Norwegian Cruise Line adds ‘chocoholic night’

Posted on 23 July, 2014 by Spacejunkie2

By Tom Stieghorst

Norwegian Cruise Line said it will add a “chocoholic night” to each cruise that will feature up to seven chocolate desserts in each restaurant on the ship.

Examples include a warm chocolate volcano, a chocolate Nutella pot de crème and a white chocolate strawberry mousse.

The night is part of a larger package of dining changes that includes regionally focused dinner menus in the main dining rooms. The menus vary by ship itinerary and change each evening of the sailing.

The new menus display several sections — starters, classic dishes, main courses, chef’s signature dish and dessert – and offer an increased variety, with up to 12 starters and up to 15 entrees per evening, Norwegian said.

Also, after a trial run on Norwegian Breakaway, a voluntary system of reserving one of four evening dining times at the complimentary restaurants up to 90 days before departure will be rolled out to all of Norwegian’s ships.

Norwegian Cruise Line bans smoking on balconies

Posted on 17 July, 2014 by Spacejunkie2

By Tom Stieghorst

Norwegian Cruise Line joined the list of cruise lines that prohibit smoking on cruise ship cabin balconies.

It said the policy takes effect Nov. 1. Passengers caught smoking will be fined $250.

In addition, smoking in the casino will be limited to active players.

As reported last week, Carnival Cruise Lines will ban smoking on balconies starting Oct. 9. The changes leave Holland America Line as the major cruise line that still permits balcony smoking.

Norwegian will continue to allow smoking on the starboard side of the Waterfront areas on Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway, except near outdoor dining venues.

Smoking will be allowed in public areas that are designated by management based on an individual ship’s arrangement and characteristics, Norwegian’s smoking policy says.

Electronic cigarettes cannot be used in public areas where there is a no-smoking policy because they look so realistic that guests’ perception is that the no-smoking rule isn’t being enforced, Norwegian said.

New Orleans negotiating deal with Norwegian Cruise Line

Posted on 17 July, 2014 by Spacejunkie2

By Tom Stieghorst

The Port of New Orleans is closing in on a second multi-year commitment with a big cruise line, having just secured one with Carnival Cruise Lines for the next five years.

The port is in the final stages of negotiating a new agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line, port director Gary LaGrange said.

LaGrange said he hopes to have an announcement on a four-year deal in the next 30 to 60 days. “We’re right at the goal line,” he said.

If LaGrange can strike a four-year deal, it would likely give New Orleans a compliment of three big ships doing turnarounds in the Big Easy through at least 2018.

Carnival is the busiest cruise carrier out of New Orleans, which has two terminals in the heart of the city and is working on a third. Currently, it sails the 3,652-passenger Carnival Dream and 2,052-passenger Elation on mostly western Caribbean itineraries.

A new agreement provides that Carnival will keep at least the capacity it already operates in New Orleans through 2019, namely a Dream-class and Fantasy-class vessel.