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NewsNorway • 2011-02-14

Select the country and object's type Norwegian Cruise Line opens new marina and dining facility at its private island Great Stirrup Cay

Wiesbaden, February 14, 2011 – Norwegian Cruise Line announced that it has completed the first phase of enhancements at Great Stirrup Cay, the line’s private island in the Bahamas. On Thursday, February 3, the company opened the new marina and dining facility on the island, representing a significant milestone in the more than $20 million enhancement project currently underway. Norwegian Sky’s 2.000 guests were the first to experience the opening of the marina basin with four docks for the island’s tenders and the new 8.500 square foot dining facility, complete with two bars and four picnic pavilions.

“Both the new marina and the dining facility greatly enhance the guest experience on Great Stirrup Cay which is our second busiest port of call this year,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s president and CEO. “By moving the tenders’ arrival to the marina and away from the beach, we have now opened up a great expanse of beachfront for our guests to enjoy and relax. We’ve also built a new large dining facility that is similar to the action station restaurants we have on board our Freestyle Cruising ships.”

The marina is approximately 3.5 metres deep at low water and is home to the island’s four tenders. It took more than eight months to excavate the basin and the entrance channel. The dining facility includes a central pizza making station, two grills, hot and cold food stations, as well as fresh fruits and breads. There are two full bars on either side of the facility for added convenience. The four pavilions, each more than 165 square metres, offer picnic tables with a total seating capacity for more than 500 guests.

Enhancements to Great Stirrup Cay have been underway since January of 2010 and will continue through the end of this year. Several new island activities have been added since the project began including more than 16 wave runners, kayak rentals and an eco-adventure boat tour around the island. These are in addition to the existing snorkeling; floats; inflatable hippo slide; and parasailing.

The second phase of enhancements includes an arrival/departure pavilion, additional bar facilities; several comfort stations; a band stand; cruise program activity area; private beachfront cabanas; a kid's play area; straw market; and beach volleyball courts. The beachfront will continue to be expanded on the island’s west end.

Norwegian Cruise Line has owned the island since 1977 when it became the first cruise line to offer an uninhabited tropical island experience exclusively for its guests. Great Stirrup Cay offers magnificent white sand beaches, majestic palms and calm, pristine waters where an abundance of colorful marine life inhabits the surrounding coral reefs.

Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Pearl regularly call on Great Stirrup Cay throughout the year.

Norwegian Sky calls at Great Stirrup Cay year-round on her three- and four-night mini cruises from/to Miami. Apart from the private island, ports of call include Nassau as well as during the four-night itinerary Grand Bahama Island. Those cruises are available from Euro 229 p.p. and make a perfect addition to a longer holiday in Florida.

About Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

NCL Corporation Ltd. is an internationally operating cruise line headquartered in Miami, Florida. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., Wiesbaden Office is the responsible branch office for the Continental European market.

Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 44-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.

Today, Norwegian Cruise Line has 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing the guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea. The Company has reached an agreement for two 143.000-gross ton vessels for delivery in 2013 and 2014.

NCL’s largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, debuted in June 2010. Three of its modern Freestyle Cruising ships are deployed in Europe in the 2010/11 and 2011/12 season. NCL is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, debuting for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic, as well as the official cruise line of Legends in Concert and NickelodeonTM, the number-one entertainment brand for kids.

In October 2010, the cruise line received the World Travel Award as “Europe’s Leading Cruise Line” for the third year running.

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