April 4

Great Escapes

NCL's New "It" Girl, the Norwegian Gem
By Mel and Ronnie Greenberg

Ordinary quickly becomes extraordinary as the NCL Gem in search of paradise, flirts in perfect harmony between sun rays, fiery sunsets, cotton-cloud skies and candy-colored waters. Sailing from New York Harbor to the ports of the Bahamas and Florida, there's a treasure at every turn onboard the sassy "It Girl"

The ultimate amenities onboard NCL's dynamic Freestyle Cruising fleet are no fixed dress code, and no restrictions in dining times. Just like her sisters the Norwegian Star, Jewel, Pride of Hawaii, and the Pearl, the Gem plays host to 2400 passengers.

With the finest collections of suites and villas on the high seas, accommodations range from comfortable inside and outside cabins, to spacious balcony mini suites and suites. For the more opulent, guests can enjoy the Courtyard Villas (which along with two Garden Villas make up the biggest most luxurious suite complex at sea).; or the Deluxe Owner's Suites and Owner's Suites with butler and concierge service and access to a exclusive private courtyard area with pool, hot tub, gym equipment, steam room and top of the ship sundeck.

There's so much fun and excitement happening onboard, you'll have to fit in time to sleep. Enjoy the beautiful pools with giant water slides, hot tub spas, and numerous decks for lounging and sunbathing. The dazzling four lane, 10-pin bowling alley is part of the Bliss Ultra Lounge & Night Club a really neat all day entertainment and sports bar with couches and video games. The Sports Deck features a jogging track, and a funnel-mounted rock climbing wall that's an impressive 30 feet high and 19 feet wide. There's also a multi-function court for regulation tennis, volleyball and basketball, complete with spectator stands. To round out the options there's a driving range, shuffleboard, oversized chess, ping pong and paddle tennis.

For those so inclined The Body Waves Fitness Center equipped with two steam rooms, offers an extensive array of state-of-the-art exercise equipment including cardio machines and free weights; and an aerobics room offering spinning, Pilates, yoga, step classes and kick boxing. Reward your workout efforts at the Yin & Yang Spa and Beauty Salon, with a Thalassotherapy pool, saunas, 18 treatment rooms including three for couples and a variety of exotic and rejuvenating treatments.

For less activity browse in the well stocked Maritime Heritage Library with a wonderful selection of best sellers and videos, of if the Card Room beckons there's puzzles and games, For guests looking to stay connected while at sea, the Gem is NCL's first ship to feature wireless internet access in all staterooms and public areas of the ship. The Ship also has an Internet Café and Photo Gallery with a kiosk to print photos from digital cameras as well as the latest laptops, which guests can rent to use around the ship. There's an Art Gallery for pleasure and purchase, and for the shoppers the Trade Routes Boutiques is stocked with treasures ranging from fine jewelry and wares to souvenirs. For those who want to try their luck there's the Gem Club Casino featuring Blackjack, Roulette, 3-Card Poker, Texas Hold 'em and Craps as well more than 200 of the newest video and traditional slot machines. Less traditional games include Pai-Gow Poker, Pai-Gow Tiles and even a Mini Baccarat table.

Getting Hungry? Culinary masterpieces from classic American favorites to exotic ethnic cuisines are prepared in your choice of 12 different restaurants. The signature Le Bistro reflects all things French with an a la carte menu of modern and classic French

cuisine. Cagney's Steakhouse an art deco themed steakhouse from the 1930s serves delectable steaks ranging from filet mignon to a 16 oz T-bone as well as grilled veal and more. La Cucina Italian Restaurant, reflecting on a farmhouse kitchen, offers pastas, pizza and other popular Italian fare. Orchid Garden Asian Restaurant lets guests experience delicious Japanese, Thai and Chinese dishes, as well as a sushi bar and Teppanyaki grill. Tequila serves Tex-Mex cuisine and a hot and cold tapas bar. Garden Café/ The Great Outdoors has an action station where chefs cook fresh food prepared to order; and the Blue Lagoon is perfect for fast-food snacks. The main dining rooms the Grand Pacific and Magenta, both offer a wide selection of hearty and light fare throughout the day.

Video screens set up throughout the ship let you know how long a wait you will have in each restaurant.

For nightlife round out your evenings with a choice of 11 bars and lounges, including the Bar Central with four specialty bars. The Spinnaker Lounge, a nautical themed nightclub, features a dance floor and stage for entertainment and funky chairs and tables for lounging. For a different beat, each evening the Venetian-style Stardust Theater showcases a variety of music, comedy and dazzling high energy performances

Shore excursions

A compelling selection of shoreside activities perfectly complements the magical days spent a sea. You can choose your preferences at the time of booking or onboard.

Exciting itineraries

From now through April the Norwegian Gem will sail seven day Bahamas and Florida itinerary. In April the Gem repositions back to Europe where she will pick up her series of 28 seven day Western Mediterranean itineraries roundtrip from Barcelona and will finish out the year with seven-day Bahamas and Florida sailings from New York City in November and December 2008.

