Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced an exciting new venture for a cruise charter with Sweet, a new lesbian travel company. Sweet, based out of the San Francisco bay area, will charter the 1,972-passenger Norwegian Spirit for a week long cruise loaded with activities to stress the passion for protecting the world’s natural resources and integrating smart green strategies into their businesses.

The Sweet Caribbean Cruise, November 8 – 15, 2009, on board the luxurious Freestyle Cruising ship Norwegian Spirit, is the company’s first travel offering. The ship will depart from New Orleans, LA, and call on Costa Maya, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico.
Sweet will offer guests an exciting two-day, pre-departure package in New Orleans including city tours, voluntourism and ecotourism programs in conjunction with a local Katrina relief organization, as well as a kick-off celebration.
Sweet is working with local agencies to leave each port better than they found it. Projects will address local needs like education, wildlife and natural resource preservation, as well as helping with school construction or renovation, beach clean ups, ands wildlife habitat restoration. The voluntourism programs enable Sweet guests to experience the fulfillment of making a positive contribution.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Norwegian Cruise Line as they share our passion for protecting the world’s natural resources and integrating smart green strategies into their business. It’s a great fit for us,” said Shannon Wentworth, CEO and founding partner, Sweet. “Additionally, the ship provides a fun and sophisticated range of dining, spa and sporting activities under the innovative concept of Freestyle Cruising. Our guests will love the pampering, affordability and freedom.”
NCL’s Freestyle Cruising provides guests flexibility and freedom with no set dining times, dining partners or dress codes. With Freestyle Cruising, Sweet travelers may create each day to satisfy their personal tastes and vacation goals.
Sweet guests will appreciate Norwegian Spirit’s deluxe range of choices in staterooms, many with ocean views and balconies, in addition to an array of plush and artfully appointed suites and villas. The ship features 11 restaurants, nine bars and lounges, a dynamic casino, a spa and fitness center. Among the many on-board activities are two glimmering pools, a basketball court, golf driving net and jogging/walking track.
In the evening, Sweet guests will enjoy top-tier entertainment events featuring nationally renowned performers such as the immensely popular comedienne Suzanne Westenhoefer; award-winning musical artist, Jen Foster; comedienne, Erin Foley, who recently appeared on “Last Comic Standing”; and Edie Carey, a beloved and talented singer. Additionally, Sweet is working with the country’s largest lesbian party promoter, Club Skirts, makers of The Dinah Shore Weekend, to host tea dances and parties on board.
Recently, Sweet introduced the Sweet 100 Rewards program. It gives early booking guests VIP privileges, such as cocktail parties with entertainers and an express line at embarkation, regardless of which stateroom they purchase. Travel enthusiasts may book the Sweet Caribbean Cruise by calling toll-free 877-SWEET-30 or 510-595-7763.
About Sweet
Founded in 2008, Sweet is a lesbian travel company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The company’s mission is to provide fun-filled, eco-friendly, volunteer-oriented and empowering lesbian travel experiences. A Sweet vacation is intended to motivate guests to achieve their personal, professional and philanthropic goals.
Sweet integrates environmentally friendly programs and processes throughout its business operations and travel itineraries. The company partnered with Carbonfund.org in May 2008, one of the country’s leading carbon-offsetting organizations. Through this partnership, the carbon from all of Sweet’s business operations will be offset, including the carbon emissions created by the air, car and cruise travel from its fall 2009 Caribbean cruise.
For more information, please visit www.discoversweet.com. To schedule an interview with CEO Shannon Wentworth, or for additional background materials, please contact Renee Martin (x21) or Cynthia Roberson (x14) at Carolyn Izzo Integrated Communications, 845-358-3920, rmartin@ciicnews.com or croberson@ciicnews.com.
About NCL
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.

For more information on this or any other NCL cruise, please call me at 1-888-579-8706 or visit my website at www.AVCTravel.com/GreggEppleman