The ship will transition to 7-day Alaska Inside Passage cruises in the Summer of 2007 out of Seattle, and return to Miami in the Fall of 2007 through spring 2008. For more information on NCL cruises visit their web site: http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/home.html
Helping Children, Helping Families, Building Community: Rosie and Kelli O’Donnell are parents to four children. Since 1977, the O’Donnell’s charity, Rosie’s For All Kids Foundation has provided early childhood care and education program grants to over 1,100 non-profit organizations serving economically disadvantaged and at-risk children and their families. The Foundation has also helped to build 27 day care centers in low income areas throughout the United States, and created “Project Katrina,” to help provide child care and other services to Louisiana children and families. For more information, visit: http://www.forallkids.org
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