Norwegian Gem – NCL’s New “It” Girl is the Ultimate Trip

She’s hot, she’s hip, she’s Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) new “It” Girl—the 93,530-ton Freestyle Cruising ship Norwegian Gem, entering service this October in Europe and debuting in the U.S. this December.  NCL is celebrating the arrival of Norwegian Gem with inaugural events in Europe, Boston and New York culminating with the ship’s christening ceremony on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 in New York, followed by a two-night inaugural sailing.  After a series of European sailings this fall, the ship will be home ported in New York for the winter season.

“Norwegian Gem is the newest and final vessel in NCL’s series of Jewel-class ships, which have led the industry in innovation and brought NCL’s signature Freestyle Cruising to the next level,” said Colin Veitch, president and CEO of NCL Corporation.  “We’re excited to bring our new ‘It’ Girl to the Big Apple where she’ll feel right at home in the city that never sleeps.”

From a four-lane ten-pin bowling alley to a rock climbing wall to a variety of high-end accommodations, including Garden Villas, Courtyard Villas and two top-of-the-ship Deluxe Owner’s Suites, Norwegian Gem is the hippest ship to hit the high seas. She even has her own “HerSpace” page at gemitgirl.com.

“Strike” a Pose

Norwegian Gem features the world’s second bowling alley at sea as part of Bliss Ultra Lounge and Night Club, an all-day entertainment and nightclub complex with the feel of a decadent New York nightclub.  In the evening, Bliss transforms into a hip, high-energy ultra-lounge, with plasma screens adding video tracks to the non-stop music spun by Norwegian Gem’s own DJ.  A dance floor, private VIP areas and mood-lit bowling complete this totally unique seagoing experience.

Norwegian Gem also features a rock climbing wall. Constructed at the back of the ship’s funnel on deck 14, the wall stands at an impressive 30 feet in height and 19 feet in width and features five different climbing routes, each with varying degrees of difficulty.

Norwegian Gem guests can experience the red-hot Wii™ video game system by Nintendo.  Wii tournaments will be held in Norwegian Gem’s atrium on a two-story LED screen allowing guests to gather and play against each other. Additionally, the ship’s Kid’s Crew facility features two Wii by Nintendo kiosks providing hours of kids-only fun.

A-List Dining Options

Norwegian Gem features 10 A-list restaurants including guest favorites such as Cagney’s Steakhouse, Blue Lagoon and NCL’s signature French restaurant, Le Bistro. Choices abound with two dining rooms: Grand Pacific and Magenta; Orchid Garden, an Asian restaurant complex; Tequila, featuring Latin and tapas selections; La Cucina, a casual Italian trattoria; the Garden Café, where NCL chefs cook fresh, prepared-to-order food as guests watch, including a special “kids only” area; and the Great Outdoors, an outdoor eatery with alfresco dining.

Guests will enjoy sipping cocktails in Bar Central, NCL’s popular entertainment concept first introduced on Norwegian Jewel. Bar Central features a martini bar, a champagne and wine bar, a beer and whiskey bar and a cigar bar all connected, but touting distinct personalities including the Shakers Martini and Cocktail Bar, Magnum’s Champagne and Wine Bar, Maltings Beer and Whiskey Bar and the Corona Cigar Club.

In the Lap of Luxury

Norwegian Gem offers an extensive choice of staterooms including some of the most high-end accommodations afloat. Guests can cruise in style in one of two impressive Garden Villas, each spanning approximately 4,400 square feet. These extravagant Garden Villas offer a spacious living room, dining room and three separate bedrooms, each with a private bathroom. Garden Villa guests also enjoy their own private sun beds, hot tub and steam room in their private garden, plus butler and concierge service.

One of NCL’s newest and most luxurious stateroom category is the Courtyard Villa suite complex. Each villa shares a private courtyard, complete with lap pool, hot tub, male and female steam rooms and a small fitness area.

These 10 villas also share a private sundeck with sun beds and hammocks. Positioned high atop the vessel, the villas tout sweeping views of the ocean and an impressive assortment of amenities typically found at five-star land-based resorts. High above everything else are two Deluxe Owner’s Suites offering a master bedroom, en-suite bathroom, and dining/living area, together with a large balcony accessible through the bedroom and dining/living area.

Also on board are NCL’s latest amenities in standard staterooms including rich cherry wood finishing, flat-screen televisions, hair dryers, safes, mini-bars, tea and coffee makers in every room, a larger bathroom unit than many other ships, containing separate WC, shower and washstand compartments separated by sliding doors in outside, balcony and suite staterooms.

