The top-rated travel magazine recognizes Norwegian Gem as one of the best cruise ships for "spa lovers" and Norwegian Jade as one of the best for "foodies."

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) received top billing in Condé Nast Traveler magazine's special August cruise issue, which hits newsstands this week.

"Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Jade are two of our newest Freestyle Cruising ships that offer an unmatched cruise experience and appeal to a wide range of vacationers," said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO. "It is particularly gratifying to be recognized by the editors at Condé Nast Traveler, since this widely read publication is respected the world over as a genuinely independent authority on travel."

Conde Nast Traveler's Consumer News Editor Wendy Perrin opens the special pullout section with a letter to readers highlighting the amenities she and her family enjoyed during their sailing on board Norwegian Gem's seven-day Florida & Bahamas sailing from New York.

She writes that she found the perfect ship for a family holiday because Norwegian Gem had everything she needed including, "&a well-equipped child-care center with age specific programs and plenty of kids for my boys to befriend; sports facilities that would allow me to exhaust the whirling dervishes with minimal effort on my part (large pool, a water slide, basketball court, space for running); a selection of kid-friendly places to eat; and never having to dress up."

Norwegian Gem Best for Spa Goers
Norwegian Gem, NCL's newest Freestyle Cruising ship, was lauded as having one of the best spas at sea. In the Yin & Yang Spa, guests can receive a wide range of exotic and rejuvenating treatments in 18 rooms, plunge into the thalassotherapy pool and relax on heated poolside loungers.

Norwegian Gem is currently sailing seven-day Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona. From November through April, the ship sails seven-day Bahamas & Florida and 10 and 11-day Exotic Southern Caribbean itineraries out of New York.

Norwegian Jade Best for Foodies
Sailing year-round in Europe, Norwegian Jade is touted in the magazine for its 12 restaurants which give guests the opportunity to eat whenever and wherever they want. The ship caters to a wide range of tastes and features Le Bistro, NCL's signature French restaurant; Cagney's Steakhouse; Papa's Italian Kitchen; Paniolo's, offering authentic Tex-Mex; an Asian complex featuring Japanese teppanyaki, a sushi bar and an Asian fusion eatery; a 24-hour diner; and an action station restaurant. With the recent Freestyle 2.0 enhancements, all of Norwegian Jade's restaurants have new, expanded menus and Lobster Galore, where foodies can find lobster in a different restaurant every night of the cruise.

Norwegian Jade homeports in Europe year-round sailing three to 23-day itineraries with ports of call in the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, Africa and Spain.

For more information and cruise tips from Condé Nast Traveler, visit www.cntraveler.com/cruise. To book a cruise on Norwegian Gem or Norwegian Jade, call a travel professional or NCL at 866-234-0292.

NCL Corporation Ltd. is the holding company for various subsidiary companies involved in owning and operating the ships of Norwegian Cruise Line. NCL is building two new Third Generation Freestyle Cruising ("F3") ships for delivery in 2010.

NCL today has the youngest fleet in the industry, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships in the market, and has recently added its latest new ship, the 2,400 passenger Norwegian Gem.