norwegian cruises on the epic

Norwegian Epic Review & everything you need to know

When you ask someone who’s been on the Epic, they are vocal about whether they love it or hate it, for several reasons. That’s why we’re doing this  Norwegian Epic review  – based on our five (!) voyages.

The Norwegian Epic cruise ship by NCL is a unique vessel known for being one of a kind. It was built in 2009 and set sail in 2010, offering a mix of positive and negative experiences for passengers. Despite being the least favorite for some, it is frequently chosen due to its availability and affordability for last-minute vacations. The ship underwent changes in 2024, including the removal of the “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” theater show.

• The Epic, despite being a bit odd (more on that later), is a great cruise experience for first-time cruisers as well as experienced cruisers. 
• The Epic is a one-off ship that was built with sister ships planned but they never materialized because of shipyard disputes, lukewarm customer interest, and notably different design concepts that didn’t resonate with passengers. 
• The vibe of the Epic is more like that of a nice Las Vegas hotel than it is a cruise ship. When entering the ship for the first time, it doesn’t feel like you’ve boarded a gigantic cruise ship, but the lobby of something along the lines of a popular Vegas strip hotel surrounded by restaurants, entertainment venues, a large casino, and certainly no shortage of bars. With the ship being more of an inward design, wandering around, you don’t experience views out to the ocean as frequently as you would on a smaller vessel, again making it feel more like a hotel than a ship. 
• As one of the largest cruise ships in the world by size and capacity, it still feels intimate and not overrun (normally). However, some venues can get quite full and a bit too busy when the ship is at or near capacity.
• The Epic is nearly 1100 feet long and 200 feet high with 19 decks and can hold over 4000 passengers (officially 4228 at double capacity). Crew capacity is 1724±. When it was launched, it was the 3rd largest cruise ship in the world. It’s still in the top 30 largest cruise ships.
• Even though the Epic cruise ship was launched in 2010, you wouldn’t know it based on the incredible maintenance of the common areas. The cabins are well-used but very well-maintained.

About The Norwegian Epic

The NCL Epic is special to me personally because it represents a bunch of “firsts”. For example, it was my first Norwegian cruise, it was my first experience with a “mega ship”, it was my first time getting invited to meet the captain and first officer along with a private tour of the bridge and it was my first time taking an inaugural cruise and experiencing the excitement and vibe of what a new cruise ship launch has to offer. It was also the ship where I had my first PRIVATE behind-the-scenes tour of the entire ship. Quite fascinating!

That said, the EPIC is probably my least favorite cruise ship. Ironically, it’s also the ship I’ve cruised on the most. Why so many times? Primarily because the ship has been in locations around the world at the same time I have and always seems to be going somewhere I want or need to be. So when I’ve wanted a quick getaway, the EPIC always seems to be available and it’s usually quite affordable for a last-minute vacation. (I’ve also used the Epic for Transatlantic crossings to get back to America when traveling overseas).

Changes for the Epic in 2024

The biggest change for the NCL Epic in 2024 is the cancellation of the Pricilla Queen of The Desert theater show. Norwegian has decided to remove all Broadway-style shows in favor of their own in-house production shows. On a recent backstage tour, speaking with the director of entertainment, they said that the shows cost millions to license and it just doesn’t make financial sense anymore for Norwegian to pay those fees.

Cabin Overview

The cabins on the Norwegian Epic are where most passengers have a strong opinion. The layout is unusual by cruise ship standards with a split bathroom (the toilet is separate from the shower) and where the sink is in the room. With only a curtain divider, people often feel that privacy is lacking. The design is very “European” by nature, which is why it’s not well received by the customer base in America. While the design of the bathroom is polarizing when it comes to opinions, the overall room design is quite good, albeit funky with rounded elements throughout. The rooms are still in style, even 10+ years after the launch of NCL Epic.

For anyone who’s cruised in the past, the vast amount of storage in the cabins on the Epic will be a welcomed surprise. Storage is literally EVERYWHERE. Behind the seatbacks, under the bed, in the large closets as well as plenty of other cubbies for storing used laundry and small luggage items. 

Balcony Cabins

A quick tip on balcony cabin selection on the Epic. Look at the configuration and select a cabin with the bed closer to the balcony door. Having the bed immediately upon entering the room makes it feel smaller, so the configuration with the bed closer to the balcony window just feels more spacious, even though they’re the same size.

Is the Norwegian Epic large balcony room worth the extra cost?

In short, no. See our 360-degree photos of the large balcony cabins on the Epic . Because of the ship layout and strange angles of the exterior, you will end up (usually) with a balcony that may be 50% larger but not as enjoyable. For one, you end up looking into the neighbor’s balcony/cabin when stepping out to the railing. So the reality is there is no benefit to the larger balcony staterooms on the Epic. 

Interior Cabins

Interior staterooms are cozy yet well-appointed. If you’re a cruiser that is usually not inclined to book an interior stateroom, the Epic might change your mind about that in the future, as they are equally comfortable, unlike some other cruise lines where the interior cabins almost seem like an afterthought and downgrade. 

Solo passengers/cruisers have never been a priority on most cruise ships. Expensive solo and single supplements are often normal on cruises, however, Norweigian changed that with their solo insider cabins of which more than 100 were introduced on the Epic. The choice to cater to passengers who traveled alone or with friends not wanting to share a cabin was a huge hit for NCL. They’ve become so popular that all future ships built for Norwegian Cruise Line have included solo cabins.

The cabins to support solo cruisers will not disappoint! Not only are the cabins well thought out for only 100 square feet, but they’re also well-designed and comfortable for single passengers with no corners cut on the design. 

In addition to the solo cabins, NCL has gone through extra effort to support passengers traveling alone with designated areas for solo cruisers to meet and mingle. 

The Haven Staterooms on The Epic

The Haven is more than just a room, it’s an experience on board Norwegian ships. The Haven never disappoints with its beautiful modern-designed suites. In 2020, the NCL Epic had some refurbishment and refit work done mainly to accommodate an upgraded Haven area. But, not all Haven suites are the same. On a recent Epic voyage with friends who bid, and won an upgrade to the Haven. Their stateroom, while beautiful, was an aft cabin and not connected to the main Haven area on the ship. Beyond the unique design elements and slightly more spacious cabin (with a proper bathroom layout), the Haven offered a Butler and Concierge that they rarely used. The consensus regarding the Haven on Norwegian is the value exists primarily in the private dining, lounge, and bar areas as well as other exclusive-use outdoor spaces. Most people who I know that have booked in the Haven suites tell me that they’d probably not pay full price for the experience but rather bid for an upgrade when possible.

Norwegian Haven Gallery – NCL Epic

Other available cabins

The Epic has a huge variety of cabins to choose from including Spa suites, Club Balcony Suites, family Balconies, etc. 

The Spa Staterooms on the Epic come in three varieties including the Haven Spa Suite, Spa Balcony Suite, and Spa Balcony. The Spa Balcony and Club Balcony have nearly identical floor plans as the regular balcony cabins but have a more “serene” decor and upgraded bathroom accessories. Most importantly, any stateroom marketed as a “Spa” room has unlimited access to the Thermal Spa Suites (Mandara Spa) included in the cruise fare. (Available on Norwegian Escape, Breakaway Class ships, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Epic) You can see more about the Spa Staterooms on NCLs website .

A Club Balcony (Formerly Mini-Suite) is essentially just the balcony stateroom with a few extra perks. Some of the perks of a Club Balcony Room include a free bottle of sparkling wine, early access to booking reservations, treats in-room such as chocolate-covered strawberries, upgraded linens, coffee and tea setup, priority seating in restaurants and some include a full-size bathtub rather than the typical shower. Most passengers I’ve met who have upgraded to a Club Balcony don’t really see the value, especially if booked at the full rate.

The Family staterooms are simply rooms that are closer to activities for children and many are connected rooms.

Dining Options & Restaurants On the Epic

The Epic has no shortage of restaurants and places to eat!

• See our Guide to the Norwegian Restaurants and Menus

O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill

Casual pub-style restaurant/bar open late serving everything from fish and chips, burgers, and chicken wings to healthier options like salads and soups.

Garden Café

The ship buffet is open for all meals. Self-service with theme nights and rotating lunch. menus.

Shanghai’s Chinese Restaurant

A very good Chinese restaurant with classic Chinese dishes and soups.

