reviews on norwegian cruise lines

May We Suggest?

Is this it, how about this, search results.

Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

Norwegian Cruise Line Review

Wednesday, May 15th

2024 Cruise Line Reviews

• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Best for large-ship sailing, especially in Alaska
• 18 ships in the fleet
• Ships accommodate anywhere from 1,900 to 4,000+ passengers
• Private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay
• Exciting amenities on board, like go-kart tracks and climbing walls
• No required or recommended gratuities
• Freestyle cruising plus "Free at Sea" promos can make your cruise flexible and affordable

Norwegian Cruise Line, commonly referred to as NCL, is a popular cruise line that was founded in 1966 by Knut Kloster and Ted Arison, who also co-founded Carnival Cruise Line. Norwegian Cruise Line is headquartered in Miami, Florida, and is currently part of the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., which also includes Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Solid option for a Caribbean cruise during spring break

Norwegian had several available itineraries in our apples-to-apples comparison, looking for a trip in March within the Caribbean and booking about a year in advance. Prices were about average, starting at $599 per person for a 5-day sailing out of Miami to Great Stirrup Cay (NCL's private island) and Cozumel, and going up to $1,319 for a 7-day sailing from Puerto Rico to Barbados, Antigua, and St. Lucia. Interestingly, a 12-day cruise out of Punta Cana and visiting Barbados, Curacao and Aruba was less expensive, with a starting fare of $1,079 per person. At the time of our review, NCL had a promotion in place offering free airfare for the second guest on the booking, which could be a pretty significant savings depending on your departure port.

Great choice for Alaskan cruises

For what it's worth, we've also heard really good things about NCL for anyone looking to sail to Alaska: among the big ships, travel agents and travelers alike say that the experience is top notch when you use Norwegian.

How about a themed cruise?

In addition to its regular cruise itineraries, Norwegian Cruise Line offers several themed cruises throughout the year. For example, the "Sail Across the Sun" cruise is a music-themed cruise that features live performances by popular bands and musicians, while the "Wine, Dine, and Music Cruise" offers guests the opportunity to sample world-class wines and gourmet cuisine while enjoying live music performances. Themed cruises on NCL aren't just for the more, ahem , seasoned travelers either: check out EDSea "as the magical world of EDC meets paradise" with immersive art, performers, themed stages, non-stop music and more - but at least when we checked, EDSea sells out quickly so you'll have to book well in advance (or join the waitlist).

Exciting onboard activities

One of the standout ships in Norwegian Cruise Line's fleet is the Norwegian Joy, which was launched in 2017 as part of the Breakaway Plus class (along with the Escape, Encore, and Bliss). The ship features a number of unique amenities, including a two-level go-kart track, an open-air laser tag arena, and a virtual reality arcade. NCL's most exciting amenities are found in the ThrillPlex activity zones, available on both Breakaway Plus and Breakaway class ships. Just be aware that some experiences come with an extra cost: $15 per session for go-karts (or pay a one-time fee for unlimited use, typically $199 for a 7-day sailing), $9.95 per session of laser tag, and so on.

High-caliber shows

Another feature that sets Norwegian Cruise Line apart from other cruise lines is its onboard entertainment. The cruise line offers a variety of shows, ranging from Broadway-style productions to comedy acts and live music. One of the most popular shows on Norwegian Cruise Line is "Burn the Floor" , which is a dance show that features world-class dancers performing to a range of music genres, including ballroom, Latin, and contemporary.

No gratuity required or recommended - but not refused, either

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.

Be sure to understand Freestyle vs. Free at Sea

Not having to pay gratuities is part of what Norwegian likes to call "Freestyle Cruising" . That also includes having no assigned dining times: you're free to choose where and when you want to eat, dress it up or stay casual, it's up to you. But, don't confuse "freestyle cruising" with NCL's "Free at Sea" promotions. Depending on when you book, you might be offered the latter as a perk, with five options you can choose for customizing your cruise experience:

• Free Unlimited Open Bar: This option offers guests the opportunity to enjoy unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout their cruise.
• Free Specialty Dining: This option provides passengers with free access to Norwegian's specialty restaurants, where they can enjoy a variety of cuisines and dining experiences. (Two meals, valued at approximately $180 per traveler)
• Shore Excursion Credit: This option provides guests with credit towards booking shore excursions, allowing them to explore the ports of call and participate in various activities (typically a $50 credit per guest).
• Free Wi-Fi: This option provides passengers with free access to the ship's Wi-Fi, allowing them to stay connected and share their experiences on social media. (Usually about 150 total minutes across a 7-day sailing)
• Extra Guests Sail Free: This option provides families and groups with a great opportunity to save on their cruise vacation, with the third and fourth guests in the stateroom sailing for free.

Free at Sea Plus upgrade might be available

But wait, there's more! You may also have the option of upgrading to "Free at Sea Plus" , which would give you extra specialty dining, extra credit towards excursions, unlimited Wi-Fi, and a premium beverage package. As you'd expect, the cost for that upgrade will depend on what promotions are in place, your itinerary, and the length of your cruise, but it's safe to anticipate paying anywhere from $99 to $899 per person (the lower amount being for a three-day cruise and the higher amount being for sailings longer than seven nights).

Not the most sterling safety record

But, we give Norwegian somewhat of a downgrade for its safety record. 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. The company has faced criticism for its handling of these incidents. While no cruise line is completely immune from problems, there are several that have never experienced a major incident and that invest heavily in safety training and technology. We wouldn't say Norwegian is unsafe, per se, but it's one area where some of its rivals outpace its track record.

Online experience leaves room for improvement

We also weren't overly impressed with the online booking experience and the NCL website overall. When we went to get more information on the Freestyle vs. Free at Sea vs. Free at Sea Plus differences, every result link we got when we searched gave us a 404 Not Found error. And, when we went to reach out for help via live chat, it took a long time to connect with an agent - and even when we did, the chat was super-slow and we waited over 10 minutes to get an answer to our one question.

Great option for most destinations served by larger ships

Still, there's a lot to love about Norwegian, especially with all of the "free" aspects of their sailings (even if it can be a chore to work out what exactly they mean by it). This cruise line absolutely offers fun for guests of all ages and adventure levels, and if there's a destination you've been dying to visit, chances are good that NCL can take you there. Don't hesitate to put Norwegian Cruise Line on your list of options if large-ship cruising - with all of the associated amenities - is what you're after.

More Cruise Line Reviews

• Royal Caribbean

• Disney Cruise Line

• Celebrity Cruises

• Virgin Voyages

• Viking Cruises

• Regent Seven Seas

• Princess Cruises

• Holland America

• MSC Cruises

• Carnival Cruises

The 15 Best Cruise Lines

Which cruise line is the best.

Cruising is a popular way of traveling for many people, offering a unique experience that combines the convenience of a floating hotel with the excitement of visiting multiple destinations in one trip. In an average year, over fifteen million people say "all aboard" and set sail on an amazing vacation.

There are many different cruise lines to choose from, and each one offers a different type of experience. Some are geared towards families, while others are more focused on luxury or adventure. What would you like to see and do while you're onboard? Is a casino a must-have or a rather-avoid? Would a Broadway-caliber show tip the scales for you? Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax? The onboard activities and amenities can really make or break your vacation, so be sure you know what you're getting.

Cruise Line FAQ

Which cruise line is the best, what is included in the cost of a cruise, what is the minimum age to cruise, what are the dining options on a cruise ship, are cruise ships crowded, do i have to dress up, are activities included at destination ports, can i bring my own alcohol onboard.

Continued from above...

Another factor that can influence which cruise line you choose is the itinerary. Cruise ships travel all over the world, but some cruise lines may not have destinations available where you're hoping to go. You should also consider the size of the ship: larger ships offer more amenities, but smaller ships can access ports that bigger ships can't.

Speaking of amenities, make sure you understand what you'll get as part of your fare and which extras will come with an additional cost. For example, most cruises offer drink packages for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but a few have drink stations where you can get complimentary lemonade, coffee and tea. Other amenities that might be important to you are Wi-Fi, spa services, babysitting, fitness classes, and upgraded dining experiences. You can usually get a decent discount if you sign up for an amenities package before you sail, so keep an eye out for promotions in the months leading up to your sailing.

When you take a cruise, it's almost always expected that you'll tip the crew members who have attended to your needs while onboard: your cabin steward ( who probably leaves your towels folded into fun shapes every night ), your servers at your nightly meals, and the head waiter. Cruise lines have a recommended gratuity to cover all three of those staff members, usually $15-$20 per traveler, per day; the total gratuity amount may be charged automatically to your account, or you may be given envelopes to make cash payments.

While it usually isn't mandatory to pay those gratuities - you can ask to have them removed if they're applied automatically, especially if you've received poor service - it's typically considered in poor taste not to tip at the suggested levels (because crew members' salaries, much like servers at your local restaurant, are based on the expectation of tips paid by guests). And, if you receive service that goes above and beyond, adding to the recommended gratuity is always appreciated. Be aware that tips for bartenders, poolside servers, and professional services provided in the spa or elsewhere are not included in the daily suggested gratuity and may be charged automatically at the time of service.

Now that you have a good overview of the cruising experience, which cruise line should you choose? Beyond the points we already covered, here are a few additional criteria that might make it easier to pick:

• Embarkation port. You could get a great deal on a cruise, but what will it cost you to get to the port? That could involve airfare, an overnight stay or two in a nearby hotel (so that you're less likely to be affected by travel delays), and transportation from the airport or hotel to the port. This is especially true if you're taking a cruise that departs from an international destination.
• Perks for repeat cruisers. Like frequent flyer programs on airlines, most cruise lines offer benefits the more you sail. If you find yourself absolutely loving cruise vacations, it can be advantageous to put all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Rewards programs can include casino benefits, complimentary meals at the upgraded dining experiences, exclusive sail-away parties with free cocktails and tchotchkes, early-access booking on future cruises, and much more.
• Reputation. It's a really smart idea to see what other travelers have said about their overall experience with a cruise line before booking your trip. The ads on TV may make that private island look amazing, but someone who's been there might point out that you'll pay extra to get on that waterslide. Or, previous cruisers could tell you that despite having several formal nights on the schedule, a particular cruise line has no problem with people showing up to dinner in flip-flops and swimsuit coverups. Find out if the cruise line you're considering lines up in reality with what they advertise.

Here at Top Consumer Reviews, cruising is one of our favorite ways to travel and experience new things. And with so many different cruise lines to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But, don't worry: take a look at our in-depth analysis of today's most popular options, find the one that's the best match for your vacation ideas and your travel party, and book that trip you've been dreaming of. Bon voyage!

Compare Cruise Lines

Select any 2 Cruise Lines to compare them head to head

Trending Cruise Line News

TheStreet.com on MSN

Carnival Cruise Line takes a stand on cruise ship ducks

Cruise-ship secrets are also not limited to food and drink. There are also all sorts of traditions, but few are as ingrained as hiding ducks on family-friendly cruise lines including Carnival ( CCL) ...

  Tue, 14 May 2024

Child sex abuse, bestiality videos found in man’s phone while on a ...

Cruise cabin searches by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol have led to several arrests involving child sex abuse materials.

Cruise Fever

Cruise Line Adds Lifetime Pass for Unlimited Cruises

A new cruise line has introduced an unlimited cruising pass where you can cruise for the rest of your life for a one-time fee. Villa Vie Residences, a new cruise line that will offer continuous three ...

Cruise Hive

Residential Cruise Line Offers New Retirement Program for Up To ...