For reservations contact your travel agent or for more information call (800)327-7030 or visit www.ncl.com

All Things Irish in Ireland
By Rita Cook

While there are, many reasons to love Ireland at no time are the Irish festivities higher than during St. Patrick's Day. Perched on the edge of Europe, this magical emerald island is as much a state of mind as a destination. But, if you're looking for magic, romance and history to come alive before your eyes then the Emerald Island is the only answer.

First things first in Ireland, if the fog gets to thick for your liking on a particular day (the Atlantic Ocean does play a large part in the island's climate) then duck into a pub and listen to a few stories from the old timers. Indeed, the first settlers of this land was said to have arrived about 9000 years ago and the great megalithic graves in Meath County are some of the oldest buildings in the world.

Most travelers will want to stop in Dublin and Belfast, so add these cities to your list, but keep going and make some new discoveries as well. The history in St. Patrick's County - Downpatrick and Armagh, a stop for a night in Newcastle and a chance to experience the history in Kildare, these destinations will truly open your Irish. There's no way to see all of Ireland in one trip, but you can do your best by starting with a few top spots.

Arrive in Dublin (translated Dubh Linn meaning Black Pool) and enjoy Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin's oldest building founded in 1030. The church also holds concerts and recitals throughout the year if you're lucky enough to visit during that time. Dublin Castle, in the heart of historic Dublin will take you through the history of the city. The structure stands on the ridge of a strategic site at the junction of both a river and a tributary. Rumor is that that the earliest part of this castle may have been a Gaelic Ring Fort as well. The Dublin Writer's Museum in Parnell Square, the Guinness Storehouse, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art are all stops you won't want to miss. The ghosts of famous writers haunt the pubs too, and the James Joyce Center and Museum is a good find for any literature buff.

As you keep going, next stop is Newcastle. Right along the water and at the foot of the Mountains of Mourne, the area is the home of the world famous Royal County Down golf course.

Slip into one of the cozy hotels here and even if you don't stay at the Slieve Donard do visit there for a state-of-the-art spa treatment anyway. A guided walk in the Tollymore Forest Park nearby will keep your blood pumping as you keeping making new discoveries.

After an overnight stay in Newcastle, head to St. Patrick's country, first stop Downpatrick. When Patrick first arrived in Ireland in 432, he landed in the area of the Slaney River and Strangford Lough. Travelers today can visit his grave in Downpatrick along with the Down Cathedral built in the 12th century and Saint Patrick Center, which is a permanent exhibition with an Imax presentation - all things St. Patrick in this area will answer all your questions.

After Downpatrick take in nearby Armagh with a walk through the city center and don't forget to stop in at the market place. Armagh has a long history and even before Christianity arrived, the Pagan High Kings of Ulster built a royal mound at Navan, which can still be seen today. In Armagh, visit St. Patrick's Cathedrals (there are two; both a Catholic and Church of Ireland) with the Church of Ireland cathedral built on a hill called Druim Saileach in 445. The Trian Visitor Complex tells the story of the saint and his life and the Armagh County Museum details history from the area that you won't want to miss as you discover the Irish roots all around.

Dundrum Castle is perfect for history buffs and is one of the finest Norman castles in Northern Ireland. Built in 1177 with views to the sea and the Mourne Mountains, the stop is well worth the effort for a morning excursion before you're off to the nearby Nature Reserve or stop in for another pub experience in the town of Dundrum, try the Bucks Head Inn for food and a taste of the local brew.

A walking tour of one of Ireland's oldest and most historical towns, Drogheda, will be a good break before you arrive in Kildare. This area of Ireland is especially unique as it crosses pagan and Christian cultures and has for centuries. Large graves from thousands of years ago still await visitors and the air is full of mystery and charm in this area. Monastic sites such as Monasterboice and Clonmacnoise highlight round towers and high crosses. It is in this area that great cathedrals like Kildare sit next to pagan castles like Trim and where Banshees (a female spirit whose wailing means impending death) and the bible have long co-existed.

As a final stop before the end of your trip, take some time in Belfast. A dramatic setting and an equally dramatic city, Belfast was where the Titanic was built and you can visit the shipyard for a first hand account. No trip would be complete without a stop in the Crown Liquor Saloon from the Victorian era in all its splendor. The Ulster Museum in the Botanic Gardens features Celtic treasures, but also houses an Egyptian mummy with teeth, skin, and hair included.

Cathedral Quarter beckons with cobbled lanes and Victorian warehouses sitting next to art galleries and enticing restaurants. Belfast City Hall is also a wonder to behold in the heart of the city with a magnificent classical renaissance style that sits on spacious grounds. Don't miss the Italian marble staircase inside and the council chambers.

So true, magic is everywhere in Ireland from the sweeping landscapes and countryside to the plunging cliffs and historical monuments that date the people here to almost before time begun. A hearty spirit, a friendly smile, these are the memories you will bring home with you from a magical destination that truly does remind you of the luck of the Irish. Luck because of your chance to get a glimpse of this almost hidden world that must be experienced to truly be discovered.

For more information visit www.discoverireland.com

800-223-6470