For Valentine’s Day, Norwegian Celebrates Romance at Sea

Todd O’Neil and Erin Picard of Peabody, Mass.

Fate is a funny thing and this tale of love and romance at sea illustrates it perfectly. It starts in September 2010, when Erin Picard was going through a very difficult time. As a registered nurse with three jobs, she dedicated her life to making sure others were happy and comfortable, while silently suffering through the pain of a lost love. To break free from it all, she and her best friend decided to take a cruise vacation on board Norwegian Spirit from Boston to Bermuda. Seven days after boarding Norwegian Spirit, Erin excitedly called her mother, Lee Bryant to announce that she met the man of her dreams on the cruise.

Bryant recalls the phone call, “She went on to tell me how the accommodations were spectacular, and the food was amazing. She told me that the Norwegian staff was some of the nicest people she had ever met. She had had the time of her life and met her true love. Erin sounded more excited and happy than she had been in a very long time.”

Coincidentally, it was one of Norwegian’s amazing team members that made this love connection happen. At the start of the cruise, fellow passenger Todd O’Neil jokingly asked Bar Waiter Reynaldo “Rey” Atizado from the Philippines if he knew of any nice women on board. Rey, not skipping a beat, walked directly to Erin and her friend and introduced them to Todd and his friend, and that’s where the love story began. It makes us wonder if Rey’s middle name is “Cupid”!

Two years later, Picard and O’Neil are marrying this summer and the couple couldn’t be happier. To add to their happiness and celebrate their incredible love story, Norwegian is sending Erin and Todd on a dream honeymoon to Europe on board Norwegian Spirit, the ship on which they met. They will visit Spain, Italy, France, Greece, and Turkey on Norwegian Spirit’s 12-Day Grand Mediterranean voyage from Barcelona to Venice, following their July 6, 2012 nuptials.

“We are so excited to be going back on board the ship where we met and to visit such romantic destinations in Europe,” said Picard. “We wouldn’t have been able to take a honeymoon right now, so we are so thankful and thrilled.”

For others sailing with their sweetheart, there are many ways to spoil your special someone on board. From romantic dinners in Norwegian’s signature French restaurant, Le Bistro, to a night of dancing in any of Norwegian’s many bars and lounges, to intimate couples’ massages in one of the line’s relaxing spas, there is no better place to celebrate love than on board a Norwegian cruise.

If you are sailing next week with your significant other, consider one of these romantic packages to share with your Valentine:

• The Romance Package: sparkling wine and strawberries in stateroom upon embarkation, a traditional spa pedicure and manicure for one, two 25-minute half-body Seven Seas Massages, and tea service in stateroom. $249 per stateroom.
• The Deluxe Romance Package: sparkling wine and strawberries in stateroom upon embarkation, choice of Exotic Frangipani Body Nourishing Wrap or Exotic Coconut and Milk Ritual Wrap for one, two 25-minute half-body Seven Seas Massages, tea service in stateroom, breakfast in bed, a keepsake portrait, and a romantic dinner for two with a complimentary bottle of wine in Norwegian’s signature restaurant, Le Bistro. $329 per stateroom.

For more information, visit NCL.com.

Image Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line