May 2010

LEGENDARY ENTERTAINER REBA MCENTIRE TO CHRISTEN NORWEGIAN EPIC

 Queen of Country Music to serve as Norwegian Epic’s Godmother

 MIAMI – May 11, 2010 – Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that one of music's most iconic performers, Reba McEntire, will christen the company’s newest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date, Norwegian Epic, the hottest new ship of the year.  The christening ceremony will take place in New York on July 2, 2010 on board Norwegian Epic.

            Ms. McEntire, who recently hosted the 45^th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, has achieved legendary status in the music world having sold over 55 million albums worldwide; earned 34 #1 singles and won 15 American Music Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, nine People’s Choice Awards, seven Country Music Association Awards and two GRAMMY Awards. She is also an avid cruiser and has taken several family cruise vacations, most recently on Norwegian Gem in the Mediterranean.

            Norwegian Epic is an innovator in cruise ship entertainment, featuring world-class entertainment on board such as Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams™ & Dinner, Legends in Concert, The Second City^®, Howl at the Moon and Nickelodeon™ at Sea.   In keeping with its focus on exceptional entertainment, it is only fitting that an entertainer – particularly one as celebrated as Reba McEntire – christens the ship. 

            “I met Reba and her family on Norwegian Gem and saw how much they were enjoying the freedom and flexibility that Freestyle Cruising offers.  Later, I discovered that they are frequent customers on our ships which is why I believe that Reba is the perfect choice to christen our largest and most innovative ship, Norwegian Epic,” said Kevin Sheehan, chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line.  “We are more than thrilled that such a celebrated performer as Reba, who also has experienced our product firsthand, will serve as Norwegian Epic’s Godmother.”

            "I am truly honored that Norwegian Cruise Line asked me to christen Norwegian Epic, a ship that is so focused on entertainment," said Reba McEntire.  "As a fan of Norwegian and Freestyle Cruising, this is a very special honor; I'm so excited to serve as Norwegian Epic's godmother."

            In addition, Ms. McEntire’s career has included hosting her own talk show; turns on Broadway, movies and television; authoring books; and creating lines of clothing, footwear, home products and luggage.  Considered one of the most successful female recording artists in history across all genres of music, Reba has seen every studio album since 1984’s, My Kind of Country, certified GOLD or higher, with 13 of her last studio albums all achieving Platinum + status.

            Inaugural festivities for Norwegian Epic will take place in New York at 2:00 p.m. ET on July 2.  In addition, Norwegian Epic will serve as the host venue for the 34th Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks event taking place on Sunday, July 4, 2010.  The event includes a national, one-hour, live entertainment broadcast on NBC-TV beginning at 9 p.m. ET and takes place on board Norwegian Epic where invited guests will have a front row view of the fireworks display.

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Princess Cruises’ Medical Departments Earn Unique Distinction with

Prestigious Quality Certification and Accreditation

 Medical Services Attain an Industry First in Healthcare Awards

 SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (May 6, 2010) – The Princess Cruises  Medical Departments have once again been credited with meeting the quality health standards of an internationally recognized healthcare organization.

Following a comprehensive survey of both its shipboard and shoreside medical departments, Princess Cruises has achieved an industry first by being awarded accreditation and ISO 9001:2008 certification for quality in health care. These awards recognize the excellent standards of medical care provided on board Princess’ vessels.

CHKS accreditation was first awarded to Princess in 2006 and, following comprehensive annual external surveys of its medical facilities, staff and procedures, in 2009 was re-accredited for a further three years. CHKS also certified that the Princess medical program meets the International Organization for Standardization’s quality standards (ISO 9001:2008) and has a management system in place that consistently meets customer and regulatory requirements. Princess is shortlisted to receive the CHKS Quality Improvement Award.

“I think many people would be surprised and reassured to know that our medical centers achieve similar quality standards to medical facilities ashore,” said Dr. Grant Tarling, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer for Princess Cruises.  “We’ve worked extremely hard to attain these outstanding achievements which demonstrate our dedication to providing the highest standards of medical care for our patients on board our ships.”

CHKS is a major UK based organization which works with public and private health care providers worldwide. They develop best practice standards and are accredited by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua), the leading international healthcare quality policy and research organization, as well as by the UK Accreditation Services (UKAS) to award certification to the standards of ISO 9001:2008.

Princess Cruises’ medical department offers one of the industry's most advanced sea-going medical programs, featuring a staff of qualified, full-time maritime professionals who work within well equipped facilities suited to the practice of medicine in a maritime environment. In addition to the CHKS accreditation and ISO 9001:2008 certification, Princess' medical program meets or exceeds the cruise ship medical guidelines issued by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).

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