15 Surprisingly Flattering Facts About Norwegian Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line is the world's third-largest cruise company by passenger size. Its 17 cruise ships travel the world's major sea routes, bringing tourists to more than 450 of the best cruise destinations worldwide.

For more than 50 years since its founding in 1966, Norwegian Cruise Line has never ceased to spice up the cruise industry. Purposefully building a ship for a certain itinerary, commissioning awe-inspiring hull art for each new ship, and having the most exquisite bars at sea are only some of Norwegian Cruise Line's innovations to the ever-changing face of the cruising world.

What's more, the company continues to break boundaries by having a positive global environmental impact by eliminating all single-use plastic straws, water bottles, and containers across its fleet, says NCL. And since its management change in 2000, the company has grown exponentially.

Read on for 15 more surprisingly flattering facts about Norwegian Cruises.

15 Norwegian Escape Has The Rapper Pitbull As Its Godfather

Summoning gods and goddesses to bless the ship was a common ship-launching practice during ancient times.

Today, female celebrities are hand-picked to christen a new ship. NCL's Norwegian Escape is unique, however, as it is the only ship to date with a godfather. Long live Armando Christian Pérez aka Pitbull!

14 NCL's Pride Of America Ship Is Specifically And Exclusively Built For Hawaiian Cruises Only

As it was previously mentioned, Norwegian Cruise Line is a trailblazer.

Because of the Jones Act of 1920 prohibiting foreign-flagged ships from docking directly from one U.S. port to another, NCL addressed this puzzle by building a new ship, making it fly an American flag, and the rest is history.

13 Care For A Short Cruise?

Have you been whacked out lately and wants to unwind fast? Call an agent now or book directly with NCL for a short weekend cruise.

Yes, this is what makes Norwegian Cruise Line a favorite among cruisers. It has an adventure-filled itinerary perfect for people seeking just a quick getaway.

12 Be Treated Like A Royalty At The Haven

If you think that having your own butler and concierge 24/7 is impossible on a cruise, you'd better think again.

The Haven is an accommodation like no other. An in-suite bathtub, exclusive pool area, private bar, and specialty restaurants are just but a few of the perks that await you.

11 Norwegian Dawn Started The Signature Hull Artwork Back In 2002

In 2002, when ships still had hulls that were nothing more than screaming monotonies of whites and blacks, Norwegian Cruise Line started the wheel of hull art spinning.

Norwegian Dawn was the first NCL ship to receive such an artistic makeover. Other NCL ships soon received the same treatment.

10 Norwegian Breakaway Has 80 Godmothers

If a person can have multiple godmothers, a ship also can. NCL openly proved it when it chose The Rockettes, an 80-member American dance company as its ship's godmothers.

That's right! Norwegian Breakaway has 80 godmothers. Good thing there is no rule requiring ships to call their godmothers by name.

9 Norwegian Epic Has Avant-Garde Glow-In-The-Dark Bowling

Saying that entertainment on each NCL ship is top-notch is an utter understatement. We mean if playing with glow-in-the-dark pins and balls in regular land-based bowling alleys is already a rarity, how much rarer it is still on cruise ships?

Well, wait until you book a cruise with NCL's Norwegian Epic.

8 Norwegian Epic Was The First NCL Ship To Add An Aquapark

Aquaparks are so common in modern cruise ships that it became somewhat of a standard for a "good" cruise ship.

Norwegian Cruise Line's first aqua park at sea was installed in 2010 on the then one-year-old Norwegian Epic ship. Today, Breakaway-class ships have their own versions of aqua parks, too.

7 Freestyle Cruising You Want? Freestyle Cruising You Get

Norwegian Cruise Line is known across the industry as a no-fuss cruise company. Did you ever hear about a freestyle cruising?

Forget about formal dinners, set dining time, and other cruising complications. NCL makes cruising easier for its guests by letting you have what you want whenever you want it.

6 Need We Say You Can Cruise With NCL For Free?

With today's inflation rates and corporate financial instabilities, it's hard to believe that you can still grab something for free.

Norwegian Cruise Line does not hesitate to throw in free accommodations for up to four family members or friends staying in the same cabin as the first two paying guests.

5 Norwegian Cruise Line Doesn't Care Much About The Number 13

Cruise ships are dubbed floating hotels and as such carry a lot of things representative of their land-based counterparts. Ditching the 13th floor or deck is common in the hospitality industry. Not on Norwegian cruises.

The Norwegian Epic, Breakaway, and Getaway all have properly numbered decks 13; not deliberately mislabeled.

4 Norwegian Bliss Has A Bar For Every Drink

Is your throat already begging for your favorite spirit? Don't worry! NCL ships have multiple bars. In fact, the Norwegian Escape has 21 bars where you can quench your thirst and relax.

All you have to do is identify your thirst and head for the bar that has your taste.

3 ... And A Go-Kart Race Track To Satiate Your Need For Speed

If your idea of a cruise is to have an even more extreme experience while at sea, then you can't go wrong with NCL.

One of the latest addition to its many sea attractions sure to give guests their adrenaline rush is the go-kart race track perfect for speed junkies.

2 Passengers Can Bid For Accommodation Upgrades

Do you feel that you booked the wrong accommodation? Fret not because you still have the chance at an accommodation upgrade.

If a higher accommodation is still available before your sailing date, just place your best bid on NCL's accommodation upgrade form on its website and hope for the best.

1 Ted Arison, NCL's Co-Founder, Is Also The Founder Of Carnival Cruise Line

Ted Arison founded Norwegian Cruise Line together with his fellow businessman, Knut Kloster, in 1966. The partnership only lasted until 1971, however.

One year later, Arison founded Carnival Cruise Line with another partner and never left the company until his death in 1999.

Next: 15 Intense Rules Passengers Have To Follow Aboard A Carnival Cruise