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Unless you get an unlimited pass (which has an extra cost of up to $199), these activities can really add up. There are slot machines, blackjack tables, poker tables and even a high roller room. If you like to gamble, then you will love the casino onboard Norwegian Cruise Line, as well as the Casino at Sea program. Since Norwegian has such a wide variety of staterooms, this makes the cruising experience enjoyable for everyone. On past cruises on the Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Joy, the entertainment has been phenomenal.
Itineraries
Some are jampacked with fun zones that make them perfect for families, while others are geared toward couples and retirees. Some ships have attributes that make them stand out for luxury, solo or budget travelers. Notably, the public areas that include these restaurants feel more spacious than many of the other ships in the Norwegian fleet. Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva were built with a higher ratio of space to passengers than earlier Norwegian vessels, which itself is an upscale touch.
Is Norwegian Cruise Line all-inclusive?
Smaller only than Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises, the brand has become increasingly known for having some of the biggest, most amenity-filled vessels at sea. More than half of its fleet is comprised of vessels that, by today's standards, are considered almost midsize. The cruise line has had several incidents in recent years, including a fire on one of its ships in 2019 and a mechanical issue on another ship in 2018.
I stayed in a $2,554 studio cabin on NCL Epic, and it was one of the best sailing experiences I ever had
Certain Norwegian ships are best for budget travelers, while others are best for luxury travelers. On more than half of Norwegian's ships, many of the top suites are part of The Haven. Billed as an upscale "ship within a ship" and aimed at luxury travelers, The Haven is located at the very top of vessels and often comes with private lounges, pools, sunning areas and even restaurants. The line's nine newest ships are big, bustling floating megaresorts that can carry upwards of 3,000 to 4,000 passengers at double occupancy (and even more with every berth filled). At around 143,000 to nearly 170,000 tons, all eight currently rank among the 50 biggest cruise ships in the world (although their rankings will shift downward as more big ships debut).
NCL loyalty program: Latitude Rewards
Norwegian offers a wide range of itineraries in destinations around the world, from the Caribbean to Asia. However, you'll find the most choices among Norwegian itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. For 2024, Norwegian will devote one of its biggest ships, the 3,782-passenger Norwegian Joy, to Bermuda. The line's 2,344-passenger Norwegian Gem will sail to Bermuda out of Boston.
Among added features, it includes a 45-minute escape room experience laced with special effects. Themed around a Spanish galleon, it's designed to be played by up to six people at a time. In addition to entertainment spaces, the interiors of Norwegian ships are loaded with other venues where passengers can kick back and let loose day and night. You might even find Starbucks stores on some ships (the one-year-old Norwegian Prima has two!) and there are Starbucks products on every Norwegian vessel.
I often choose to sail in an inside cabin because the price is always right and I never spend too much time in my cabin anyway. All this to say that I was really impressed with the buffet food that was offered. Since we didn’t have many options onboard for complimentary dining, we ate here for breakfast and lunch both days of our cruise. Although the Garden Cafe might have been small, I thought the food variety and quality was excellent. As Hayley and I made our way around Norwegian Sun, we both agreed that it was a ‘no-frills’ type of cruise ship. Hayley had only sailed on newer and bigger Norwegian cruise ships, like Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Getaway, so the size and age were very apparent to her.
Transatlantic Cruises
Unlike the majority of big-ship cruise lines, Norwegian doesn't require tipping or even recommend an amount for it, beyond the 20% automatically added for spa and salon services plus beverage purchases. But, they do point out that they encourage their staff to "go the extra mile" and that their employees are allowed to accept cash gratuities for outstanding service. So, it's up to you, but know that your stateroom attendant, the counselors in the kids' club, and your dining room servers would probably not turn down a tip. While you’ll always find fast food style options and a pretty good buffet, in my experience the included main restaurant isn’t meant to wow you. In the evening time, there are both older and younger people dancing at the club. During busy times of the year, Norwegian cruises can be real party ships and tons of fun.
