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As is typical for big-ship cruise lines, Norwegian has an extensive children's program, with programs and activities for children as young as 6 months through the age of 17. For those with money to burn (pricing on Norwegian Encore recently was $99 per person for a day pass), the Vibe Beach Clubs are lovely, secluded deck-top hideaways. However, there's a downside for everyone else on board the ships that have them, which is that they take away from the deck-top lounge space available to everybody else. The open-air laser tag arenas also are significant venues that are unlike anything you'll find atop the ships of other lines. The one on Norwegian Encore, which is the largest laser tag arena ever put on a ship, is themed around the lost city of Atlantis and spans the back of the vessel. What you'll find on the top decks of Norwegian ships will vary quite a bit depending on the vessel.
What is the best Norwegian Cruise Line ship?
Unveiled in 2022 and 2023, respectively, the 3,195-passenger vessels are the first entrants in a new class of Norwegian ships that the line has designed to be more upscale than its earlier vessels. In short, the best Norwegian cruise ship for you will depend on a bunch of factors, and which ship is best for a trip with your family might not be your top pick for a couple's cruise or girlfriends' getaway. Norwegian has some vessels, such as Norwegian Encore, that are loaded with family-friendly attractions such as waterparks and go-kart tracks that are perfect for families with teens and tweens. To me, Norwegian Encore is an even better choice than Norwegian Prima for families with school-age kids. If seeing the fjords from a ship intrigues you, consider adding in one or more of these trips into a road trip itinerary. While a cruise of the Norwegian fjords is a popular bucket list item for many, there are many varieties of cruise in terms of length, location and concept that make for wildly different experiences.
Norwegian fjords plus other destinations
Other amenities of the Norwegian Pearl include a casino, a spa, seven eateries, and seven specialty restaurants, the most popular of which is Cagney’s Steakhouse. While most of Norwegian's Bermuda sailings are seven nights in length, the line also sometimes offers a few shorter four- and five-night Bermuda sailings and, occasionally, a longer, nine-night Bermuda sailing. In both cases, the sailings offered are mostly seven nights in length and include a two-night stay in Bermuda. Norwegian's Hawaii trips take place on Norwegian's 2,150-passenger Pride of America, which has the rare distinction of being both U.S.-flagged and U.S.-crewed. By law, only such a vessel can cruise full-time in Hawaii without regularly traveling long distances to foreign ports.
Best Norwegian Cruise Ships For Families
The highlights of the ship are often the adult-only areas, including the Vibe Beach Club, Spice H2O sun deck and the beautiful Mandara Spa. The main highlights of Norwegian Jewel are the live entertainment, including comedy and magic shows, and the food. The ship is well maintained, with the refurbishment helping to breathe fresh life into a ship that remains popular for a lot of younger adults. With all that context, let’s jump in and see all the Norwegian cruise ships ranked. And one last point – a lot of the reviews I’ve read mention bad things across the entire cruise line, rather than the ship.
THE 25 BEST Norwegian (NCL) Romantic & Couples Cruises (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Norwegian (NCL) Romantic & Couples Cruises (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 23:19:04 GMT [source]
The Norwegian government has set forth restrictions, allowing only zero-emission vessels to cruise certain UNESCO World Heritage-listed fjords, set to begin in 2026. Other itineraries sail into more than one fjord, giving guests a thorough introduction to one of nature's wonders. The dramatic landscapes of Norway are best appreciated from the water, letting travellers grasp the true grandeur of the fjords. Some itineraries focus on one fjord, and visit some of Norway's coastal cities in addition. Having been on several such trips myself, I'll also provide tips and advice for choosing the best itinerary for you, and how to make the most of your experience. The Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Encore and the Norwegian Prima (coming soon) have a race track onboard the ship.
Best Norwegian Cruise Ship
The Norwegian Breakaway is one of the best cruises for families, and one of my personal favorite ships at sea. However the Norwegian Epic remains popular and has a fan following of cruisers who love this ship, and some of it’s more unique features. This cruise ship can hold over 3,800 passengers and is known for having great activities that the whole family can enjoy. It depends on your destination, but overall prices for most NCL sailings rise from around Spring Break through mid-summer before dropping just as school starts.
