Norwegian Cruise Line
4.1
5.5
Overall Score
Author: Kalicia Bateman
LAST UPDATED: August 27th, 2021
The Good
- Entertainment for all ages
- First class amenities
- Many destinations to choose from
Entertainment for all Ages
There are a variety of onboard amenities for travelers of all ages. Activities for adults include spa and salon treatments, fitness classes, casinos, and bars and lounges. Programs for children and teenagers are available where they can enjoy arts and crafts, play video games, participate in pool parties, and compete in sports tournaments. There are also plenty of unique activities to enjoy onboard Norwegian Cruise Lines. Guests can participate in comedy workshops, take dance lessons, or learn bartending and cooking skills. Wine and beer tastings are available. Children can dance and sing with Dora the Explorer, or have breakfast with SpongeBob Square Pants. Norwegian tries to accommodate a number of different guests on each and every cruise. They have options for single guests, couples, and families traveling together. Cruises are available from one night to 48 days and offered year round.Destinations
- Destinations include: Alaska, Bahamas and Florida, Bermuda, Canada and New England, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexican Riviera, Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, South America, Transatlantic, and Weekend Cruises
Featured Cruise Trips
- Seven Day Bermuda, Round-trip New York Starting From $999/USD Per Person: With pink sand beaches, colorful underwater life, and fantastic shopping, it's a good thing you'll have the chance to treasure everything this pristine isle has to offer. Adventures in Bermuda also include some of the world's most exclusive golf courses.
- Six Day Canada & New England from New York Starting From $699/USD Per Person: Cruisers will experience delectable local fare and coastlines so picturesque you'll stand back in amazement. Enjoy a mouthwatering lobster lunch in Halifax, visit the Bay of Fundy in St. John, and watch sailboats pull into the harbor in Portland, Maine. New England brings on the charm, while Canada offers stunning natural landscapes on this six day Norwegian cruise.
Cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, and Europe
- Caribbean: $349-$1,949 per person
- Alaska: $399-$2,029 per person
- Mexico: $449-$1,089 per person
- Europe: $299-$3,799 per person
Amenities
All meals are included in the price of the cruise except for meals purchased at specialty restaurants. Reservations can be made up to three months prior to departure. Even with a reservation, expect waiting times upon arrival at the restaurant. You can expect to find all types of cuisine onboard the ship. Computerized screens throughout public areas tell guests how busy a restaurant is and if there is any available seating. Other amenities included on all cruise ships include:- Personalized service
- 24-hour trained and certified suite butler
- Concierge service
- Courtyard valet
- Escort to your suite
- Exclusive access to The Haven Courtyard area with private pool, sundeck, hot tub and fitness area
- Priority embarkation and disembarkation
- Distinctive platinum keycard
- Priority boarding of tenders to shore
- Complimentary limousine service from pier to airport (for Garden Villa guests)
- Sparkling wine, bottled water, and fruit on embarkation day (For two bedroom villa, Courtyard Penthouse, Spa Suite, and Penthouse only)
- 24-hour room service
- Mini-bar and espresso/cappuccino machine
- Special Haven Menus
- Gourmet treats delivered to your suite each evening
- Invitations to an exclusive breakfast and lunch
- Cocktail party with ship's officers
- Bliss Collection by Norwegian pillow-top mattress
- Fine linens, feather duvet, and pillow
- Plush bathrobes, slippers, and oversized towels
Safety
Norwegian Cruise Lines also takes the safety of their guests seriously. They have implemented a number of precautions to make sure that both their staff and the travelers are not exposed to anything that could threaten their health. These precautions include:- Norwegian Cruise Lines collect health questionnaires at the pier to identify anyone that already has symptoms and place detailed health information fact sheets in each stateroom at embarkation. These fact sheets outline potential symptoms of concern and instructs guests on what to do if they are experiencing those symptoms.
- Once onboard, Norwegian Cruise Lines recommends and requests that all guests carefully observe the good hygiene practice of washing their hands before eating and after using the restroom. They also encourage frequent use of the hand sanitizer dispensers strategically located throughout the ship.
- If a guest is diagnosed as having any symptoms, they are asked to stay in their stateroom until their symptoms abate. They receive free medical treatment and medications.
