Norwegian returns to the Caribbean

  Launches “Snap and Pack” Instagram Photo Sweepstakes

for a Chance to Win One of Seven Caribbean Cruises

MIAMI – October 4, 2012 - Norwegian Cruise Line is celebrating the start of the Caribbean vacation season with seven award-winning ships setting to sail to the Caribbean from four convenient departure ports: Miami, New Orleans, Tampa and New York.  Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star offer guests a slice of paradise with cruises to the Eastern, Western or Southern Caribbean.

As part of the Caribbean celebration, Norwegian will be the first cruise line to launch a contest utilizing Instagram, the popular photo-sharing social media application. The “Norwegians Snap and Pack”  Instagram Sweepstakes in conjunction with AOL runs through the end of October and invites vacationers to submit a picture that best represents a Caribbean vacation experience and embodies cruising like a Norwegian for a chance to win one of seven Caribbean cruises.

  Entrants may submit their photo via the Instagram Smart Phone Application by tagging @norwegiancruiseline and including hash tag #snapandpack or via the AOL Travel desktop application at http://travel.aol.com/snapandpack

Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Sun are sailing from Miami to the Caribbean. The 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic, recently named “Best Ship for Sea Days” by Cruise Critic and “Best Overall Cruise Ship” by the readers of Travel Weekly, returns to Miami from a summer season in Europe and will sail a series of seven-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean beginning November 3, 2012, with stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas.

The 2,400-passenger Norwegian Pearl returns to Miami from a summer season in Alaska and will sail a six-day cruise to the Western Caribbean on October 21, 2012. Then, beginning November 4, 2012, Norwegian Pearl will sail weekly to the Western Caribbean with ports of call to include Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico. 

After a summer season in Europe, Norwegian Sun returns to Miami on October 14, 2012 and is set to sail 10- and 11-day cruises to the Southern Caribbean.  Ports of call on the 10-day include St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Roseau, Dominica; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Norwegian Sun’s 11-Day Southern Caribbean cruise includes stops in Cartagena, Colombia; Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curacao; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

The 2,340-passenger Norwegian Dawn will arrive in Tampa for the first time on November 11, 2012, and sail seven-day Western Caribbean cruises through April 14, 2013. Ports of call include: Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.

Norwegian Star will arrive in New Orleans for the first time on November 4, 2012.  The ship will sail a series of seven-day Western Caribbean cruises through April 14, 2013 stops to include: Costa Maya, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico.

From the convenient homeport of New York, Norwegian Gem offers a series of nine-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean from October 20, 2012 through April 23, 2013. The ship will stop in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Samana, Dominican Republic.

Norwegian Jewel also offers convenient 12-day cruises from New York to the Southern Caribbean departing January 6, January 20 and February 3, 2013. Ports of call include: San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Castries, St. Lucia; and Bridgetown, Barbados.

Cruisers looking set sail on any of Norwegian’s exciting Caribbean itineraries can take advantage of Norwegian’s “Let’s Cruise” sales event now through October 13, 2012. Those who make a new cruise reservation will receive up to $250 to spend on board, reduced deposits and an e-coupon booklet worth more than $300 in on-board savings. To take advantage of this limited time offer, contact a travel professional, call Norwegian at 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), or visit www.ncl.com.

About Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 45-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.

Today, Norwegian invites consumers to “Cruise Like a Norwegian” on one of its 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea. The Company has two 4,000-passenger vessels, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, on order for delivery in April 2013 and early 2014.

Norwegian’s largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, debuted in June 2010 and has been named “Best Overall Cruise Ship” by the readers of Travel Weekly and “Best Ship for Sea Days” by Cruise Critic. Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, appearing for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic, as well as the official cruise line of Legends in Concert, The Second City^®, Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos, and Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids. Cirque Dreams™ & Dinner is also featured on board Norwegian Epic as the first show of its kind at sea under a big top. 

For further information on Norwegian Cruise Line, visit www.ncl.com, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @Norwegiancruiseline, Pin us on Pinterest, watch us on YouTube, or contact us in the U.S. and Canada at 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784).

 ###