|
Below, you'll find extensive information on leading
cruise excursion line norwegian shore articles and products to help you on your way
to success.
Norwegian Spirit Review
By Jana Jones
Norwegian Spirit, which was relocated to New York for year-round residency alongside Norwegian Dawn and will move on to New Orleans in fall 2007, offers much of what cruisers have come to expect from NCL: a wide range of restaurants, state-of-the-art kids' facilities, and numerous bars and lounges. However, in preparing for its move to the Big Apple, Norwegian Spirit underwent a renovation and refurbishment, and the results were not what we expected. Don't worry, we mean that in a good way. But first, a crash course in this ship's unique history ...
In the first few days of January 2004, all was going as planned for NCL. The line was planning on a late-spring launch for a groundbreaking American-flagged ship, Pride of America; after the Alaska season, Norwegian Sky was to be refitted and fly the U.S. flag as Pride of Aloha. But later that month, tragedy struck: Pride of America partially sank while nearing completion at the Lloyd Werft Shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany.
With the flooding of Pride of America and Hawaiian itineraries to fulfill, NCL quickly changed its plan and stepped up the transformation of Norwegian Sky, which left them one ship short in Alaska. This is where Star Cruises, the Malaysian parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, comes in. The line gifted NCL with a large ship that could meet the needs of the North American cruise market: SuperStar Leo, which launched in 1998. Renamed Norwegian Spirit, the vessel was refit in a mere two weeks for the North American market -- and many of the Asian influences were left untouched, such as Chinese decor throughout and a specially designed room for mah-jongg.
To make a long story short, we thought for sure the lines of modern convenience and Asian
Free Ticket With Aeromexico*
Traveling with friends or family? Consider Aeromexico's latest offer—buy four tickets and receive the fifth fare free. Destinations include Mexico City, Los Cabos, Merida, Monterrey, and others. Travel is available into December.
All Seasons: Up to 50 Percent Off Weekend Stays
Get up to 50 percent off last-minute weekend stays with All Seasons Hotels. Plus, all stays come with daily breakfast, wireless Internet, and free coffee, tea, and water.
Walt Disney World: Summer Savings Up To 40% Off
This summer save when you visit Disney. Kids stay free plus save 15% to 40% at select Disney Resort hotels and treat your family to a fun-filled getaway for stays most nights now through October 2, 2010.
Experience Home Away from Home with Family B&B Escapes
Families looking for an alternative to standard hotel accommodations may find B&B stays to be a better value.
Wyndham Hotels: Free Nights, $100 American Express Card, and More
Get a 5th night free & $100 American Express Gift Card when you stay 5 consecutive nights at Wyndham locations in California, the Caribbean, & Mexico.
Novotel: Save up to 45 Percent
Novotel Hotels packages include special offers for families and discounted rates in the city. Many offers include free breakfast, and the lowest hotel rates are guaranteed when you book through Novotel's website.
December Weekend Getaways From $50/Night
Psst... a secret for you. If you're able to get away during the busy holiday season, you'll find some of the best weekend getaway deals of the year. Squeeze in a quick trip this season and get a great bang for your buck.
November Weekend Getaways From $70/Night
If you have some flexibility in your schedule, hoteliers around the country have promotions to entice you to take a weekend away. Rates for November getaways start at $70 per night
October Weekend Getaways From $45/Night
Autumn is one of the best seasons for taking a weekend getaway, with crisp afternoons, beautiful foliage, and harvest bounties in many parts of the country. Even better, there are plenty of deals, too.
September Weekend Getaways From $99/Night
Fall tends to bring affordable travel deals in abundance, and this year is no exception. Leisure travel providers offer promotions to entice travelers to visit, starting at $99 per night.
Disney Cruise Specials From $450
For three- and four-day Bahamian sailings this May and June, Disney is offering discounted rates. Adult prices start at $450.
Free Fares for Kids on Swiss Rail Service
When parents purchase a "Swiss Pass" for rail travel in Switzerland, they can request a free "Swiss Family Card," that allows children ages six through 15 to ride for no charge. Kids under six always ride free.
Disney Caribbean Cruises From $632/Adult, $207/Child
Thinking about next year's vacation? Disney seven-night Caribbean sailings start at $207 per child and $632 per adult.
Tourist Passes From $48/Adult, $38/Child
Go Card discount passes for Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, and Seattle, among others, give visitors pre-paid admission to dozens of attractions.
Kids Ride for Free on National Bus Service in the U.K.
National Express, a British bus line that services 1,200 destinations throughout the U.K., sells two family discount cards that allow kids up to age 15 to travel for free.
CityPass Offers up to 50 Percent Off Family Attractions
CityPasses offer up to 50 percent off on admissions and the chance to skip entrance lines at select family-friendly attractions in 10 North American cities.
Free Bahamas Sailings on Your Birthday
Discovery Cruise Line, a small Florida-based cruise company, offers round-trip sailings to Grand Bahama Island for free during your birthday month, from $50 per adult, and free for children 12 and under.
On Greyhound, Kids Travel For Free or 40 Percent Off
Families can save on Greyhound bus travel with discounted kids' fares. Greyhound is the biggest bus company in the U.S., connecting more than 3,100 cities and towns in North America.
Northeast bus company offers kid's discount of 40 percent
Peter Pan Bus Lines offers a 40 percent discount on fares for kids under 12 traveling with an adult. This Northeast-based bus company serves more than 100 destinations in the region.
custom would be blurred after Spirit's latest refurbishment. However, we were pleasantly surprised to see that many special Eastern touches still remain -- and, according to NCL, are here to stay. Asian artwork remains on the walls in public areas and suites, and public spaces are toned down in color compared to other NCL vessels (no bright neon as on Norwegian Jewel and Dawn), making the atmosphere feel a bit more upscale and setting the ship apart from others in the fleet.
So what exactly did change onboard? Soft goods, such as bedding, were upgraded and carpets were replaced; signage was modified (though Asian-language characters can still be seen here and there); and Maxim's Steakhouse and Taipan Bistro swapped spots and were renamed Cagney's and Le Bistro, respectively, to fit in with the rest of the NCL fleet. But the best outcome of the refurbishment is without a doubt the addition of a swank new nightclub -- a back portion of the too-large casino was converted into the two-room Maharini's Lounge & Nightclub, a super-mod after-hours hangout.
The moral of the story: Change is good -- but if it isn't broken, don't fix it.
|
