Norwegian Cruise Line introduces customer service center in Honolulu for Hawaii cruise travelers (July 6, 2004)

Norwegian Cruise Line introduces customer service center in Honolulu for Hawaii cruise travelers
In conjunction with the inaugural voyage of Pride of Aloha, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) today, June 30, 2004, announced the official opening of the NCL Customer Service Center at the newly renovated Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa in Honolulu. A full-service concierge service exclusively available for NCL and NCL America guests, the service center provides an array of offerings for NCL's Hawaíi travelers including pre-cruise check-in, land and shore excursion coordination, advance spa and dining reservations and cabin upgrade requests.

"We want to do everything we can to ensure our guests' Hawaíi experience is the trip of a lifetime and that they return home with fond memories of their time in paradise," said Colin Murphy, NCL's vice president of land & air services. "Our team of local experts will answer questions, recommend activities and restaurants, and share the islands' renowned ŚAloha Spirit' with travelers from the moment they set foot in Hawaíi."

NCL guests who purchase a land package at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa will be able to check-in at the service center for their cruise up to six days in advance of sailing. The service center will coordinate expedited transit into the terminal upon arrival at the pier and, once passengers pick up their stateroom card keys at a dedicated key pick-up podium, they are able to immediately embark the ship.

For NCL guests who purchase a land package at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa or at another hotel in Honolulu, the customer service center representatives are able to:

Accept reservations for the onboard Mandara Spa for anytime during the cruise;

Make dinner reservations at any onboard alternative restaurant (night of embarkation only);

Accept guest requests for cabin upgrades. These upgrade requests will be given priority consideration.

For all NCL Hawaíi cruise travelers, the customer service center representatives are also able to:

Arrange a multitude of Honolulu land excursions ranging from the traditional Pearl Harbor and Polynesian Cultural Center tours to parasailing, surfing lessons and helicopter rides;

Pre-reserve shore excursions for any port on the itinerary;

Arrange for any onboard amenities.

Since the soft opening of the service center with the arrival of Norwegian Wind in May, NCL has been surveying embarking guests. With regard to travelers' pre-cruise experiences, surveys revealed an exceptional overall satisfaction rating indicating the delivery of services truly exceeds guests' expectations. Additionally, customer testimonials have been unwaveringly positive.

Following the July 4th christening of NCL America's first US-flagged vessel, the 77,104-ton, 2,002-passenger Pride of Aloha will begin her regular seven-day, inter-island schedule. Her itinerary is unique in that it features two overnight stays in Kauai and Maui while also making full day calls in Kona and Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaíi.
Offering up to 96 hours in port, the ship will sail year-round each Sunday from Honolulu.

Guests on either Norwegian Wind or NCL America's Pride of Aloha are welcome to take advantage of NCL's Customer Service Center and the expertise of its knowledgeable local representatives.

NCL offers pre- and post-cruise land packages at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa and other fine Honolulu hotels for any length of stay. Rates at the Marriott start at $99 per person for a one-night package based on double occupancy. Package rates include room, tax, porterage and one transfer between the hotel and pier.

(Source: Norwegian Cruise Line)