Norwegian Cruise Line dates to 1966, originally as Norwegian Caribbean Line when the first of the White Fleet of brand-new ships - Sunward, Skyward, Starward and Southward - began sailing out of Miami. After the initial burst of success, expansion continued sporadically until 1980 when NCL rehabilitated the former French transatlantic liner France into the Norway, instantly handing NCL the largest, longest and most spectacular cruise vessel afloat. In the early 1990s, the Dreamward and Windward entered service boasting four intimate reserved seat restaurants but overall the fleet was not equal in atmosphere, and the cabin assignment generally determined the dining locale. To attempt to unify the increasingly mismatched fleet, the NCL fleet received Norwegian prefixes but it was not until Star Cruises, a Malaysian company, took over that the line began investing heavily in new tonnage that rivaled that of Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean.
Fleet
Starting 1999 with the introduction of the Norwegian Sky, NCL has introduced a megaship almost every year that meets its Freestyle Cruising concept while selling off its older tonnage so soon the line will be able to boast the most modern fleet in the industry. NCL also operates more ships from U.S. ports than any other line. NCL lobbied hard and won the right to enter the domestic intra-Hawaiian trade by launching NCL America, obviating the requirement to board a non-U.S.-flag ship in a foreign country or call at a distant foreign port in the course of a cruise. In 2004 the Norwegian Sky was reflagged to the Stars and Stripes and renamed Pride of Aloha, while two brand-new ships were created from the parts and equipment previously designed for bankrupt American Classic Voyages. The Pride of America entered service in2005 and the Pride of Hawaii arrived in April 2006. Rapid expansion coupled with high cost and the difficulty of keeping American crews has seen the Pride of Hawaii put under a foreign flag to become the Norwegian Jade for international cruising.
Itineraries
The vast majority of the fleet sails from U.S. coastal ports to New England/ Canada, the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska and Hawaii. Ships are also based in the Mediterranean in the spring, summer and fall.
Dining and Decor
Drawing on the Asian fleet’s multiple dining spots, the Freestyle concept taken hold in an even broader and more sophisticated fashion within the NCL fleet. Those who want a fixed table at a set time can still have it, but otherwise the trend is to eat in one of the increasingly numerous ethnic dining venues at a wide window of hours. There is no dress code, though some passengers will dress up for dinner. The décor is colorful and attractive, though the hull art is pure whimsy.
Programs
NCL operates a standard shore program and offers lots of activities aboard.
Onboard Experience
NCL ships are cities at sea with lots of moving about in the evening before, during and after mealtimes. Happily, there are attractions for the young and young at heart and quiet venues for those who like some solitude during the day and an intimate evening meal.
Competitors
As a popular cruise line, NCL’s competitors would be Carnival, Princess and Royal Caribbean and to a lesser extent, Holland America.