Villa Vie Residences is offering a new Endless Horizons program for retirees to enjoy cruising around the world for up to $499,999.

INSIDER on MSN

Will a cruise ship wait for me if I'm running late at a port stop? ...

Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas Captain Rob Hempstead told passengers that the ship may wait for latecomers, but only under two circumstances.

Cruise Industry News

American Cruise Lines to Scrap Countess and Duchess, Evaluating ...

American Cruise Lines, which emerged as the winning bidder for the American Queen Voyages paddlewheel fleet, has confirmed it has scrapped the American Countess ...

Margaritaville at Sea Cruise Ship Fails CDC Inspection

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise is several points below passing her latest CDC inspection, but why? What does it mean for cruises?

Related Cruise Line Reviews

Since you're interested in Cruise Lines, here are some other reviews you might find interesting.

Cruise Vacation Sites

What's the best place to book a cruise vacation? You've finally got some time off, and you've decided you want the full-experience: sailing, relaxing, and new and exciting ...

Luggage Stores

Which luggage store is the best? Luggage is something that everyone will need at some point in their life, whether it be a backpack for an overnight trip or school, or a full set of luggage ...

Passport Services

Where can you get a passport fast? Maybe you've found a last-minute travel deal to that far-flung destination you've always dreamed of visiting.

Photo Book Companies

Where is the best place to get photo books out there today? Photo books are a fantastic way to keep our special memories in a tangible, beautiful format instead of just storing pictures on ...

Travel Insurance Plans

Who offers the best travel insurance? With daily news stories of delayed and canceled flights, lost baggage, and travelers stranded overseas in the middle of a natural disaster, it's ...

Travel Visa Services

What's the easiest way to get a travel visa? Online travel visa providers have revolutionized the way individuals apply for visas when planning their international trips.

Newest Reviews

Cheese Clubs

Where Can You Find the Best Cheese Clubs? Are you ready to embark on a delectable journey where sophistication meets delight?

Where Can You Find the Best Hot Tubs? Hot tubs are synonymous with relaxation and luxury, offering a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Italian Lessons

Where Can You Find the Best Italian Lessons? Learning any new language opens up a world of opportunities, and Italian, with its rich history, captivating culture, and melodious rhythm, is no exception.

Prom Dress Stores

Where Can You Find the Best Prom Dresses? The quintessential high school experience, prom, is one of the most exciting moments for teenagers across the US.

Robot Vacuums

Which Robot Vacuum is the Best? Robot vacuums have soared in popularity over the past few years.

Washing Machines

Where Can You Find the Best Washing Machine? There are tons of benefits to a modern washer.

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

Norwegian Cruise Line Review – Ships, Destinations, Dining, and More

Katie Seemann

Senior Content Contributor and News Editor

344 Published Articles 53 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 28 U.S. States Visited: 29

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

35 Published Articles 3202 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 47 U.S. States Visited: 28

Director of Operations & Compliance

1 Published Article 1178 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 10 U.S. States Visited: 20

Table of Contents

Basic information, departure ports, private ports/islands, onboard activities, dining and beverages, accommodations, latitudes rewards, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Norwegian Cruise Line has been around since 1966. Since that time, it’s grown to be one of the largest cruise lines in the world. It has been an innovator in the cruise industry by being the first cruise line to eliminate set dining times with their Freestyle Cruising program.

A Norwegian ship is easy to spot since each one’s hull is adorned with bright artwork, some of which have been done by world-famous artists like Peter Max, Guy Harvey, and David “Lebo” Le Batard.

With 17 ships sailing to over 450 destinations across the world, there’s a Norwegian cruise to suit every traveler’s dreams!

Name: Norwegian Cruise Line

Parent Company: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (which also owns Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises)

Number of Ships: 17

Destinations: 450+

Loyalty Program: Latitudes Rewards

Credit Card : Norwegian Cruise Line ® World Mastercard ®

Norwegian currently operates 17 cruise ships:

• Norwegian Bliss
• Norwegian Breakaway
• Norwegian Dawn
• Norwegian Encore
• Norwegian Epic
• Norwegian Escape
• Norwegian Gem
• Norwegian Getaway
• Norwegian Jade
• Norwegian Jewel
• Norwegian Joy
• Norwegian Pearl
• Norwegian Sky
• Norwegian Spirit
• Norwegian Star
• Norwegian Sun
• Pride of America

Norwegian Encore, built in 2019, is the newest ship in the NCL fleet. In 2022, the new Leonardo class of ships will be introduced.

Hot Tip: Think you can’t use miles and points to book a cruise? Think again. Check out our ultimate guide to booking a cruise using miles and points.

Norwegian sails to over 450 destinations from 17 departure ports across Europe and North America.

Norwegian Cruise Line has 1 private island in the Bahamas called Great Stirrup Cay. Activities offered on the island include snorkeling, kayaking, zip-lining, paddle boarding, and more!

If luxury is what you’re after, you can rent a private villa at Silver Cove. Each villa comes with a private bathroom, a TV with on-demand movies, air conditioning, a retractable glass wall, and access to the upscale Silver Cove buffet.

You won’t go hungry during your day at Great Stirrup Cay. You can make your own tacos at Abaco Taco, grab a quick bite at the food truck, Tropic Like It’s Hot, or enjoy lunch at the Jumbey Beach Grill. You’ll also find 3 bars on the island — Bacardi Bar, Bertram’s Bar, and Patron Bar.

Featured Shore Excursion

If you’d prefer to explore beyond Great Stirrup Cay, you can book the exclusive shore excursion at this port to visit the famous swimming pigs! Your excursion includes round-trip transportation to Treasure Island to interact with these playful piggies.

Hot Tip: Want to make sure you’re getting the best price on your cruise? Check out our list of the  best websites to book your cruise  at the lowest price to get started.

There is so much to do on a Norwegian cruise! In addition to cruise ship staples like pools, a casino, art auctions, Broadway-style shows, and a spa, Norwegian also offers lots of unique and thrilling activities including:

• Kids’ Aqua Park
• Ropes course
• Virtual reality
• The Waterfront oceanfront promenade
• Waterslides: Ocean Loops, Free Fall, The Epic Plunge, The Whip

Note that some of these activities may come with additional fees, and not every activity is available on every ship.

Hot Tip: When booking your cruise, make sure you’re using the right credit card to maximize your benefits. See our guide to the  best credit cards to book cruises  for some guidance.

Norwegian Cruise Line was a pioneer with its Freestyle Dining program. There are no set dining times or assigned seats, as is customary with “traditional” dining on many cruise lines. You can dine whenever and where ever you wish. Plus, there is never a formal night requirement.

Complimentary Dining

• Main dining rooms (up to 3 per ship)
• O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill
• Asian Fusion
• 24-hour room service

Specialty Dining

Norwegian offers a selection of specialty dining restaurants that come with an additional cost (some offer à la carte pricing while others come with a flat per person charge). Not all of these locations are available on every ship.

• Bayamo by Ocean Blue
• Cagney’s Steakhouse
• Food Republic
• Margaritaville
• Moderno Churrascaria
• Pincho Tapas Bar

Hot Tip: You can purchase specialty dining packages ahead of time so you can enjoy these restaurants without having to worry about payment. Packages start at 3 specialty meals for $99.

Bars and Beverages

A Norwegian ship can feature up to 22 different bars and lounges including:

• 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar
• Bliss Ultra Lounge
• Great Outdoors
• The Humidor Cigar Lounge
• Magnum’s Champagne and Wine Bar
• Maltings Beer and Whisky Bar
• O’Sheehan’s Bar and Grill
• Shaker’s Martini Bar
• Skyy Vodka Ice Bar
• Sugarcane Mojito Bar
• Vibe Beach Club
• Waves Pool Bar

As typical with many cruise lines, some beverages aren’t included in the cost. If you would prefer to pay for your drinks upfront, you can purchase a beverage package:

• The Corks and Caps Wine and Beer Package includes soft drinks plus beers and wines by the glass. The cost is $65 per person per day.
• The Premium Beverage Package includes soft drinks, select spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass, and bottled or draft beer up to and including $15 each. The cost is $99 per person per day. 
• The Premium Plus Beverage Package includes soft drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass and select bottles of wine with dinner, plus sparkling water, energy drinks, and specialty coffees. The cost is $128 per person per day.

For the 3 packages above, you must be 21 years old or older to purchase. If 1 person purchases a package, everyone (over 21 years old) residing in the same stateroom or additional staterooms that were under the same form of payment is required to purchase it. Anyone under 21 years of age on the same reservation will be required to purchase the Soda Program.

• The Soda Program provides endless fountain soda throughout your cruise. The cost is $5.95 per person per day for ages 12 and under. For anyone over the age of 12, the cost is $7.95 per person per day.

Bottom Line: Beverage packages must be purchased for the entire length of the cruise . A 20% gratuity and beverage service charge will be added to all beverage package purchases.

Norwegian offers many different types of staterooms to accommodate all kinds of travelers. Whether you’re traveling solo or with the whole family, on a budget or looking to splurge, you’ll find a stateroom that will suit your needs.

Here are some of the highlights:

If you’re traveling by yourself, check out the Studios on Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, and Pride of America. These 1 person accommodations are designed for the solo traveler — and priced accordingly.

At approximately 100 sq. ft., these mini rooms have just the essentials, but you’ll also get access to the Studio Complex and Lounge, a shared space where you can relax, order room service, watch TV, and meet your neighbors.

A Family Balcony Stateroom comes with a location that’s near the kid-friendly action, including the youth program and pool deck, and it sleeps up to 4 passengers.

If a spa experience is what you’re after, consider booking a Spa Suite, Mini-Suite, or Balcony Stateroom . These relaxing rooms are located close to the Mandara Spa and include access to the Thermal Spa Suites, sauna, hydrotherapy pools, steam room, and heated loungers.

For the ultimate in luxury at sea, try out The Haven by Norwegian . The Haven collection features the most luxurious staterooms located at the top of the ship. You’ll have access to a concierge and 24-hour butler, plus the private sundeck (complete with pool and hot tub) reserved just for Haven guests. Select ships also offer a private Haven bar and restaurant.

Hot Tip: Make sure you don’t forget anything — check out our  printable cruise vacation packing list!

Latitudes Rewards is Norwegian Cruise Line’s loyalty program. Each tier is determined by the number of points you have earned.

• You’ll earn 1 point for each cruise night (for example, you would earn 7 points for a 7-night cruise)
• Earn an additional 1 point per night when you book a Concierge, Suite, or Haven stateroom
• Earn an additional 1 point per night if you book a Latitude Rewards Insider Offer

Latitudes Rewards perks vary by tier — here are some of the highlights (each level of status includes all benefits offered by lower tiers):

• Bronze: Priority check-in at the pier, a bottle of sparkling wine in your stateroom, free artwork for attending the art auctions
• Silver: Exclusive onboard cocktail party, discounts on shore excursions, photos, and spa treatments while in port
• Gold: Priority tender tickets, discounted laundry service, priority disembarkation
• Platinum: Priority embarkation, dinner for 2 and a bottle of wine at Cagney’s or Le Bistro, free internet minutes
• Platinum Plus: Dinner with ship officers, priority restaurant and entertainment seating.
• Ambassador: Complimentary 7-day cruise

Norwegian Cruise Line has been a cruise industry leader since the 1960s. Whether you want to sail the Caribbean, explore Europe, or journey through exotic destinations in Asia, Norwegian has you covered.

It was the first cruise line to eliminate the traditional set dining times when it introduced Freestyle Dining, allowing guests to eat at any time at up to 28 different locations on each ship.