Whether you'll have a better time on one of the other 18 vessels in the Norwegian fleet will depend a lot on the type of traveler you are. If you want to partake in specialty dining reservations, Wi-Fi, Norwegian cruise excursions or upgraded beverage packages, you'll have to pay fees (sometimes bundled for greater savings). NCL spans the globe with sailings to every continent (even Antarctica) on a wide range of ships. They leave from both U.S. coasts as well as from Hawaii — where NCL has operated inter-island Hawaiian sailing for almost two decades.
Entertainment onboard is often exceptional, too, and is something to not be missed. With that being said, not all activities onboard Norwegian Cruise Line cost extra. Many onboard activities are complimentary, such as the waterslides; however, it is important to know which onboard activities do cost extra to avoid any potential disappointment. Below is what I feel that Norwegian Cruise Line offers travelers, and why this cruise line might or might not be the perfect fit for those looking to book their next cruise. I love some of Norwegian’s exotic itineraries, including unique destinations like South Africa, Brazil, India and even Saudi Arabia!
Norwegian Cruise Line Is About to Make Veggie Fans Very, Very Happy - Yahoo Canada Shine On
Norwegian Cruise Line Is About to Make Veggie Fans Very, Very Happy.
Posted: Tue, 16 Apr 2024 13:00:00 GMT [source]
Foodies don't mind paying for the upgrade in meals; look for dining packages to keep costs in check. Carnival tops Norwegian, and other competitors, with the largest standard cabins in the industry. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the line has taken a deep dive into suites on its latest ships, creating impressive accommodations with their own outdoor plunge pools, plus a private sundeck for suite guests. Most cruise lines that offer sailings to Hawaii only offer a limited number of such trips during a few months each year. Norwegian, by contrast, offers sailings around the Hawaiian Islands out of Honolulu every week of the year — the only cruise line in the world to do so. The area is packed with activities, which also means it's packed with people.
If you’re someone who loves to eat well on vacation, you may want to reserve a few specialty restaurants. Instead, you be able to choose which dining room you would like to eat at, whether it’s included or has an extra charge. While you can go to the free or included restaurants at any time, there may be a wait for a table without a reservation. Specialty dining is best with a reservation, as the restaurants are quite popular. For those who like cruise food, Norwegian has a variety of restaurants onboard their fleet. The included restaurants are the main dining rooms, buffet and the Local (pub style restaurant).
I’m sure other travelers have other things that annoy them about NCL too (if you do chime in the comments below). I can’t put that down as a negative as that is pretty consistent across most large cruise-liners. This makes going for a drink with friends and family and having a good old time drinking like a fish very affordable and that’s a win for me. It does have a “sex sells” vibe which I personally find tacky but seems to appeal to the old seedy men onboard a lot LOL. I appreciate that even on some of Norwegian Cruise Line’s oldest ships, such as Norwegian Sun, the staterooms have a relatively modern feel and have been refurbished to make them comfortable. Hayley and I looked around to ensure we weren’t missing the other side of the venue somewhere.
Specialty restaurants do have an additional cost, however they are a significantly better culinary experience. You can also get free specialty dining as a perk with Norwegian’s Free at Sea promo. Experience a once-in-a-lifetime moment you will never forget while witnessing the icy-blue glaciers and unique wildlife of Alaska.
Your excursion includes round-trip transportation to Treasure Island to interact with these playful piggies. If you're sure Norwegian is your line, look for a travel agent who specializes in trips with the brand. You want someone who understands all the little quirks that are unique to Norwegian's cabin categories and, preferably, has done ship inspections to see the cabins firsthand. A good travel agent will quiz you about your particular interests, travel style and preferences, and steer you to the perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin for you. They can also help you if something goes wrong just before, during or after your voyage. Lower tiers don't bring all that much in terms of truly valuable benefits.
