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Norwegian Jewel: NCL raises "Freestyle Cruising" up another level with its largest cruise liner yet.

Article Excerpt
Norwegian Cruise Line's rapidly paced fleet renewal took a 93,502-ton leap forward with the introduction of the Norwegian Jewel, the line's largest ship yet. She is marginally beefier than her near sisters, 2001's Norwegian Star and 2002's Norwegian Dawn, but has the same 965-foot-long hull. And with 76 more cabins, the Norwegian Jewel accommodates 2,376 passengers (double occupancy) while cruising at a highly respectable speed of up to 25.5 knots.

Completed at Meyer Werft, Papenburg, Germany, last August, she began cruising in Europe, then sailed to New York for a fall season of Canada/New England cruises. Repositioning to Miami, she was christened on November 3 by Melania Trump, wife of New York real-estate mogul Donald Trump. The Norwegian Jewel currently sails every Sunday on alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries through April 23. The eastern loop calls on San Juan, Antigua, St. Thomas, and Great Stirrup Cay (NCL's private Bahamian island); while the western circuit calls at Roatan (Bay Islands), Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, and Great Stirrup Cay. In late spring she repositions to the Mediterranean for weekly cruises from Barcelona and four end-of-the-season 12-day trips to the Greek Islands, Turkey, and Egypt.

As on her near sisters, two garden villas of 5,750 square feet are among the most spectacular living spaces afloat with private furnished outdoor deck space and hot tub, living room and entertainment center, dining room, three bedrooms--the master one with a full bath whirlpool tub and a separate shower. Concierge lounge and butler service are also available.

Unique to the Norwegian Jewel are 10 courtyard villas, measuring 572 square feet, that share a private courtyard--an idea that dates back...

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