For families of all sizes, Norwegian Gem offers a large number of staterooms (including suites and mini-suites) that can interconnect to create a two-, three-, four- or five-bedroom area.

Norwegian Gem provides the latest in relaxation and fitness at the contemporary and tranquil Yin & Yang Spa and Beauty Salon. The full-service spa features 20 treatment rooms, three of which are specifically designed for couples.  It also includes a thalassotherapy pool combining the restorative properties of saltwater and heat with invigorating jet massage technology to create the ultimate relaxation experience.

Body Waves Fitness Center boasts state-of-the-art cardiovascular workout equipment—each with its own flat-screen TV—aerobic and yoga area with a sprung wooden floor, steam and sauna rooms and a whirlpool and hydrotherapy pool.

Ready for Her Close Up

Norwegian Gem is decked out with only top-of-the-line accessories including two original works of art on loan from Star Cruises’ Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay’s personal collection.   “Vetheuil de Soleil (Vetheuil in Sunshine)” by Claude Monet is displayed prominently behind the Reception Desk in the Atrium, and “Nu Au Turban (Nude in a Turban)” by Henri Matisse, located in Le Bistro.

The centerpiece of the Crystal Atrium is an original Dale Chihuly glass chandelier, mounted on the wall above the staircase landing. In addition, the staircase is flanked by four Emilio Robba floral sculptures that complement the Chihuly chandelier.

Shopping is the thing at Trade Routes Boutiques offering a wide selection of brand-name watches, jewelry, accessories and souvenirs. The sports deck offers a basketball, volleyball and paddle tennis court with stadium seating, two life-sized chess sets, two golf driving nets, deck games, jogging track and shuffleboard.

At the state-of-the-art Gem Club Casino, guests can try their luck at games like Blackjack, Roulette, 3-Card Poker, Texas Hold ‘em, and Craps.  For slot lovers, Norwegian Gem has more than 200 of the newest video and traditional slot machines. The ship also features less traditional games including Pai-Gow Poker, Pai-Gow Tiles and even a Mini Baccarat table; guests simply request these games from a casino attendant.

For guests looking to stay connected while at sea, Norwegian Gem will be NCL’s first ship to feature wireless internet access in all staterooms and public areas of the ship. The ship also has an Internet Café and Photo Gallery with a kiosk to print photos from digital cameras as well as the latest laptops, which guests can rent to use around the ship.

Tag, You’re “It”

This “It” Girl loves kids.  She features the Tree Tops Kid’s Club decorated with a jungle theme, complete with a cinema, nursery and sleep/rest area; computer area and arts and crafts area. The ship also features The Leopard Lounge, an animal print-inspired club just for teens, ages 13 to 17. It features a dance floor, a bar serving non-alcoholic drinks, video juke box, table football, air hockey and plasma flat screen televisions.

A World Traveler

Norwegian Gem’s exciting itineraries give travelers a chance to enjoy Freestyle Cruising—a flexible, resort-style experience offering a less structured and more relaxed vacation than traditional cruising—while exploring some of the world’s most exotic ports of call.  After a series of inaugural events in Rotterdam and Dover, Norwegian Gem will sail a one-time 11-Day Mediterranean itinerary from London to Barcelona on Oct. 8. Following that, she begins a series of seven- and 12-day Mediterranean itineraries, roundtrip from Barcelona.

Norwegian Gem’s first arrival point in the U.S. is Boston, where she will sail a two-night inaugural cruise on December 13, 2007, followed by a two-day weekend getaway cruise on December 15. On December 18, Norwegian Gem arrives in New York City for a two-day inaugural cruise, followed by two one-night sailings exclusively for American Express.

On December 22 and 29, 2007, Norwegian Gem will sail a seven-day Bahamas and Florida itinerary. She will also sail this itinerary February through April 2008.  In January and early February 2008, she will sail a series of 10- and 11-day Exotic Southern Caribbean itineraries.  In April 2008, Norwegian Gem repositions back to Europe where she will pick up her series of 28 seven-day Western Mediterranean itineraries roundtrip from Barcelona and will finish out the year with seven-day Bahamas and Florida sailings from New York City in November and December 2008.

NCL Corporation Ltd. is an innovative cruise company headquartered in Miami, Florida, with a fleet of 14 ships in service and under construction.  The corporation oversees the operations of Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America and Orient Lines.  NCL is the Official Cruise Line of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour.

NCL plans to build up to three new third generation Freestyle Cruising ships for delivery between 2009 and 2011.  NCL is on target to have the youngest fleet in the industry by the end of 2007 with the introduction of Norwegian Gem, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea.

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