Articles

The Newest Treasure at NCL Freestyle
by Roy Witman © 2008

Norwegian Cruise Lines has announced another dazzling jewel in its fleet: Gem. In the tradition of Norwegian Cruise Line's Jewel class of ships, Gem is artfully decorated inside and out; specially designed uniquely for NCL Freestyle Cruising with its appealing freedom. Gem will begin with pre-inaugural cruises in the Mediterranean, and will offer seven-day excursions to the Bahamas and Florida.

Aboard Gem

Passengers can feast on delicious cuisine, from French to Asian to Latin and everything in between. Gem has 12 restaurants to choose from, and unique to NCL Freestyle Cruising - dining options with no restrictive schedules or dress codes, so there are no limits to vacation enjoyment. Gem's unique features include 11 bars and lounges to choose from, offering cocktails from such distinct settings as the basket of a hot air balloon, a martini bar adorned in Art Deco, or an elegant lounge where passengers can savor champagne and wine.

As the sister ship to Pearl, Gem offers the exclusive Courtyard and Garden Villas, experienced only with NCL Freestyle Cruising. Travelers wanting luxurious accommodations will be enchanted with over 4,000 square feet to relax in. The Garden Villas offer a full bath with a whirlpool, and access to the exclusive concierge lounge, including a private courtyard area with pool, hot tub, and sundeck. Butler service and concierge are available to pamper Villa vacationers.

NCL's accommodations offer the most flexible choices of all cruise lines, with inter- connecting staterooms in nearly every class, making it easy to plan family or group vacations. From lavish Villas to cozy inside staterooms, every passenger will find the perfect stateroom, as affordable as desired, and with all the expected comforts of an NCL cruise. Every stateroom has TV, refrigerator, and hair dryers - and a chocolate on your freshly fluffed pillow each night.

Freestyle Cruising allows family vacations to be enjoyed as never before. A mood lit bowling alley - first ever in the cruise industry; a giant water slide, and arcade. Gem has clubs specially designed so teens can have their own space; and supervised, age- appropriate activities to keep everyone happy.

Passengers planning an enticing vacation for two will have all of the romantic allure of the tropics, casinos, and dancing, or rare, carefree time spent sharing life's moments. Norwegian Cruise Line anticipates and fulfills passenger desires aboard Gem, with a fitness center, and courts for basketball, volleyball and tennis, as well as an Internet café, an art gallery, a library, a spa, and a theatre and more - there's something to entertain everyone.

Itinerary

NCL Gem will be launched with pre- inaugural cruises, from Dover to Barcelona, Rome, Nice, Morocco, the Canary Islands, Gibraltar and Majorca. After crossing the Atlantic, cruises will be available from New York City, New York, with seven-day Bahamas and Florida destinations.

Whether you're looking for family fun with theme parks in Florida, swimming, and snorkeling in the pristine waters of the Bahamas, or a dream vacation for two relaxing in tropical breezes before an evening at the casinos, NCL Freestyle Cruising allows the freedom to plan it your way, in advance or as you go.

Stops include a day on the private island Great Stirrup Cay where you can enjoy white sand beaches, kayaking, sailing, or simply unwinding in a hammock. Discover charming Key West on a trolley ride, the perfect place to de-stress and relax.

Norwegian Cruise Line's Freestyle Cruising lets you create your ideal vacation with its vast choices in staterooms, major dining flexibility, and complete freedom to control your schedule - or to have no schedule at all. Gem's addition to the fleet is another radiant jewel in this array of ships that are custom designed for passenger delight.

Read more about Norwegian Cruise Line.
Read more about NCL Freestyle Cruising.
Read more about Caribbean Cruises.
Read more about European Cruises.
Read more about Mediterranean Cruises.

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