Shanghai’s Noodle Bar

Attached to the Chinese restaurant, is a bar serving traditional dumplings and dim sum. We love the concept and wish it was on more ships. Here’s the noodle bar menu:

Taste & Manhattan Room

The main dining restaurants on the Epic with a menu that changes regularly as well as a daily / nightly fixed menu for those who don’t appreciate change.

The Haven Restaurant

For exclusive use by the Haven Guests. Basically, a restaurant where anything is possible.

Moderno Churrascaria

A bottomless meat event with a full buffet and salad bar full of appetizers, bread, and salad options. See the Moderno Menu

Modern Italian food. Not just your spaghetti and meatballs! Amazing rustic & high-end Italian. See the La Cucina Menu

Cagney’s Steakhouse

As the name states, it’s a full steakhouse at sea. Every cut of meat is available along with a plethora of appetizers and salads. See the Cagney’s Menu

The loved NCL French restaurant with classics like steak tartar and French onion soup. See the Le Bistro Menu

Amazing show cooking in small groups that rivals any land-based Teppanyaki. Watch the chef prepare everything on a large hot plate in front of you. See the Teppanyaki Menu

Traditional (and affordable) sushi bar. Quick tip : Don’t use a dining credit from your Free at Sea on Wasabi. It’s inexpensive and you’re better off dining a la carte.

Bars & Lounges on the NCL Epic

There’s no shortage of watering holes on the Epic. In fact, the huge presence of bars and lounges is so prominent that it again makes the ship feel more like a Las Vegas hotel than a massive cruise ship. Here’s what you can expect to find on the ship:

• See : All of the NCL Bar Menus

Maltings Whisky Bar

While Maltings is supposed to be a “whisky” bar, it is actually a full bar with just about every spirit, beer, and wine served that is available on the Epic. The only thing the guys and girls don’t really like to do at Maltings is make Martinis. For this, they’ll point you over to the Martini bar just a few steps away.

Martini Bar

The Martini Bar has a great vibe with lounge chairs placed well for the random live music that plays in the space. It also has a decent-sized bar to sit at where the bartenders will make you a martini of choice. I find that the skill level of the bartenders is lacking with good martinis, unfortunately.

Just like a typical Las Vegas bar, there are video gambling machines embedded in the bar and you can get just about anything you want. This bar tends to get busy with walk-up traffic from the restaurants in the evening as it’s faster for diners to get a drink sometimes.

This used to be our favorite bar on the ship. Dead center of the atrium and great for people watching. Unfortunately, NCL made the choice to chop off a significant portion of the bar and make it a Starbucks. A HUGE mistake in my opinion. Where the Atrium Bar used to be a gathering point for social activity and pre-dinner meetups, it’s now just an afterthought and feels like it should be in the lobby of a cheap hotel. I can’t say that I’ve stopped even once for a drink there since this change happened.

The bar at O’Sheehan’s

A huge bar made to replicate an Irish Pub. It’s great for just about everything you could want. The bartenders that work at O’Sheehan’s hustle and will make you just about anything you can imagine. When it’s slower during the day, and you’re up for experimenting, they’ll usually make you something off the menu for you to try.

A great spot on the Epic is the adults-only Spice H2O at the rear of the ship. With a small pool and stadium seating, it’s a nice place to get away from everyone and relax. At night the bar changes to more of a venue for music and sometimes movies on a big screen. Just like Bliss, the staff sometimes doesn’t enforce the age restriction, a disappointment. The bar is a great place to sit outside and enjoy the good weather and have any number of daily frozen specials.

Not much to say about the pool bar, other than it’s convenient when you’re at the pool or in the Garden Cafe for a quick bite. I don’t find the staff here to be terribly engaging or the drinks to be anything special.

Bliss Lounge

Bliss is the “Ultra Lounge” or nightclub brand on Norwegian Ships. The Bliss Lounge on the Epic is quite impressive given it’s essentially a well-done night club at sea. When you’re there, you wouldn’t know that you’re on a cruise ship. The lounge is what you’d expect in the evenings and is adult-only starting around 9 pm. Other than serving the purpose of a bar, club, or lounge, Bliss is also used during the day for private events and gatherings.

My only complaint with Bliss on the Epic is that the age restriction hasn’t been enforced in the past 2 voyages I’ve had. While other ships seem to do a better job at keeping the 18+ rule, staff on the Epic didn’t.

Most people don’t realize that there are only a handful of Ice Bars in the entire world. It’s said that there are less than 20 ice bars in existence, and one of them is on the Epic!

Admittedly, this is a strange concept and I can’t quite figure out the reason behind it but it’s fun to try it once, just to say you did. The cost is about $20 per person which includes two branded drinks (Now it’s Skyy, it was Svedka). The entry is time limited to 45 minutes and you’re provided with a parka to wear in the sub-freezing room. It’s fun and makes for a great photo opportunity with the funky lighting and ice sculptures.

Spa by Mandara

One of my favorite spaces on the Epic is the Mandara Spa and Thermal Suite. When it was introduced, the spa was the largest at sea! While it’s no longer the biggest or the most fabulous, it’s still an incredible retreat. Modeled after traditional Turkish Baths, it features hot tubs and a relatively large therapy pool with various jets for aqua therapy. The Thermal Suites also feature everything you’d expect to see in a high-end spa including a steam room, sauna, heated chaise loungers, and rain showers. The changing rooms have lockers and are gender specific with gender-specific steam rooms and saunas, but the rest of the spa is mixed-gender.

The cost of using the spa varies. It used to be when you had a service / massage, a day pass was included. On a recent trip, when I inquired about this, I was told that is no longer the case. (Confirmed again on a December 2022 Transatlantic). It also used to be typical if the ship was not busy, that a day pass could be purchased. Again, it doesn’t seem to be the case now, or may depend on who you speak with at the spa (Updated, the day pass was recently sold for $79)

The current pricing to use the Mandara Thermal Suite is about $300 for a week (On a 9-day transatlantic crossing, it was $319 including all fees). However, the price can vary a bit if you purchase after you’re on board. If the “spa pass” really is of interest, check online regularly after you book, as they sometimes run promotions. On a recent 7 days NCL Dawn cruise, I was able to get the full week for only $139. That promotion only lasted a few days and there was no notice of the discount. It was just visible when selecting the spa package as an add-on.

Don’t forget, if you’re really a spa person and expect to make heavy use of the spa, sometimes the Spa Staterooms are less expensive than a balcony cabin plus buying a pass, so definitely compare when booking.

There is a downside to the Thermal Suite on the Epic, however. On Transatlantic cruises, they tend to oversell the pass. It’s stated that the pass is only sold to a limited number of passengers, but I’ve experienced otherwise, unfortunately.

On a Transatlantic cruise in 2017 on the NCL Epic, the Thermal Suites were almost unusable due to capacity. It certainly wasn’t relaxing. To add to the oversold spa pass, a group of passengers had discovered how to “sneak in” to the spa since it was not well monitored. Mid-cruise, I finally decided it was a real problem and did what I rarely do, complain. It took the entire second part of the cruise to connect with the elusive spa manager and eventually get a full refund, even though they were extremely unwilling (initially) to a refund for the pass. This probably won’t prevent me from buying the pass again for another Epic Transatlantic, but I’ll definitely be watching for a discount online. Note: In 2022 for the same cruise, it seemed to have been managed better and was more enjoyable to use.

Things To Do on the Epic

The Epic cruise ship has more than enough to keep passengers from getting restless during their vacation. 

Pools, a waterslide, an aqua park, a rock climbing wall, and huge sun decks are among the many things to do on the Epic.

The ship was the first “Mega” ship for Norwegian Cruise Line and features the first generation of wild and crazy activities that have now become the norm on large ships. This includes the aqua park with huge water slides (three of them!) and a 200-foot-long tube ride into a funnel/bowl.

In addition to the outdoor activities, there’s an indoor bowling alley, Ice bar, video games, library, casino, theater, nightclub, shopping, and more.

Entertainment on board

The ship has a large theater that currently presents Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Musical) and Burn The Floor.

UPDATE ABOUT NCL ENTERTAINMENT

Norwegian Cruise Line recently announced big changes in the large-scale shows on their ships. The entertainment listed may no longer be available (mainly Priscilla). We are unsure if this is permanent or not, so please verify with the cruise line if these entertainment options are still available (As of Jan 31, 2023)

Burn the Floor – A sort of variety show full of dancing featuring accomplished dancers from around the world.