Accommodations
There are a number of accommodations to choose from. Garden Villas provide panoramic views of the ocean, roof terraces and private Japanese-styled gardens. Owner's Suites come equipped with queen-sized beds, living rooms, whirlpool tubs and walk-in closets. Penthouse Suites, Ocean View Staterooms, and Inside Staterooms are also available. Rooms come equipped with all the standard amenities to provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience while onboard.The Bad
- High cover fees for restaurants
- Long lines for all activities
- Can be very crowded
High Fees and Long Lines
Norwegian's specialty restaurants charge a $15 to $99 per person cover fee apart from the cost of the meals. Expect to stand in long lines for all activities onboard including dining options. Announcements are frequent and loud.Large Crowds
Accommodations in standard cabins are a bit smaller than other cruise lines. Since Norwegian ships can accommodate a large number of guests, expect large crowds. If this is a problem for you, you can choose to upgrade to a first-class section where it is more spacious to get around.No Offshore Excursions
Offshore excursions are not included in the price. Be prepared to pay lots of extra charges for dining options, beverages, and some of the activities during the length of your cruise.The Bottom Line
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Jeffry Berger Brooklyn, NY
They really screwed me on one of their cruises. There were 6 of us, including my 6 month pregnant daughter. One of the excursions did not mention anything about not good for a pregnant person. When we boarded the 3 hr bus tour, we had to get off within 5 min of the bus leaving. It was NOT air conditioned, like a sardine can... I paid $300+ a couple for all of us for the excursion and they would not do a thing since the driver said we boarded the bus and should not get any restitution whatsoever. He claimed we were on the bus longer than 5 min, but it NEVER left the NCL port at all. Letters back and forth proved futile and got transferred all over the NCL Corp office. Now, I compare all cruise lines before ever booking another NCL.
11 years ago
edd West Palm Beach, FL
Ed Begel NCL managment does not live up to the contract agreements we sign when we booked 26 people on the Getaway in July 2015. Even our travel agent called them and so did the Travel agents NJ Corp. office. NCL told them that NCL can change the Terms and Conditions anytime and would not make an exception for us. We called before the trip NCL and they would not talk to us about Contract issues. Two weeks ago we sent NCL an email and they responded with a standard response and did not address a single issue in our email. The issue was the following, our agreement said that the on board credits could be used for anything and they would not let us use them for Gratuities. So it cost us an addtional $1400. NCL adds are still showing this option but will not let you us it.... so be careful. As for the ship, it was very nice and as good as the Royal Caribbean Oasis or Quantum class with did cost more then the same room and itinerary as RC lines. Also the Royal Caribbean line does not change contract direction. We have gone on many cruises and have never had this happen.
11 years ago Edited September 14, 2021
rh Elkton, MD
Sailed on the Pride of America in Hawaii. We chose it for the itinerary. The state room was fine, love having balcony! Activities were good. Service was mediocre. Steward forgot out turn down several nights but did come when called. Dining was not to my liking. We had to wait for a table almost every night. There was a similar dining area downstairs but service there was terrible. Many of the people waiting for tables preferred to wait instead of going to the other venue. Service was slow at best. I much prefer fixed dining where you get to know your waiter, your table is always ready on time. I will only use NCL for an itinerary I can get nowhere else.
11 years ago
Janet Kinser Fordland, MO
I love all cruise lines but most of all is the fun you have in the dinning room in the evening, the waiters singing and getting to know you waters during the cruise is very important. The new free style cruising left us in a almost empty dinning room with rather bored waiters but very nice. We have not gone back on Norwegian as yet. The ship was beautiful, nice people had a lot of fun. We really missed that fun time in the evening dinning room !
11 years ago
maggie Des Moines, IA
I personally Loved the food on our cruise. We sailed on the Getaway and were amazed at how wonderful everything was. We only had the buffet two times, but the Specialty Restaurants were our favorite. Moderno and Ocean Blue were by far the Best in the Whole Ship!!
11 years ago
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Shauna Horne American Fork, UT
We had a fun time on the cruise and especially enjoyed the private island in the Caribbean. We were disappointed and how cold the pool was and the hot tubs were too crowded. The daily fee for soda seemed too high and we felt like the mandatory fee for gratuities should have been explained better before we booked. We would still go on a Norwegian Cruise, but would be more careful when we made our reservation.
6 years ago
Les Balsiger Cheyenne, WY
The cruise was not too bad, but we had to go beg the Maitre De to get an early seating for dinner since they have an open seating policy - I had to dig up 10 people to get a reserved dinner time and table - that is stupid
11 years ago
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Constance Falatea Kirkland, WA
Went on one cruise in 2004 and it was a small ship. The onboard activities were sparse and unless you liked to gamble, it was basically lounging night.
6 years ago
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Bryndie Managua, MN
Really fun amenities and unique locations. However, the customer service is not very good. There were mix ups with the rooms and long lines to wait in.
6 years ago Edited September 14, 2021
Cheryl Pump TX
Great ship, good food. Shows where awesome. Prices way to high and too many restaurants that are extra cost.
11 years ago
Maxine Opperman
They are above average but I do not enjoy the stage shows, drinking or over-eating
8 years ago
