MIAMI, Feb. 18 -- Norwegian Cruise Line has announced a series
of special theme and sports cruise to be held this year aboard the M/S
Norwegian Star. The 800-passenger vessel which sails weekly from the Port of
Houston will host NCL's annual Blues and Dixieland Cruises, as well as its
Sports Afloat(R) Pro Hockey, Pro Basketball and Pro Baseball Cruises.

Following is the 1998 schedule of week-long special cruises aboard the
Norwegian Star:

Blues Cruise May 24

Pro Hockey Cruise June 28

Pro Basketball Cruise July 26

Dixieland Cruise Sept. 27

Pro Baseball Cruise Nov. 29

Long known for offering the best entertainment at sea, NCL is also the
cruise industry's pioneer for theme and sports cruises. For many years NCL's
flagship S/S Norway has traditionally been the venue for specialty cruises,
however with the Norway's six-month deployment to Europe this spring, the
Norwegian Star was selected as an ideal choice to host this popular line-up of
1998 theme and Sports Afloat cruises.

The Blues Cruise departing May 24 will feature nine of the country's top
blues musicians and their bands including legendary Rock 'n' Roll Hall of
Famer Wilson Pickett, Irma Thomas and the Professionals, Marva Wright and C.J.
Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band.

With the ship's close proximity to the heart of "Dixie" it seemed apropos to
launch a Dixieland Cruise on one of the Norwegian Star's Texaribbean sailings
from the Port of Houston.

More than 55 musicians are scheduled to perform including bands like Tommy
Saunders and the Wild Bill Davidson Legacy, Banu Gibson and the New Orleans
Hot Jazz, The Salty Dogs with Carol Leigh and Ed Pulcer and the 52nd Street
All Stars.

In addition to an almost non-stop array of musical performances, passengers
on each music theme cruise will be treated to a host of activities including
passenger jam sessions, autograph and Q & A sessions as well as an in-cabin
video channel airing outstanding musical performances.

Sports Fans Dream Vacation

NCL has long been a recognized industry leader in the area of sports
programs. With its Sports Afloat program fans don't have to leave their
favorite sport behind when they go on vacation. Passengers on these cruises
may participate in competitions and attend lectures, sports trivia contests,
autograph sessions and Q & A sessions; Hall of Fame presentations as well as
the taping of the "Coast to Coast with James Brown" national sports radio
show.

Sports fans on these sailings will also be able to enjoy the ship's Sports
Bar -- a popular NCL innovation which showcases the world of sports with
memorabilia, posters and artwork. In the Sports Bar there are multiple,
suspended television screens where ESPN and NFL broadcasts casts are often
transmitted live and fans can root for their favorite teams.

The line-up of players who will be featured on upcoming Sports Afloat
cruises will be announced within the next few months. A sampling of activities
and athletes who have sailed on past sports cruises follows:

The Pro Hockey Cruise takes place just weeks after the Stanley Cup finals on
the June 28th sailing. Activities planned for this week-long cruise include a
four-on-four passenger hockey tournament and slap shot contest out on deck as
well as a Pro Hockey Aerobics workout. Players who have participated in
previous Pro Hockey Cruises include: Hall of Famers Gordie Howe, Pavel Bure,
and Alexander Daigle.

The Pro Basketball Cruise takes place July 26 following the NBA
Championships. Activities scheduled during the cruise include a three-on-three
basketball tournament and three-on-three shoot-out on deck. Names like Moses
Malone, Byron Scott and Michael Jordan (in his rookie year) and Hall of Famers
Sam Jones and Bob Cousey have participated in previous NCL Pro Basketball
Cruises.

The Pro Baseball Cruise will be held Nov. 29 when the 'boys of summer' head
out to sea. An array of activities including pitching clinics and American and
National League presentations will also be held. Players who have sailed on
previous Pro Baseball Cruises include Hall of Famers Bob Feller, Maury Wills
and Stan Musial.

"Texaribbean" Cruises to the Western Caribbean

The Norwegian Star departs each Sunday from the Port of Houston on seven-
day "Texaribbean" voyages to the Western Caribbean calling at Cozumel and
Calica in Mexico and Roatan in the Bay Islands, Honduras.

The intimate vessel made its Houston debut last May, marking the first time
ever a year-round cruise product has been offered from the Port of Houston. As
a ship originally built for world-wide cruising, the Norwegian Star offers
spacious cabins, suites and penthouses.

Several new public rooms were added to the vessel last year, including NCL's
signature Le Bistro restaurant, a Sports Bar and an Art Deco-themed Monte
Carlo Casino, as well as a new "Kid's Korner" playroom and video arcade.

Passengers will also enjoy the fully-equipped health and fitness center,
nightclub, a wide variety of entertainment and midnight buffets including
NCL's trademark Chocoholic Buffet. On board dining features many regional
specialties such as Texas-sized T-bone steaks and Mexican hors d'oeuvres.
Passengers can also choose from the largest selection of hot sauces afloat--
more than 70 varieties including NCL's own "Texaribbean" hot sauce, bottled in
Texas. They can also whet their whistle with an array of Mexican beers and
wines from the Lone Star State.

For more information contact a travel agent or call NCL reservations at 1-
800-327-7030; 305-436-0866 in Dade County, Fla., or visit NCL website at
www.ncl.com.