Howl at the Moon – A dueling piano show.

The Cavern Club – Music, entertainment, and sometimes comedy

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The Epic Casino

The casino on the Norwegian Epic is huge, absolutely huge compared to other cruise ships and lines. It’s NCL’s largest casino at sea and adds to the feeling of being in a Las Vegas hotel. While the size of the casino and how prominent it is maybe a turn-off for non-gamblers, it manages to co-exist with other spaces without feeling like it’s the sole purpose of the ship. It’s large and present but doesn’t ruin adjoining spaces with its size. 

Itinerary for the Epic

The Epic spends the summers in the Mediterranean departing from Barcelona and visiting some beautiful locations such as Corsica, Cannes, Palma, Naples, etc.

During the winter Epic spends time in the Caribbean and will be making San Juan its primary departure port.

Posh Beach Club

The 18+ space on deck 18 is a limited space sundeck (no pool) area that is available by purchasing access. It’s comfy, has a private bar, and is away from the crowds. It’s a good alternative for people who want private outdoor space that doesn’t have access to the Haven areas. Access is generally been sold as day passes or a week-long pass (for around $59) and needs to be purchased quickly when on board as they sell out. (It’s free for Haven guests)

What about Kids?

While we don’t have children or travel with other couples who do, we’ve met plenty of families that love the activities on board the Epic. The Entourage Club is a great gathering space for teens / tweens with video games, consoles, etc. There are also plenty of kid-friendly activities outside of the Entourage like the water slides and water park.

A few thoughts on the overall experience – Our Norwegian Epic Review

Generally, the service is quite good. There are a few areas of the ship where service could improve and is inconsistent with what you’d expect with NCL. Mainly this was found among some of the bartenders throughout the ship who looked like they were just overworked and tired. Based on a pandemic cruise early in 2022, the employee morale just wasn’t what I’ve experienced on other cruises, but with staff shortages and a challenging work environment, it’s not at all surprising.

The food quality is usually very good, a notable feature of NCL. Again, however, on a recent cruise, there were more misses than normal, especially in specialty dining. I believe this is temporary due to all of the supply chain issues. After a planned Transatlantic in December 2022 on the Epic, I’ll confirm if the dining has improved.

The value that the Epic provides on most itineraries is quite good. Considering that there is nothing “cheap” about this cruise ship, the prices are incredibly affordable. With cruises in a balcony cabin regularly being less than $800 per person for 7 days, the cost of a vacation with Norwegian on the Epic is unbeatable, especially when considering the “Free at Sea” promotion is usually included!

Tips – a few fun things to know

In passenger hallways, the carpet is made of swimming fish! Since the ship is so large, it’s easy to get lost or turned backward, so use the fish to guide you. They swim forward toward the front of the ship.

Additionally, each side of the ship and stairwells are color-coded. So take note of what color your side of the ship is and you’ll never end up wandering too far in the wrong direction.

Did you know? There was an entire FaceBook group dedicated to the Norwegian Epic ? Check it out!

Do you have anything to add about the Epic?

Did we miss something? Do you want to add an idea? Just submit a comment below!

In Conclusion Our opinion of the Norwegian Epic:

We think the Norwegian Epic is a great option for first time cruisers . The sheer size of the cruise ship makes it feel like a large hotel and a bit less of a typical cruise ship. So for people who want to try a cruise, it might be one of the best options.

Additionally, with the cost usually lower than similar itineraries, it’s a great way to try cruising on a budget!

If you can get over the layout of the cabins and bathrooms, the rest of the ship is great.

Cruise Gear Editor

I'm a global nomad at heart, and the dedicated editor behind CruiseGear. For the past two decades, I've experienced exciting voyages across the world, discovering countless ports from the decks of dozens of ships, visiting 40+ countries (and living in some of them for years). It's been an exhilarating journey to say the least! I want to share everything I've learned and hope to make your next cruise vacation as enjoyable as possible.

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10 Comments

Thanks for all the info! Are the water slides an additional cost? Is the rock climbing wall an additional cost?

Thanks for the question! The water slide is free, but I’m not 100% sure about the rock wall! I’ve only seen it used a couple of times as it’s usually not open (from my experience). But I do not think they charge for the wall either to the best of my recollection.

I asked Google the following question as I was curious to know how many life boats were on board the Epic, and how many passengers does each one contain ?

Unfortunately, it did not answer the question Posed ?

Good question 🙂 – I’ve never counted them. So I’ll rename the article “Almost” everything you need to know!

They do provide shower and hair shampoo?

Hello! They do provide a sort of all in 1 shampoo, and a shower gel, but they’re not great. There is not conditioner provided.

Very disappointed in the size of the pools. Plus it looked cloudy and dirty. The water was too warm to be refreshing. We hate the bathrooms. The food at the steak house (filet) was like pot roast! The waiter said it was from the light in the window. No more NCL for me. One and done.

It’s unfortunate you had such a bad experience. I try to tell people not to judge NCL based on a single Epic experience. (well, Epic, the ship not the epic experience! :). – Their other ships do seem to be quite a bit better, or at least more consistent. The NCL Epic is pretty hit or miss.

We just finished a cruise on the Epic in Spain, France, and Italy. It was the worst cruise we have ever been on, constantly things breaking, not working, not clean or maintained like other cruise ships are. Slowest elevators ever. Activity director needs to go on other cruise lines just to see how it’s done properly, we sat by the pool for one day and they had no music playing, it was just quiet unless you were talking to someone next to you and I asked several time to please turn on some music but they just joked about it, they had one short contest then nothing at all till after diner and the activity’s are short and end as soon as everyone gets started. The food was Ok at the start of the cruise but got worse every day after like they reheated everything each day even serving warm beer at the Irish bar. We felt like they nickel and dime everything and were charged over $900.00 at end of cruise. We have talked to over 100 people on our cruise and they all seemed to feel the same way, NCL does not get it!!

I’m really sorry to hear that you had a bad experience on the Epic. In general, it’s a polarizing ship – but regardless, service and food should be consistent across the brand. I’ve been on a lot of NCL cruises and always find the Epic “acceptable” but not amazing, so what you’re saying doesn’t surprise me at all, unfortunately. I think what I’ve noticed most, and this is across all the NCL ships, is that there is no music by the pool, and it’s quite boring. I recall them having good music nearly all day at one or more pools, and now it’s very sterile, so I agree that’s a disappointment. It doesn’t take much to pipe in some chill music as background noise. In the end, I (and fellow travelers we cruise with)… feel like accountants have gotten ahold of NCL and started squeezing everything out of the brand that they can, especially after the pandemic shutdown. Norwegian has been my “go-to” for 15+ years, but this past year, I’ve started trying other lines more frequently, and glad I have!

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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 )

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10 Night Greek Isles & Italy (Civ/Civ)

Norwegian Cruise Line pioneered freestyle cruising with a variety of specialty dining restaurants, entertainment and onboard activities, including go-kart racing!

Comb the Greek Isles for culinary delights and immerse yourself in the religious history of Italy on a cruise to the Mediterranean and Greek Isles.

A cruise to Civitavecchia is a chance for you to hop a quick train to Rome and explore the enormous history through ruins, galleries and The Vatican museums.

• Norwegian Epic - Passenger Capacity: 4,200 (double occupancy) Year Built: 2010 Last Refurbished:  2020

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Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy , Santorini (Thira), Greece , Piraeus (Athens), Greece , Mykonos, Greece , Corfu, Greece , Valletta, Malta , Messina, Sicily, Italy , Naples, Italy , Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy

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*** All itineraries are subject to change without notice. Please confirm your itinerary on the Review page before purchasing your cruise.

Cruise fare rates & offers are subject to select dates & categories, cruise only, per person, based on double occupancy, in US Dollars, & include NCCF. Government Taxes, Port Expenses & Fees are additional. All rates & offers are capacity controlled, are subject to availability & confirmation, & may change without notice. Additional restrictions may apply. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed -- please confirm details at time of booking. Stateroom photos are for sample purposes only -- actual design and layout may vary.

