Norwegian Cruise Line Launches 'Free the Beat' Program

Cruise Line Partners with Andy Grammer, Family Affair Productions and Warner Chappell Music to Curate the Brand’s First-Ever Global Music Library

Norwegian Cruise Line, the innovator in global cruise travel, today announced the ‘Free the Beat’ program, a platform where the music industry's best songwriters, artists, talent and creators have the freedom to develop curated content for the brand’s first global music library inspired by the world's most beautiful destinations.

As part of the new initiative, the company will team up with leaders in the music industry to curate a portfolio of exclusive content that will be leveraged through multiple guest-facing channels, including on board the 16-ship fleet.  From hosting exclusive songwriter cruises to releasing never-before-heard uncut tracks from world-renowned music powerhouses, such as Family Affair Productions and Warner Chappell Music, this program will deliver the brand's first global music library.  The music created will also enhance the guest experience by bringing the cruising experience to life with destination-inspired onboard playlists.

Multi-platinum recording artist and songwriter Andy Grammer, whose song 'Good to be Alive (Hallelujah)' can be heard in one of Norwegian Cruise Line's latest advertisements, will host the brand's first songwriters cruise. Select songwriters will be invited to sail on board the recently revitalized Norwegian Joy on a seven-day voyage to Alaska from Seattle. The goal is to inspire content creation through the world-class experiences available on board and ashore within the destinations they will visit.

"The place that you're in affects the art that comes out of you," said Andy Grammer, multi-platinum recording artist and songwriter. "In my career, I've been lucky enough to participate in writing trips around the world and can't think of a cooler place than Alaska to feel inspired to create. I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing program with Norwegian Cruise Line and can't wait to experience their first songwriters cruise to kickoff of their first-ever global music library."

During the cruise, the songwriters will have the opportunity to enjoy the freedom and flexibility that sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line provides through its breadth of innovative experiences. Onboard offerings include the world's only racetrack and open-air laser tag arenas at sea; over 30 restaurant and lounge options;  Broadway-caliber entertainment; and design elements that bring guests closer to the beauty of the ocean, such as The Waterfront, a quarter-mile promenade complete with outdoor dining and lounging, as well as the Observation Lounge, offering unobstructed 180-degree views.

"We are dedicated to providing meaningful experiences to our guests and leveraging new and innovative ways to connect with them," said Meg Lee, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Norwegian Cruise Line.  "Music is a universal way to engage with people, and the 'Free the Beat' program will allow us to enhance our storytelling with exclusive content created for us and inspired by the places we take our guests. We look forward to partnering with the best in the industry to grow our global library with music that aligns with our brand, connects guests to the nearly 300 destinations we visit and showcasing it around the globe."

The first songwriters cruise will take place in August aboard Norwegian Joy with Andy Grammer and Family Affair Productions.  The seven-day voyage to Alaska will begin in Seattle with calls to Ketchikan, Juneau and Icy Strait Point, Alaska; as well as Victoria, British Columbia.  The second cruise will be announced later this year and will be in collaboration with Warner Chappell Music.

For more information or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional; call Norwegian at 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784); or visit www.ncl.com.

# # #

About Norwegian Cruise Line

As the innovator in global cruise travel, Norwegian Cruise Line has been breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising for over 52 years. Most notably, the cruise line revolutionized the industry by offering guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal vacation on their preferred schedule with no assigned dining and entertainment times and no formal dress codes. Today, its fleet of 16 contemporary ships sail to nearly 300 of some of the world's most desirable destinations, including Great Stirrup Cay, the company's private island in the Bahamas and its resort destination Harvest Caye in Belize.  Norwegian Cruise Line not only provides superior guest service from land to sea, but also offers a wide variety of award-winning entertainment and dining options as well as a range of accommodations across the fleet, including solo-traveler staterooms, mini-suites, spa-suites and The Haven by Norwegian®, the company's ship-within-a-ship concept. For additional information or to book a cruise, contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com. For the latest news and exclusive content, visit the media center and follow Norwegian Cruise line on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @NorwegianCruiseLine; and Twitter and Snapchat @CruiseNorwegian.

About Andy Grammer

Since his 2011 self-titled debut, multi-platinum singer and songwriter Andy Grammer has consistently delivered stratosphere-size smashes buoyed by impressive range, deft musicality and endless charisma. By 2019, he scored six chart-topping hits - each certified gold or better by the RIAA. The artist's breakout "Fine by Me" and its follow-up "Keep Your Head Up" are both certified platinum. His 2014 sophomore offering, Magazines or Novels, went gold and yielded the gold "Good to be Alive (Hallelujua)." During this chapter, the single "Honey, I'm Good" reached quadruple-platinum status globally, emerging as "one of the best-selling songs of 2015." He maintained this streak on 2017's The Good Parts. The standout "Fresh Eyes" tallied over 350 million streams, achieving the platinum plaque. Not to mention, he consistently sold-out headline gigs everywhere. Building upon that foundation, his 2019 fourth full-length, Naïve [S-Curve Records/BMG], amplifies both the message and the musicianship. Robust instrumentation upholds a feeling of unabashed positivity for Grammer throughout. This uplifting spirit defines the first single "Don't Give Up On Me." Featured in the big screen drama Five Feet Apart, the song clocked 18 million Spotify streams in three weeks between original and R3HAB remix. From the bright "Wish You Pain" to the epic Lady Blacksmith Mambazo-assited "She'd Say," these moments commute and inspire happiness in its purest form on Naïve and beyond.

About Family Affair Productions

Family Affair Productions is a boutique production company whose producers and songwriters have created multiple worldwide hits and streamed in excess of 10 billion times with hits from artist like One Direction, Maroon 5, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Jason Derulo, John Legend, Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris, among others.

About Warner Chappell Music

Warner Chappell Music, the global music publishing company of Warner Music Group, is home to a wide array of legendary songwriters and a rich catalog of contemporary hits and influential standards. With offices in more than 40 countries, Warner Chappell Music provides deep expertise across a range of creative services and the most innovative opportunities for songwriters and copyright holders. With a history dating back more than 200 years, the company currently publishes and administers music from Steve Aoki, Beyoncé, Blur, Eric Clapton, The Dream, Gamble & Huff, Green Day, Lukas Graham, JAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Led Zeppelin, Little Big Town, Madonna, Alan Menken, George Michael, Julia Michaels, Lin Manuel Miranda, Katy Perry, Radiohead, Rihanna, Roc Nation, Stephen Schwartz, Slash, Stephen Sondheim, Chris Stapleton, Rod Temperton, Tove Lo, Justin Tranter, Twenty One Pilots, and Pharrell Williams, among many others.

Media Contacts:

Heather Hourigan

FlyteVu

Heather.hourigan@flytevu.com

PublicRelations@ncl.com

Norwegian Cruise Line

+1 (305) 436-4713