published on Travel Weekly website. Norwegian Cruise Line launches new lifestyle cruise themed 'cruise like a norwegian'

1. Norwegian Cruise Line pushes
"freestyle" cruising
10 July, 2013 Phoebe Tilelli
Australian seafarers are being urged to "cruise like a Norwegian"
as Norwegian Cruise Line targets a broader demographic.
Additional facilities for families and children are integral to the new
push along with the incorporation of different themes and cultures
into onboard restaurants and entertainment.
The idea of "freestyle cruising" is also a key part of the strategy
with vice president and general manager international, Francis
Riley, explaining “freedom and flexibility" are at its core.
"That has been they key differentiator for us,” he said.

2. Riley reported steady growth in numbers over the last five years with
nineteen consecutive quarters of growth.
“2012 was a record breaking year for us in terms of growth in our
business in Australia and Asia,” he said.
He revealed numbers for Asia Pacific had climbed 24% year on
year. Australia saw a 30% increase, and this year to date has
already surpassed final numbers from 2012.
Australia now drives the biggest volume of passengers from
outside North America to Hawaii. Its Pride of America vessel
carries 15,000 Australian guests to the island destination each
year.
The whole vessel was refurbished in a US$30 million make over in
April with the addition 24 luxury suites.
Plans exist for three extra vessels to be added to the existing fleet
of 12 during 2014, 2015 and 2017 but there are still no plans to
base a ship in Australia or Asia.
“But I hope at some stage in the future that we will come down,”
Riley added.
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cruise, Francis Riley, Norwegian Cruise Line