NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE TURNS FIFTY THIS MONTH

Incredible to believe as it is, Norwegian Cruise Line turns a svelte fifty years old this month. From a modest, one ship start up in 1966 to the curent. award winning twelve ship line up, the story of the company has been one of the most incredible in the entire cruise industry,

The company has certainly endured a roller coaster ride, from being one of the prime innovators of the industry to flirting with bankruptcy. It introduced the first, true mega cruise ship in 1980 in the shape of the legendary SS. Norway, and even fought off a take over attempt in the 90's from the mighty Carnival Corporation.

It came about quite by accident, with the sudden cessation of a cruise ferry service from Britain to Spain. Suddenly, owner Knut Kloster found himself with a superfluous ship-the Sunward- with no possibility of the UK-Spain service restarting.

In a brilliant sleight of hand that completely changed everything, Kloster sent Sunward to the small, back water port of Miami to begin Caribbean cruises. The result was instant, drmatic and game changing. Within four years, Kloster had added three more ships to what he now called Norwegian Caribbean Lines. Offering week long cruises, this first 'white fleet' sailed full to capacity, week after week.

Kloster and Sunward had, in effect, created the modern cruise industry. Next, Norwegian added flights from the UK, plus hotel stays, to create the fly cruise we all know today. The arrival of the Norway in 1980 was a stunning coup that jump started the construction of the whole genre of modern cruise ships we know today. And NCL's entertainment, with its huge, Broadway style revues and stage shows, was way ahead of any other line.

Without Norwegian, there would be no Carnival or Royal Caribbean. And without Norwegian, Miami would not be the world beating cruise hub that it is now. The cruise industry, and it's satellite services and requirements, bring huge profits to the 'Magic City'.

After years in the wilderness during the late eighties/mid nineties, Norwegian rediscovered it's pioneering groove with the introduction of the Freestyle Dining concept, allowing passengers to eat when, where and with whom they pleased. It proved such a game changer that every single rival line has now adapted the concept in one form or another.

So, a very 'Happy Birthday' is definitely in order. Despite all the ups and downs of that first half century, the cruise industry without Norwegian Cruise Line would be a much less vibrant, 'can do' place. Here's to the next fifty years.