HOUSTON, Texas, March 12 -- Norwegian Cruise Line announced
today that its cruise ship M/S Norwegian Sea will arrive at the Port of
Houston in mid-December to replace the M/S Norwegian Star, which will be
deployed on a new series of year-round cruises in Australia and New Zealand.
"We always intended to increase capacity for our Texaribbean product once we
proved the demand was there," said Hans E. Golteus, President and Chief
Operating Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. "The Norwegian Sea, with
accommodations for 1,534 passengers and a crew of 630, nearly doubles our
capacity from Houston. She will help us meet the demand created by the ease
of passengers getting to Houston and the uniqueness of the Western Caribbean
ports of call," he added.

The modern Norwegian Sea, built in 1988, has been sailing in the Caribbean
since her maiden voyage. Among her features are four dining facilities, a
casino, and an ice cream parlor, plus eight lounge/bar areas. There are two
outdoor swimming pools and Jacuzzis plus a fabulous sun deck, a basketball
court, a health/sports/fitness area and a well equipped children's playroom.
Other features include a shopping arcade, a beauty salon and a medical center.
The Norwegian Sea has nine passenger decks, six elevators and, in each room,
TV/radio, telephone and individual thermostat controls. "I am confident the
Norwegian Sea will provide the kind of cruise experience that millions of
customers have come to expect from Norwegian Cruise Line. We look forward to
introducing many new passengers to cruise vacationing 'The Norwegian Way,'"
Golteus said.

Beginning December 13, 1998, the seven-day itinerary of the Norwegian Sea
will include Cancun and Cozumel, Mexico and Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras.
Because of ship size, as well as to allow more port time, the Norwegian Sea
will not visit Calica, Mexico, as does the Norwegian Star. NCL will begin
accepting reservations for the new ship and itinerary on March 24, 1998.

NCL began the first cruise service ever from the Port of Houston on May 25,
1997, with the Norwegian Star. Since that time over twenty-five thousand
passengers have taken the Texaribbean cruise. "We're sure the Norwegian Star
will be missed by the many friends she has made in the Houston market. With
the exception of a few cruises, the Norwegian Star has performed admirably.
The feedback from passengers and travel agents alike has been very gratifying.
In response, we have added a second District Sales Manager for the Houston
area," Golteus said.

Docking and passenger terminal facilities provided by the Port of Houston
made the Texaribbean cruises possible. According to Ned Holmes, Port
Authority Chairman, this has been a good investment for both Norwegian Cruise
Line and the Port of Houston. "The Norwegian Star is having a positive
economic impact on the Port and we look forward to strong growth in the
future," he said.

Norwegian Cruise Line will continue to book passengers on seven-day cruises
on the Norwegian Star through October 4, 1998. The ship will then proceed to
dry dock for three weeks beginning October 11. In the next few weeks, NCL
will contact travel agents who have passengers booked on the Norwegian Star
and Norwegian Sea and whose reservations will be affected by these changes.

On November 1, the Norwegian Star will begin a 16-day repositioning cruise
from Houston through the Panama Canal to San Diego. Passengers on this cruise
will fly home from San Diego. On November 17, the Norwegian Star will sail
from Ensenada, Mexico, to Honolulu on a 10-day Hawaiian Thanksgiving Cruise.
From Honolulu, she will proceed to Australia to begin a new joint venture
operation between NCL and the Australian Cruise Project, called Norwegian
Capricorn Line. These new cruises will take place initially between Australia
and New Zealand, but then expand to include Asia/Pacific.

Norwegian Cruise Line operates ten ships in Alaska/Canada, Bahamas, Bermuda,
Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mediterranean, Mexico, New England/Canada, Panama
Canal and South America.

For more cruise information contact a travel agent or call NCL Reservations
at 800-327-7030; 305-436-0866 in Dade County, Florida, or visit NCL's website
at
http://www.ncl.com.