Plus, if you sail with Norwegian multiple times, you’ll be able to take advantage of their loyalty program, Latitude Rewards, which offers benefits like priority check-in, discounts on shore excursions, priority tender tickets, and even a free cruise!

Whether you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing room for 1, or are living it up with a big group, you’ll find lots of different staterooms to choose from on a Norwegian ship.

Norwegian is among the world’s largest cruise lines and offers everything from simple, budget-friendly vacations to all-out luxury sailing. The choice is yours!

Interested in other cruise lines? Check out of fact sheets of Carnival , and Princess Cruise Lines to see what other options are awaiting you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best norwegian cruise ship.

The idea of the “best” ship is subjective, but the biggest and newest ship is Norwegian Encore, which debuted in 2019. Norwegian will be introducing the new Leonardo class of ships in 2022.

Where does Norwegian Cruise Line cruise to?

Norwegian Cruise line sails to over 450 destinations across the world in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

Is Norwegian Cruise Line all-inclusive?

Norwegian Cruise Line isn’t totally all-inclusive, but it’s close. Each ship will have numerous restaurants to eat at that are included in your fare. However, many beverages require an additional charge, and there are always restaurants available that come with either à la carte pricing or incur a per person charge. A majority of the activities on board are included, so you are definitely able to have a great vacation without paying anything extra on board.

Was this page helpful?

About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE ™

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

Suggested companies

Msc cruises, royal caribbean cruises, celebrity cruises.

Norwegian Cruise Line   Reviews

In the Vehicles & Transportation category

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 1.5.

Most relevant

NCL is devoid of Corporate Ethics

Trans-Atlantic Cruise, NCL Epic departed Port Canaveral 04/07/2024. What went right / wrong? VERY WRONG: NCL cannot be trusted to do the right thing. Due to engine issues, NCL was unable to make port in time for our stop in Gibraltar and it was therefore cancelled. Understandable, but NCL refused to refund the Port Charges it collected from ~4,200 passengers, citing chapter and verse of the fine print that they can change or cancel a port at any time, for any reason. I contacted Customer Service in regards to a refund and the following is from the response that I received from Roger Farinas, Guest Experience Supervisor: "After a review of your case at length, we have determined that your concerns have been addressed in accordance with our policies." I'm sure "at length" was about 30 seconds in duration, but it is the apparent lack of corporate ethics in NCL's policies that is most troubling. If, for example, the port charges for Gibraltar were $30 per passenger, NCL simply decided to keep $120,000 - $125,000 collected for a service that was not delivered. I had purchased CruiseNext Credits while at sea but cancelled and requested a refund following the pathetic response I received from NCL. Wrong: Room was tiny (we had a Balcony), two people were unable to pass between the bed and the wall. Wrong: Food was consistently overcooked. Right: The only exception was Le Bistro, the food was excellent. Right: Service overall was excellent, with a few exceptions.

Date of experience : April 07, 2024

I had no working toilet for 4 days of a…

I had no working toilet for 4 days of a 7 day cruise on the breakaway ship. NCL HOME OFFICE said they apologize but they have no record of my 5 service orders.. I was left a note in my stateroom apologizing for the inconvenience and to stop by guest services and they would see what they could do to make it right. My letter was taken and I was told it was not their problem..1st cruise last cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line. Please save yourself the trouble and use a different cruise line..

Date of experience : April 16, 2024

We purchased ‘priority access’

We purchased ‘priority access’. We weee told in the boarding paperwork to proceed to priority line at terminal for embarking, only to find there was no priority line. Ed were then told the expensive priority access only applied to tenders while on the ship. We have tried to distract ‘customer relations’ only yo get a run around. Their website ‘submission’ tool does not work.

Date of experience : April 10, 2024

Free airfare for second traveler scam…

Free airfare for second traveler allows Norwegian to constantly change your flight schedule as they shop for cheapest airfare and primarily use red eye flights. After receiving an airline itinerary, choosing seats, booking hotels, arranging dog kennel, babysitting, etc., I received an itinerary change which added an entire day to my travel. Called Norwegian where the service rep agreed and sent a change request to the air department. Called me a few days later and said too bad, it’s within their policy. Very angry to say the least. Will Never cruise Norwegian again.

Date of experience : May 02, 2024

If zero stars was an option!!!!

Norwegian Pearl was the most horrific experience of my many NCL cruises. I will also never return to them because they have done nothing to try to make things better after a long history of patronage. The staff was rude. The food was horrible and service was slow even in specialty. No staff on private side of their island. The pool deck was closed the last day to construct a stage for the next cruise and tables were moved out from under us our last night on the deck! Totally treated like trash!!!

Date of experience : March 30, 2024

MISSED PORTS AND PROMISED REFUNDS NOT THROUGH

We were booked into the Dawn, sailing from Mauritius, but were unable to sail for the first two days as there was potential Cholera onboard. NCL did put us up in a hotel with $75 per person per night allowance, plus offered a pro rata refund. This should have been refunded within fourteen days of our claim going in. None of the crowd we met on the cruise have received the refund yet, now 2 months later. We are all appalled as this spoiled our holiday - missed Mozambique and Madagascar and no refunds. Please get this sorted out - we are a very disgruntled crowd.

Date of experience : February 24, 2024

My first and last cruise with…

My first and last cruise with Norwegian. There was a few of us on a family birthday celebration cruise. My luggage was lost on the ship. Was finally found 1 day and a 1/2. It was delivered to the wrong cabin! Several of us got bogus charges on our onboard credit showing an excursion that we never booked for an island. Had to dispute and get refunds back to my account The line for the disputes was long every day! The worst nightmare was when our last Island we were suppose to visit, that Norwegian owns "Great Stirrup Cay", was cancelled because the captain announced "due to high winds", the tenders cannot come to us to pick us up! That was a lie! We all saw it was not windy and the waves were normal. A lot of us saw 2 other ships had docked on the island. Those cruise lines paid for their docks but Norwegian, who owns that island, cannot pay for their own dock?! This got the majority of all cruisers very upset!!! When several complained in long lines, we were given only $75 credit to use onboard! Weather can be unpredictable, but there is no reasonable excuse for Norwegian not to have their own dock at their own island!! Never again! And their dinnerd, regarding the included dining rooms, was the same menu every nite!

Date of experience : April 21, 2024

The cruise its self was good having…

The cruise its self was good having said that be careful of using a credit card as payment on board use cash and settle up on the last day , they took two payments of the same amount leaving us in a real awkward position overseas and a empty credit card. Contacting this company is almost impossible its a never ending circle of " not our department and customer service after the cruise is email only no phone number" with a unto 30 days for a reply. Be careful how you manage your money

Date of experience : April 03, 2024

BAIT and SWITCH!

BAIT and SWITCH! we have traveled Norweigen for years reaching sapphire status and can confirm that the quality has been steadily declining. After the pandemic they apparently discovered they could save money and make money by cancelling ports. this has happened on each of the last 5 cruises and the port that is cancelled is always the most popular one and the cancellation is always after they have taken your money with no chance of refund. the reason given on the last cruise was wind but this was not supported by the forecast and there were also 2 other cruises headed to that destination when they made that statement

Date of experience : April 06, 2024

NCL has become such a low-quality…

NCL has become such a low-quality cruise line in the past few years that I will not sail on NCL again. They nickel-and-dime you to death. The free-at-sea promotion is a scam, and how they advertise this is deceptive. The benefits do not equal the cost. Shore excursions are more expensive than any other cruise line, and their service is deplorable. In addition to the lower quality of service, the food in their main dining room has become so bad that it's reminiscent of a High School Cafeteria. Low-quality food at a full cruise price.

Date of experience : April 01, 2024

People needs to know that this is not a…Not trusted company

People needs to know that this is not a trusted company. I won a cruise a board to the Encore and they never let me book this cruise! And now they said that is too late and my certificate is expired! Que tal!

Date of experience : April 30, 2024

They just refused to compensate

I have been on many different cruise ships and NCL was the worst earlier this year. Three countries port visits were cancelled. I booked the holiday specifically to visit these countries. It’s like ordering a new car and when it arrives it’s a van. Not fit for purpose. NCL wouldn’t compensate me for that. My advice, don’t go anywhere near them!!

Date of experience : March 04, 2024

Never travel with you

Where do I start? We missed 2 malgascia,the cabin was shocking,the entertainment??? Are you havin a laugh… The same act for 45 minutes each night, For the price we paid for our first cruise was £6000, And then at finding out at the end of our unpleasant and miserable unforgettable experience that we then had another £400 for services charges i.e bedding changed which we never asked for!!! Also paying the price what we paid where was the English tea bags n also you the serve the worst coffee n when we tasted the coffee we had to pay for a proper coffee at Starbucks, all inclusive you are havin a joke,Also we are getting charged for food which we are not paying

Date of experience : March 11, 2024

Loss of shore days on NCL Pride of America Hawaiian cruise

We had a Hawaiian cruise which was to include 2 days on Maui, 1 day at Hilo, 1 day at Kona, and 2 days at Kauai. Due to a technical issue with the ships backup generator, the boat was unable to leave from Hilo to Kona. Someone said the Coast Guard wouldn't let the ship sail. We had to stay in Hilo and didn't get to see Kona. As Hilo and Kona were on opposite sides of the same island, we decided to rent a car and drive from Hilo to Kona when we found out we wouldn't be going there. Unfortunately, the captain told us around 8 AM of day 2 on Hilo that everyone needed to be back on the ship by 1 PM to leave. Therefore, we had to cancel our plans to drive to Kona. The ship ended up leaving the next morning and sailed all day which was the first day we were supposed to be in Kauai. Thus we got cheated out of another day of seeing the islands. We had to wait in line at the excursions desk a couple of times to get the credit for the canceled excursions that we prepaid for. We also had to talk to guest services to get a bar bill corrected. To make up for the loss of 2 days island experiences, NCL gave us $200 credit and the offer of 20% off our next cruise if used by December 31, 2025. As we don't have any plans to take another cruise, this offer was meaningless to us. The entertainment that was offered on the ship wasn't that great and certainly didn't make up for the loss of excursions to the islands. We also didn't think the food was anything special. We did enjoy the suite we were in in.

Date of experience : April 13, 2024

Beyond your expectation

I’d like to write a review for NCL EPIC cruise because it gave me & my wife a fantastic vacation that we’ve never experienced before. The followings are reasons based on my real situations. 1. I booked an inside cabin and requested a shower stool for myself after booking. NCL EPIC offered me beyond my expectation--- an accessible wheelchair cabin. 2. My wife forgot her coat after onboard buffet eating one night then, we got it back without any difficulty at customer service counter of NCL EPIC next morning. 3. CBP(US Customs & Border Protection) had been thinking we were overstay in the US because we entered New York by airplane and cruised with NCL EPIC for Europe next day. They were so wrong about it and I needed to correct this CBP record, in order to clean my name. NCL cruise line was very helpful on this issue as provided me with required documents after the voyage. I finally made CBP to acknowledge their mistake in Nov. 2023. In one word, choosing NCL and you got it all.

Date of experience : April 22, 2023

We boarded and by 2:00pm our rooms were…

We boarded and by 2:00pm our rooms were not ready. Seriously you would think they could get that done but instead it's go eat there, go sit there etc. Etc. Instead of your room is ready. Watch what you pack on, you will be carrying it around with you.

Date of experience : April 29, 2024

DO NOT BUY Trip insurance from…

DO NOT BUY Trip insurance from Norwegian Cruise line. We did and ended up having surgery before our planned cruise. Norweign uses ION insurance which denied our claim stating it was pre existing condition. Why I would schedule a 10 day cruise with lots of walking when I had a preexisting condition with my knee is beyond me....

