Last updated on August 18th, 2019

Norwegian Jewel, Victoria, BC, Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Jewel, Victoria, BC

Norwegian Cruise Line – Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line or NCL revolutionized the cruise industry with their “Freestyle Dining”. This forced other cruise lines to respond with similar flexibility in their dining rooms. You can easily recognize the NCL Fleet by the colorful designs on the ship’s bow. The old ships take about 2,500 passengers. Since 2013, NCL has been building an average of one new 4,000 passenger ship almost every year.

Cagney's on the Waterfront, Norwegian Cruise Line

Cagney’s on the Waterfront

Norwegian Cruise Line – Destinations

Almost a third of the NCL fleet sails in Europe during the summer. Alaska is another major destination at that time of year. In winter, the Caribbean and South America are popular for their cruises. Only one ship is usually dedicated to Asia and Australia combined. The Norwegian Joy is styled for the Chinese market in Asia.

The NCL Pride of America is the only cruise ship in the industry that operates solely in Hawaii. NCL has to adhere to the Jones Act to gain this right, which means the ship and its crew are American only. The Pride of America does a sail past of the stunning Na Pali coastline of Kauai, which other cruise lines typically don’t have time to do.

Garden Villa Suite, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Cruise Line

Garden Villa Suite, Norwegian Star

Norwegian Cruise Line – Freestyler Profile

  • Median age: 46
  • Median household income: $87,000
  • Children at home: 2
  • Education: College
  • Married: 65%
  • Retired: 11%
Garden Cafe, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Cruise Line

Garden Cafe, Norwegian Getaway

NCL – Amenities Included for All Guests

  • Numerous complimentary dining venues
  • Deck parties and White Hot parties
  • Pools, waterslides, hot tubs
  • Fitness center
  •  Youth Programs – for kids from 6 months to 17 years old.  Parents must stay with children under age 3, except on the Escape.
Pool Deck, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Cruise Line

Pool Deck, Norwegian Jewel

NCL – Amenities Not Included

  • Airfare and Airport Transfers
  • Gratuities
  • Internet
  • Shore Excursions
  • Specialty Dining Packages
  • Beverage Packages – for soda, cocktails, beer, wine, specialty coffee
  • Laundry.  No self serve laundry on NCL.
  • Spa and Salon Services
  • Baby sitting for children from 6 months to 3 years old on the Escape.
Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Getaway

Norwegian Cruise Line – Studio Staterooms

NCL offers The Haven, Suites & Penthouses, Spa Staterooms, Mini-Suites & Balconies, Oceanview, Inside and Studio Staterooms. Norwegian Epic was the first cruise ship with “Studio Staterooms”, which are for singles only. These rooms feature a single bed, bathroom and a small seating area. The Studio Staterooms share a Studio Lounge with complimentary espresso and snacks. It makes cruising like one big happy family for singles. The Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway and Pride of America all feature Studio Staterooms.

Haven, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Cruise Line

Haven, Norwegian Jewel

The Haven Amenities

  • Exclusive access to the Haven Restaurant, the Haven Lounge and the Haven Courtyard & Sundeck
  • Cocktail party with ship’s officers
  • Mini-bar and deluxe coffee/espresso/cappuccino machine
  • Skip the lines and be personally escorted on and off the ship at the pier and at ports-of-call
  • Limousine service from pier to airport (for Garden Villa guests)
  • 24-hour butler
Haven Courtyard, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Cruise Line

Haven Courtyard, Norwegian Getaway

Norwegian Cruise Line – Included Dining

Lots of places to eat at no charge.  These vary by ship:

  • Main Dining Rooms – at least 2 per ship
  • Buffets
  • 24-hour dining venues on some ships
  • Poolside grills
  • Room Service menus offering options for breakfast, lunch and dinner
La Cucina, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Cruise Line

La Cucina, Norwegian Breakaway

Fee Based Specialty Dining

Numerous options that vary by ship, such as:

  • Cagney’s Steakhouse
  • Le Bistro – French
  • Moderno Churrascaria – Brazilian Meats
  • La Cucina – Italian
  • Teppanyaki – Japanese Hibachi Style
  • Cirque Dreams & Dinner Jungle Fantasy – Spiegel Tent on the Epic and Breakaway
  • Illusionarium on the Getaway
Teppanyaki, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Cruise Line

Teppanyaki, Norwegian Escape

Norwegian Cruise Line – Policies