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Norwegian Epic

The next generation of Freestyle Cruising has arrived. Welcome to the NorwegianCruiseLineEpic.com website. This website is dedicated exclusively to Norwegian Cruise Line's newest cruise ship, the Epic. The Norwegian Epic is not just another new ship. The Norwegian Epic represents cruising re-imagined featuring world-class entertainment, a wide variety of stateroom accommodations and the most diverse collection of restaurant choices ever offered on one single cruise ship.

The Norwegian Epic will span 19 decks, encompass 153,000 gross tons and carry an amazing 4,228 cruise passengers. Starting July, the NCL Epic will sail from her home port of Miami, Florida and embark on 7-Night Eastern & Western Caribbean cruises up until April. Recently just announced, the Norwegian Epic will offer 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises round-trip from Barcelona, Spain from May through October.

Book Your Cruise on the Norwegian Epic

This website will continually provide the most up-to-date information on the Norwegian Epic. Search the site for photos, ship facts, itinerary details plus so much more.

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The 9 classes of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, explained

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Some cruise lines — Viking , for instance — have fleets where many of the ships have the same basic design. Norwegian Cruise Line is not one of them.

If you’re thinking of booking a Norwegian cruise,  an important thing to know is that there is a wide variation in the size and style of the vessels in the line’s fleet.

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

Four of Norwegian’s 19 ships — Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Encore — are among the 30 biggest ships in the world. As such, they’re loaded with huge numbers of cabins, restaurants, bars, showrooms and deck-top amusements.

They are, in a nutshell, floating megaresorts .

The line also operates smaller vessels that barely crack the top 100 list of biggest cruise ships. These ships generally have fewer venues and attractions than the bigger ships. However, they still offer a lot for cruisers. Norwegian is a line known for packing oodles of restaurants, bars and entertainment on its vessels — even its smaller ones.

The good news for those of you trying to get a handle on all the options within the Norwegian fleet is that the line’s 19 ships can be bunched into just eight groups of vessels with similar amenities. If you know one member of the group, you know them all.

Each of these groups — known as “classes” in cruise industry lingo — is made up of ships that were constructed around the same time in the same basic design.

Related: Everything to know about cabins and suites on Norwegian ships  

An introduction to Norwegian Cruise Line ships

Smaller only than Royal Caribbean , Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises , Norwegian has become increasingly known for some of the biggest, most amenity-filled vessels at sea. As mentioned above, though, the line doesn’t just operate giant ships. More than half its fleet comprises 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 upward of 3,000 to 4,000 passengers at double occupancy (even more with every berth filled). At around 144,000 to nearly 170,000 tons, all nine currently rank among the 50 biggest cruise ships in the world (although their rankings will shift downward as more big ships debut).

Norwegian’s 10 older ships, by contrast, 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 a resort experience that is more modest. The key, depending on your tastes, is getting on the right ship in the fleet for you.

On the big-ship end of the spectrum, Norwegian’s four new Breakaway Plus vessels — Norwegian Encore , Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Escape — are the line’s premier offerings.

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

The smallest of the line’s big ships are the recently unveiled Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima. They are the first two of a new series of six vessels that will transform the brand. Measuring about 143,500 tons a piece, these two new ships are about 17% smaller than Norwegian’s biggest vessels.

Norwegian’s 10 smaller vessels break down into five classes, though many are roughly the same size and offer similar amenities.

Prima class

Ships in class: Norwegian Prima (2022), Norwegian Viva (2023).

Size: 143,535 tons.

The Prima class of ships is the latest and greatest at Norwegian Cruise Line — the vessels that every NCL fan wants to book.

Only two ships in the series (Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima ) are currently in operation. Four more sister vessels are on order for delivery by 2027.

Under development since 2017, these ships mark Norwegian’s first new class of vessel in more than a decade. At 143,535 tons, they are notably smaller than the ships the line has been adding in recent years — a factor that will give them access to smaller ports around the world.

That said, Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Prima and their coming sisters still are relatively big ships that pack a lot of over-the-top amenities. Both Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima have ridiculously big go-kart tracks spread over three decks (a cruise industry first). The ships also boast The Drop, a 10-story dry slide that the line says provides more G-force than an accelerating Formula One race car.

Additionally, the vessels each are home to a three-deck theater that converts into a Las Vegas-style nightclub, along with a list of interactive, real-life game shows, including at-sea versions of “The Price Is Right,” “Supermarket Sweep,” “Press Your Luck” and “Beat the Clock.”

Related: I’ve been on nearly every Norwegian ship afloat; here are my first impressions of Norwegian Prima

Still, the new Prima class is about more than flashy entertainment and activities. It marks a more upscale turn for the line. Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima offer the largest variety of suite categories (13) for a large ocean ship, the largest three-bedroom suites of any new cruise vessel and the brand’s largest-ever inside, ocean-view and balcony cabins.

The entire back of each of the ships is dedicated to an upscale, “ship-within-a-ship” private suite area called The Haven that rises eight decks high and includes 107 suites, a sprawling private indoor lounge area, private outdoor lounge and pool areas, and a private restaurant. Other vessels feature The Haven areas, but none as big as this one.

In addition, the public areas of Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima feel more spacious than many of the other 17 ships in the Norwegian fleet. And, indeed, they are. The Prima-class ships are being built with a higher ratio of space to passengers, which itself is an upscale touch.

Norwegian Cruise Line also says the Prima-class vessels offer the most outdoor deck space of any new cruise ship — including more total pool deck space than any other ships in the brand’s fleet.

Note that the last four ships in the Prima-class series, due to debut between 2025 and 2027, are being redesigned to be bigger than the first two ships in the series.

Related: 11 venues, 32 dishes, four days: See what happened when I tried to test every dish at Prima’s new Indulge Food Hall  

Breakaway Plus class

Ships in class: Norwegian Encore (2019), Norwegian Bliss (2018), Norwegian Joy (2017), Norwegian Escape (2015).

Size: 164,600 to 169,145 tons.

These are the Norwegian ships you go on if you’re a fan of megaresorts.

While not quite as big as Royal Caribbean’s giant Oasis-class ships , Norwegian’s Breakaway Plus-class vessels are firmly in the pantheon of the world’s cruising giants. They are the Norwegian ships most packed with restaurants, bars, entertainment and over-the-top attractions. There are so many of these things that you won’t be able to do it all in a single, weeklong cruise.

The Breakaway Plus ships are so big, in fact, that they have room for giant go-kart tracks and laser tag areas on their top decks (on all of the vessels in the series except Norwegian Escape). There’s also plenty of room to spare for multiple pools, waterslides and a kiddie splash zone.

Each of the vessels also offers real Broadway shows in big, state-of-the-art theaters, sprawling spas, casinos that fill half a deck, dedicated children’s play zones, and more than 2,000 rooms.

In addition, the two newest ships in this series, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Joy, have large gaming and virtual reality zones called the Galaxy Pavilion.

For meals, you’ll find at least 20 venues on each of these ships, including multiple main dining rooms and a buffet that come with no extra charge and such extra-charge eateries as a teppanyaki restaurant, a steakhouse, a high-end French restaurant and a Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Sea.

With lots of family-friendly attractions such as the go-kart tracks and laser tag courses, these ships appeal heavily to families with children, particularly teens, but they draw a lot of couples, too. They are also popular with solo travelers, thanks to their unusually large complexes of cabins for one (something you’ll find on the Breakaway and Epic classes of ships, too).

Related: The ultimate guide to Norwegian’s Latitudes Rewards loyalty program

All four of the Breakaway Plus ships have large, private, two-deck-high suite enclaves called The Haven that come with their own pool areas, restaurants and lounges. They’re some of the most spectacular suite complexes anywhere at sea .

The biggest of these ships, Norwegian Encore, measures 169,116 tons, making it the 18th-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). That’s bigger than all but one Carnival ship and every Princess Cruises ship. Only Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises have a significant number of bigger vessels.

Norwegian Encore can hold more than 5,000 passengers with all berths filled.

Breakaway class

Ships in class: Norwegian Getaway (2014), Norwegian Breakaway (2013).

Size: 145,655 tons.

These vessels are similar to the Breakaway Plus-class ships but slightly smaller. Or, put another way, the Breakaway Plus-class ships are a stretched version of the Breakaway-class ships.

You’ll find many of the same eateries, bars, lounges and entertainment venues on the Breakaway-class ships that you’ll find on the Breakaway Plus-class vessels. The slightly smaller size of these vessels means there’s just a tad less “stuff” on board.