Date of experience : December 15, 2023

Had a cruise May of 2023

Had a cruise May of 2023. We had them setup all our travel arrangement. Our flight was delay, we contact the Cruise line and travel arrangement. We lost 1600.00 because they said we canx our cruise. We tried to explain that they made our travel arrangements. Wouldn't recommended this Cruise line to anybody. Norwegian cruise line wasn't helpful at all

Date of experience : May 06, 2023

Think twice before NCL Encore

I was not impressed with NCL Encore or her crew. Bar staff was rude and it took forever to get drinks. Food at the buffet was ok at best. Food was better at some of the restaurants. Nester at Guest Services was HORRIBLE. Found out that the Encore is usually an Alaska ship, WHY would you use it for a Caribbean cruise. There was ONE pool (and a kids pool) for everyone. Guest shops onboard are a joke. EVERYTHING is an added fee. I did not find the ship to be "user-friendly" in gettting around.

Date of experience : March 03, 2024

Norwegian air promotion is worthless, and it causes you loss of free stateroom upgrade

The air promotion Norwegian offered is worthless. They put us on indirect flights which take many more hours than direct flights. Also, they can only book flights with 2 days before and after the cruise departure and arrival. With 200 dollars more, we can buy much better two round-trip flights with more flexibility. What made it even worse was that the air promotion eliminated us from free upgrade of stateroom. We ended up with paying 2 times more than the current cost of the cruise resulting from making reservation 6 months in advance. I would suggest that you should not book in advance and not use their air promotion. With this type of service, we are so disappointed at Norwegian.

Is this your company?

Claim your profile to access Trustpilot’s free business tools and connect with customers.

The ultimate guide to Norwegian Cruise Line ships and itineraries

Looking for a cruise where you can do what you want, whenever you want, without a lot of structure and rules? Norwegian Cruise Line could be your brand.

The Miami-based cruise line pioneered the idea of "freestyle cruising" — cruising without rigid dining schedules, dress codes and formal nights — and it's still the go-to line for vacationers who want a floating resort experience with a casual, laissez-faire vibe.

Instead of a few big main restaurants with fixed seating times, Norwegian ships offer a wide range of eateries and no assigned seating times — just make a reservation. When it's time for dinner, if you want to dress up, fine. There's no rule saying you must, though.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Norwegian vessels also offer lots of options for daytime fun but are particularly well known for evening entertainment. You'll find everything from music halls with Beatles cover bands and dueling piano bars to theaters with some of the most elaborate shows at sea — including some big-name Broadway productions.

Norwegian ships are also loaded with bars, lounges and nightclubs, including always-busy casinos. Put it all together, and you have vessels with a very lively atmosphere — particularly at night. If you had to compare Norwegian ships to something on land, you'd probably say they were like floating versions of the casino resorts you find in Las Vegas.

Just to be clear, Norwegian is a big-ship line . Its largest vessels are among the biggest cruise ships at sea (they must be, to accommodate everything mentioned above). If you want an intimate cruise experience, Norwegian probably isn't a good choice.

That said, the line does offer some smaller ships that aren't quite as big and bustling as its giants.

Norwegian is also a mass-market brand, not a luxury cruise operator. Still, as we'll explain below, it offers a wide range of accommodations, some of which fall squarely in the luxury segment. In some cases, its ships have an exclusive area full of high-end cabins and suites called The Haven that comes with its own private pools, lounge areas and even restaurants.

In short, if you want to turn a Norwegian cruise into a luxury experience , you can do that, too. Norwegian really is the line where you make the trip what you want it to be.

Related: Which cruise brand is right for you?

3 things TPG loves about Norwegian Cruise Line

• The do-what-you-want freestyle vibe
• The wide range of restaurants, bars and nightspots
• The stellar entertainment

What we could do without

• The sky-high extra charges

The Norwegian Cruise Line fleet

Norwegian is the world's fourth-largest cruise line by passenger capacity, with 19 ships that together offer 56,780 berths.

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. The line doesn't just operate giant ships, though. More than half of its fleet is comprised of vessels that, by today's standards, are considered almost midsize.

Indeed, Norwegian is essentially two cruise lines in one. 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).

Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles

However, Norwegian's 10 older ships are much more modest in size, measuring around 75,000 to 94,000 tons and carrying closer to 2,000 passengers at double occupancy.

Norwegian thus appeals both to cruisers who like a giant resort vibe and those who prefer something more modest. The key, depending on your tastes, is getting on the right ship in the fleet.

On the big-ship end of the spectrum, Norwegian's four relatively new Breakaway Plus-class vessels — Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Escape — are the line's premier offerings. While not quite as big as Royal Caribbean's giant, Oasis-class ships , they are firmly in the pantheon of the world's cruising giants. They are the Norwegian vessels most packed with restaurants, bars, entertainment and over-the-top attractions.

Unveiled in 2019, Norwegian Encore is, notably, the 23rd biggest cruise ship in the world as of this story's publishing (it will drop in the rankings over the coming years as additional megaships debut). At 169,116 tons, it's bigger than all but three Carnival ships. Only Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises have significantly more bigger vessels.

One step down in size from the Breakaway Plus ships are the still-quite-large Breakaway-class ships — Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway — as well as the one-of-a-kind Norwegian Epic and the recently unveiled Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva .

Around 17% smaller than Norwegian's biggest vessels, Prima and Viva are the first tow of six sister ships that the line will roll out between now and 2027 that will significantly change the composition of its fleet. While not the biggest vessels in the Norwegian fleet, these ships will be notably packed with restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and decktop attractions. They also mark a more upscale turn for the line, with more space per passenger than earlier Norwegian ships and lots of suites.

Related: I've been on nearly every Norwegian ship. Here are my first impressions of Norwegian Prima

Norwegian's 10 smaller vessels break down among five classes, but many are roughly the same size and offer similar amenities.

One notable outlier among the smaller ships is the 2,186-passenger Pride of America. Sporting a patriotic U.S. theme (you'll find venues named after Thomas Jefferson and John Adams), and a distinct array of lounges and entertainment, it's the only big cruise vessel based year-round in Hawaii.

Pride of America notably operates with a mostly U.S. crew, in keeping with regulations governing cruise itineraries that only include U.S. ports.

Related: Our take on the new Norwegian Encore

Destinations and itineraries

Norwegian sails almost everywhere in the world, but its heaviest presence is in the Caribbean, Europe and Alaska.

In a typical summer, the line will deploy nearly half its ships to Europe while sending several more to the West Coast to sail to Alaska from Seattle; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Seward, Alaska. It'll also operate trips to Bermuda from New York City and Boston, usually with two ships, and trips to the Bahamas and the Caribbean out of Miami.

During the winter, the line will move many of its vessels to North America to operate sailings to the Caribbean and Bahamas. It also sends a few ships to Asia, Australia and South America, and it'll typically keep a single vessel in Europe, too.

As mentioned above, the line also operates one ship (Pride of America) in Hawaii year-round. It's the only cruise line to offer year-round voyages in Hawaii.

In North America, Norwegian ships sail out of Baltimore; Boston; Galveston, Texas; New York City; Miami; Tampa; San Juan, Puerto Rico; New Orleans; San Diego; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Seattle; Honolulu; Vancouver, British Columbia; Quebec City; and Seward, Alaska.

In Europe, Norwegian ships sail out of Amsterdam; Stockholm; Copenhagen; Oslo and Tromso, Norway; Southampton and Portsmouth, England; Le Havre, France; Reykjavik; Lisbon, Portugal; Barcelona; Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) and Trieste, Italy (near Venice); Piraeus, Greece (the port for Athens); and Istanbul.

Related: The best Caribbean cruise for every type of traveler

Who sails Norwegian Cruise Line?

Norwegian appeals to vacationers who want a big-resort experience at sea with lots of options for dining and entertainment. In that, it's similar to Royal Caribbean — perhaps its closest competitor.

However, unlike Royal Caribbean, Norwegian hasn't retained any of the trappings of old-style cruising. There are no formal nights, as you'll still find on Royal Caribbean ships, or dress codes. Norwegian has also thoroughly done away with the concept of big main restaurants with fixed seating.

Because of that, Norwegian is popular with people who are seeking flexibility — freedom to eat when they want, with whom they want and to dress however they want, for sure, but also more freedom in general to just set their own schedule day and night.

Norwegian cruises are very unstructured vacations, and that's by design.

Like Royal Caribbean ships, Norwegian vessels have an inordinate amount of teen- and tween-friendly attractions — everything from some of the largest waterslides at sea to the only go-kart tracks on the ocean . That makes them particularly appealing to families, including multigenerational groups. Families are a big part of Norwegian's business.

It's not just families that flock to Norwegian, though. The line's ships are designed to offer a little something for everyone, and thus they appeal to a wide demographic, including couples of all ages and even solo travelers (the line has been a leader in adding solo cabins to ships in recent years). They also draw customers with a wide range of incomes.

At their core, Norwegian ships are mass-market ships, with entry-level cabins that are affordable to middle-class travelers. However, overlaid across most vessels are high-end suites and services that are at a luxury level, and the line draws a good number of luxury-seeking travelers.

The exclusive, keycard-accessed suite complex called The Haven (found on 13 of Norwegian's 19 ships) comes with private lounges, pools and other tony features. It's essentially a small, luxury vessel that has been planted atop otherwise middle-class, mass-market megaships. These complexes appeal to well-heeled travelers who want a luxury cruising experience while also getting all the fun attractions, entertainment and dining venues only a mass-market megaship can offer.

Cabins and suites

Norwegian is known for offering a wide range of accommodations on its ships. You'll find everything from relatively low-cost, windowless inside cabins that measure as little as 135 square feet (perfect for the budget traveler) to massive, multi-room suites that are more than 50 times that size.

At the high end, the accommodations are aimed at affluent travelers who, for whatever reason, prefer the megaship experience to that of a luxury ship, and they truly are among the most spectacular accommodations at sea.

Some, such as the giant Garden Villas found on six Norwegian ships — Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star — sprawl over thousands of square feet and have as many as three bedrooms plus separate living rooms and dining rooms.

The Garden Villas also have private outdoor sun decks and courtyards with hot tubs. Additionally, the Garden Villas on Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star include private outdoor dining areas and steam rooms.

Depending on the ship, top suites can come with perks such as private butlers and concierges who attend to your every need, access to a private restaurant, a private suite lounge and sun deck, reserved seating in entertainment venues and priority boarding and disembarkation.

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.

Norwegian is also heralded for kicking off the trend of more solo cabins on cruise ships . In 2010, it debuted an entire zone of small studio cabins for one — 128 in all — on its then-new, 4,070-passenger Norwegian Epic, and it has since added them to seven more new ships.

The studio cabins are tiny at just 100 square feet. However, they're superbly designed to maximize storage space. On the ships that have them, they are clustered around an exclusive Studio Lounge where solo travelers can mingle at daily happy hour gatherings.

Related: What it takes to get concierge lounge access on a cruise ship

Restaurants and dining

Norwegian was an early pioneer of the idea of giving cruisers lots of choices when it comes to restaurants on ships, and even its smallest vessels offer a wide range of options.

On Norwegian's recently built Breakaway Plus-class ships, there are up to 20 places to grab a bite, ranging from high-end French restaurants and steakhouses to casual pubs.

Every vessel has two or three main restaurants and a casual buffet where meals are included in the fare — the latter is usually called the Garden Cafe.

