A History Of Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

Established in 1966, Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) has helped to revolutionise the cruise industry over the past 40 years with its relaxed attitude.

NCL was the first cruise line to pioneer the concept of Freestyle Cruising, doing away with dress codes, set dining times and rigid rules.

Today it operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, with ships including the Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Majesty.

Blast from the past

Formerly known as Norwegian Caribbean Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) was established in 1966 by one of Norway's oldest shipping companies, Klosters Rederi A/S.

The cruise line's owners had intended to launch a ferry service, using the M/S Sunward, between Southampton, Lisbon and Gibraltar. However, political problems, including a dispute over the ownership of Gibraltar and lengthy waits at the Spanish border meant that the journey was not convenient for passengers.

Influenced by these factors, NCL took the decision to reposition the Sunward to Miami and begin operating weekly cruises of the Caribbean.

NCL's informal, single-class style of cruising soon became popular and provided those eager to experience the Caribbean with an affordable alternative to a land-based stay.

In 1968 the cruise line decided to build on its success with the introduction of the M/S Starward and the M/S Skyward two years later.

NCL continued to expand throughout the 70s, with the launch of the Southward and Sunward II.

It was also in this decade that the company bought Great Stirrup Cay, a private island for its guests to enjoy, making NCL the first cruise line to introduce this concept.

In 1979 the M/S France was purchased and NCL spent more than $100 million to prepare the vessel for Caribbean cruising. For a while the France was the largest passenger ship at sea and NCL continued its evolution by expanding the entertainment programmes on offer to its passengers.

NCL continued its expansion throughout the 80s, with the introduction of S/S Norway and M/S Seaward. It also began to offer cruises to the west coast destinations, including Los Angeles and San Diego.

It was during the 1990s that NCL really began to evolve into the cruise line we know today, by increasing its capacity, renaming its ships and introducing new and improved passenger programmes.

In 1992 the M/S Dreamward was launched. Christened by Diana Ross, the Dreamward became the first NCL ship to operate from Fort Lauderdale.

NCL became the first cruise line to have a website in 1995, with the launch of a new home page and travel agent tool.

In February 1998 engineers worked around the clock for five days to stretch the M/S Winward and insert a new 130-feet midsection. This multi-million dollar expansion saw the creation of several new public areas and the ship was renamed as the Norwegian Wind. The M/S Dreamward was also stretched and rename as the Norwegian Dream.

One year later NCL became the first cruise line to offer a children's programme at sea, with the introduction of the Kid's Crew, for passengers aged two to 17.

It was in 2000 that NCL introduced its revolutionary Freestyle Cruising concept, doing away with dress codes and heralding a new era of freedom and flexibility.

That same year the cruise line launched the first internet cafe at sea and the following year it introduced its first purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, with the Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Star.

In 2005 NCL made history by launching the largest-ever newly built American-flagged ship in over half a century with the Pride of America.

The following year NCL celebrated its 40th anniversary with the launch of the Norwegian Pearl, the first cruise ship to house a bowling alley.

Cruising into the future

Today NCL operates one of the youngest and most successful fleets in the world, serving destinations such as Alaska, the Bahamas, South America and the Panama Canal.

NCL continues to go from strength to strength. Just last week it was named as the Cruise Line of the Year by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, which commented NCL for the positive impact it has had on the islands.

It also shows no signs of slowing down and still looks for ways in which the passenger experience can be improved. Earlier this month it announced plans to present each of its guests with a personalised cruise guide, featuring the passenger's name, date of sailing, stateroom number and ship details.

Which Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) cruise ship is right for you?

• Norwegian Dawn
• Norwegian Epic
• Norwegian Gem
• Norwegian Jade
• Norwegian Jewel
• Norwegian Pearl
• Norwegian Sky
• Norwegian Spirit
• Norwegian Star
• Norwegian Sun
• Pride of America

1. Where would you like to cruise? Anywhere Caribbean (All) Central America (All)     Panama Canal Europe (All)     Baltic     Canaries     Mediterranean     Norway     Western Europe North America (All)     Alaska     Mexican Riviera     New England     North America East Coast Transatlantic (All) World Cruise (All)
2. Which departure port? Any port Barcelona, Spain Copenhagen, Denmark Dover (london), Great Britain Dover, England Los Angeles, Ca Los Angeles, California Miami, Florida New Orleans, Louisiana New York City, Ny New York, New York Palma, Majorca Port Canaveral, Florida Quebec City, Canada Seattle, Wa Southampton, England Valparaiso (santiago), Chile Venice, Italy
3. When? Anytime 2010 (All)     March 2010     April 2010     May 2010     June 2010     July 2010     August 2010     September 2010     October 2010     November 2010     December 2010 2011 (All)     January 2011     February 2011     March 2011     April 2011     May 2011     June 2011     July 2011     August 2011     September 2011     October 2011
4. For how long? Any Duration 7 - 9 Nights 10 - 13 Nights 14 - 16 Nights 17 - 40 Nights
5. Which ship do you prefer? I Don't Mind Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) (All)      Norwegian Dawn     Norwegian Epic      Norwegian Gem      Norwegian Jade      Norwegian Jewel      Norwegian Pearl     Norwegian Sky      Norwegian Spirit      Norwegian Star      Norwegian Sun
6. Cruise type? Any Fly & Cruise Fly, Cruise & Stay Cruise from a UK Port
7.   Reset

Itineraries

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Itineraries

• Caribbean

• Central America

• Panama Canal

• Europe

• Baltic

• Canaries

• Med

• Norway

• W.Europe

• N.America

• Alaska

• Mexican Riviera

• New England

• N.America EC

• Transatlantic

• World Cruise

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