The top decks of the Breakaway-class ships have two pool areas and water parks with waterslides, for instance — just like the Breakaway Plus-class ships. However, they don’t have go-kart tracks or laser tag courses. Instead of the latter attractions, you’ll find an adults-only pool area called Spice H2O at the back of the vessels. At night, it transforms into a dance club.

Related: Every Norwegian Cruise Line ship ranked from biggest to smallest  

The Breakaway-class ships also boast full-size ropes courses on their top decks. Indeed, they were the first cruise ships ever to have such a feature. Other deck-top features include miniature golf courses on both vessels and basketball courts that double as volleyball courts.

On the entertainment front, both ships offer Broadway shows in their main theaters and have a circuslike show in a secondary theater called “Cirque Dreams.” The latter is a dinner show that comes with an extra charge. They’re also home to “Howl at the Moon” dueling piano shows and a version of the Latin-themed dance show “Burn the Floor.”

Like the Breakaway Plus vessels, the Breakaway ships have large complexes for solo travelers, as well as large, private The Haven suite complexes.

In general, as with the Breakaway Plus ships, these vessels are best for vacationers who like a megaresort-type experience, and they appeal heavily to families with children who love all their deck-top attractions. Each of the two ships in this series — Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway — holds about 4,000 passengers at double occupancy.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Norwegian ship

Ships in class: Norwegian Epic (2010).

Size: 155,873 tons.

Norwegian Epic is an outlier in the Norwegian fleet. Unveiled in 2010, it was originally supposed to be the first of a series of up to three similar vessels. However, after disagreements with the shipyard that built it, Norwegian eventually canceled an order for a second ship in the series and an option for a third ship in the series, leaving Norwegian Epic in a class of one.

While roughly comparable in size to the Breakaway Plus- and Breakaway-class ships (it’s a bit smaller than the former vessels and a bit bigger than the latter vessels), Norwegian Epic has a notably different design that includes some unique features.

Perhaps most notably, balcony cabins on the ship have an unusual design that includes curved walls, rounded bed corners, and a sink and vanity area that is in the main living space (for all to see), separate from a closed-off toilet area. The toilet area is behind a translucent door that some cruisers find less private than they had hoped.

Norwegian Epic is also home to the only tube-and-bowl waterslide at sea and has such rare-for-cruise-ships attractions as a rappelling wall and a three-lane bowling alley. It also features an ice bar where customers wear parkas while sipping drinks.

Still, Norwegian Epic also offers a lot that will be familiar to Norwegian fans, including many of the line’s signature restaurants, bars and entertainment.

Standout features on Norwegian Epic include a water park with some of the most over-the-top waterslides at sea (including the aforementioned tube-and-bowl slide). It also offers a version of the Burn the Floor dance show that played on Broadway and on the West End in London, as well as a Howl at the Moon piano bar and a recreation of the Cavern Club nightspot in Liverpool, England, where The Beatles got their start (complete with a The Beatles cover band).

In addition, Norwegian Epic has the line’s biggest solo cabin complex (with 128 rooms for one) and a giant The Haven private suite complex.

At 155,873 tons, Norwegian Epic currently ranks as the 34th biggest cruise vessel in the world. Notably, it was the world’s third-largest ship when it debuted in 2010. That tells you just how much the cruise industry has grown in recent years.

Norwegian Epic carries 4,100 passengers at double occupancy.

Jewel class

Ships in class: Norwegian Gem (2007), Norwegian Jade (2006), Norwegian Pearl (2006), Norwegian Jewel (2005).

Size: About 93,500 tons.

Are you unsure if you want to sail on a megaship with 4,000 or more people but still want a vessel with a good amount of features and activities? The Jewel-class ships may be the perfect solution.

At 93,500 tons, the four vessels in the series are nearly 50% smaller than the line’s Breakaway Plus-class ships but still big enough that they have a lot to offer.

Each of the vessels has more than a dozen food venues, including three main restaurants, a casual buffet, a steakhouse, a French restaurant and a teppanyaki eatery.

You’ll also find multiple pools on each of the ships, along with whirlpools, basketball courts and golf driving nets. Each of the ships also has a theater, spa, casino, and multiple bars and lounges.

What you won’t find on the ships, because of their smaller size, are all the gee-whiz attractions such as go-kart tracks, laser tag courses and large water-park areas that Norwegian has put on its bigger vessels. If you can’t live without those sorts of features on a cruise ship, then the Jewel class probably isn’t for you.

Note that Norwegian Gem does have a climbing wall and a single waterslide. Norwegian Pearl has a climbing wall but no waterslide. Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Jade have neither of the attractions.

Related: Norwegian Cruise Line ships listed from newest to oldest

Each of the Jewel-class ships holds around 2,400 passengers at double occupancy (plus a few hundred more with every berth filled). That’s about 40% fewer passengers than you’ll find on the biggest Norwegian ships.

That makes them perfect for cruisers who want to get away from the sort of crowds that are on the biggest megaships without giving up many of the amenities that big ships have to offer.

Pride of America class

Ships in class: Pride of America (2005).

Size: 80,439 tons.

Like Norwegian Epic, Pride of America is an outlier in the Norwegian fleet. In fact, it’s perhaps an even bigger outlier than the former vessel.

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 a ship specifically designed to sail year-round in Hawaii — the only one of its kind at any line.

Pride of America notably flies a U.S. flag and operates with a mostly U.S. crew, in keeping with regulations governing cruise itineraries that only include U.S. ports. That’s a big difference from any other big cruise vessel in the world.

Related: The best Hawaii cruises for every type of traveler

It’s also the only Norwegian vessel without a casino, in keeping with local Hawaii regulations.

If you sail on Pride of America, you’ll find such one-of-a-kind eateries as the classic American car-themed Cadillac Diner. You’ll also find some of Norwegian’s signature offerings, including a Cagney’s steak house and Italian eatery La Cucina. The ship’s other onboard attractions include a showroom, lounges, bars and a top deck with extensive open-air pool and sun lounging areas.

Thanks to its ownership of Pride of America, Norwegian is the undisputed leader in Hawaii cruises. Most cruise lines that offer sailings to Hawaii only offer a limited number of such trips during a few months each year. Norwegian, by contrast, offers sailings around the Hawaiian Islands every week of the year — the only cruise line in the world to do so.

An iconic presence in Hawaii, Pride of America has been permanently dedicated to the archipelago since its debut in 2005. It offers a repeating seven-night itinerary that begins each Saturday in Honolulu and brings the chance to visit four different Hawaiian islands on a single, seven-night trip.

Beginning and ending on the island of Oahu, the itinerary includes two days each on Maui, Kauai and Hawaii. The two-day visit to Maui involves an overnight stay at the port of Kahului. The two-day visit to Kauai involves an overnight stay at the port of Nawiliwili. The two-day visit to Hawaii is split between a call at Hilo and a call at Kona.

Ships in class: Norwegian Dawn (2002), Norwegian Star (2001).

Size: 92,250 and 91,740 tons.

The Dawn-class ships are similar to the Jewel-class ships in size and amenities, with a few differences.

Like the former vessels, the Dawn-class ships have around a dozen food-serving venues, including three main restaurants, a casual buffet, a Brazilian churrascaria (barbecue) restaurant, a French restaurant and a teppanyaki eatery.

You’ll also find multiple pools on each of the ships, whirlpools, basketball courts and golf driving nets. Each of the ships also has a theater, spa, casino, and multiple bars and lounges.

Like the Jewel-class ships, the Dawn-class vessels lack the sort of big attractions such as go-kart tracks and large water parks found on bigger Norwegian vessels. In addition, there are no Broadway musicals on Dawn-class ships, and they don’t have a private The Haven suite area (though they do have several giant suites called Garden Villas that measure more than 6,000 square feet).

If you can’t live without those sorts of features on a cruise ship, then the Dawn class probably isn’t for you.

Ships in class: Norwegian Sun (2001), Norwegian Sky (1999).

Size: 78,309 and 77,104 tons.

Dating to 2001 and 1999, respectively, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky are among the smallest ships at Norwegian. They offer fewer onboard attractions and amenities than is typical for the line’s vessels.

In general, they appeal to cruisers looking for a more intimate experience on a cruise ship than what you’ll find on the big Norwegian ships. They also draw cruisers who care more about the destinations that they visit on a cruise than onboard attractions.