Other included-in-the-fare venues found on some ships include O'Sheehan's Neighborhood Bar and Grill, a casual pub; an outdoor bar and grill called Topsiders; and casual Asian restaurants that go by many names including Shanghai's Noodle Bar, Ginza and Bamboo.

Also, every ship has a least four and often many more extra-charge eateries. Two found across the entire fleet are Cagney's, the line's signature steakhouse, and Le Bistro, a fine French restaurant. Every ship also has an Italian restaurant, called Onda by Scarpetta or La Cucina. There also are churrascaria restaurants called Moderno on most Norwegian vessels.

On some ships, you'll also find Ocean Blue, a seafood restaurant; The District Brew House, a gastropub serving craft beers; and a Mexican spot called either Los Lobos or Los Lobos Cantina. Every vessel has some sort of sushi restaurant, often called Sushi or Wasabi, and there are hibachi-style teppanyaki restaurants on nearly every Norwegian vessel.

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. Also, some ships have private restaurants just for passengers staying in The Haven.

Some of the extra-charge restaurants come with a flat fee (the teppanyaki outlets are $59 per person, not including the cost of drinks). However, most are a la carte, with sometimes hefty pricing. One thing you need to know upfront about going on a Norwegian cruise is that there are a lot of extra charges — and sometimes quite high extra charges — on the line's ships, particularly for things like restaurants.

A surf-and-turf dish at Ocean Blue that combines an 8-ounce filet mignon with a lobster tail costs $55, for example. If you just order a whole lobster, you'll be out $49. The least expensive entree on the menu, a roasted cauliflower steak, is $22.

If you know you want to eat at several extra-charge restaurants during a single voyage, you can buy one of several dining packages that offer meals at a discount.

Related: The 7 best meals you can have at sea

Entertainment and activities

Few lines offer as broad a range of entertainment and activities on their ships as Norwegian. The line's biggest vessels offer multiple entertainment venues, from theaters to comedy clubs; a wide range of deck-top attractions; large casinos; full-service spas; and even virtual reality attractions. You'll also find a seemingly endless array of bars, lounges and nightspots.

Theaters and shows

Entertainment is one of the core areas where Norwegian excels, and if you're the kind of person who loves nights out with live music and lively performances on your vacations, you're going to love the line.

Many of Norwegian's biggest ships have state-of-the-art theaters as big as those you'd find on Broadway, with big-name productions to match. Norwegian Bliss, for instance, has the Tony Award-winning "Jersey Boys."

In some cases, the Broadway shows are cut down slightly from the original versions, and the casts aren't quite as seasoned as what you'll find on Broadway. However, these are quality productions. The best part is they are entirely free. Compare that with the hundreds of dollars you'd spend to take your family to a show in New York City.

Norwegian ships also are jam-packed with music venues. Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Epic, for instance, have the Cavern Club, a reproduction of the British club that gave rise to the Beatles. It comes complete with a cover band that plays the group's greatest hits.

There are also Howl at the Moon dueling piano bars on some Norwegian ships, and there's the lively Q Texas Smokehouse found on Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy (a music-and-food concept that pairs live music with barbecue).

In addition, several Norwegian ships offer dinner theater venues with circus-type productions, and one vessel, Norwegian Getaway, features a magic-infused dinner theater show in a steampunk-inspired space called The Illusionarium.

Several ships also offer comedy club entertainment.

Other interior attractions and activities

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.

All but one Norwegian ship (Pride of America) has a casino, and on the line's bigger vessels, they are huge operations. The casino on Norwegian Encore has more than 300 slot machines and 26 table games (including blackjack, roulette, poker and craps), plus its own bar.

On the line's big Breakaway-class and Breakaway Plus-class ships, the casino — along with a large proportion of all onboard restaurants, bars and clubs — sprawls across three central decks connected by an atrium-like space known as 678 Ocean Place (the name derives from the location of the decks, which on each ship are decks 6, 7 and 8). At night, these three-deck complexes become bustling places.

The Breakaway- and Breakaway Plus-class ships have innovative outdoor promenades called The Waterfront lined with seating for many restaurants and bars. The Waterfront is located on Deck 8 of each of the ships, which is one of the main decks for restaurants on them all.

Like the ships of the Breakaway and Breakaway-plus classes, the Prima Class ships have a lively zone that mixes casino space, bars, eateries and entertainment that sprawls across decks 6, 7 and 8. These vessels also have outdoor eating space in an area called Ocean Boulevard.

In addition, Norwegian two new Prima Class ships (Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva), as well as another relatively new Norwegian vessels — Norwegian Encore — have innovative gaming and virtual reality zones called Galaxy Pavilion (a fourth Galaxy Pavilion area on Norwegian Joy is being removed during an overhaul in dry dock scheduled for early 2024).

There's nothing quite like Galaxy Pavilion in the cruise world. The venue has an amazing array of high-tech virtual reality experiences, including incredibly realistic race car simulators (on Norwegian Encore, there are eight in a row along one wall), hang gliding simulators, virtual mazes and a virtual reality "Jurassic Park" ride.

The Galaxy Pavilion on Norwegian Encore is the biggest of them all. 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.

Just be warned that you'll pay a hefty fee to play in the Galaxy Pavilion. A weeklong pass to the venue will set you back $199 per person. There also are hourlong passes available for $29 per person, or you can sample a single ride for $8 (except for the escape room, which is priced separately at $15 per person).

There's also a bowling alley on Norwegian Epic and duck pin bowling lanes on Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway.

Norwegian ships also all have Mandara Spas, which can be quite big on the bigger vessels, and there are fitness centers on every ship.

Deck-top attractions

What you'll find on the top decks of Norwegian ships will vary quite a bit depending on the vessel. The line's smaller ships will have at least one or two pools, sunning areas and usually a sports court area — but not all that much else.

The big ships are a different story.

On the line's Breakaway-, Breakaway Plus- and Epic-class ships, you'll find giant waterslides and kiddie splash zones and, in some cases, even more over-the-top attractions such as go-kart tracks and laser tag arenas.

The go-kart tracks (now on Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy) are quickly becoming Norwegian's signature can-you-believe-this-is-on-a-ship attraction, and they truly are impressive. The biggest two of them, on Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima, are nearly 1,400 feet long and sprawl over three decks.

Note that this is some serious go-karting. The cars that Norwegian uses can hit speeds up to 32 miles per hour. Three of the speedways, on Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Encore, also feature middle-of-the-track observation areas where your family and friends can cheer you on to victory — and even shoot you with "lasers" that'll give you a boost of power.

The open-air laser tag arenas also are significant venues that are unlike anything you'll find atop the ships of other lines. The one on Norwegian Encore, which is the largest laser tag arena ever put on a ship, is themed around the lost city of Atlantis and spans the back of the vessel.

As is the case with the Galaxy Pavilion attractions mentioned above, the go-kart and laser tag experiences on Norwegian ships don't come cheap. You'll pay $15 per person for an eight-lap romp on the go-karts. Joining a five-minute laser shootout costs $10 per person. In both cases, you can buy a weeklong pass for $199.

The top decks of a few Norwegian ships — mostly the bigger ones — also have a ropes course, a climbing wall or both. Some vessels also have miniature golf courses.

You'll find an exclusive, extra-charge, adults-only VIP sunning area on seven Norwegian ships called Vibe Beach Club. The biggest of these areas is on Norwegian Encore, where Vibe Beach Club is an expansive private lounge with a full-service bar, cabanas and two hot tubs designed to hold up to 270 people — far more than on other ships.

For those with money to burn (pricing on Norwegian Encore recently was $99 per person for a day pass), the Vibe Beach Clubs are lovely, secluded deck-top hideaways. However, there's a downside for everyone else on board the ships that have them, which is that they take away from the deck-top lounge space available to everybody else.

Related: The 12 cruise ships with the most spectacular attractions at sea

Children's programs

As is typical for big-ship cruise lines, Norwegian has an extensive children's program, with programs and activities for children as young as 6 months through the age of 17.

The heart of the program, called Splash Academy, brings free, supervised activities daily for children ages 3 to 12. The line splits children here up into three age groups: Turtles (ages 3 to 5), Seals (ages 6 to 9) and Dolphins (ages 10 to 12), and they each have their own age-appropriate activities ranging from treasure hunts to video game competitions. On many ships, there are extensive dedicated spaces for the different groups.

While the free programming ends at 10:30 p.m., you can pay extra to leave your kids at Splash Academy past 10:30 p.m. until 1:30 a.m., when it's billed as the Late Night Fun Zone.

Norwegian also has rooms on its ships for babies and toddlers ages 6 months to 3 years. Called Guppies, the program offers parents a place to play with their youngest children, with occasional youth staff-led activities and games.

Norwegian also offers dedicated teen zones and programming on ships for children ages 13 to 17. Called Entourage, the teen zone is a place for teens to hang out, dance and play games, and it's supervised by counselors who plan activities and challenges.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

A passport is required for all cruises leaving from a non-U.S. port and all Panama Canal sailings (regardless of departure port). If you're a U.S. citizen, you don't need a passport for most sailings from U.S. ports (including sailings to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, the Mexican Riviera and Alaska).

Instead, you can travel with a state-certified birth certificate or other proof of citizenship and a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification. That said, Norwegian strongly recommends that all travelers bring a passport.

Passports must be valid for at least six months after your trip, and the name on your reservation must be exactly as it's printed on your passport or other official proof of nationality.

Norwegian adds an automatic service charge of $20 to $25 per person, per day, to final bills, depending on your cabin category. Depending on the service you receive, you can adjust the amount up or down at the guest services desk before disembarking. In addition, a 20% gratuity is added to the bill at bars, extra-charge specialty restaurants and ship spas.

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on a cruise ship

Norwegian has been rolling out faster Wi-Fi systems across its fleet in recent years, so you can now stream video on ships.

Pricing changes over time, but the fastest "premium" service on Norwegian vessels recently was priced at $39.99 per person per day, if you bought it in advance. Norwegian also offers a less expensive plan that doesn't allow video streaming for $29.99 per person per day if purchased in advance.

This pricing is quite a bit higher than what some other lines, such as Carnival or Princess, charge for Wi-Fi. Princess recently was charging just $14.99 per person per day for a WiFi package.

Related: Wi-Fi on ships really is getting better

Carry-on drinks policy

Norwegian allows you to bring bottles of your own wine or Champagne on board, but it will charge you a hefty corkage fee of $15 per bottle for the privilege — even if you plan to drink the bottle in your room. This is a more draconian policy than you'll find at most lines. Most lines allow passengers to bring at least a bottle or two of their own wine on board at no charge.

Smoking policy

On all ships, smoking (including e-cigarette smoking) is only allowed in designated outdoor areas, cigar lounges (for cigar smoking only) and casinos. It's forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies. Passengers caught smoking in their cabins will be fined $250 per occurrence.

Unlike many cruise vessels, Norwegian ships do not have self-serve launderettes on cabin decks for passenger use. Instead, the line offers extra-charge laundry and dry cleaning services.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry services

Electrical outlets

All cabins on Norwegian vessels have standard North American-style, 110-volt outlets and European-style, 220-volt outlets. Some cabins also have USB ports.

The currency used on all Norwegian itineraries is U.S. dollars. All vessels operate on a cashless system with any onboard purchases you make posting automatically to your onboard account. You'll receive a cruise card you can use to make charges. This same card also lets you into your cabin.

Drinking age

The official drinking age on Norwegian ships is 21. That said, passengers who are 18 to 20 can purchase and consume beer or wine on ships in international waters with permission from parents or legal guardians. The parent or legal guardian must be on board and sign a waiver at guest services. The lower drinking age in international waters does not apply during sailings in Alaska and Hawaii.

