NCL launches Europe 2008 itineraries with up to £200 savings

Largest ever deployment brings three big new ships to Europe and includes no-fly cruises from Southampton and Dover

London, 19 May 2007… Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) launches its biggest ever programme of European cruise itineraries today and it looks set to score a hat trick with three big, contemporary Jewel-class ships sailing throughout Europe in summer 2008. With a choice of 20 European and transatlantic itineraries and 65 ports of call, this is a fantastic opportunity to experience what NCL Freestyle Cruising® is all about.

And to get things off to an early bird start, NCL has announced savings of up to £200 per stateroom on every sailing and every stateroom category on European cruises of eight or more nights, and savings of up to £100 per stateroom on all seven night European cruises when guests book before 31 July 2007.  It’s a great incentive, particularly as prices lead in at just £649 per person with the early booking discount for a seven night Western Mediterranean fly-cruise, visiting Barcelona, Valletta, Naples, Civitavecchia – the port for Rome, Livorno – close to Florence and Pisa, and Villefranche on the French Riviera.

The Western Mediterranean is just one of 20 itineraries featured in the summer 2008 European programme – other highlights include:

• A choice of four, two night mini-cruises from £199 per person – perfect for anyone wanting to experience a taste of the fun, freedom and do-as-you-please ambience of NCL Freestyle Cruising.
• Cruising to and from Southampton aboard the exciting new Norwegian Jade to the Mediterranean, Around the British Isles or on an amazing trip to Norway and the North Cape, bathed under the Midnight Sun.  Prices start at £899 per person with the early booking discount for Around the British Isles and all include free transfers from London, Heathrow or Gatwick to Southampton.
• Cruises from Dover to the great capitals of the Baltic Sea from just £899 per person with the early booking discount, including UK port transfers.
• A choice of six transatlantic voyages, where lazy days at sea combine fascinating ports of call (some well off the beaten track) and a scheduled flight in the other direction.  It’s an unmissable adventure, yet prices start at only £999 per person with the early booking discount for a 13 night fly-cruise.

“Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen an incredible interest in NCL Freestyle Cruising in Europe,” says Francis Riley, General Manager of NCL UK.  “That’s why for 2008 we’ve committed three of our largest, stunningly contemporary Jewel-class ships to the European market offering our guests more choice than ever.  The oldest of the trio, Norwegian Jewel, was launched as recently as 2005 and the newest, Norwegian Gem, doesn’t make her debut until October 2007, so guests can enjoy cruising aboard the most modern fleet afloat. It is also the first time we have been able to promote cruises specifically designed with the UK guest in mind. Our 14 night Mediterranean cruises, sailing round-trip from Southampton will prove to be very popular and coupled with that great early booking incentive of up to £200 off per stateroom, will, I’m sure, do extremely well.  And on board our guests have more space to play and relax, with an industry-leading choice of 13 different dining options on every ship, along with the freedom to dine where, when and with whom they choose.  Then, there are 11 bars and lounges, great leisure facilities - even a 10-pin bowling alley aboard Norwegian Gem - and fantastic service with almost one crew member for every stateroom, the highest crew to guest ratio in our class.  It really does take European cruising into a whole new era.”

NCL’s Europe 2008 itinerary details are online right now, with a downloadable digital brochure available on Monday 21 May. The dedicated printed version will be out next month.

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