NCL Offers A Peek at Freestyle 2.0 and "F3" Ships

News from Seatrade…

Miami, March 12 -- This morning members of the media got a glimpse of Norwegian Cruise Line’s next step in the evolution of Freestyle Cruising when we arrived for a briefing and breakfast. Flutes of champagne were handed out at the door, just like the “bubbly welcome” embarking passengers will receive when they step aboard NCL’s ships, and we faced a choice of lobster selections and a chocolate fountain. Yes, that was a unique breakfast, but it served to introduce us to NCL's upgrades that will feature lobster every night in at least one restaurant and a chocolate fountain in the Action Station buffets. For the complete list of Freestyle 2.0 upgrades, see Cruise Diva’s Cruise News.

We also were given a peek at Freestyle 3.0 and the upcoming “F3” ships that NCL will launch in March and October 2010. Adding a total of 8,400 lower berths to the youngest fleet at sea, the new vessels will offer even more flexibility and further the deconstruction of a cruise vacation as we know it. “F3” ships will feature non-traditional accommodations that promise to be like nothing we’ve seen on a cruise ship before, as well as an expansion of the courtyard villa concept. While NCL’s president and CEO Colin Veitch wouldn’t elaborate on what other features the ships will have, he did tease us with what will be missing... they will be ships with NO main dining rooms, theaters, and lido cafes. We’re intrigued and can’t wait to hear more.