Fresh from drydock, NCL's Norwegian Wind has adopted the innovative freestyle cruising concept
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cruising concept
Norwegian Cruise Line announced that the 1,748-passenger M/S Norwegian Wind was
recently converted to offer Freestyle Cruising, making it the fourth ship in
the fleet to adopt the cruise concept.
The innovative vacation program was introduced in May 2000 aboard Norwegian Sky
and extended to Norwegian Majesty in August 2000 and Norwegian Sea in December
2000.
The entire NCL fleet, excluding Norway, will offer Freestyle Cruising when
Norwegian Dream becomes the final ship to adopt the cruise concept on April 30,
2001.
All future builds will be purpose-built maximizing the choice and flexibility
offered by Freestyle Cruising.
"Our passengers are enthusiastic about the new Freestyle Cruising concept and
acknowledge that it will keep them coming back to what they consider the best
way to cruise," said Andy Stuart, NCL's senior vice president marketing and
sales.
"In addition, the travel agent community has embraced this new product as long
overdue, and from our research, are finding it extremely useful in selling NCL
to both existing cruisers and first-timers."
Built in 1993 and "stretched" in 1998, Norwegian Wind recently completed a
multi-million dollar drydock, including interior refurbishments and routine
maintenance.
Enhancements range from a completely remodeled Monte Carlo Casino to an
enlarged Sports Bar and Grill to installation of new carpet in all corridors
and new soft goods throughout the ship.
"We constantly are looking at ways we can improve our ships and our product,"
said Stuart.
"With the addition of seating at the Sports Bar and Grill and numerous
enhancements to other restaurants and areas throughout the ship, Norwegian Wind
now is better suited to offer the full Freestyle Cruising experience for our
guests."
Among the many improvements aboard the ship, high rollers will be happy to note
that the Monte Carlo Casino has an all-new bright and vibrant look featuring a
new color scheme, wall covers, lighting, and carpet.
The Sun Terraces dining room was converted to an Italian Trattoria serving
traditional Italian fare.
The enlarged Sports Bar and Grill features new buffet tables, a new bar, new
carpet, tile, chairs and tables.
Previously accommodating 95, the Sports Bar now seats 203 guests and serves
buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as snacks throughout the day.
Enhancements to the Sports Deck include refurbishment of the Jacuzzis with new
teak molding and new Action/Astro Turf for the outer decks of both the Sky and
Sports Decks.
Additionally, most guest staterooms on decks 4 - 8 received new carpeting and
upholstery.
For those bookworms, a new expanded library was installed with a selection of
over 500 new books.
Due in large part to the many refurbishments, the ship now is ready to offer
NCL's innovative cruise concept.
Freestyle Cruising is designed to meet the changing needs of today's cruise
passengers by offering guests a more relaxed, resort-style cruise with complete
flexibility and non-intrusive service of the highest standard.
Aboard Norwegian Wind, Freestyle Cruising consists of:
Dining -- Open, restaurant-style seating and extended hours offered in
Norwegian Wind's main dining rooms and alternative restaurants.
Norwegian Wind has five dining venues each night including: two main dining
rooms; the Sun Terraces, open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., was converted to
an Italian Trattoria offering traditional Italian fare; Le Bistro, open from
5:30 p.m. to closing; and the Sports Bar and Grill, open from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00
a.m. serving buffet style breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks throughout the
day.
In addition to the five permanent full- service restaurants Norwegian Wind also
features an on-deck Caribbean Night barbecue with Jerk-chicken, pork, ribs, and
fish.
Freshly baked pizza is always available at the Cafè and Pizzeria and the
24-hour room service features an extensive menu with a section just for kids.
In addition to the many venue choices, passengers have the option to choose
their dinner companions each evening and request tables of any size, seating
from two to ten people.
Attire -- The dress code is 'resort casual' eliminating the ship-wide "formal
nights." Norwegian Wind offers one optional formal night in some of the dining
outlets when passengers are welcome to dress in formal attire.
Staffing -- NCL increased the number of crewmembers by 75 aboard Norwegian Wind
to offer passengers a higher crew-to-guest ratio.
This increase will raise the level of service to approximately one crewmember
per cabin, which is as high as most top shoreside resorts.
Tipping -- The recommended gratuities are automatically added to each guest's
on-board account.
Guests have the option of leaving an additional gratuity for exceptional
service, or they can choose to reduce or deduct the gratuity from their bill
entirely.
Disembarkation -- NCL's new guest-friendly disembarkation system allows
passengers to enjoy the final morning of the cruise and depart the ship at
their leisure.
Guests may stay in their cabins and enjoy continental breakfast, eat breakfast
in one of the main dining rooms or eat a complete, hot breakfast buffet until
their colored luggage tag is called or until the last and final call, which is
normally around 10:00 a.m.
Among Norwegian Wind's many features are the Stardust Lounge, where guests can
enjoy a performance of the Broadway hit "Smokey Joe's Cafe ," the Observatory
Lounge; Dazzles Disco; and the newly refurbished Monte Carlo Casino.
A choice of five restaurants is available to whet practically any appetite.
Junior cruisers have their own playroom, "Kids Korner," for NCL's "Kids Crew"
activities and all guests can enjoy Norwegian Wind's swimming pool, splash
pool, "wet bar," two hot tubs and fitness center and spa, operated by Mandara
Spa, the leading operator of resort spas in the world.
Norwegian Wind will continue to sail its western Caribbean itinerary through
April sailing to George Town, Grand Cayman; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City,
Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico.
Beginning April 30, Norwegian Wind will return to Vancouver for its ninth
season of Alaska sailings.
The itinerary will include stops in Juneau, Skagway, Haines, Glacier Bay and
Ketchikan.
The ship will sail from Vancouver in late September and reposition to Asia
where she will embark on an exciting new series of first-ever cruises to
Southeast Asia between October and December 2001.
The Asia sailings will be a welcome addition for even the most seasoned
traveler by balancing the in-depth cultural experience of a long tour (Asia
Cruisetours) with the leisure and relaxation of a cruise.
Sailing into 2002, Norwegian Wind will offer a 19-day Holiday cruise from
Singapore to Sydney, followed by cruises to Australia, New Zealand, South
Pacific and Hawaii.
(Source: Norwegian Cruise Line )
Erkan ISIK
Anchors Away Cruises & Tours
Burlingame - CA
http://www.mustcruise.com