Norwegian Cruise Line may be the most laid-back line out there when it comes to dress codes. You can basically wear whatever you want, whenever you want.

The line specifically says that casual wear (think: khakis, jeans, shorts and casual shirts for men; casual dresses, skirts, shorts, jeans and tops for women) is just fine anytime during the day, at the buffet and in most specialty restaurants.

The line just recommends a step up to "smart casual" outfits in its more formal dining rooms and upscale specialty restaurants. In keeping with Norwegian's laid-backness, this might still mean nothing more than a crisper pair of jeans, or maybe slacks with a collared shirt, for men. Definitely no need for a jacket. For women, slacks, jeans, dresses, skirts and tops will do fine.

Related: What to pack for your first cruise

Norwegian Cruise Line loyalty program

Norwegian has a point-based frequent cruiser program, Latitudes Rewards, that has seven tiers, ranging from Bronze (requiring 1 point) to Ambassador (700 points).

Members earn points for every night they sail on one of the line's ships. They get an additional point for every night they stay in a concierge room, a suite (not including stays in minisuites, or stays in suites resulting from an upgrade) or a room in The Haven. They also get an additional point for every night booked through a Latitudes Rewards Insider Offer.

Hitting the first tier, Bronze, takes one cruise. Reaching the second tier, Silver (20 points), would take at the most three cruises if you're doing seven-night trips.

Related: Everything you need to know about the Norwegian loyalty program

Lower tiers don't bring all that much in terms of truly valuable benefits. You'll get things like priority check-in and discounted spa treatments performed while ships are in port. However, higher levels of the program start to be enticing.

Platinum (75 points) brings free dinners at two extra-charge restaurants, a discount on an internet package, behind-the-scenes ship tours and concierge service.

The top Ambassador level brings a truly wonderful perk: a one-time complimentary seven-night cruise in a balcony cabin. You can pick almost any sailing except trips around Christmas and the new year.

In contrast to airline frequent-flyer programs, cruise line loyalty programs do not require you to requalify for status every year. So, yes, the perks with lower tiers aren't great. But it's not as difficult as it might at first seem to hit the more rewarding higher tiers in just a few years if you're cruising a lot.

A passenger staying in suites and booking through Latitudes Rewards Insider Offers could get to the Platinum level with just four seven-night cruises.

Related: The TPG guide to cruise line loyalty programs

How much does a Norwegian cruise cost?

Norwegian designs its ships to appeal to a broad mix of people, in part by offering a wide range of cabin types at varying price points. On a typical sailing, you might find an entry-level cabin for around $100 a night while a high-end suite is five to 15 times that amount.

At the time of this story's posting, A The Haven two-bedroom family villa on Norwegian Jewel for a seven-night Alaska cruise in August 2024, for example, was going for $13,978 per person, based on double occupancy. That's more than 13 times the cost of the least expensive inside cabin (which was starting at $1,058 per person, based on double occupancy). Oceanview cabins on the same sailing started at $1,698 per person, based on double occupancy.

Note the "based on double occupancy" caveat in the above paragraph. As is typical for cruise lines, Norwegian charges on a per-person basis, not per room, and it prices most cabins based on two people occupying a room. It does offer some cabins for solo travelers on some ships that are priced based on single occupancy.

In general, Norwegian's newer ships including Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Prima and the Breakaway-class and Breakaway Plus-class vessels will be more expensive than the line's older, smaller ships. However, there are many factors that go into pricing for any given cruise, including the popularity of the specific itinerary, the time of year when the cruise is taking place and changing demand trends.

As you might expect, pricing for all ships will generally be lower during offseason periods such as September and October.

The timing of when you book can also matter. Cruises book up much further in advance than airplanes or hotels, and many cruisers will tell you the best pricing for any given sailing often is available when cruises first go on sale (which can be a good two years before a departure). Booking far in advance will also give you the best chance of getting your preferred cabin type and location on a ship.

Once on board a Norwegian ship, you'll pay extra for most drinks, extra-charge restaurants, spa services, shore excursions, internet service and a few other things — unless you've bought a package for some of these items in advance. Some onboard activities such as go-karting also come with an extra charge. What's included in the fare is your lodging, meals (in non-extra-charge restaurants) and most entertainment.

Related: 15 ways that first-time cruisers waste money on a cruise

How to book

If you're sure you know what sort of cabin you want, on which ship, on which itinerary — and about a dozen other things — you can head over to ncl.com to make a booking directly.

That said, given the complexity of booking a cruise (there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process — trust us) we recommend you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises.

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.

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.

Whether you use a travel agent or not, make sure to maximize your purchase when paying for the cruise by using a card that offers extra points for travel purchases . This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve , which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit), or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card , which brings 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on travel and 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on dining.

Bottom line

For big-ship lovers, Norwegian pretty much has it all. There's tons of great entertainment on Norwegian's vessels, plenty of venues for eating and drinking, and all sorts of deck-top diversions — at least on the line's newest ships. Throw in the brand's low starting prices, and it's an even more compelling package.

If we have a gripe with the line, it's about the "extra-charge creep" we've been seeing for attractions on Norwegian ships such as go-karts and laser tag in recent years, and the higher a la carte prices spreading across the line's onboard restaurants.

Then again, you get what you pay for, as the saying goes. If you're on a tight budget, there are plenty of included-in-the-fare choices for dining and entertainment. If money is no object, you can follow a different "journey" through the ship, as Norwegian executives like to say, to a far more high-end vacation.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

Norwegian Getaway

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line |

Find a Cruise on Norwegian Getaway

with a cruise advisor

Traveler Reviews

A ship’s traveler rating is provided under license by Cruiseline.com , which manages one of the largest databases of cruise reviews and ratings by travelers. A total of 2791 guests have reviewed Norwegian Getaway , giving it a rating of 3.9 on a scale of 1-5.

Cruiseline Travel Rating:

Reviews by traveler type, most recent reviews.

Overall Very Bad Experience

May 15th, 2024

Long! I will not cruise with NCL again. The crew are great but Guest Services and the Excursion Desk have a it’s not my fault attitude that was not appreciated.

Traveler Type

2-3 cruises

Nice little weekend Getaway !!

May 6th, 2024

Really enjoyed this little weekend to spend time with Family.

4-6 cruises

Terrible from embarkation to disembarkation.

May 5th, 2024

Embarkation: Why is this such a process with NCL and should not take hours to get though security and check-in. Take a page from Royal, how do they embark so seamlessly? You have an app, use it! Royal lets you scan in your passport, take pictures, for an easy process. Even though you ask us to upload pictures, it takes so much time to redo all of this at check-in. Maybe you need more people? It was a terrible and stressful way to start a vacation. Also, we did not get our bags and at 6pm I went searching for them. No one was to be found, but I went into an employee area and found my own bags along with 100's of others. Why are these not delivered timely. I know it takes time, but after 6pm is crazy. Disembarkation: What a terrible experience. I understand we were late getting into port and then had an extended wait time to be cleared, but it was how the staff dealt with the situation that led to chaos. Prior to the delays, we were all provided times when we could walk off the boat or when our color groups would be able to get off. After the delays, no additional information was announced on when we could disembark. It was already too late when the announcements advising that deck 7 was closed off and no additional people should try and disembark, as people were just following the timelines they were provided. We left our room at 11:30 as requested and waited on the pool deck until our color was called. The cruise director had already made several announcements that different colors could come down, so we thought the chaos would be done. They directed us to go to deck 7, but all of the elevators were still shut off to deck 7. We struggled to even get off the elevators at floor 8 with the crowds and then proceeded to wait in line for two hours to get off the ship. We were only following the directions being provided by the cruise director and he kept calling more groups in the middle of the chaos. We had to wait on stairs with our heavy luggage which is extremely unsafe and none of the staff had any idea what to do. The in the middle of the chaos, they decided it would be a good time to have drills for the crew. We had over 100 crew members trying to get through the already crowed deck 7 and the drills also closed doors in the middle of the lines we were in stopping all progress. Also food and refreshments were only provided until 10:30, but did not get off until 2pm, way after lunch. You needed to provide another meal. I was expected to be home and working at 2pm and did not get home until after 6pm. Ridiculous and very stressful way to end a vacation. Room: Our group had 3 rooms and we were in club suites. It seemed like we got the very minimum service that I have ever seen on a cruise. The bed was made every day and towels were replaced, but nothing special was done. What happened to towel art or a friendly face from a stew? Myself and another room brought Clorox wipes for the surfaces and they were gross. Another room had an open bottle of water in her fridge and papers for another guest and I was delivered water for other guest as well. One of our rooms was above the mojito bar and our room rattled until 10 pm every night due to the band playing. We called to complain multiple times and no one cared. They needed to hear it themselves, but would not come during the session. Food/Service: I never had such mediocre food in my life. The buffet was very disappointing as it has the same repetitive food. The stations are very limited that keep repeating all the way around the buffet. I have also never been on a ship that has not had eggs benedict at the buffet. The main dining rooms need more people. I am not sure what is going on, but each time we ate their we waited about 30 minutes between courses. The servers just disappear? I also got steak one night and they did not want to give me a steak knife? O'Sheenhans is terrible, the wings are absolutely disgusting. Bars: I do not get your premium drinking package and it needs some work. Example: Screwball Peanut Butter Whisky is an upcharge so if you order a drink with it you have to pay extra, but you can order a Monkey Business that has Screwball Peanut Butter Whisky in it at it is only $13 and is included. Also, why the extra taxes when in port? Royal does not do this, why do you? Photos: I talked to several people who had pictures taken and bought packages or individual prints. Our friends renewed their vows on the trip and a photographer took pictures. We were interested in one picture and was advised that we cannot buy one picture and the only option was to buy 6 digital files for $500. Others bought individual prints for $30. You priced us out and now have no memories or the vow renewal.

Wonderful Cruise

May 3rd, 2024

Overall it was a great cruise, food was good and staff was excellent. St Marteen was my favorite stop.

A Great Time Regardless

Apr 29th, 2024

Cruise was changed last minute due to weather. Instead of 3 days in Bermuda they added two sea days and we sailed to Bahamas. Got some beautiful weather so no complaints on my end. Just wish the communication about it was better and we didn’t have to find out from the Facebook group of the previous cruise

1 cruise (first)

Gateway Cruise

Apr 22nd, 2024

Overall we like it, except for rainforest trip in Puerto Rico El Yunge very poor trip nothing to see but price is very high

Apr 17th, 2024

The food was not up to par, very disappointed. Room service coffee price was an outrageous price. We spent 800 dollars for room service coffee for the week! Our room was mile away from the elevator. Entertainment on the boat was not good with the exception of the dueling pianos. We waited in the cold outside for 3 hours waiting to board, some woman even passed out waiting in line.

Great family vacation

Apr 15th, 2024

We had an enjoyable vacation. Our family really enjoyed themselves. We relaxed the whole time. We go to the spa every day. Some of my family got treatments. We also enjoyed trivia. We enjoy a good drink and good food.

Family (older children)

Nice to get away... But

Apr 12th, 2024

No clear explanation as to why we couldn't keep the original itinerary of 3 days docked in Bermuda. Wad bummed, but made the most of it.

