By Jon Faranda
Whether you're looking for a weekend escape or a 19-day voyage, Norwegian Cruise Line can accommodate you. With
cruises available to destinations around the globe and some of the best dining on land or sea, Norwegian Cruise Line offers something for every appetite.
History
Started in 1966 by Knut Kloster with just one ship, Norwegian Cruise Line (then known as Norwegian Caribbean Line) offered affordable cruises from Miami to the Caribbean. Since these humble beginnings, the company has expanded its fleet and destinations and introduced its trademarked concept of Freestyle Cruising. Today, Norwegian Cruise Line has 12 ships in operation, including the Pride of America, the first cruise ship flagged in the United States in half a century.
Europe
Norwegian Cruise Line currently offers a wide range of cruises to dozens of countries throughout Europe and the Americas. In Northern Europe, you can cruise around the North Cape of Norway or through the British Isles. Further east, you can take a 12-night cruise through the Baltic capitals. If the Mediterranean is more your style, Norwegian Cruise Line has a number of cruises through the Greek isles or along the coasts of Italy, Spain and Northern Africa.
Americas
On the other side of the Atlantic, Norwegian Cruise Line offers trips along the coast of New England and Canada. In the Pacific, you can cruise up to the untamed wilderness of Alaska and check out the stunning ice formations, or island-hop in Hawaii. Norwegian Cruise lines still has ships sailing to Bermuda and the Caribbean, where the company calls at Nassau. For more adventurous types, 19-night cruises to ancient cities in Mexico and South America are available.
Freestyle Cruising
Freestyle Cruising represents a more casual experience for Norwegian Cruise Line customers. Implemented in 2000, Freestyle Cruising means cruisers don't have to stick to a rigid dining schedule as on many of the other cruise lines. The company also relaxes its evening dress code, allowing cruisers a more laid-back approach.
Dining/Activities
Norwegian Cruise Line ships all have a wide variety of dining options as well as activities for people of all ages and interests. On-board cuisine ranges from steaks to sushi to Mediterranean, and restaurant styles vary from casual buffets to coat-and-tie elegance. Activities on board include the first-ever bowling alley on the sea, rock walls, spas, casinos, numerous recreational sports, cooking classes and auctions.
About the Author:
Jon Faranda is a lifelong writer. He worked as a journalist in Northern California where he covered topics ranging from city, county and tribal governments to alternative transportation. Faranda holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in English from the University of California Davis.
