Norwegian Cruise Line Ships

Norwegian Cruise Lines was purchase by Malaysia's Star Cruises in 2000 after 34 years of successful operations. The company established its reputation on two key factors. The first is the notion of Freestyle Cruising, which stresses dining when you please rather than establishing set schedules, and adopting a casual dress style for passengers onboard ship. In addition, NCL cruises stress local "homeland" cruises in addition to more exotic tours of the Caribbean and Europe. Homeland cruises emphasize local destinations, particularly in Hawaii, where Norwegian cruise lines offered multi-island cruises on its ships.

The fleet currently consists of twelve ships, intermingled along several official lines:

  • Ten Norwegian Cruise Line ships are designed under its pre-Star system. Most are flagged as Bahamas ships, though one, the Norwegian Spirit, is flagged as Panamanian.
  • Two Norwegian Cruise America ships--the Pride of Aloha and the Pride of America--are designated for Hawaiian service and emphasizing Norwegian Cruise Lines' Freestyle Cruising philosophy.
  • Two additional ships are currently under construction and set to launch in 2009 and 2010, respectively.

Find Deals on Trips on Norwegian Cruise Line Ships

Norwegian Cruise Lines is pressing its Freestyle Cruising belief, and future ships in its line are being constructed with that in mind. The aim is to include amenities such as multiple restaurants, flexible stateroom options, including some with garden villas, disembarkation procedures that accommodate breakfast and the late sleeper, and onboard activities with flexible schedules and start times. Early reservations can often help secure the best deals. Direct Line Cruises has information on reservations for all ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet.