Norwegian Cruise Line Redefines Cruising to Bermuda; Norwegian Sea to Call at Bermuda in 2003 from New York and Philadelphia; Norwegian Majesty to Sail From Boston

Business Wire, July 29, 2002

Business Editors/Travel Writers

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 29, 2002

Norwegian Cruise Line, which revolutionized the cruise industry with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising two years ago, will launch a new product in 2003 designed to redefine the Bermuda cruise experience.

The cruise line announced today that Norwegian Sea, based in New York and Philadelphia, will join the Boston-based Norwegian Majesty cruising to Bermuda in 2003. This positions NCL as the largest brand cruising to Bermuda and the only line to offer Bermuda sailings from all of the Big Three northeastern cities of Boston, New York and Philadelphia. Both Norwegian Sea and Norwegian Majesty will launch a program that will redefine the cruise experience for passengers sailing to Bermuda, including:

-- An exciting extension of NCL's Freestyle Dining program which will allow passengers to choose not just any one of the 10 restaurants onboard the two NCL ships but any of a selection shore side of 30 to 50 of Bermuda's top restaurants;

-- A full-time Bermuda concierge on each ship; guests can learn from these local Bermudians about the cultural heritage and historical richness of the island on board through one-on-one sessions, lectures and seminars; the Bermuda concierges will also assist with shore side restaurant reservations and with the most up to date information available to maximize the enjoyment of NCL's guests during their stay on the island.

The expanded deployment offers a multitude of sailing choices for guests, with more than 45 cruises to Bermuda in 2003 from Boston, New York and Philadelphia; this also marks the first time NCL will sail from Philadelphia.

This program marks a long-term commitment to Bermuda by NCL, with a new three-year commitment for Norwegian Sea and a renewal of the Norwegian Majesty contract through the 2006 season.

It also signifies a strengthening of the longstanding cooperation between Bermuda's Department of Tourism and NCL, and a return to NCL's historical position as the industry leader carrying more passengers to Bermuda than any other cruise line brand.

"NCL has redefined the modern cruise experience," said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO, "and will continue to look for fresh, innovative ways to branch out from the traditional model of cruising. What we've done now with the Bermuda experience reinforces this approach. Our long-term relationship with Bermuda and the expansion of our Homeland Cruising program to offer sailings from all three of the largest cities in the northeast means NCL passengers can experience the true Bermuda with NCL for years to come."

NCL Introduces the Industry's First Shore Side Dining Program

NCL's Freestyle Dining heads ashore, when the company launches the industry's first shore side dining program with Norwegian Sea and Norwegian Majesty in Bermuda.

Beginning next year, NCL will provide its guests with a $25 lunch voucher to use at popular shore side restaurants. A $5 per person charge will be added to each guest's onboard account for the lunch voucher, and for just $5 more, the voucher can be upgraded to a $50 dinner voucher.

"Freestyle Cruising is all about choice and this program gives our guests the opportunity to experience an authentic local dining experience in any one of 30 to 50 restaurants ashore, offering an even greater destination experience," Veitch said. "They will also enjoy unforgettable Bermuda adventures with our full shore excursion program including a new tour for 2003 -- the African Diaspora Heritage Trail -- as well as a number of special events celebrating Bermuda's rich culture to be held at some of the island's historical places."

Added to NCL's shore excursion line-up for next year, the African Diaspora Heritage Trail tour traces several hundred years of Bermuda history, including its role first in the emergence and then in the abolition of slavery and focusing on the influence of African cultures in the development of Bermuda. The trail highlights more than ten locations of significance to this history including: the newly restored Commissioner's House at the Bermuda Maritime Museum where slavery and its dramatic impact on Bermuda are the focus of a large exhibit; the Royal Naval Dockyard, built during the War of 1812 by slaves and refugees from the East Coast and Florida who volunteered their services; and the Bermudian Heritage Museum, founded in 1994, chronicling the culture, lives, history and traditions of black Bermudians with exhibits relating to the Black benevolent societies that flourished post-Emancipation.

Also new to the shore excursion program will be a number of Bermuda themed events to take place at local historical sites such as the Commissioners House at West End Dockyard and St. Katherines in St. George's. These events will offer NCL's guests a taste of Bermuda's rich culture, featuring both local cuisine and entertainment. Developed in association with the Government in Bermuda these exclusive events will offer an authentic flavor of Bermuda's history in some of the islands most historical locations.