Eh.......Not that great

Apr 11th, 2024

I am hesitant about booking another cruise with Norwegian. We were not able to stay in Bermuda for the entire time as planned. The only offer made to us is 20% off another cruise. It would have been marvelous to offer a refund on this very cruise as we were not able to enjoy our destination as planned.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

You Might Also Like

Norwegian Dawn

Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Breakaway

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

Norwegian Cruise Line Review: The Prima

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

To celebrate a milestone birthday for me and an anniversary for my parents, the three of us took a cruise on Norwegian Prima, the first in what Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) says will be a “new class of ships designed to elevate every expectation.”

I had cruised NCL three times before and was a silver member of the Latitudes rewards program when I booked.

After 12 nights on the Prima going from London to Barcelona via several stops in France, Portugal and Spain, we discovered there was a lot to like about the ship, but there were also several quirks.

» Learn more: The complete guide to Norwegian Cruise Line

Booking the trip

My family chose this ship and cruise line because of a great itinerary. There were a variety of port stops as well as a day at sea for some relaxing and recharging. As it turns out, one of the port stops we were looking forward to was changed. A few weeks before the cruise, NCL replaced a stop in Porto, Portugal, with one in Vigo, Spain.

Booking can be a bit of a game since cruise lines always seem to have sales and offers they say are for a limited time. On NCL’s site, there’s often a countdown clock showing how long a particular offer will last.

It’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy, but it’s important to make sure the deal works for you.

On our booking, we had NCL’s Free at Sea offer, which includes perks such as a “free unlimited open bar” and specialty dining. Here’s the catch: The free open bar isn’t exactly free, and neither is the specialty dining. You have to pay 20% gratuity on what NCL says is the value of the package.

So, for example, an upcoming cruise on the Prima — a seven-day trip from Galveston, Texas, to the Caribbean in February — is about $2,400 per balcony cabin (with two people). Then you add on gratuities for the open bar at $305 and specialty dining of about $40. You’re paying $345 in gratuities for the “free” stuff.

So, if you’re not much of a drinker, you might want to consider declining the free open bar and just ordering and paying for drinks as you want them. That drops that charge for gratuities off your total cruise cost.

I chose to upgrade my package to NCL’s Free at Sea Plus because I needed unlimited Wi-Fi and wanted to have water and Starbucks drinks included as part of my drink package. Those are part of the upgraded package but not part of the basic one. With the upgrade, I also ended up with two more meals in specialty dining restaurants.

After looking at the non-suite cabin types, which include inside cabins, outside cabins with just a window, and balcony cabins, we booked two balcony cabins on deck 12 midship. I need fresh air, and I love the sounds the ocean makes when we’re at sea.

Keep checking on the rates until you make your final payment. If they drop, you can sometimes take advantage of a better deal by modifying the booking.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Online check-in

After booking, it’s time to start planning. Through the NCL website, you can look at and book shore excursions and some specialty dining reservations and entertainment reservations.

Exactly 21 days before sailing, you can check in and will likely receive an email telling you to do so.

To check in online, you’ll need your passport and a credit card to put on file for anything you purchase on board. You’ll also need a photo of your face to upload for security purposes. I had some issues doing this because the photo I tried to use did not meet the parameters, but if the upload doesn’t work, an employee can take a photo at the pier.

During check-in, be ready to pick a time when you want to arrive at the port to get on board. Time slots began as early as about 9:30 a.m. and continued for a few hours.

About a day after filling everything out, you can go in and download the eDocs, which serve as your boarding pass. You’ll need either a printed or mobile copy to show at the embarkation point.

One more thing about check-in: Each piece of luggage you want the porters at the pier to deliver on board to your stateroom needs a luggage tag. If you want personal tags that are pre-populated with your name and stateroom number, you must print them at home.

The button to print them wasn’t obvious, so I had to look for it a bit.

Embarkation

Boarding area/Southampton. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Our cruise was leaving from Southampton, England, a short ride from London, where we had spent a few days. I always arrive at least one or two days before a cruise leaves to give myself some cushion in case a flight is delayed or there is another travel issue.

When I was checking in, I chose a 12:30 p.m. embarkation time because I didn’t feel the need to arrive super early, and cabins usually aren’t ready until at least 1 p.m. anyway. I hate dragging my hand luggage around a busy ship with me.

When we arrived, there wasn’t much of a line, and what was there moved quickly. We handed off our checked luggage to the porters, who put it in a giant pile to eventually go on the ship.

I always take a photo of my bag before I leave it behind so I know what it looks like and how to describe it in case it gets lost.

After a security check and a brief health questionnaire, we were on board and heading to lunch with our carry-on luggage in tow.

» Learn more: How much luggage can you take on a cruise?

The Prima’s atrium. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

The Norwegian Prima was built in 2022 and has a capacity of 3,099 guests at double occupancy and 1,506 crew members.

The Prima docked in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

The Prima looks a bit different than other NCL ships I had been on in that it is more understated elegance than in-your-face opulence. There were many decorative touches I wouldn’t mind having in my house.

There are two main sets of elevators on the ship, one midship and another forward. A third set is available only to guests who are staying in The Haven , an exclusive area with a private concierge, butler, restaurant, bar, lounge, pool and other perks.

The Haven private area. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

You can look at the triangles on the carpet on the decks with cabins to know which way is forward and which is aft. The triangles face forward.

The triangles on the carpet face forward. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

NCL loyalists know the carpets on other ships have fish, which are always swimming forward. On the Prima, triangles replace the fish to help orient passengers.

Deck 8 with a small pool and seating areas. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Another big difference on this ship versus others with NCL is the pool deck. It’s near the back of the ship on deck 17, and it’s small compared to other ships, where the pool area takes up the majority of a deck.

Splash park. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

There is an aqua park for kids, a waterslide and a few hot tubs and smaller pools and lounging areas on other decks, but no one large gathering place for water and sun fun.

Infinity pool. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Balcony cabin. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

I had a balcony cabin on deck 12 fairly close to the midship elevators. It was somewhere between 231 and 358 square feet with a balcony between 45 and 69 square feet.

The cabin seemed very spacious because the bed was by the balcony, which left a big open space in the cabin. While this was nice, anyone sleeping next to the balcony would have a difficult time getting out of bed without hitting the sliding glass door or the bed.

Hooks on the wall. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

There was a ton of storage both in the cabin and in the bathroom and hooks to hang things on.

One problem for me was that the safe was not big enough for my laptop. On a new ship, this surprised me. I also didn’t like the fact the bed didn’t have a bed skirt and I was always looking at my empty luggage I stored under the bed.

One plus, though, is there were several plugs and USB connections throughout the cabin, including in the bedside lamp so I could plug my phone in near my bed.

Lamp with USB charging ports. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

One problem my parents noticed, though, is there was only one electrical plug near the bed, which could be a problem for people with sleeping machines or anyone else vying for power.

Bathroom. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

The bathroom had a lot of space and a walk-in shower.

Balcony. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

The balcony had two comfortable chairs and a small table.

Cabin service is once a day, which means no turndown service or towel animals, but you can call the cabin steward if you need anything. Each evening, the steward delivers the Freestyle Daily, which is a printed copy of the next day’s activities and offers.

An electronic panel near the door allows you to turn on a light outside the door telling the steward to make up the room or “Do not disturb.” The same panel controls the temperature. It was nice to have an AC system that actually responded. When I turned the AC down, it actually got cooler in the cabin.

Food and drinks

Norwegian touts its Freestyle Dining as a way to have freedom and flexibility about where and when you eat. There are no set dining times, and while that sounds great, you can’t just walk up and go wherever you want.

I don’t love the idea of having to think ahead about where and when I want to eat when I am on vacation, but I made a reservation for each night so I had somewhere to go.

You can make reservations for specialty dining venues and the main dining rooms before embarkation and while on board at either a dining desk or on the TV system in the room. The TV system allows you to make a reservation, but not cancel one, so I had to wait in the dining desk line anyway.

Only a small percentage of specialty dining reservations are available before getting on board so it seemed like everything was booked. It wasn’t. Once passengers are on board, the remaining reservations open up.

With a reservation, the dining venue holds your space for 15 minutes and then gives up your table, which we learned the hard way one night when we arrived late. Our table was gone, forcing us to wait about 45 minutes for another one.

The Prima has a combination of complimentary and specialty dining, and I did both.

The two main dining rooms, Hudson’s and The Commodore Room, are the free options. They had the same menu, which changed nightly, and the food was good. The menu was a combination of starters, mains and desserts, and you could order whatever you wanted.

They were open at different times, with one also serving breakfast and lunch in addition to dinner.

The breakfast menu at The Local. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

The Local Bar & Grill was open almost all day and had pub-like food. We went there often for breakfast and lunch.

Outside the Indulge Food Hall. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

My favorite was Indulge Food Hall with its take on a food truck rally.

Food stations in Indulge. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

There were several stations, some even looking like food trucks.

Tablet ordering system (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Ordering was done on a tablet that had photos of all the items, and a server delivered the food to your table.

The variety was great since there were several stations like Indian, BBQ, Mexican, Asian, Spanish tapas and more. The dates wrapped in bacon with blue cheese and the guacamole were my favorites.

Then there was the buffet, the Surfside Cafe & Grill, which was tremendously undersized, always incredibly busy and without enough seating options. While the food was good, the traffic flow was not, and once you had your food in hand, finding a place to eat it was not easy. For breakfast one morning, I balanced my plate on the waitstaff’s cleaning area and ate there.

Now, for the specialty dining options, the Prima has eight where the food and presentation are elevated.

For this 12-night cruise, the Free at Sea package included three meals at specialty dining venues. Additional meals were available as an upgrade — $99 for two more, $139 for three more, and $30 more for each additional meal you wanted after that. The upgrades are per person, so you cannot buy a two-meal package and share it with another person, giving each of you one additional meal.

At most of the venues, the package included a starter, a soup or salad, a main dish and a dessert. If you choose to dine at a specialty restaurant without a package, the pricing is à la carte, with entrees about $40 and appetizers about $20. So if you know you want to dine at many specialty restaurants, the package upgrades are a good deal.

Outside a specialty restaurant. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

I ate at Cagney's Steakhouse, Hasuki for teppanyaki, Le Bistro for French cuisine and Palomar for seafood. The food at all of the specialty restaurants was wonderful, and I was definitely stuffed afterward.

Room service is available 24 hours a day but has an extra cost.

Bar. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

The Prima has several bars and lounges scattered throughout the ship. Each had a slightly different feel, from The Local Bar & Grill with its huge TVs, beers on tap and bar food to the aft-facing outdoor Soleil Bar and Indulge Outdoor Lounge with comfy chairs, hammocks and cabanas.

The Starbucks on deck 7 in the main atrium. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

There are even two Starbucks locations that serve up all of the favorites you can find on land.

The Starbucks inside Indulge Food Hall. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Starbucks was part of my upgraded drinks package, so I ordered a lot of the things I had been wanting to try but hadn’t wanted to spend the money on in case I didn’t like them.

Entertainment

You may be used to lots of entertainment in the form of singing and dancing on cruise ships, but the Prima doesn’t have a lot of it. If you like game shows and smaller venues for comedy and music, as well as thrills like go-karts, slides and escape rooms, this ship is for you.

“Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” was the only musical production show on the ship and was offered on two nights of the cruise. It was in the main theater, a venue that transformed into a dance club and other things throughout the cruise. Reservations were required, and people started lining up about a half-hour before the show began, since the theater is relatively small for the size of the ship.

A house band often performed in the main atrium area, but there wasn’t much room for large groups to gather and enjoy it. There was also a DJ who rotated between a few locations.

“The Price is Right” in the Prima Theater. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

The theater also had game shows like “Deal or No Deal” and “The Price is Right,” which had high production value and audience participation.

