Ncl Corporation News

NCL Corporation will be the first cruise line to bring passengers on North American cruises the ability to use their cell phones even when communications towers are oceans away. The company is providing the innovative new offering through Wireless Maritime Services, a joint venture of AT&T Wireless and Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN). Leading the way in shipboard technology, NCL pioneered the industry's first Internet access on the high seas with its Internet cafe in 1999. In 2002, NCL became the first cruise line to provide remote wireless Internet (also known as Wi-Fi) to its guests. Both services are now standard throughout NCL's entire fleet. "Cutting-edge onboard technology is important to our guests," said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO.

Star Cruises Ltd unit NCL Corporation Ltd (NCL) is selling a 50 percent stake to a global private equity group, Apollo Management LP, for $1b. Star Cruises said the proceeds of the Apollo investment would be used to refinance existing NCL indebtedness, greatly increasing the liquidity available to fund a continuation of the dramatic new shipbuilding program. Under the agreement, Star Cruises and the New York-based Apollo — which manages more than $33b in funds — would each hold 50 percent of NCL. The transaction is expected to be completed early in the fourth quarter of 2007 and is subject to regulatory approval, Star Cruises’ shareholder approval, and Star Cruises and NCL lender consent. (Source:http://www.theedgedaily.com/)

NCL Corporation announced the temporary withdrawal of Pride of Hawai`i from the Hawai`i market effective February 2008. The ship will be deployed to Europe for the summer of 2008 as part of the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. NCL's substantial 2006 losses, reported in February of this year, have been caused by downward pricing pressure in the Hawai`i market following the addition of Pride of Hawai`i to the fleet last summer, and the steep increase in the amount of foreign flag competition entering the Hawai`i market from the west coast. According to Colin Veitch, NCL Corporation's president and CEO, NCL America has grown very quickly over three years, and its competitors have also surged, starting in 2006, offering almost 80 percent additional capacity days on top of NCL America's in 2007.

At a ceremony at the Port of Miami, talk show host Rosie O'Donnell served as Godmother and christened Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) newest ship, Norwegian Pearl. The new 93,530-ton Freestyle Cruising vessel boasts an industry first -- a four-lane ten-pin bowling alley; and two NCL firsts -- a rock-climbing wall and two top-of-the-ship Deluxe Owner's Suites. Norwegian Pearl and included remarks from Star Cruises Chairman Tan Sri KT Lim, NCL Corporation President and CEO Colin Veitch and O'Donnell. Approximately 2,400 guests were in attendance for the ceremony that also commemorated the company's 40th birthday and kicked off a year-long birthday celebration.

the Year at the organization’s 80th Annual International Convention in Norfolk, Virginia. furthering and promoting the maritime industry. large passenger cruise ship industry, operating the only three large U.S.flagged cruise ships in the world. the United States generating hundreds of millions of dollars and creating thousands of American jobs. The individuals employed by NCL America help sustain a pool of qualified seafarers who can be called upon to assist the U.S. military in times of need or national emergency. In July 2004, NCL America christened Pride of Aloha, the first new U.S.flagged cruise ship in nearly 50 years. largest U. S.flagged passenger ship ever built. NCL America again made U.S.

Aker Yards is to build two cruise vessels for Norwegian Cruise Line, with an option for a third. The total value of the two vessels is $1.8b. The vessels will be delivered from the recently acquired yard in Saint Nazaire in 2009 and 2010. This is the first contract announced since Aker Yards became the owner of the yard in Saint Nazaire. The vessels will carry up to 6,400 people onboard including crew, and have 2,100 passenger cabins giving 4,200 passenger berths. The new ships will include the feature that 100% of outside staterooms will have private balconies. In total, the ship will have over 1,470 balcony staterooms and suites. It will be 1,066 ft., (which is approximately the height of the Eiffel Tower), $131.2, and have a gross tonnage of approximately 150,000.

NCL America made U.S. maritime history by christening Pride of Hawai'i, the largest and most expensive U.S.-flagged cruise ship in history. The historic presentation of this new U.S.-flagged, U.S.-crewed passenger ship continues NCL America's dynamic revival of the U.S.-flagged cruise industry that had seemingly been extinguished in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. At the official christening ceremony at the Port of Los Angeles, Star Cruises Chairman Tan Sri KT LIM and NCL Corporation's President and CEO Colin Veitch were joined by the Honorable Daniel K. Inouye, senior United States Senator from Hawai'i, who sponsored and named the vessel at the pier side event.

NCL Corporation (NCL) has taken delivery of Pride of Hawai’i as the newest member to the NCL America fleet, with a handover ceremony in Eemshaven, Holland. At the onboard ceremony, Star Cruises Chairman Tan Sri LIM Kok Thay was joined by Colin Veitch, NCL President and CEO; and Bernard Meyer, managing partner of Meyer Werft, the shipyard that constructed the vessel. Pride of Hawai`i is the ninth in a series of 11 such Freestyle Cruising ships delivered as part of a U.S. $5 billion cruise ship building program undertaken by Star Cruises and NCL since 1998. Pride of Hawai`i is also the third in a series of U.S. flag cruise ships, built for the Hawai`i market.

NCL Corporation announced last week that its parent company, Star Cruises, has agreed to sell Norwegian Crown to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Pte. Ltd., Singapore effective August 2006. Star Cruises will concurrently charter the vessel back from Fred. Olsen and NCL will continue her announced deployment through to November 2007. Norwegian Crown is presently owned by Star Cruises along with four other mid-sized vessels also operated by NCL and Orient Lines. These vessels are on inter-company charter between Star and NCL. Last week, NCL announced that Norwegian Wind will be transferred in late April 2007 to Star Cruises to become SuperStar Aquarius, based in Hong Kong.

At an official ceremony at the Port of Miami, Melania Trump christened NCL's Norwegian Jewel. lounges, three swimming pools and a state-of-the-art spa. Godmother Melania Trump. Isles. restaurants, three swimming pools, a contemporary spa and more. passengers to enjoy. Miami through April 2006.