Windstar Cruises is offering two free hotel nights in San José, Costa Rica, in combination with the March 10 and March 17 cruises on the 148-guest Wind Star. The seven-day cruises sail roundtrip from Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, and visits San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua; and Playas del Coco, Quepos, Bahia Drake, Curu, and Tortuga Island, Costa Rica.

Norwegian Cruise Line said the first piece of steel was cut on Sept. 21 for its new 144,017-ton Norwegian Breakaway at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The first of two ships in the order, the new vessel is set for delivery in April 2013. The first plate of steel took four minutes to cut by a plasma torch in the yard’s facility. This plate will become a supporting part of the double bottom in the middle of the new ship.

American Cruise Lines’ 100-passenger American Spirit will operate its recently introduced Alaskan itineraries debuting in June of 2012.

Azamara Club Cruises is offering early-booking discounts of up to 50 percent, as well as 50 percent savings on shore excursions pre-booked online. Additionally, if booked by Dec. 31, the cruise line offers air credits of up to $2,000 per guest for air travel booked through Azamara’s ChoiceAir program for nearly all 2012 voyages.

MSC Divina, the third ship in MSC Cruises’ flagship Fantasia class, floated out of dry dock B at the STX Europe ship yard in Saint-Nazaire, France on Saturday, Sept. 3. The ship was transferred to dock C for final fitting and furnishing prior to her christening on May 26, 2012. The 140,000-gross registered ton ship, which will be able to accommodate 4,363 guests, is set to become the 12th ship in MSC Cruises’ fleet.