The exterior of Syd Norman’s. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Smaller venues like Syd Norman’s Pour House were often packed and rocking.

The upper decks had lots of mostly daytime entertainment options, especially deck 18.

Taking up part of decks 18, 19 and 20 was the Prima Speedway, a racetrack where, for $15, you can zoom around and race others. Sometimes, you could hear the sound of the cars from other decks.

The slides. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Deck 18 also has high-tech mini-golf and darts, as well as the starting points for the two slides, The Drop and The Rush.

Because this cruise was so port-intensive, I didn’t take part in any of the entertainment because all I wanted to do after a day of touring was eat dinner and go to sleep. My parents went to see “The Donna Summer Musical” and “The Price is Right” and thought both were entertaining.

Spa and gym

The entrance of the spa. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

A highlight of the Prima is the Mandara Spa & Salon. It’s huge and beautiful.

Therapy pools with a two-story waterfall. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

To access most of what it offers, including the saunas, pools, salt room, steam rooms and heated loungers in relaxation rooms, you need to buy a pass either for a day or a full voyage.

Salt room. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

The number of available passes varies based on the length of the cruise. For this cruise, the pass cost $399 for the full voyage or $99 for a day.

Relaxation room. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Having a spa treatment like a massage does not allow you access to the thermal suite. I had a nice treatment that included a body brush and massage.

If you’re not picky about the treatment you want or when you want it, keep an eye on the Freestyle Daily. During my cruise, the price of specially curated 75-minute treatments went from about $199 down to $139 toward the end of the cruise.

Cardio equipment. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

The Pulse Fitness Center is also large with lots of weights and machines, as well as cardio equipment that faces the bow, giving exercisers a great view while working out. Access is free. Let’s just say I went in only to take a few photos.

The Norwegian app is available to download on mobile devices and is the place to keep track of things like dining times, activities and expenses. To use it on board, you don't have to pay for Wi-Fi, but you do have to be on the ship’s Wi-Fi network.

The Free at Sea package included 300 minutes of Wi-Fi for this entire 12-night cruise, meaning I had to remember to log off to keep from using minutes. My father quickly learned logging off was not the same as just turning off the Wi-Fi on his device after a bunch of his allotted minutes went away fairly quickly when he wasn’t doing anything.

As part of my upgraded Free at Sea Plus package, I had unlimited Wi-Fi, which wasn’t exactly speedy but allowed me to do what I needed, like check and send emails, upload photos and look at social media.

Off the ship

For me, European or other destination cruises are different from Caribbean cruises in that I spend most of my time off the ship. The ship is basically for eating and sleeping.

The ship had a small shore excursion desk where the staff mostly sold ship-sponsored excursions and offered limited information about the ports themselves.

On this trip, I did one ship-sponsored shore excursion to Normandy and the D-Day beaches, which was on the first day. My Latitudes status gave me a 10% discount on the tour itself, and the Free at Sea perk gave me $50 in onboard credit after completing the excursion.

My shore excursion ticket was in my room when I first got into my cabin, and it told me when to meet in the theater. At the specified time, someone called the number of the tour, and I went to the front of the theater to get a sticker with a group number on it and got off the ship.

Soon I was on my way for a daylong tour on a large and full bus. I returned to the ship in plenty of time to shower and get ready for dinner.

For two tours in Granada and Seville, Spain, I joined a small group using a private tour company. I liked the smaller tours and saved some money because they were a bit cheaper than the ship’s tours.

My slight disappointment came in the ports where I had nothing planned. The shore excursion desk didn’t have much information about the ports themselves or what was available.

In Ibiza, I decided to take the $20 ship-sponsored shuttle bus into the center of town. But instead of a drop-off in the city center, the bus stopped in the middle of a road about a 15-minute walk from anything.

In Valencia, several passengers were looking for the hop-on-hop-off bus stop, but nobody could help us find it. Overall, I would have liked a bit more information about the ports from the shore excursion desk.

In all ports, the disembarkation process was smooth and simple. I just had to tap my ship’s card to sign out, and when I returned, I had to go through security like in an airport and tap my card again.

Disembarkation

A couple of days before the cruise ended, I had to choose a disembarkation time and collect appropriate luggage tags from the guest services area.

The earliest time was for people who wanted to take all of their luggage off the ship themselves.

The other times were based on flight time and whether people had a ship-sponsored tour of the city.

I selected 8:45 a.m. because I was staying in Barcelona for a few days and had nowhere to be and no time I had to be there.

Each time had a corresponding color-coded luggage tag. I put the purple tag on my suitcase and left the bag outside my cabin door for the stewards to gather and take off the ship. Again, take a photo of your bag sitting in front of your cabin in case it goes missing.

The Prima was scheduled to dock in Barcelona at 5 a.m., and disembarkation was set to begin as soon as local authorities cleared the ship.

Announcements began at about 5:45 a.m. and continued about every 15 minutes after that.

After a breakfast in the crazy-crowded buffet and one final check of the cabin (which I evidently didn’t do well enough because I left a pair of my good compression socks in one of the drawers), I dragged my carry-on luggage through the hallways and off the ship.

Large crowd in the disembarkation area in Barcelona. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Claiming our checked bags was a disaster. The 8:45 a.m. time slot was last call, so everyone who was still on the ship had to get off. This led to hundreds of people filing down escalators and into a small area where luggage was coming by on a moving belt one suitcase at a time.

This seemed to be more of a port facility issue and not something the ship’s staff could have done anything about except to maybe hold people on the ship for a bit instead of having them disembark into an already crowded area.

Lots of people in a small space got really hot and disorganized, but soon my parents and I had our luggage and were out the door and into a taxi.

People were already lined up to board the Prima for the next cruise. They were ready to get their vacation started.

Overall observations

Ocean Boulevard on deck 8. (Photo by Tiffani Sherman)

Overall, I had a great time on the Norwegian Prima. It had tons of outdoor spaces, but not many large spaces for people to gather. I thought the decor was beautiful and slightly upscale.

The crew was amazing, and after just a few days, the ladies at Starbucks were calling me by my first name when I approached the counter. Most crew members usually had a smile on their face and were willing to help.

I enjoyed too much good food in the free and specialty restaurants and did not spend nearly enough time in the gym or spa.

I didn’t miss the lack of entertainment options because I was spending most of my time either in port, eating or sleeping.

Speaking of sleeping, the beds were amazingly comfortable and the cabin was nicely furnished with plenty of room and storage.

The best part was spending time with my parents and making memories. Cruising is a great way to do that because there are a variety of activities and options available, and everyone does not need to be together all the time.

I’d definitely sail again on the Prima and her almost identical twin, Viva , which debuted in 2023.

(Top photo courtesy of Tiffani Sherman)

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

on Bank of America's website

1.5x-2x Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

• Vacation Rentals
• Restaurants
• Things to do
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from California
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Florida
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Anchorage
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Los Angeles
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Miami
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from New York City
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from New Orleans
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Seward
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Seattle
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Honolulu
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from San Juan
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Vancouver
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from London
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Barcelona
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Venice
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Amsterdam
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Civitavecchia
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Sydney
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Hong Kong
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Singapore
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Alaska
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Oahu
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Juneau
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Ketchikan
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Curaçao
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to British Virgin Islands
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to St. Kitts
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to France
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Spain
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Andalucia
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Catalonia
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Barcelona
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Taormina
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Tuscany
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Florence
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Portugal
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Civitavecchia
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Central America
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Colombia
• Family Norwegian (NCL) Cruises
• Things to Do
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Norwegian Epic Deck Plans & Reviews

Norwegian Epic

Activities & entertainment

• Arts and Crafts Classes
• Barber Shop *
• Behind the Scenes Tour *
• Bridge Viewing Room
• Climbing Wall
• Dance Classes
• Bliss Ultra Lounge
• Deck Parties
• Epic Plunge
• Fitness Center and Spa
• Fitness Classes *
• Gaming Lessons *
• Hair Salon *
• Whirlpools (9)
• Hydrotherapy Pool *
• i_Connect Internet Cafe *
• Jogging Track
• Late Night Dancing
• Photo Studio *
• Poolside Casino *
• Poolside Games
• Pulse Fitness Center
• Smile Spa *
• Spa and Salon *
• Sports Complex
• Video Arcade *
• Waterslides (3)
• Wine Tasting *
• Entourage Teen Club
• Kids Aqua Park
• Splash Academy Youth Center
• The Humidor Cigar Lounge
• The Haven Lounge _ Suite Guests
• Private Courtyard Lounge _ Suite Guests
• Comedy Performances
• Epic Theater
• Headliners Comedy Club
• Onboard Movie Screenings
• The Cavern Club
• Live Nightly Music
• Sports Games Televised
• Taste Restaurant - Main
• The Manhattan Room Restaurant - Main
• Atrium Cafe and Bar - Atrium Bar *
• Garden Cafe - Buffet
• Spiegel Tent - Cirque Dinner Theatre *
• Le Bistro French Restaurant - French *
• The Haven Courtyard Grill - Suite Guests
• The Haven Restaurant - Suite Guests
• Ice Bar - Ice Bar *
• La Cucina Italian Restaurant - Italian *
• Teppanyaki - Japanese *
• Wasabi Sushi and Sake Bar - Sushi *
• Shakers Martini Bar - Martini Bar *
• Shanghais Restaurant - Asian
• Posh - Pool Bar *
• Waves Pool Bar - Pool Bar *
• OSheehans Neighborhood Bar and Grill - Pub
• Cagneys Steakhouse - Steakhouse *
• Maltings Beer and Whiskey Bar - Whiskey Bar *
• Moderno Churrascaria - Brazilian *
• Spice H2O Pool Bar and Grill - Pool Bar and Grill
• Room Service *
• Excellent 81
• Very Good 61
• Terrible 112
• All languages ( 412 )
• English ( 371 )
• Spanish ( 18 )
• French ( 9 )

Upcoming itineraries

Cruise ship worker accused of stabbing 3 people in B.C. waters

35-year-old worker allegedly stabbed a woman and 2 security guards on board ship bound for alaska.

Social Sharing

A cruise ship worker from South Africa was arrested Tuesday in Alaska's capital city of Juneau, accused of attacking a woman and two security guards with scissors on board the vessel in B.C. waters, according to authorities.

The U.S. attorney's office says the man is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon within maritime and territorial jurisdiction. Online court records do not show an attorney for the 35-year-old man.

According to an affidavit from FBI Special Agent Matthew Judy, the man was recently hired by a cruise line and joined the ship, the Norwegian Encore, in Seattle, Wash., on Sunday. The ship set off that day for a weeklong trip with scheduled stops in Alaska ports, including the capital city of Juneau, and British Columbia.

The alleged stabbing happened west of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, as the ship was sailing to Alaska. According to the affidavit, during the "late evening" Sunday, ship personnel saw the man trying to deploy a lifeboat, and he was taken by security to a medical centre for an evaluation.

• Nanaimo, B.C., anticipates tourism boost as cruise ships return

While there, he "became irrational and attempted to leave," and "physically attacked" a guard and a nurse, the affidavit states.

He ran into another room, where he grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed a woman who was being examined, as well as two guards who tried to intervene before being subdued and held in a "shipboard jail," the affidavit says. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.

The ship arrived in Juneau on Tuesday, when he was arrested by the FBI, the U.S. attorney's office says.

Related Stories

• Top stories from British Columbia
• Safety board releases report into 2023 fatal plane crash in B.C.
• West Vancouver Blue Bus workers ratify agreement, avoid strike
• 'Sophisticated' cyberattacks involving B.C. gov't networks found