On each of the vessels, you’ll find more than half a dozen eateries, including several main dining rooms, a casual buffet, a diner-style pub, a steakhouse, an Italian trattoria and a French bistro.

On their top decks, the ships have pools (one on Sun, two on Sky), whirlpools, a basketball court that doubles as a volleyball court, golf driving nets and a jogging track. The ships also have casinos and theaters with nightly shows.

Unlike most bigger Norwegian ships, neither of the vessels has a private The Haven suite complex or solo cabins.

Ships in class: Norwegian Spirit (1998).

Size: 75,904 tons.

Dating to 1998, Norwegian Spirit is Norwegian’s smallest and oldest ship, and — like the line’s Sun-class ships — it generally appeals to cruisers looking for a more intimate experience than you’ll find on the big Norwegian ships.

At 75,904 tons, Norwegian Spirit is less than half the size of Norwegian’s biggest ships, and it carries just 1,966 passengers — more than 2,000 fewer than the Norwegian biggies.

It also offers fewer (but still quite a few) venues and attractions. In all, you’ll find 13 food outlets on board, including two main restaurants, a casual buffet eatery, and versions of the line’s signature Cagney’s steakhouse and French eatery Le Bistro. There are more than half a dozen bars and cafes.

Deck-top attractions include several pools, whirlpools, waterslides, a basketball court and a jogging track. The ship also has a casino, spa, nightclub and theater.

Of note, Norwegian Spirit originally was built for Asia-based Star Cruises (where it was called SuperStar Leo).

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
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• What to pack for your 1st cruise

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The 13 best solo cruises for 2024 (no supplement fare).

Set sail for a solo adventure at sea.

The Best Solo Cruises

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Relax by the pool, attend shows, dine with new friends and more on your next solo cruise.

Whether you're embarking on your first cruise alone or you've been on solo cruises before, single travelers will find more options than ever when it comes to cruising solo. Many cruise lines offer single staterooms with the same amenities as other cabins, at a price similar to what you'd pay with double occupancy fares. You'll also find special promotions where the single supplement fee is reduced or waived, making it more affordable to reserve a spacious stateroom or luxurious suite with even more amenities – including personalized butler service, an added perk of booking with many luxury lines .

If you're ready for a maritime adventure, an extended vacation or simply a quick getaway from home, these top cruise lines offer some of the best options for solo travelers on waterways around the world.

Lines with solo accommodations and waived fees

Norwegian cruise line.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Launched in 2010, Norwegian Epic was the first cruise ship in the industry to feature studio accommodations for solo travelers. Norwegian Cruise Line offers this category on nine of the 19 ships in its fleet, including the newest ship, Norwegian Viva. These cabins, at an average size of 100 square feet, are designed and priced with the solo traveler in mind. They have no single supplements – and studio rooms on board Norwegian Bliss even boast virtual windows.

Guests of the studios get access to the private Studio Lounge. In this exclusive space, you can socialize with other solo travelers and enjoy complimentary refreshments. There are also singles meetups throughout the voyage and plenty of fun-filled onboard activities to mingle with like-minded cruisers. Solo travelers can check out all the fun for singles on Norwegian Viva this winter on a cruise to the Caribbean , or in spring 2024 as the ship sets sail for the Mediterranean .

Book a Norwegian Cruise Line voyage on GoToSea, a service of U.S. News.

MSC Cruises

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises offers interior and balcony solo cabins for single cruisers on its Meraviglia-class ships: the MSC Meraviglia, Bellissima, Grandiosa, Virtuosa and the newest vessel in the fleet, MSC Euribia. The second-newest ship, MSC World Europa, has 28 cabins – 10 Studio Interior and 18 Studio Ocean View staterooms – designed specifically for solo travelers. MSC World America, set to debut in 2025, will also feature the solo studio staterooms.

During voyages with MSC Cruises , single cruisers are invited to a complimentary, hosted cocktail party to mix and mingle with other solo travelers. The daily program is also an excellent source to discover additional activities, entertainment and opportunities to meet other cruisers. You'll have onboard special events like the themed 70s-inspired Flower Party and the White Party, where the ship is decked out in festive white decor and guests don their best white attire. In addition, there are various sports tournaments, or you can show off your culinary expertise during a MasterChef competition.

MSC's Caribbean and Bahamas cruises departing from Miami and New York City feature an overnight visit to Ocean Cay, the line's private island and marine reserve. While there, singles can participate in fun-filled evening activities like a Champagne Sunset Cruise or a glow paddleboarding excursion in the lagoon, then attend the lively Luna Libre Party and the lighthouse show.

Find an MSC Cruises itinerary on GoToSea.

Holland America Line

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Holland America Line

Three of Holland America Line's newest ships each offer 12 solo cabins to accommodate single travelers: the Pinnacle-class Nieuw Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Konigsdam. These ocean view staterooms range in size from 127 to 172 square feet and feature the same amenities as the double occupancy cabins but with a double bed. The cruise line's Single Staterooms are priced for one person. If a guest chooses to book a different stateroom, single supplements for double occupancy cabins are as much as 100% over the standard fare, depending on the voyage and the cabin category.

Long committed to solo travelers, the line offers many activities where guests can meet other singles such as wine tastings, cocktail mixers, exercise classes, daily quizzes, sports challenges and more. If you're a solo traveler and a member of AARP, Holland America is now the exclusive cruise benefit provider to AARP's members. Solo cruisers will have access to an AARP member-only onboard credit that ranges from $50 to $200, depending on the itinerary and stateroom category.

For itineraries, Holland America's Alaska cruises and cruisetours are perfect for solo travelers, offering many opportunities to connect with fellow cruisers. Another favorite for singles is the line's fall voyages sailing from Boston to Québec City or Montreal.

Explore Holland America Line deals on GoToSea.

Royal Caribbean International

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International features studio staterooms on select ships that range in size from 101 to 199 square feet. These solo accommodations include interior rooms, virtual balcony staterooms and a super studio ocean view stateroom with a balcony. The cabins do not carry the single supplement fee singles encounter when booking other types of staterooms, making them an attractive option when traveling alone.

Once on board the ship, solo cruisers will have countless options to engage and socialize with other travelers. When it comes to dining with Royal Caribbean , make a reservation at the Japanese restaurant Teppanyaki for an entertaining meal with new friends, or join fellow foodies for the intimate Chef's Table experience (the dining venues vary by ship). Singles can also participate in onboard activities like trivia contests, drink seminars, escape rooms, dance classes and pool parties.

If you need more thrills to stay busy and to meet people, Royal Caribbean's ships feature world-class shows and entertainment alongside adrenaline-pumping rides and attractions. If you're sailing in the Caribbean, there are plenty of opportunities to meet and chat with other passengers at the line's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Compare Royal Caribbean International cruises on GoToSea.

Atlas Ocean Voyages

Luxury line Atlas Ocean Voyages offers single cruisers 183 square feet of beautifully appointed space in solo accommodations that come without single supplement fees. These ocean view staterooms feature a queen bed, a panoramic picture window, a private spa bathroom with a rain shower and body jets, a stocked minifridge replenished daily with personal favorites, and other luxurious amenities. Single guests can also book other stateroom or suite categories with single supplements starting at 50% of the double occupancy price.

The line's three intimate yacht-style cruise ships – World Navigator, World Traveller and the new World Voyager, whose inaugural season begins in Antarctica in November 2023 – are all-inclusive . Meals at all the dining venues, premium beverages and wines, gratuities, culturally immersive excursions, and more are included in the fare. With fewer than 200 guests on board, there's an atmosphere of conviviality on these ships – especially when exploring remote destinations with like-minded and adventurous travelers during expeditions in Antarctica and the Arctic.

Read: The Top Cruises on Small Ships

Celebrity Cruises

Tim Aylen | Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises' new Edge-class ships offer some of the best options for solo cruisers. The line's two newest vessels, Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent (set to debut in late 2023), each boast 32 single staterooms with an Infinite Veranda. In addition, Celebrity Apex has 24 solo cabins, and Celebrity Edge features 16 staterooms for individual guests. These one-person accommodations offer a minimum of 131 square feet of space and the same upscale amenities you'll find in other category staterooms on their ships. Solo guests can look for special promotions where the single supplement is waived on select Celebrity voyages throughout the year.

