MIAMI -- Norwegian Cruise Line has come a long way from the time
the company was called Norwegian Caribbean Line, operating five
ships in the Caribbean, president Hans Golteus said.
In 1999, for example, the company's 10 ships will be sailing to
200 ports in Alaska, Australia, Bermuda, the Mediterranean,
Scandinavia, New England/Canada, Hawaii, Mexico and South America.
The line will offer Caribbean and transcanal sailings, as well.
The 1999 itinerary includes:
The introduction of the Norwegian Sky. The 2,000-passenger
vessel, under construction in Germany, will sail roundtrip from
Dover, England, Aug. 9 on a 10-day maiden voyage to Norway and the
British Isles. The vessel's inaugural season also includes an
11-day Scandinavian Highlights cruise Aug. 19 and a 14-day Path of
the Norwegians cruise on Aug. 30. The ship will later operate a
series of Canada/New England cruises from Boston before departing
to Miami for a winter series of alternating seven-day eastern and
western Caribbean cruises.The Norway will again spend six months in Europe between April
and October. The Norway's seven-day itineraries include France,
Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Norway, Scotland and the
Netherlands. The Norway also will offer a 12-day Norwegian
Highlights cruise on July 3 and a 14-day Iberian Passage cruise on
Sept. 12 as well as two transatlantic crossings.The Norwegian Dream will return for its second season in
northern Europe and the Mediterranean, with a variety of 12-day
cruises. Also, the ship will offer a series of eight 12-day voyages
and one 14-day Scandinavian Capitals sailing, all from Dover.The Norwegian Wind will sail each Monday roundtrip from
Vancouver, British Columbia, to Alaska between May 10 and Sept. 13.
On April 17, the Norwegian Wind will add a 13-day Alaska cruise
from Los Angeles to Vancouver; on Sept. 20, an 11-day Hawaiian
Islands cruise from Vancouver is slated. The Norwegian Wind then
replaces the Norwegian Dynasty in Hawaii, doubling capacity on five
cruises between Sept. 20 and Nov. 1.The Norwegian Dynasty, between May 18 and Sept. 14, will sail
weekly each way between Vancouver and Seward on a Heart of Alaska
series. The ship also will offer a 12-day Alaska Highlights cruise
from Los Angeles to Vancouver on May 6 and a 10-day cruise from
Vancouver to Los Angeles on Sept. 21.The Norwegian Crown will return to South America from Jan 2 to
Feb. 27, offering 14-day cruises between Santiago, Chile, and
Buenos Aires, Argentina.Beginning in December, 1998, the Norwegian Star will sail
year-round in the Australia/New Zealand market.The Norwegian Sea replaces the Norwegian Star for "Texaribbean"
cruises from Houston.