Norwegian Cruise Line is celebrating Military Appreciation Month

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is celebrating Military Appreciation Month by participating in a series of initiatives and events in support of the U.S. military community, including the first-ever Fleet Week Miami; the Coca-Cola 600, the annual 600-mile NASCAR Cup Series race; and continued support for Honor and Remember, the organization that recognizes fallen U.S. service members.

Norwegian Cruise Line celebrates military action

The partnership with these important organizations reinforces NCL’s ongoing commitment to all U.S. service members, veterans and their families, anchored by the Military Appreciation Program, a groundbreaking initiative for the company that launched in November 2022.

Lead Partner of Fleet Week Miami 2024

Just this week, Norwegian Cruise Line was the lead partner of Fleet Week Miami 2024, the first Fleet Week to be held in Miami, the capital of NCL. As part of its partnership, the company staged one of the Navy’s flagship ships, the USS Bataan, at its LEED^® Gold-certified terminal at PortMiami. The USS Bataan pulled into the NCL terminal on Sunday evening, May 5, kicking off a week-long celebration hosted by the U.S. Navy, with events and activities taking place throughout the community. NCL has actively participated in the daily Fleet Week Miami events through the Veteran Task Force, a group of NCL shore-based employees who are veterans themselves or have a close family relationship with an active or former member of the U.S. military service.

“During Military Appreciation Month and every day aboard our ships, it is our privilege to recognize and honor the brave men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces and their families for their sacrifices,” said David J. Herrera, who served in the United States Armed Forces. Army National Guard and is the president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Supporting the military community is a shared passion for the entire NCL family and we are proud to partner with incredible organizations like Fleet Week Miami, Coca-Cola and Honor and Remember to make an impact for this community.”

Giving back to service members is extremely important to NCL, and its passion for this community is led by Herrera along with former US Navy SEAL Matthew Lewis, the Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer of the brand’s parent company, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., who serve as co-sponsors of NCL’s Veteran Task Force and Military Appreciation Program. Lewis kicked off the company’s participation in Fleet Week Miami activities by speaking at the Fleet Week Miami Mayoral Welcome press conference on Monday, May 6 at the NCL Terminal, where he also presented a ceremonial plaque with the NCL Challenge Coin to the US Secretary of State. Navy, Carlos Del Toro. While on Wednesday, May 8, both Herrera and Lewis hosted Admiral Daryl Caudle and Lt. Gen. Brian Cavanaugh and other U.S. Navy officials as guests for the day aboard the Norwegian Breakaway.

Later this month, Norwegian Cruise Line will collaborate with its partners at Coca-Cola for the second consecutive year to honor Gold Star Families, a designation given to the family of an active military member who died while serving at Coca-Cola . -Cola 600 NASCAR race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26. During the race, Gold Star families will be honored with a luncheon supported by Herrera, among other surprises.

NCL’s Military Appreciation Program

Norwegian Cruise Line launched its Military Appreciation Program in November 2022 to recognize service members, veterans and retired U.S. military personnel and their spouses with special onboard experiences and amenities, including a special welcome package and an NCL Challenge Coin – a symbol of bonding and camaraderie within this community – a representative of the ship they are sailing on, and a special ceremony on board. The program helps foster a sense of community for all U.S. military personnel and their families who sail with NCL. In addition, military members and their spouses receive a 10 percent discount on their cruise fares for all sailings within the fleet.

Developed by veterans, for veterans, the program aims to set the cruise industry standard for supporting and partnering with U.S. military personnel. In just under two years, more than 220,000 military members have registered for the program, and more than 120,000 of those registered participants have booked a cruise vacation with NCL.

“It fills me with joy to hear the great feedback and stories from veterans and military families who have sailed with us through this program,” said Lewis. “Many of us personally understand the sacrifices this community has made for their country, and it is a privilege to be able to make a positive impact and provide the opportunity to reconnect with their loved ones.”

In addition, last year the company entered into a partnership with Honor and Remember, a nonprofit organization dedicated to paying tribute to all military lives lost not only while on active duty, but also as a result of their service in all wars or conflicts and the like. service departments for America’s NCL now flies the Honor and Remember flag on each of its ships in its 19-ship fleet in solidarity with this important mission, and this year the company has already donated $75,000 to the organization through various initiatives promised. Later this month, NCL will host the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau’s annual State of the Travel + Tourism Industry presentation at the NCL Terminal in PortMiami on May 21, and proceeds from the event will be donated to Honor and Remember.

For more information about Norwegian Cruise Line’s Military Appreciation Program, including how to register, visit www.ncl.com/military.

For more information about the company’s award-winning fleet of 19 ships and global itineraries, or to book a cruise, contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or www.ncl .com visit.