For non-conformists who want to set sail on the open seas and leave the formal wear at home, freestyle cruising is the way to go.
Freestyle Cruising Appeals to Individualists
In 2006, Norwegian Cruise Line turned tradition on its head when it unveiled the freestyle cruising concept. NCL set out to catch the individualist who doesn’t enjoy being told what time to eat.
According to NCL’s webpage, research shows that the types of people who are attracted to freestyle cruising see themselves as individualists in a world in which everyone else is doing what they are told and accepting what is offered. These guests want to enjoy their cruise on their terms without the structure and regimentation that is still the central feature of many traditional cruises.
Free-Spirited Cruising on NCL
Carefree cruisers were enthralled that there would be no fixed dining times, no formal dress codes, and a plethora of restaurants, lounges, and bars, from which to choose. Freestyle cruising fits the non-traditional, free-spirited attitude that many guests share.
It offers vacationers freedom from the stress and demands of everyday life and freedom to enjoy a less-structured, more relaxed, resort style experience than traditional cruising. Research shows that non-cruisers and even those who have cruised but were not 'in-love' with cruising, readily identified with the traditional, staid norms of cruising such as dining and dress code as key barriers to try cruising or repeat, according to NCL.
NCL Unveils Freestyle 2.0
Guests can sail to a variety of destinations, such as Alaska, the Caribbean, Bermuda, Hawaii, Europe, and Mexico. Weekend getaways, featuring two or three nights at sea, are great ways to relax.
In 2008, NCL unveiled Freestyle 2.0, a fleet-wide initiative to upgrade several aspects of the guest experience, including dining, staterooms, and onboard activities and amenities. The initiative is the result of customer and travel agent feedback, and is being helped along, at least financially, by the $1 billion investment by Apollo Management.
Variety of Accommodations and Activities
Accommodations include staterooms, suites, interconnecting suites, villas, and deluxe owner’s suites. Villas and deluxe owner’s suites feature NCL’s unique “ship-within-a-ship” complex that provides guests with a private deck, pool, exercise area, dedicated butler, plus many special perks.
On-board entertainment abounds with comedy routines, live shows, bowling, rock climbing, educational programs, and more. The Youth Staff keeps kids of all ages busy while adults can head to the spa or casino.
Guests can still have a sense of “staying connected” through the Internet Cafés on every ship. NCL pioneered the industry’s first Internet access on the high seas with its Internet Café. NCL is also the first cruise line to provide remote wireless Internet access (WiFi) and cell phone service fleet wide to its guests.
Some travelers would rather set their own schedules in order to engage in the many activities onboard. Many guests also enjoy being able to dress casually while on vacation. Those are some of the perks that comes with freestyle cruising.
Joy Richardson - Joy Richardson has worked as a reporter, photographer, and editor for several local newspapers in the Atlanta area. Her articles have been ...
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