New Norwegian Cruise Ships Ordered

Norwegian Cruise Line has now announced  that it has reached an agreement with MEYER WERFT GMBH of Germany to build a new cruise vessel, for delivery in October 2015, with the option for a second ship for delivery in spring 2017.  

The new ship, at 163,000 gross tons and approximately 4,200 passenger berths, will be larger than the Company’s Breakaway class ships currently under construction at MEYER WERFT and incorporate many of those vessels’ unique design elements and innovations. With the project name “Breakaway Plus,” this new vessel will be the largest in Norwegian’s fleet.

“Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway have garnered significant attention in the marketplace with their innovative design, rich stateroom mix and world-class amenities.  Building on that momentum, along with MEYER WERFT’s expertise and efficiency in the design and construction process, we are extending the excitement and anticipation with a new, larger edition Breakaway Plus class ship to further distinguish the Norwegian brand,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “This new order further solidifies our commitment to continued innovation in terms of the guest experience and will incorporate technical and environmental advances as well.”

MEYER WERFT, based in Papenburg, Germany, is currently building Norwegian’s two new 146,600 gross ton, 4,000-passenger Breakaway class vessels: Norwegian Breakaway, scheduled for delivery in late April 2013, and Norwegian Getaway, scheduled for delivery in mid-January 2014.

For more information about Norwegian Cruise Line visit Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine at :

http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-norwegian-cruise-line.html 

or check out the Norwegian Cruise Line website at : 

http://www2.ncl.com/

Award for AIDA Cruises

AIDA Cruises has been awarded the "Innovation Prize 2012" by the Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry (BTW).

The Association has honored that the company revolutionized the German cruise market and has made a niche product into a product for everyone, but also that the company has an eye on future issues and actively approaches difficult subjects with new ideas.

Statement from Michael Ungerer, President AIDA Cruises, on the occasion of the awards ceremony:

"We are delighted with this award," said Michael Ungerer, President AIDA Cruises. "For us, it means the recognition of the work of our AIDA family, constituting 6,000 people from 25 nations. To break new ground is an important part of the corporate culture of AIDA. We take today's prize as an incentive to surprise in the future with new concepts and to leave the beaten path. Our guests will benefit from our innovative power. In the coming years we will continue our successful growth with products that further inspire the fascination of cruising and will be trendsetting for our industry."

Further information about AIDA cruises take a look at the Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-aida-cruises.html

Winning a free Carnival Cruise for Two

A great chance to win a seven-day Caribbean cruise with Carnival Cruise Lines is now on offer by visiting http://www.carnival.com/pinterest.

Begin the contest by choosing one of four cruise destinations – the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska or Hawaii – then describe what your dream cruise to that location would look like by pinning various images to the newly created contest board.
           
Participants need to pin at least five images or videos from any of Carnival’s social media sites or carnival.com, while the rest of the board can feature any other images of their choice.  Consumers can enter the contest up to four times by simply re-visiting the contest page, choosing a new destination, and entering again.

This fun competition runs through October 14, 2012.

At the end of the contest period, judges from Carnival will select the top 10 boards based on beauty, creativity and originality and the grand prize winner will be chosen by guest judge and “pinning rock star” Mike Dew who has more than three million followers on Pinterest .  To inspire participants, Dew will also be creating his own board specifically for the contest.

“Pinterest is a terrific social media platform for discovering different vacation choices and this contest allows consumers to create and share their idea of the perfect Carnival vacation,” said Jordan Corredera, vice president - digital for Carnival Cruise Lines.

In addition to a grand prize Caribbean cruise for two, the participant whose board has the most followers will win a $250 Fun Ship Dollars gift certificate.

For insights and examples of Caribbean cruises take a look at 12 articles and experiences of such cruises at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine at  www.prowsedge.com/cruise-articles-reviews.html
           

CLIA National Cruise Vacation Week

An annual cruise event coming up again soon is CLIA’s National Cruise Vacation Week.

Planned to take place from October 21 to October 27, this special event offers the cruise industry’s most  exclusive promotions and features a wide array of special events and offers from twenty-five CLIA member cruise lines representing more than 200 cruise ships.

Planned special deals include up to $13,000 in bonus savings on a luxury cruise, $1,500 per couple savings on a river cruise in Europe, two-for-one pricing, free airfare, complimentary shore excursions, and up to $500 in shipboard credits.

Visit CLIA’s special NCVW page, www.cruising.org/vacation/welcome to find impressive potential savings as well as credits for shipboard spending valued at up to $500, upgrades to suites, or other incentives such as complimentary shore excursions, free airfare, free hotel packages, deposit waivers and more. 

Some of the cruise lines involved are AmaWaterways, American Cruise Lines, Avalon Waterways, Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Hurtigruten, Louis Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection and Windstar Cruises.

Keep track of the Prow's Edge blog here for actual details of the special cruise deals.