KRCW

Norwegian Cruise Line today announced where its sending its 11 ships for summer 2013 with three ships sailing Alaskan waters, four in Europe, two to Bermuda and keeping year-round Bahamas and Hawaiian itineraries.

The line will send a third ship to Alaska for the first time since 2009 with the Norwegian Sun sailing seven-day itineraries between the port of Vancouver, British Columbia and Whittier Alaska. The Sun joins the Jewel and Pearl, which sail out of the Port of Seattle. The company will be offering pre- and post-cruise land packages to combine with the Sun's itineraries.

"Alaska, with its extraordinary beauty and wildlife, continues to be an extremely popular summer destination for cruisers and therefore there is a lot of demand for increased capacity and more varied and unique cruises," said NCL CEO Kevin Sheehan. "With the strides made by the state government, we felt the time was right to add a third ship in Alaska, and give our guests the once in a lifetime opportunity to see more of this incredible destination. We've also added the option of extending their stay with a Cruisetour that will enhance their overall experience."

Also on the slate are four ships sailing in Europe. The Jade and Spirit will continue their year-round European itineraries, but will be joined by the new Norwegian Epic, makings its third trip to Europe and the Norwegian Star, which replaces the Alaska-bound Norwegian Sun.

Sailing to Bermuda will be the first of NCL's two newest ships, the Norwegian Breakaway sailing out of New York City, and also the Norwegian Dawn sailing out of Boston. A sister ship to the Breakaway, the Norwegian Getaway, is on order for delivery in April 2014.

Finally, NCL will continue year-round cruises to Hawaii and the Bahamas. The Norwegian Sky, currently sailing out of Port Canaveral near Orlando will continue sailing three- and four-day Bahamas cruises from the Port of Miami through April 25, 2014. The Pride of America will continue Hawaiian itineraries, with

The summer 2013 cruises go on sale to some travel partners and Latitudes Rewards members on Dec. 6, 2011, and the general public on Thursday, Dec. 8. The Alaskan land packages will go on sale in early 2012 and Europe fall/winter cruises will go on sale Dec. 13 to some travel partners and Latitudes Rewards members and Dec. 15 for the general public.

Here's a breakdown of the deployment:

Alaska:

-- Beginning May 20, 2013, Norwegian Sun's northbound itinerary departs Vancouver, British Columbia on Mondays, and will cruise the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier and make stops in the Alaskan favorites of Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau. Southbound itineraries from Whittier, Alaska include the Inside Passage, Sawyer Glacier and Hubbard Glacier, and stops in Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau and Icy Strait Point. New for the 2013 summer for folks sailing on the Sun are four pre- or post-cruise land packages from Whittier, Alaska. Ranging in length from four to six days, the "Cruisetours" feature two nights in Denali National Park and are fully escorted by a local Alaskan tour guide. Highlights of the Cruisetours also include a stop at an Iditarod sled dog musher's house (on four and five-night tours), along with a ride on the Alaskan railroad. More details on the Alaska Cruisetours will be available in early 2012.

-- Beginning May 18, 2013, Norwegian Jewel will sail a series of 18 seven-day Sawyer Glacier itineraries from Seattle, Washington every Saturday with stops in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, Alaska; along with Victoria, British Columbia. The Jewel features Nickelodeon family programming.

-- Beginning May 18, 2013, The Norwegian Pearl begins a series of 18 seven-day Glacier Bay itineraries from Seattle, Washington every Sunday with stops in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, Alaska; along with Victoria, British Columbia.

Europe:

-- Beginning May 5, 2013, Norwegian Epic will return for a third season, sailing seven-day Western Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona through October 14, 2013. The new itinerary features five ports of call in three countries -- Spain, Italy and France -- and a call to Palma, Majorca, Spain. Guests will also have the opportunity to sail round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy or Marseille, France. There is also a four-day Western Mediterranean sailing on May 1, 2013.

-- Norwegian Star will make her debut in the Baltic replacing Norwegian Sun and will offer a series of 15 nine-day Baltic Capital cruises from Copenhagen, Denmark. Some highlights of this popular itinerary include two full days in St. Petersburg, Russia and an afternoon cruise of the Stockholm Archipelago upon the ship's departure from Stockholm, Sweden. The Star will end the season with a 14-day Norway, Iceland and Faroe Island cruise from Copenhagen on September 19, 2013.

-- Beginning May 4, 2013, Norwegian Jade returns to Venice with alternating seven-day Greek Isles and seven-day Adriatic, Greece and Turkey itineraries. In the fall/winter, Norwegian Jade will reposition to Rome (Civitavecchia) and offer a series of eight 10-day Eastern Mediterranean and nine 11-day Mediterranean & the Holy Land beginning on October 26, 2013 through April 12, 2014.

-- Beginning on April 17, 2013, Norwegian Spirit will once again sail the waters of the Mediterranean offering 12-day Grand Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona, Spain and Venice, Italy through October 14, 2013. The comprehensive itinerary has nine ports of call in five different countries including an overnight in Venice. On October 26, 2013, Norwegian Spirit begins a series of 20 nine-day Canary Island cruises. Guests will have the option to sail round-trip from Malaga, Spain.

Bermuda:

-- Beginning May 12, 2013, the under-construction, 4,000-pasenger Norwegian Breakaway will begin sailing a series of 22 seven-day cruises from New York. Departing on Sundays, the ship will spend three full days in Bermuda, along with three days at sea.

-- Beginning May 3, 2013, the newly refurbished Norwegian Dawn will return to Boston, Massachusetts and sail a series of 22 seven-day Bermuda cruises departing every Friday.

Hawaii:

-- The Pride of America will continue as the only U.S.-flagged vessel sailing among all four of Hawaii's main islands. NCL is opening the ship's seven-day inter-island cruises departing Honolulu, Hawaii every Saturday through April 18, 2015 (2015 sailings on sale in January 2012). Ports of call include: an overnight in Kahului, Maui; Hilo, Hawaii; Kona, Hawai'i; an overnight in Nãwiliwili, Kaua'i; and an afternoon cruise of the Nãpali Coast.

Bahamas:

The Norwegian Sky, currently sailing out of Port Canaveral near Orlando will continue sailing three- and four-day cruises to the Bahamas year-round, but from the Port of Miami through April 25, 2014. The three-day Bahamas cruise departs on Fridays and includes stops in Nassau, Bahamas and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island in the Bahamas, which has recently received $25 million in enhancements, including a new dining facility, marina and expanded beachfront. On Mondays, the ship departs Miami on a four-day Bahamas cruise with stops in Grand Bahama Island, Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island; and Nassau, Bahamas.

Call 866-234-7350 or visit www.ncl.com to book a cruise.