Tag Archives: Norwegian Cruise Line

Wii U believe it? Nintendo comes to NCL

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Wii U believe it? Nintendo comes to NCL

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced a partnership deal with Nintendo that will see it offering the Wii U video games machine and a selection of games on all the ships across its fleet.

An expansion of an existing deal between the two companies, the new agreement will see Nintendo’s newest console in all of the NCL fleet’s atriums, as well as youth and teen centres.

There will also be various competitions and events revolving around the HD system – which boast a tablet-like control pad that provides a second screen in addition to the TV – on each ship.

Back in 2007, Norwegian introduced the Wii U’s predecessor – the incredibly popular Wii – across its whole fleet. This new announcement represents a significant step forward in terms of the gaming experience offered to passengers onboard any of the cruise line’s vessels.

Gamers will have a chance to enjoy titles in a range of different genres such as puzzlers, action adventures, sports and party game. Some of the upcoming titles include The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD; Super Mario 3D World; New Super Luigi U; Pikmin 3; and The Wonderful 101.

Do you welcome this news? For those travelling with children and teens, such distractions can free up some valuable adult time during your cruise. But for some, a cruise holiday is a perfect chance to get the kids outside of their regular everyday routine.

Cruise lines set up relief funds for Philippines

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Cruise lines set up relief funds for Philippines

By Tom Stieghorst
Several cruise lines have organized relief efforts for victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which swept through the Philippines.

The Philippines is home to tens of thousands of cruise ship workers.

Costa Cruises said it has set up a $100,000 fund to support employees and families, and is planning a charitable donation as well.

A spokeswoman for CLIA said that Holland America Line has made donations to the Red Cross. Other cruise lines in the Carnival Corp. family also will be sending donations.

A Royal Caribbean spokesman said that company is working on a disaster relief plan, the details of which may be announced late Monday.

MSC, which also has Filipino workers on its vast fleet of container ships, is organizing relief efforts at its Geneva headquarters.

Norwegian Cruise Line has set up a relief fund and is collecting donations throughout the company and across the fleet. Guests onboard can contribute at the guest services desk, while past guests can mail a donation to corporate headquarters in Miami.

Norwegian said it has been in contact with its partners in Manila, who are actively reaching out to contact crew members and their families located around Manila and outlying provinces.

“Crew members onboard are being supported to help make contact with their families and we are making arrangements for those who need to return home to do so,” a Norwegian statement said.

Norwegian Cruise Line has no plans for brand expansion

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Norwegian Cruise Line has no plans for brand expansion

By Tom Stieghorst
2013CruiseWorld_logo200x115FORT LAUDERDALE — Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings will stick with its core competencies and not acquire or start brands other than its flagship Norwegian brand, CEO Kevin Sheehan said at the CruiseWorld event on Friday.

Sheehan said he looked at several acquisitions after he came to Norwegian in 2008 but decided against them.

“I don’t want to create distractions for our team,” Sheehan said. “We have so many opportunities with our brand.”

In addition, Sheehan told travel agents that Norwegian is a variety of brands under one name. The Haven ship-within-a-ship luxury areas on Norwegian ships function as a luxury line, he said.

CruiseWorld 2013 Kevin Sheehan and Arnie WeissmannHe also cited a focus on solo cabins, family programs with Nickelodeon and the Pride of America ship in Hawaii as other brand-like experiences within Norwegian Cruise Line.

Sheehan said he is working hard to keep Norwegian focused on its own long-term future and goals, now that the company has become publicly traded. He said he would have preferred to go public later, but the private-equity owners needed some “affirmation” for their investors.

“I have always said to our investors, I know you are watching the next quarter, but I’m watching the next five years,” Sheehan said.

The next big event on Norwegian’s horizon is the arrival of Norwegian Getaway, which will sail from Miami year-round. Norwegian last had a ship sail seven-day cruises year-round from Miami 10 years ago.

Sheehan said he has tried to keep Norwegian’s ships consistently positioned to provide stability for travel agents, and that a limited number of ships left Miami as a seasonal market, until now.

Getaway is in the final stages of construction and is expected to arrive in New York in early February for a week’s duty as the Bud Light Hotel at the Super Bowl before coming to Miami for its maiden voyage.

Sheehan pointed out that Norwegian started the modern cruise industry in Miami 45 years ago.

“It’s just getting back to where we should have been all along,” he said.

Sheehan was the third cruise CEO to address CruiseWorld attendees, following talks by Carnival Corp. CEO Arnold Donald and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. CEO Richard Fain.