NCL's Norwegian Pearl enters service

[Jason]

NCL's Norwegian Pearl enters service

South Florida Business Journal

At a Saturday ceremony at the Port of Miami, Norwegian Cruise Line christened its newest ship, Norwegian Pearl.

The 93,530-ton ship has an industry first in its four-lane, 10-pin bowling alley.

It also has two NCL firsts: a rock-climbing wall and two top-of-the-ship suites. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

The 5 p.m. christening ceremony for the Norwegian Pearl took place alongside the ship.

About 2,400 guests were in attendance for the ceremony, which also commemorated NCL's 40th birthday and kicked off a yearlong birthday celebration.

The ship can hold 2,394 guests. Amenities include 10 restaurants, 13 bars and lounges, two swimming pools and a casino.

The ship is also the seventh vessel built specifically for NCL's "freestyle cruising" marketing approach.

Unlike many other cruise lines, freestyle cruising means having no fixed dining times and no formal dress codes.

Beginning in January, Norwegian Pearl is to sail a five- and nine-day western and southern Caribbean schedule.

The ship is to spend summer 2007 in Seattle, sailing a seven-day Alaska inside passage itinerary.

In fall 2007 through spring 2008, Norwegian Pearl is to return to Miami and resume alternating five- and nine-day western and southern Caribbean sailings.

The Miami focus is especially welcome for NCL, which had proposed leaving its longtime headquarters due to hurricane fatigue. But, last week, the company said it would stay and expand its current space

Growth is also to come in the NCL fleet. The company is currently building Norwegian Gem for delivery in October. It also plans to build up to three new third-generation freestyle cruising ships for delivery between 2009 and 2011.

[TheSkipper]

With Rosie as the Godmother, we know the ship will be LOUD.