Norway Cruise Lines
Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. A bigger caveat, perhaps, is that these solo cabins have become so popular they often sell out far in advance and at prices that aren't much better than booking a cabin for two. Only solos staying in the solo cabins (via keycards) can access the Studio Lounge, meaning that you and your new solo friends will have the place to yourselves. It's a look that carries over to a bevy of high-end eateries, including Nama, a new-for-Norwegian sushi restaurant with a design that is as sophisticated as the sushi it serves. Also striking is the look of a version of Le Bistro, Norwegian's signature French eatery, that can be found on both of these vessels. Both of the spaces are built around three massive crystal chandeliers costing nearly $100,000 that hang down to the floor — a showstopper of a design element.
It’s still a very popular ship – and people do love the exclusive Onda restaurant – but most cruisers prefer that extra adults-only space that Bliss has in comparison. The ship has some incredible features including go-karts, and she has some of the best Broadway shows too, including SIX and Jersey Boys, which are extremely popular with guests. The major criticism levelled at the ship is more to do with the excursions offered in Alaska, which don’t get you as close to nature as they do with other cruise lines. Notably, the public areas that include these restaurants feel more spacious than many of the other ships in the Norwegian fleet.
A Words of Norway Publication
But realistically, any balcony cabin priced under $150 per night is a good deal on Norwegian Cruise Line. The cruiser also boasts 14 different dining venues that were all updated in the 2017 renovations of the ship. Half of those are specialty restaurants and some of the guest favorites include Le Bistro and Bier Garten. The Norwegian Spirit is last on the list, so she should be the worst cruiser in NCL’s fleet. Although she’s not quite as nice as some of the other options, it’s still a great cruise ship with all the amenities you could possibly need for a comfortable trip.
Other popular departure cities are found across northern Europe, including Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Hamburg and a variety of U.K. With a wide variety of itinerary lengths and ship types, from mainstream to luxury and expedition, cruise travelers have a lot of choices to tailor Norway cruises to their interests. Read on for our expert tips and get inspired for your ultimate Norway cruise adventure. In terms of accommodation options, the Norwegian Breakaway boasts a nice variety of rooms. There’s everything from studios for singles to The Haven villas that are the most luxurious type of accommodation in the fleet.
When sailing to the Caribbean, Norwegian ships generally sail out of Miami, Port Canaveral and Tampa in Florida; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The line also offers Caribbean sailings out of Baltimore, Galveston, New Orleans, New York City and, occasionally, Panama City, Panama, and La Romana, Dominican Republic. The Miami-based line operates vessels in almost every corner of the world, with a wide range of itineraries in many destinations.
Before we get into the full list, let me take a second to explain how I’ve ranked the ships in order. Norwegian Sun also is the ship that Norwegian deploys on some of its longest and most destination-focused itineraries, the type that particularly appeals to retirees looking to see more of the world. As a result, it draws far fewer families than most of the vessels mentioned above and caters more to an older crowd of mostly couples. That said, Norwegian Sky has its allures, one of which is that it has a much more intimate feel than the line's bigger vessels. It's a great choice for adults on a budget who are satisfied with the basics. In short, these are the Norwegian ships to book when you want to take things up a notch.
Launched in 2022, this 3,215-passenger vessel marks the debut of a more upscale class of Norwegian ships following suit this year. However, it's worth noting that these solo cabins are all interior cabins without an ocean view, although some feature windows overlooking a corridor. The Wanderlust Project is a website that offers all the info you need for your next cruise trips. With over 7 years of experience in the cruise industry, she brings a blend of insightful reporting and firsthand cruising knowledge. Earn 20,000 WorldPoints, which is good for a $200 onboard credit or discount toward a future cruise, if you spend $1,000 or more in the first 90 days the account is open. Instead, you would earn benefits on future cruises related to your particular elite tier.
Depending on the service you receive, you can adjust the amount up or down at the guest services desk before disembarking. In addition, a 20% gratuity is added to the bill at bars, extra-charge specialty restaurants and ship spas. If you're a U.S. citizen, you don't need a passport for most sailings from U.S. ports (including sailings to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, the Mexican Riviera and Alaska). Like the ships of the Breakaway and Breakaway-plus classes, the Prima Class ships have a lively zone that mixes casino space, bars, eateries and entertainment that sprawls across decks 6, 7 and 8. These vessels also have outdoor eating space in an area called Ocean Boulevard.
It also offers an abundance of seven-night sailings to Caribbean and Bahamian ports, as well as a handful of longer trips in the region that range from nine to 14 nights. Additionally, Norwegian Encore features a generous laser tag arena and the Galaxy Pavilion, an expansive indoor gaming and virtual reality zone loved by tweens and teens. Complementing these attractions are dedicated children's play areas, pools, and family-oriented entertainment, ensuring non-stop fun from sunrise to sunset.
