Back
Menu
Menu

Norwegian Cruise Line Overview

Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line Overview

For more than 40 years, Norwegian Cruise Line has broken the boundaries of traditional cruising, providing cruise enthusiasts innovative experiences at sea. As the cruise industry has developed and changed over the years, NCL has not only changed with it, they have driven the changes of what is now modern cruising, most notably the freedom and flexibility of the lines signature Freestyle Cruising.

With more than 120 ports of call on an award-winning fleet of contemporary ships, you'll have plenty of Freestyle options to choose from. Dress up. Dress Down. Eat somewhere different every day, on your own schedule. Embrace a moment of peace and sweeping ocean views from your balcony or gather the family for a race down plunging waterslides. Enjoy live entertainment every day and every night. Explore the modern fitness centers, expansive spas, fun kids and teens programs, wine tastings, an always-exciting casino and more. On a Norwegian cruise, its all up to you.

Norwegian Cruise Lines tradition of cruise ship innovation continues with the Norwegian Breakaway, the first of its class, launched in New York early May 2013 and her sister ship, the Norwegian Getaway, delivered in mid-January 2014 sailing sail year-round from Miami. NCL also has two larger "Breakaway Plus" vessels on order for delivery in the fall of 2015 and spring of 2017.

Norwegian's ground-breaking new ships feature exclusive partnerships and entertainment like Legends in Concert, The Second City comedy troupe, the Rockettes, Nickelodeon, Cirque Dreams & Dinner, a bakery by Buddy Valastro, star of the TLC series "Cake Boss," and Ocean Blue by famed New York Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian.

And that is exactly why Freestyle Cruising is such an easy, carefree cruise experience Norwegian Cruise Line has designed the entire cruise experience around giving you the option to choose. Whether you're onboard or on shore, you can do as much or as little as you please.

Onboard Activities & Entertainment

With Freestyle Cruising, you'll discover something you won't find on other cruise lines - freedom. Freestyle Cruising offers diverse and exciting restaurants, a more relaxed dress code and more things to see and do. And that's just the beginning. They've designed the entire cruise experience around giving you the option to choose. It's proven to be very popular with their guests, and it's only available with NCL. Now is the time to come see how different a cruise can be.


*Available on select ships

Norwegian Cruise Line ships are destinations unto themselves, filled from top to bottom with tons of award-winning fun and excitement. Whether it's catching a Broadway show, dancing the night away at the White Hot Party or laughing out loud to the world-famous Second City comedy troupe, the party never stops.


*Available on select ships

Bars & Lounges

With up to a dozen different bars and lounges and everything from specialty martinis to buckets of beer you can try something new each night, including the first-ever ice bar at sea on the Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Breakaway.

See and be seen in the hip Bliss Ultra Lounge & Night Club with DJs spinning the hottest hits. Shakers Cocktail Bar is the perfect spot to meet with new friends for drinks before and after dinner. At O'Sheehans Neighborhood Bar & Grill you can grab a cold draft beer, order delicious fish and chips or play a game of pool all in the same place. Inspired by the original ice hotels in Scandinavia, Norwegians Ice Bars are kept at 17 degrees Fahrenheit and, complete with ice sculptures, are the only true ice bars at sea.

Other popular bars and lounges include Maltings Beer & Whiskey Bar, The Humidor Cigar Lounge, Posh Beach Club, Spice H20, Mixx, Spinnaker Lounge, Champagne Bar, English Pubs, and dont forget the casino and poolside bars.

Casinos

Looking for Action and Excitement? You will find everything you're looking for in Norwegian Cruise Lines award-winning Casinos at Sea. With all they have to offer, you'll never want to leave. Whether you're a veteran player, or just getting started, you'll feel right at home in their sizzling casino. Most feature Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Let It Ride, Caribbean Stud Poker, 3-Card Poker, Baccarat, Video Poker, 24-Hour Slots, and the highest table limits at sea.

Sports & Fitness

Sports enthusiasts rejoice, from Sports Complexes with rappelling walls and full-size basketball courts to bowling, Norwegian cruise ships offer a variety of ways to stay active on vacation. Also try out the batting cages, Aqua Park, climbing walls and mini-golf course.

Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the ocean from the jogging and walking tracks, or through the large picture windows as youre breaking a sweat on the treadmills in the Fitness Center. The state-of-the-art fitness centers on Norwegian cruise ships feature an aerobic room, free weights, and cardio machines with flat screen TVs. Plus, take a class in Pilates, Yoga, or spinning.

Imagine the mystery of the East meeting the science of the West. Imagine boundaries ceasing to exist. Imagine science and nature dancing together in perfect harmony. And then imagine Mandara Spa onboard Norwegian Cruise Line.


Dining

Norwegian Cruise Line pioneered the alternative dining concept and in the process, revolutionized the dining experience for the cruise industry. Unlike traditional dining arrangements that assign you to a specific table with either an early or late seating time, with Norwegian Cruise Lines Freestyle Dining there are no fixed seating times, assigned tables, or set dining companions. You can dine whenever, wherever, and with whomever you like.