Once on board the vessel, check out the daily program for activities conducive to meeting others – like wine tastings, cocktail-making classes and more. You'll also enjoy thrilling top-notch entertainment around the ship in The Theatre, The Club and Eden. A few popular cruises for singles are the line's Caribbean and Mexico itineraries on Celebrity Beyond.

Book a Celebrity Cruise on GoToSea.

Virgin Voyages

Courtesy of Virgin Voyages

The hip vibe on board the adults-only Virgin Voyages ships is ideal for solo cruisers looking to meet other travelers. Its superyacht-style ships – Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady – offer 40 interior cabins ranging in size from 105 to 177 square feet. There are also six Sea View staterooms with portholes boasting between 130 to 190 square feet of space. These Insider and Sea View cabins are designed and priced for single travelers, with amenities like high-tech mood lighting and roomy rain showers. The line also runs promotions where solo cruisers can book double occupancy staterooms without paying a single supplement.

Activities and festival-like entertainment around the ships foster fast friendships. Diners will enjoy the interactive experience at Gunbae, the lively Korean barbecue venue. The "grog walk" is a fun pub stroll where solo sailors can join fellow mates while sipping and snacking their way through all the signature bars. For even more fun, check out the evening shipwide events such as the themed Scarlet Party, which features live music and immersive experiences. The line also hosts meetups for singles throughout each voyage.

Read: The Top Adults-Only Cruises

Avalon Waterways

Courtesy of Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways' river and small-ship cruises traverse waterways around the world, including in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. The company waives the single supplement on a selection of staterooms, including its Panorama Suites, on select European and Asia departures. The company recommends booking early as the specially priced cabins do sell out. Solo travelers make up about 10% of the passengers on this river cruise line .

Avalon's fleet of Suite Ships operates in Europe and Southeast Asia and features cabins with a minimum of 172 square feet. About 80% of the staterooms are Panorama Suites, which have 200 feet of living space, beds with a view and the river cruise industry's only open-air balcony. With Avalon excursions, solo cruisers have opportunities to meet like-minded guests during immersive tours, cooking classes, wine tastings, yoga or fitness classes, biking or hiking trips, and more. Single guests can choose to dine at tables for just two people or ones that can accommodate up to eight passengers.

Read: Cruise Packing List: Essentials for Your Next Cruise

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AmaWaterways

Courtesy of AmaWaterways

Two single occupancy staterooms are available on four of AmaWaterways' river cruise ships: AmaDolce, AmaDante, AmaLyra and AmaCello. These accommodations do not have single supplement fees. Solo cruisers can also book staterooms with a 20% single supplement on select sailings in Europe and Southeast Asia. (Note that this pricing does not apply to certain stateroom categories and suites.)

With the friendly, small-ship atmosphere, solo cruisers will find it comfortable to socialize with other passengers and the crew. Onboard activities and immersive excursions also create opportunities for fostering friendships, especially among like-minded travelers. Excellent options for solo cruises include themed sailings centered around music and wine or the magical Christmas markets itineraries along the Danube, Rhone and Rhine rivers.

Explore AmaWaterways deals on GoToSea.

Lines with discounted supplement fares

Courtesy of Azamara

Azamara's special offers for solo travelers include reduced single supplements of 25% to 50% of the double occupancy rate on select sailings. The line's four midsized sister ships – carrying no more than 700 passengers – are mostly all-inclusive. Amenities included in the cruise fare include most meals; standard spirits, wines and beers; bottled water, soft drinks, and specialty teas and coffees; shuttle service in port; gratuities; and complimentary AzAmazing Evenings ashore or Destination Celebration experiences on the ship. Dining at the two specialty restaurants is an additional cost unless guests have accommodations in the Club World Owner's Suites, Club Ocean Suite or Club Continent Suite.

Single guests on Azamara cruises will find events during the sailing and venues around the ship where you can mix and mingle with other solo travelers and chat with the friendly crew. Intimate and culturally immersive excursions also create opportunities to meet passengers with similar interests. Azamara Onward, the latest ship, boasts the new Atlas Bar, a great spot to meet other travelers.

For itineraries, Azamara's signature "Country-Intensive Voyages" are a favorite of solo cruisers, including the 10- or 11-night Greece Intensive Voyage. For an extended sailing, check out the festive 12-night Carnival in Rio Voyage, which features a stop in Rio de Janeiro during the city's famed Carnival.

Compare Azamara cruises on GoToSea.

Cunard Line

Courtesy of Cunard Line

Cunard Line features dedicated solo staterooms on its three ships, priced at approximately 166% to 174% of the equivalent double occupancy cruise fare. Guests can choose between a spacious Britannia Inside or Britannia Oceanview cabin, or opt for a larger stateroom with a single supplement. For a little "me time" pampering while on board, solos will appreciate 24-hour room service, complimentary Penhaligon's toiletries and a chilled bottle of sparkling wine. Single guests will also be invited to get-togethers. You can either dine alone at venues around the ship such as the main dining room or choose to share a table with other passengers.

With an international mix of travelers, single cruisers will find many opportunities to meet and chat with others, especially during a Transatlantic Crossing. During the sailing, you'll find many enriching and relaxing activities that encourage socializing. According to Cunard , there's a sense of camaraderie and a passion around the voyage – and the unique travel experience of crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

Find a Cunard Line cruise on GoToSea.

Silversea Cruises

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Luxury line Silversea Cruises offers 25% single supplements on various voyages throughout the year, including expedition cruises to destinations like the Galápagos Islands , Antarctica and the Arctic, and Greenland. The line's all-inclusive fares include luxurious ocean view suites, gourmet dining, complimentary wines and spirits, gratuities, onboard enrichment and entertainment, shore excursions, and more. Solo travelers will even have personalized butler service to indulge their every whim.

The line's fleet of a dozen intimate ships, carrying no more than 728 guests, offers a clubby atmosphere perfect for meeting solo and like-minded travelers. Single guests will also have the opportunity to engage with other solo passengers during a welcome reception with Champagne at the beginning of each voyage. Popular itineraries for Silversea's single cruisers include its Transoceanic journeys, a bucket list trip for many cruisers .

Explore Silversea Cruises deals on GoToSea.

Courtesy of Seabourn Cruise Line

Seabourn has special offers throughout the year where solo cruisers can take advantage of reduced pricing equal to double occupancy fares or discounts on the single supplement starting at 25% above the double occupancy fares. These rates are available on select voyages, including expedition cruises. Frequent solo cruisers and members of the luxury line's Seabourn Club Diamond Elite will also find reduced single supplements on Diamond Elite Single Supplement Sailings. In addition, club members receive invitations to exclusive events, where they can meet and mingle with fellow cruisers. Solo passengers are also invited to sit with the ship's officers, crew and entertainers at dinner – and there are hosted get-togethers for single travelers.

Solo cruisers will enjoy beautifully designed oceanfront suites and all-inclusive amenities on board Seabourn 's intimate ships. These perks include world-class dining; complimentary premium wine and spirits; a spa and wellness program in partnership with Dr. Andrew Weil; included gratuities; and the line's enrichment series, Seabourn Conversations. Single cruisers looking for an extended holiday will enjoy longer voyages on the line's newest purpose-built expedition ship, Seabourn Pursuit.

Compare Seabourn cruises on GoToSea.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has visited destinations around the globe on nearly every type of ship built, including the newest megaships, luxury yachts, expedition vessels, traditional masted sailing ships and intimate river ships on the Mekong River. She used extensive research and experience as a solo cruiser to write this article. Pratesi covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

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• NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe Season with Greek...

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe Season with Greek Isles and Italy voyage

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line inaugurated its 2024 Europe travel season on April 19, 2024, with Norwegian Epic docking in Civitavecchia/Rome , before embarking on a 10-day voyage through the Greek Isles and Italy.

Throughout the summer, travelers have a selection of 101 itineraries to choose from, covering 140 ports across various regions. Some routes include overnight stays in cities such as Istanbul , Florence , and Reykjavik . NCL will deploy 9 ships in the region, with departures from New York City , Le Havre/Paris , and Oslo .

Norwegian Star ship will undertake voyages to Iceland, Greenland, and Canada, with ports above the Arctic Circle, offering a 12- to 14-day journey between New York City and Reykjavik during July and August 2024.

Sailing from Piraeus/Athens , the ships Norwegian Getaway will explore the Greek Isles on 7- to 10-day roundtrip itineraries, calling at destinations like Istanbul, Santorini , and Mykonos , with select departures featuring overnight stays in Istanbul for extended exploration.

