MIAMI, January 5, 2006 Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and NCL America have been awarded "2005 Best Alternative Dining Room Cuisine" and "Best Hawaii Itineraries" by Porthole Cruise Magazine. These prestigious awards illustrate the best in the cruise industry as deemed by Porthole readers, who cast their votes online or via mail-in entries.

"NCL's alternative Freestyle Dining restaurants have always had a reputation for the highest caliber service, fine cuisine and unique presentation," said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO. "To garner this recognition from our passengers and Porthole readers is truly an honor."

From tapas to French fare to Teppanyaki, NCL's Freestyle Dining alternative restaurants were deserving of the Porthole award as each has a taste for every palate. Some highlights include: The award-winning Le Bistro, available on every ship in the NCL fleet, is an upscale French restaurant offering an a la carte menu of nouvelle and classic French Mediterranean cuisine; Tango's Tapas & Latin Restaurant, aboard Norwegian Jewel, is a contemporary, brightly colored restaurant decorated with colorful ceramics and mosaics to compliment the hot and spicy Latin/tapas fare and is inspired by the steps of the Tango; and a Teppanyaki room, featured on several NCL ships, offers an interactive Japanese dining experience where food is prepared in front of guests.

In addition to earning recognition for NCL's fine dining, NCL America received "Best Hawaiian Itineraries." NCL America, the brand under which all U.S.-flagged ships operate, focuses exclusively on the Hawaii market.

"To be given this honor shows just how much NCL America is not only meeting, but exceeding our customer's needs and expectations," Veitch said.

Porthole features expertly written, sophisticated cruise and travel editorial for savvy consumers worldwide. Seasoned travel writers feature their stories, opinions, tips, and insights into the places they go and adventures they experience. From the relaxing pampering of an onboard spa to a wild African safari, subscribers are able to read about the cruise ships themselves, as well as the destinations both near and far that they visit around the globe.

NCL Corporation (NCL) is an innovative cruise company headquartered in Miami, Florida, with a fleet of 15 ships in service and under construction. The corporation oversees the operations of Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America, and Orient Lines.

NCL took delivery of its newest Freestyle Cruising vessel, the 93,502-ton Norwegian Jewel on August 4, 2005. The company is currently building three ships, including one more for the NCL America brand in Hawaii - Pride of Hawaii (delivery in April 2006) - and two further Norwegian Jewel class ships, which are scheduled for delivery in 2007.