Bowling
Brunswick Takes Bowling To The Open Water Installs First Bowling Lanes And Virtual Bowling On Cruise Ships
MUSKEGON, Mich., Jan. 26, 2007 – Think cruise lines; think bowling. Two concepts you may have never connected together, but Brunswick is bringing the entertainment of bowling to new venues, helping to expand the interest and participation in the sport well beyond the bowling center.
Recently, four bowling lanes were installed on board Norwegian Pearl, a brand new Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) ship, marking the first time traditional bowling lanes have been installed on a ship.
The 965-foot Norwegian Pearl was christened on Dec. 16, 2006, in Miami, Fla. by her Godmother, talk show host Rosie O'Donnell. The ship's new design combines NCL's “Freestyle Cruising” with state-of-the-art amenities, offering passengers convenience and many on-board recreational options.
The 15-deck luxury liner holds 2,394 passengers and offers 10 restaurants, 13 bars and lounges, a theater, spa, art gallery and more. The bowling lanes are featured alongside flat-screen televisions and video games and are part of an innovative 24-hour sports bar and lounge called Bliss Ultra Lounge and Night Club. Bliss also features a modern lounge with a dance floor, DJ and bar.
The bowling center features Brunswick Anvilane™ synthetic lanes, Vector® scoring systems, GS-X™ pinsetters and Pinball Wizard bumper bowling, gutter-raising guard rails designed to keep the ball on the lane.
Additionally, Brunswick recently provided Virtual Bowling, a game that combines the popularity of bowling with the excitement of high-tech video game action, to the Stena Line - one of the world's largest ferry operators. With over 30 vessels operating throughout Europe, the Stena Line provides vacation and holiday packages for its guests with a variety of entertainment options.
Passengers aboard Stena Lines' the “Saga”, which runs out of Oslo, Norway, and has a 2,000 passenger capacity, are the first to experience Virtual Bowling on a cruise. Taking less space than traditional bowling, Brunswick's Virtual Bowling in this installation offers all the thrills of bowling by using three lanes and video gear installed in the Saga's arcade area.
“Virtual Bowling is an ideal low-maintenance system that can be installed almost anywhere,” said Gary Smith, Brunswick Bowling director of amusement sales. “With a shortened lane, virtual bumpers, no mechanical pinsetters and the option of standard size or small bowling balls, bowling can be enjoyed in a variety of venues such as arcades, restaurants, bars and now even ships.”
“We hope that Virtual Bowling will broaden the game of bowling by exposing it to many customers who may not normally think of bowling for entertainment,” Smith said. “They can enjoy Virtual Bowling at these venues and may then make a trip to their local bowling center the next time they're looking for something fun to do.”
About Brunswick
Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation endeavors to instill “Genuine Ingenuity”Ô in all its leading consumer brands, including Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Teignbridge propellers; MotoTron electronic controls; Albemarle, Arvor, Baja, Bayliner, Bermuda, Boston Whaler, Cabo Yachts, Crestliner, HarrisKayot, Hatteras, Laguna, Lowe, Lund, Maxum, Meridian, Örnvik, Palmetto, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Savage, Sea Boss, Sea Pro, Sea Ray, Sealine, Triton, Trophy, Uttern and Valiant boats; Attwood marine parts and accessories; Land ‘N' Sea, Kellogg Marine, Diversified Marine and Benrock parts and accessories distributors; IDS dealer management systems; Life Fitness, Hammer Strength and ParaBody fitness equipment; Brunswick bowling centers, equipment and consumer products; Brunswick billiards tables; and Valley-Dynamo pool, Air Hockey and foosball tables. For more information, visit www.brunswick.com.