From May to November 2024, Norwegian Viva ship is deployed in the Mediterranean for 9, 10, and 11-day voyages departing from Athens, Lisbon , Venice , and Rome.

Norwegian Escape ship will offer Western Mediterranean sailings from Barcelona , Rome, and Trieste , featuring one day at sea on 7- to 11-day voyages.

For travelers interested in delving deeper into Europe’s history, NCL’s Cruisetours program offers pre- or post-cruise options encompassing flights, hotel stays, transportation, and excursions in 10 European destinations, including Istanbul, Paris, Barcelona, Reykjavik, Rome, and Venice.

NCL’s Freestyle Cruising ethos allows guests to customize their experience with no set schedules. Additional perks such as specialty dining, beverage packages, shore excursion credits, and more enable further personalization of the vacation experience.

NCL cruises in Europe are available for booking through December 2025, providing guests with ample time to plan their summer getaways.

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* Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings.

Norwegian Cruise Line Launches 2024 Europe Season: New Homeports, Endless Adventure and Unmatched Value

This Year, NCL Offers More than 100 Immersive Europe Itineraries from 13 Homeports Across Nine Ships, Including Its Newest Prima Class Vessels

Company to Launch First-Ever Summer Season of Sailings Between New York City to Reykjavik, Iceland Beginning July 2024 

NCL Delivers an Incredible Value-for-Money Travel Experience with Inclusive Vacation Enhancing Benefits with its Free at Sea Offer

• Norwegian Viva - Aerial - Lisbon Norwegian Viva in Lisbon during her first call on Aug. 19, 2023
• Norwegian Escape - Santorini - Composite
• Norwegian Prima in Reykjavik, Iceland
• Norwegian Star - Aerial Norwegian Star at sea Pacific Coast

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel with a 57-year history of breaking boundaries, launched its 2024 Europe travel season on April 19, 2024 with the arrival of Norwegian Epic to its seasonal homeport of Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, before embarking on a 10-day Greek Isles and Italy voyage.

During this summer travel season, guests embarking on NCL cruises in Europe will have the opportunity to choose from 101 distinctive itineraries with 38 roundtrips and 63 open-jaw sailings, calling to 140 captivating ports across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, and the Atlantic Coast.  Additionally, guests can fully explore highlight destinations such as Istanbul, Turkey; Florence (Livorno), Italy and Reykjavik, Iceland with select itineraries offering overnight calls. Cruises will be departing from 13 homeports with New York City; Le Havre (Paris), France; and Oslo, Norway being three brand new options for NCL voyages to Europe.  The Company will have a total of nine ships 1 in region, including its newest innovative vessels, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva , as well as Norwegian Escape , which returns to Europe following its first successful season in 2022.

With an average of 10 hours in port, guests can explore at their leisure or choose from a wide range of shore excursions designed to provide guests with an in-depth experience of each destination. For more immersive experiences, NCL offers a unique collection of shore excursions including, Beyond Blueprints, where guests uncover the design secrets and stories of Europe's most iconic architectural landmarks; Gourmet Tours, designed for the foodie-driven traveler allowing them to go behind the scenes of local cuisines; and Go Local, a selection of excursions inviting guests to unveil the everyday rhythms and customs of life in destinations. Guests aiming to spend even more time in Europe and dive deeper into the rich history of the region can take advantage of NCL's expanding Cruisetours program, a pre- or post-cruise-option that includes roundtrip flights, hotel stays, transportation and excursions. Cruisetours are currently available in 10 European destinations, such as Istanbul, Turkey; Paris, France; Barcelona, Spain; Reykjavik, Iceland; Rome and Venice, Italy, amongst others.

“As we return to Europe for this season, our goal remains consistent—curating unmatched and captivating experiences for guests to immerse in Europe’s most iconic and sought-after destinations, while delivering value for them to maximize their journey with us,” says David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “In fact, we have found that cruising to Europe with NCL offers up to 40% 2  more value than a similar land-based vacation, making it not just a memorable experience, but a cost-effective one. There is still time for guests to book that last-minute trip to Europe with NCL and enjoy the beauty of waking up in a new destination nearly every day.” 

Not only does a NCL cruise in Europe offer a great value when compared to a similar land-based vacation with comparable services and inclusions 2 , but it also provides a significantly enhanced experience with a variety of offerings to enjoy on board, including high-production value entertainment; up to 20 world-class dining options; and a wide array of shipboard activities suitable for the whole family, from thrilling races on the only three-level racetracks at sea to serene moments in the award-winning Mandara Spa ® .  Moreover, with NCL's Freestyle Cruising philosophy, guests have the freedom to tailor their vacation experience to their preferences, with no fixed schedules or dinner times.  NCL’s freedom of choice and value proposition invites guests to explore the world while enjoying the convenience of unpacking just once and waking up in a new and exciting destination almost every day.  Plus, with NCL’s Free at Sea offer, guests can customize their vacation even more to their desires by receiving value-enhancing vacation perks such as specialty dining, unlimited beverage package, shore excursion credits, free airfare for the second guest, and others.

As we return to Europe for this season, our goal remains consistent-curating unmatched and captivating experiences for guests to immerse in Europe's most iconic and sought-after destinations, while delivering value for them to maximize their journey with us. In fact, we have found that cruising to Europe with NCL offers up to 40% 2  more value than a similar land-based vacation, making it not just a memorable experience, but a cost-effective one. There is still time for guests to book that last-minute trip to Europe with NCL and enjoy the beauty of waking up in a new destination nearly every day.  

Itinerary highlights for NCL cruises in Europe include:

Norwegian Star Sails a Series of Open-Jaw Sailings to Iceland, Greenland and Canada

Norwegian Star, the only ship in NCL's award-winning fleet equipped for polar navigation, which makes it possible for it to reach ports above the Arctic Circle.  As such, the ship will be the first in the NCL fleet to offer a new summer series of breath-taking and port-rich 12- to 14-day open-jaw sailings between New York City and Reykjavik, Iceland with calls to Akureyri and Grundarfjordur, Iceland; Qaqortoq, Greenland; and St. John's (Newfoundland) and Halifax, Canada. These itineraries will embark in July and August 2024.

Explore the Blue and White Greek Isles with Norwegian Getaway

Norwegian Getaway will homeport in Athens (Piraeus), Greece on June 25 embarking on seven- to 10-day Greek Isles roundtrip itineraries . Each day, the ship will moor at a new port allowing guests to explore bucket-list destinations like Istanbul, Turkey; Iraklion, Santorini and Mykonos, Greece as well as hidden gem Izmir (Ephesus), Turkey. Select departures include overnight stays in Istanbul giving guests more than 24 hours to visit Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar.

Norwegian Viva’s Cruises to the Mediterranean

Between May and November 2024, NCL's newest ship, Norwegian Viva, offers guests a selection of nine, 10- and 11-day open-jaw voyages cruising the Mediterranean. These unique itineraries feature a different embarkation and disembarkation port in sought-after destinations such as Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Lisbon, Portugal; Venice (Trieste) and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, allowing travelers the opportunity to plan an extended vacation either pre- or post-cruise. 

Almost No Days at Sea Onboard Norwegian Escape’s Mediterranean Sailings

Norwegian Escape will be the Company's largest vessel in Europe this season at nearly 165,000 gross tons. The ship will homeport in Barcelona, Spain; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; and Trieste (Venice), Italy sailing eight- to 10-day roundtrip sailings in the Western Mediterranean calling to a sun-kissed port each day as well as seven- to 11-day open-jaw sailings with stints in Italy, Greece and France with only one day at sea.

Additionally, NCL cruises in Europe are already on sale through December 2025 giving guests the chance to plan and book their next summer getaway early.

For more information about the Company's award-winning 19-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional or visit  www.ncl.com .   

1 Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Star, and Norwegian Viva.

2 For the comparison, Norwegian Cruise Line compared the total prices for Fly-Cruise-Packages on peak season sailings onboard Norwegian Escape (Italy, France and Spain) to 4-star hotels in Spain and Italy. The comparison accounted for total prices including roundtrip flights from the U.S. to Spain or Italy, transfers at the destination, staterooms (incl. balcony with sea view), all-inclusive board or Free at Sea upgrade as well as service charges/tips.