At the 19th annual World Travel Awards, Norwegian Cruise Line was awarded with the name of "World's Leading Large Ship Cruise Line."
The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to recognize travel companies for delivering an outstanding customer experience and are voted by travel agents worldwide; dubbed the "Oscars of the Travel Industry" by the Wall Street Journal.
Previously honored with "Europe's Leading Cruise Line" for five consecutive years, this is the first time Norwegian Cruise Line has been honored on a global scale.
"We are so honored to receive this prestigious award and thank our travel partners worldwide for their continuing support," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "We have many exciting things to come in 2013 with the launch of Norwegian Breakaway, and we look forward to continuing to offer our guests the freedom to create their ideal vacation experience on the most contemporary ships at sea."
Norwegian Cruise Line was also recently named "Best for First-Timers" in the 2012 Cruise Critic Editors Picks Awards. Cruise Critic highlighted Norwegian Epic and the lines Jewel-class ships as taking the resort-at-sea concept to new heights with the industry's largest selection of restaurants, and the Haven suite complex.
About Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 46-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which revolutionized the industry by giving guests more freedom and flexibility. Today, Norwegian invites guests to "Cruise Like a Norwegian" on one of 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea.
Norwegian's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, debuted in June 2010 and has been named "Best Overall Cruise Ship" by the readers of Travel Weekly and "Best Ship for Sea Days" by Cruise Critic. Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, appearing for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic, as well as the official cruise line of Legends in Concert, The Second City, Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos, and Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids. Cirque Dreams? & Dinner is also featured on board Norwegian Epic as the first show of its kind at sea under a big top.
The Company has two 4,000-passenger vessels, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, under construction for delivery in April 2013 and January 2014, along with one larger "Breakaway Plus" vessel for delivery in fall 2015. Known as New York's ship, Norwegian Breakaway will be the largest vessel to homeport year-round in the city, sailing to Bermuda for the summer beginning May 12, 2013. Norwegian Breakaway's features include hull art by legendary artist Peter Max, seafood restaurant Ocean Blue by famed New York chef Geoffrey Zakarian, and fitness classes and a retrospective display from the ship's iconic godmothers, the Rockettes. The entertainment lineup includes three Broadway shows: Rock of Ages, Burn the Floor and Cirque Dreams? & Dinner: Jungle Fantasy. Norwegian Getaway, the largest ship to homeport year-round in Miami, will sail Eastern Caribbean voyages beginning in February 2014. Sailings for both vessels are now on sale.
