Norwegian Cruise Line receives Maritime Safety Award

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Superintendent of Safety and Training Development, Rick Harper (far right),

accepts the 2012 Quality Ship Management Award from American Maritime Safety

 

MIAMI – Norwegian Cruise Line has received the 2012 Quality Ship Management Award from American Maritime Safety (AMS). This prestigious honor, which was bestowed during the maritime trade association’s annual safety awards in New York City, recognizes Norwegian’s extensive safety standards and pervasive safety culture.

In presenting the award, AMS praised Norwegian’s strict adherence to safety guidelines and highlighted the implementation of quality controls systems that enhance crewmember efficiency.  The organization focused on two of the line’s top safety projects, Norwegian’s Safety Culture Concept and Kaizen Project.

            Norwegian’s Safety Culture Concept encompasses all of the line’s safety efforts under one umbrella, including Safety Thought of the Day, which changes automatically every 24 hours and is communicated daily to Norwegian’s team, as well as at the start and at the end of every meeting. Personal praise for good safety practices and a “no blame” environment are a high priority, along with recorded safety meetings and computer-based training modules.

The Kaizen Project seeks to increase team members’ efficiency while maintaining or raising their level of safety, and is accomplished through team member feedback. Many of the new practices that resulted from this program have been adopted fleet-wide to meet the project’s goals.

“This award is a testament to our valued team members, who work hard each and every day to provide our guests with an amazing vacation experience,” said Svein Sleipnes, Senior Vice President of Marine Operation for Norwegian Cruise Line.  “We are honored to accept the 2012 Quality Ship Management Award and will continue to strive for the highest safety standards for our guests and team members.”

AMS is a New York-based maritime trade association comprised of more than 400 vessel owners and operators that was established in 1988 to facilitate the maritime industry’s compliance with international shipping protocols and U.S. Coast Guard regulations.

For more information on Norwegian Cruise Line, contact a travel professional, call Norwegian at 866-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), or visit www.ncl.com.

About Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 46-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which revolutionized the industry by giving guests more freedom and flexibility. Today, Norwegian invites guests to “Cruise Like a Norwegian” on one of 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.

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.

The Company has two 4,000-passenger vessels, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, under construction for delivery in April 2013 and January 2014, along with one larger “Breakaway Plus” vessel for delivery in fall 2015.  Known as New York’s ship, Norwegian Breakaway will be the largest vessel to homeport year-round in the city, sailing to Bermuda for the summer beginning May 12, 2013.  Norwegian Breakaway’s features include hull art by legendary artist Peter Max, seafood restaurant Ocean Blue by famed New York chef Geoffrey Zakarian, and fitness classes and a retrospective display from the ship’s iconic godmothers, the Rockettes^®.  The entertainment lineup includes three Broadway shows: Rock of Ages, Burn the Floor and Cirque Dreams™ & Dinner: Jungle Fantasy.  Norwegian Getaway, the largest ship to homeport year-round in Miami, will sail Eastern Caribbean voyages beginning in February 2014.  Sailings for both vessels are now on sale. 

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).