Press Releases

Rear Admiral William Benkert is considered by many to be the father of the U.S. Coast Guard's marine safety and environmental protection mission. Captain Minas Myrtidis, Norwegian's vice president of fleet regulatory compliance, accepted the award yesterday at a reception in San Diego, California.

"We are honored to have the United States Coast Guard bestow on us such a high honor in environmental practices and standards," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian's chief executive officer.

"Norwegian takes extreme pride in the measures we go to in order to protect the waters on which we sail and the environments of the ports where our ships call."

For more than four decades, Norwegian has committed to the protection of the oceans and most significantly through sustainable environmental practices, investments in technology and a commitment to exceed regulatory requirements. Just in the past two years, Norwegian has:

- Reduced solid waste volume by 25 percent; Treated black and gray waste water to near drinking water standards, earning local government approval in states with some of the most rigorous discharge laws;

- Taught 150,000 children and youth passengers (2-17) to become better stewards of the environment through the "Officer Snook" education program, offered exclusively on board Norwegian's ships;

- Delivered 150,000 gallons of cooking oil onshore that has been converted to bio-fuel for use in motor vehicles, reducing petroleum consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

- Invested more than $25 million to upgrade its 250-acre private island, Great Stirrup Cay, with the newest wastewater treatment facilities, and disposal and recycling activities.

In addition to these recent initiatives, Norwegian has invested more than $50 million on new environmental protection technology, as well as on a shore-side department devoted to environmental protection. Each ship sails with a trained Environmental Officer (EO), a three-stripe, non-watch standing officer whose function aboard the ship is the implementation, training, oversight, and verification of shipboard environmental compliance. The EO also provides assistance to Norwegian's Fleet Regulatory Compliance (FRC) Department shore-side in the development of environmental policies and procedures. All on board crew receive training on environmental procedures prior to assuming shipboard duties, as well as specialized environmental training appropriate to their individual job and responsibility.

Environmental Accolades

In May 2007, Norwegian Sun received the Port of San Francisco's 2006 Cruise Ship Environmental Award which recognizes cruise ships whose on-board environmental systems help decrease air and water pollution. In 2008, Norwegian Pearl received the same award.

The Port of Seattle issued a certificate and flag to both Norwegian Star and Norwegian Pearl in 2009 in recognition of their voluntary use of low-sulfur MGO fuel in the inaugural year of the Port's At-Berth Clean Fuels program.

Norwegian participated in the Port of Los Angeles' voluntary speed reduction program in 2008 and 2009. In 2009, the company achieved 100 percent compliance for 64 arrivals and departures. The Port also recognized the company for voluntarily using low-sulfur MGO fuel during port calls in 2008. Both programs are designed to reduce air emissions. The line also received the Venice Blue Flag award from the Venice Port Authority in 2008 and 2009 in recognition of using lower sulfur fuels in the Port. For more information on Norwegian Cruise Line's environmental commitment visit www2.ncl.com/about/environmental-commitment.

About Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 44-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.

Today, Norwegian has 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea. The Company has reached an agreement for two 143,000-gross ton vessels for delivery in 2013 and 2014.

Norwegian's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, debuted in June 2010. Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, debuting for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic, as well as the official cruise line of Legends in Concert, Second City® Comedy Troupe, Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos, Gibson Guitar, and Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids. Cirque Dreams? & Dinner is also featured on board Norwegian Epic as the first show of its kind at sea under a big top.

High resolution, downloadable images are available at www.ncl.com/pressroom. For further information on Norwegian Cruise Line, visit www.ncl.com, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, watch us on YouTube, or contact us in the U.S. and Canada at 888- NCL-CRUISE (625-2784).