via RCCL:

Vacationers also can choose seven-night Bahamas cruises, featuring calls at Nassau , Bahamas; Port Canaveral, Fla.; and Royal Caribbean’s private island CocoCay. The December 22 and 29 departure will see guests celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Day, respectively, at Nassau; while the Mar. 21, 2014 sailing will offer guests an eighth night at sea.

NCL has been pioneering the 7-night NYC to Bahamas and Florida since the Norwegian Sea first started sailing it back in 2001. I’m surprised it took this long for another cruise line to give NCL some strong competition on these short Bahamas routes.

Genting Chairman and CEO Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay:

We look forward to returning the SuperStar Aquarius for a second seasonal deployment in Hainan, and the deployment of the Norwegian Dream in the region, after her refurbishment.

Operating income for the first quarter grew 23.8% to $46.4 million, with Adjusted EBITDA posting a 10.3% increase to $93.5 million, from strong revenue performance and the benefits of ongoing business improvement initiatives. Net Revenue grew 4.6% in the quarter from an increase in Net Yield and a 2.3% increase in Capacity Days. Net Yield increased 2.2%, or 2.3% on a Constant Currency basis, as a result of higher average ticket pricing across the fleet coupled with increased onboard and other revenue per Capacity Day, particularly in tour and gaming operations.

Net Cruise Cost per Capacity Day increased slightly by 0.6%, or 0.7% on a Constant Currency basis, as the timing of repairs and maintenance expenses coupled with benefits from business initiatives and improved efficiencies offset a 15% increase in the per metric ton cost of fuel to $598 from $520 in the prior year. Excluding fuel expense, Net Cruise Cost per Capacity day decreased 1.9%, or 1.8% on a Constant Currency basis. "It is always rewarding to report strong top-to-bottom results," said Kevin Sheehan, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line. "Revenue growth was very positive, considering the impact of redeploying Norwegian Jade in late 2011 due to geopolitical disruptions in Egypt and the surrounding region," continued Sheehan.

Interest expense, net decreased 3.6% mainly due to lower average debt balances in the period. During the quarter the Company took advantage of favorable market conditions and issued $100 million in senior unsecured notes which were an add-on to the existing notes due in 2018. The net proceeds were used to repay portions of certain outstanding revolving credit facilities and for general corporate purposes.

The Company posted net income of $3.3 million on revenue of $515.4 million versus a loss of $(7.9) million on revenue of $495.5 million in 2011.

We finally have more details about some out door areas on NCL’s latest ship. When she launches next April, the ship’s top decks will feature the Aqua Park. The area has five full-size water slides, including twin Free Fall slides, the first ever at sea, and a three-story sports complex that includes the largest ropes course at sea, a nine-hole miniature golf course, basketball court, and rock climbing wall.

NCL also announced a partnership with Nickelodeon, and will theme certain areas like the Kids’ Aqua Park. The Kids’ Aqua Park, will have Nickelodeon characters from Bikini Bottom, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick, Squidward among others.

Also back on the Breakaway are NCL signatures like Spice H2O off the fantail and Garden Café. On deck 17, guests ages 18 and over will have the opportunity to enjoy another private retreat – Vibe Beach Club – by purchasing an access pass. Complete with ocean views, an oversized hot tub, luxurious chaise loungers and a relaxing water feature, Vibe Beach Club will be another exclusive experience for NCL’s premier cruises willing to shell out more money.

Video NSFW-L

The Norwegian Getaway will start sailing round trip Miami voyagers when she arrives in Spring 2014.

When the Getaway starts revenue voyages together with her fleetmates, NCL ships will move around 1 million guests and generate up to $500 million in revenue for the Miami-Dade area.

Last Friday, we learnt, via a mass email from NCL, it will be about their newest ship, the  Norwegian Getaway. Shortly thereafter, the Miami Herald leaked, via a “source who did not want to be identified” that announcement on Tuesday morning will be that Norwegian Getaway will homeport in  Miami.

If so, she will join NCL’s flagship, the Norwegian Epic, who already sails out of there.

The Getaway’s sistership, the Breakaway, will be homeported in New York City year-round when she debuts in 2013.

My guess would be more Breakaway/Getaway announcements, or something new they have in store for the sky.

NCL released the latest Deck Plans. Take a look at the recently announced Waterfront area.

Click Here For Norwegian Breakaway Deck Plans

• Moderno Churrascaria  ($18 surcharge will apply)
• Cagney’s Steakhouse ($25 surcharge will apply)
• La Cucina ($10 surcharge will apply)
• Visit Chris Cruises to see more

If NCL can convince guests to pay all these fees, on top of the obvious higher fares for the new ship, boy do they have a money maker on their hands.