*Available on select ships

Reserve a night at a Norwegian Cruise Line specialty restaurant for a memorable fine dining experience. Norwegian ships provide a wide range of culinary tastes and experiences from Brazilian Steakhouses to Sushi Bars - for a cover charge ($15 to $75 per person).

We recommend that you reserve specialty dining in advance. You may make NCL specialty dining reservations when you complete your Norwegian Cruise Line Online Check-in. Please contact your Cruise Specialist for more details.


*Available on select ships

Children 3-years old and younger eat for free in Norwegian Cruise Lines specialty restaurants. Children 4- to 12-years old can choose from a complimentary Kids Menu or from the restaurants Specialty Kids Menu for half price.

Accommodations

Imagine seeing the open ocean and beautiful island destinations from the privacy of your own balcony or watching the majestic coastline glide by from an oversized picture window. You can also choose to cruise in the luxury of an Owner's Suite in The Haven by Norwegian - the largest suites afloat within an exclusive enclave at the top of the ship. If youre a solo cruiser, you'll enjoy full-size comfort in stylish Studios, designed and priced with the solo traveler in mind. Whatever accommodations you are looking for, you'll find that spacious comfort and superior service are the norm on a Norwegian Cruise Line vacation.

Youth Program

Norwegian Cruise Lines family-friendly comprehensive youth program is one of the best at sea. The award-winning Splash Academy and Entourage programs were recently expanded to provide activities for children under the age of two, plus a wider range of fun for tween and teen cruisers.

NCLs complimentary kids and teens program is divided into two groups Splash Academy designed for kids 6 months - 12 years old and Entourage for teens 13-17 years old. The Youth Staff offer an age-appropriate array of organized activities including crafts, parades, sports, games, stories and parties, campouts with flashlights and tents, and cooking classes. It's like recess, only longer. Teens can head to their own designated lounge with vending machines, flat-screen televisions, PlayStation 3, air hockey, pinball and more.

You can enjoy a massage while they're on a treasure hunt. Play roulette while they're camping out, or head for the Chocoholic Buffet while they're having a pillow fight at a pajama party. If you would like to have a romantic dinner for two, or see a late-night comedy show, kids are able to hang at Late Night Fun Zone open every night until 1:00am for a small fee. Want some alone time while in port? Then drop off your kids at Port Play for free (small fee during lunch and dinner hours). There is no in-room babysitting available on a Norwegian cruise ship.

Norwegian Cruise Line has teamed up with the #1 entertainment brand for kids to take family cruising to a whole new level. With Nickelodeon, exclusively on Norwegian Cruise Line, they are offering one-of-a-kind family activities year-round aboard Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Getaway. It's the ideal vacation where parents relax, kids play and families connect.

Destinations and Itineraries

With NCL and Freestyle Cruising you will travel to unforgettable destinations, aboard spectacular ships. Where in the world would you like to go? Europe? Bermuda? Alaska? The Caribbean? Perhaps you've always wanted to cruise to the Hawaiian Islands? Or revel in the riotous colors of fall foliage along the New England and Canadian coast? With more than 120 ports of call, the world of Norwegian Cruise Line has something for everyone.

Whether it's lazy days and romantic nights or an action-packed week of adventure you desire, there's no better way to have the vacation of your dreams than with Freestyle Cruising and NCL.

Past Guests

Latitudes Rewards is Norwegians way of saying thank you to its most loyal past guests. Members enjoy exclusive onboard benefits, special offers and more.

Norwegian Cruise Lines Latitudes Rewards program membership is complimentary to all Norwegian cruise guests, all you need to do is cruise at least one time with Norwegian, enroll and activate your membership online!

Earn one cruise point for every cruise night you sail with NCL, and DOUBLE the points if you book a Suite or The Haven, book nine months or more in advance, or if you book with one of the Latitudes Insider Offers. There are four tier status levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. As your points grow, so do your benefits and tier level.

If you are Latitudes Member, please let your Cruise Specialist know at the time of your reservation so we can make sure to check for possible discounts and complimentary upgrades.

Accessibility Cruising

Please note: If you or a family member requires special assistance during your cruise, please do not book your cruise online. Instead, call our office and speak with a dedicated Cruise Specialist. Our agents will help you find the accommodations best suited to your needs and work out the details to make your trip a wonderful experience.

As one of the most accessible-friendly cruise lines at sea, Norwegian Cruise Lines goal is to extend the fun and excitement of Freestyle cruising to everyone.

Norwegian Cruise Line ships have up to 27 staterooms per ship that are wheelchair accessible with grab bars throughout the bathrooms, raised beds, adjustable hanging rods in closets, sinks and toilets, shower seats and extra wide doors for easy access. Five of their ships have alarm pull rods in bathrooms and alarm buttons beside the beds.


What are you waiting for? Start planning your Norwegian Cruise Line vacation today. You can book online or call us to speak to one of our Cruise Specialists.