NORWAY - modernization of cruise ship, Norway

Cruise Travel, Sept, 2000 by M.T. Schwartzman

[ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

S/S NORWAY FACTS & FIGURES

Company: Norwegian Cruise Line Inc.

Built: 1962, Chantiers de l'Atlantique, St. Nazaire, France.

Rebuilt: 1979-80, Hapag-Lloyd, Bremerhaven, Germany.

Former Name: France.

Country Of Registry: Bahamas.

Gross Register Tonnage: 76,049.

Length: 1,035 ft. Width: 110 ft.

Draft: 35 ft. Speed: 23-25 knots maximum.

Propulsion: Main power provided by four boilers and two Parsons steam turbines; auxiliary power from six steam turbo generators and five diesel electric generators.

Passenger Capacity: 2,032, dbl. occ.

Passenger Space Ratio: 37.4.

Normal Crew Size: 920.

Nationality Of Crew: International, with Norwegian deck and engine officers.

Cabins: 1,018 total, comprising 170 suites (including six owner's suites), 449 outside doubles, 256 inside doubles, 143 cabins (outside & inside) with upper/lower berths. All cabins have a color TV for satellite and closed-circuit programming, including news, movies, and port talks; private bathroom with shower or tub; and direct-dial satellite telephone. Electrical current is 110 volts. All portside cabins are designated as non-smoking.

Public Rooms: Windward/Leeward Dining Rooms (seat 552/750, respectively, at two seatings), Le Bistro (96-seat alternate, by reservation, restaurant), The Great Outdoor Restaurant (244), Sports Illustrated Cafe (330), Club Internationale (160), A Club Called Dazzles (200), North Cape Lounge (725), Windjammer Bar (48), Monte Carlo Casino & Bar (six blackjack, two roulette, one dice, two Caribbean stud poker tables, "Big Six" wheel, 236 slot/video-poker machines), Saga Theater (766), conference rooms (80/30), Card Room/Library (35).

Facilities/Features: Fully air-conditioned; stabilized; 12 passenger decks; 11 passenger elevators; two swimming pools; two pool bars; outdoor bandstand; two outdoor hot tubs; golf-driving net; basketball/volleyball court; cushioned jogging track; 6,000-square-foot Roman Spa with 16 treatment rooms, cardiovascular exercise equipment, sauna, massage, aquacise pool, hot tub; 4,000-square-foot ocean-view fitness center; unisex salon; photo shop/gallery; duty-free shops; ice-cream bar; Internet center; children's playroom and supervised day-care in four age groups (3-5, 6-8, 9-12, 13-17); medical center (staffed by doctor and nurse); laundry/dry-cleaning services; shore-excursion desk; purser's desk; concierge; cruise consultant; 24-hour room service from a limited menu.

Money Matters: Passengers must register a major credit card with the purser or post a deposit of $75 per person/per day in order to sign for onboard purchases. A 15 percent service charge is automatically added to all drink orders. Suggested gratuities, per person/per day, are $3.50 for cabin stewards and dining-room waiters, $1.75 for dining-room busboys, $1.50 for the maitre d'. Gratuities are "suggested" for room service and concierge. Onboard currency is the U.S. dollar; there is one ATM aboard ship outside the casino. Bills are settled at the end of the cruise by cash, travelers' checks, or major credit card.