Norwegian Cruise Line
Think of these family-friendly, all-ages ships as amusement parks at sea, and you won't be too far off base. Norwegian’s newest and largest ships have everything from virtual-reality gaming to spacious fitness centers — and even go-kart tracks and escape rooms. Best known for having pioneered "Freestyle Cruising" almost two decades ago, this activity-focused line of megaships was at the forefront of moving the cruise industry away from the dated traditions of the past.
Many mainstream lines have followed suit and now offer open seating in their dining rooms (and even multiple smaller dining rooms) as opposed to the more formal early and late options with assigned tables and tablemates. Norwegian also relaxed the evening dress codes, and you're much more likely to see casual attire in the dining rooms at night.
The result? These ships are all about having a good time, with plenty to do all day and all night long, as well as open casinos and music that echoes from one space into another. In 2023, Norwegian began offering Starlink High-Speed Internet onboard its ships, and purchasing a Wi-Fi package makes it faster and easier than ever to share your cruise antics on social media.
Ships
Norwegian Getaway Review
Norwegian Pearl Review
Norwegian Gem Review
Norwegian Epic Review
Norwegian Dawn Review
Norwegian Breakaway Review
Norwegian Jade Review
Norwegian Bliss Review
Norwegian Escape Review
Norwegian Encore
Norwegian Prima
Norwegian Viva
Norwegian Joy
Norwegian Aqua
Norwegian Sun Review
Norwegian Star Review
Pride of America Review
Norwegian Spirit Review
Norwegian Sky Review
Norwegian Jewel Review
What We Love
Waterslides and Sports Decks: Newer Larger ships, such as Norwegian Epic and Breakaway-Class vessels Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway, and Norwegian Escape, offer everything from colorful waterslides to trampolines and even ropes courses with daredevil plank walks that jut out over the water. Breakaway-Plus ships, such as Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Encore, upped the excitement with two-level racetracks, laser-tag mazes, and immersive gaming in Galaxy Pavilion. Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, which set sail in 2022 and 2023, offer a more elevated ambiance that balances sophisticated dining venues and lounges with fun for all ages — including a larger, three-level racetrack and interactive mini-golf.
Studio Cabins: The latest ships also offer cabins designed for cruisers traveling alone, complete with a shared lounge area. These inside Studios are snug but well-designed, and booking one offers plenty of opportunity to meet up with other travelers who are cruising alone for when you want, say, someone to join you for dinner.
Specialty Restaurants Just Keep Getting Better: On Norwegian’s newest ships, some innovative restaurant concepts rank among the line's best. Food Republic, for example, serves up fusion comfort food from around the world, such as pastrami and sauerkraut dumplings and buffalo fried shrimp sushi rolls. Los Lobos offers authentic Mexican with a modern twist, and Onda by Scarpetta is a favorite for a romantic dinner for two.
Bars Keep Getting Better, Too: Depending on which ship you book, you’ll find a bar or lounge (or two or three) that fits your nightlife style. The District Brew House, on Norwegian Escape and all Breakaway-Plus ships, offers an impressively long list of craft beers, both on tap and bottled, and ranks among the best bars at sea for beer lovers. Cocktail connoisseurs gravitate toward Sugarcane Mojito Bar, Shaker’s Martini Bar, the A-List Bar, or the new sustainability-focused Metropolitan Bar (on Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva). The Whiskey Bar on Prima-Class ships is also quite popular.
Best Known For
Flashy Entertainment: Norwegian is known for offering Broadway-caliber shows, and some of its ships feature musicals such as “Six,” “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical,” “Beetlejuice” and “The Choir of Man.” On select vessels, guests can also duck into Syd Norman’s Pour House for interactive live rock ‘n roll and The Cavern Club to hear a Beatles cover band. Burn the Floor celebrates ballroom and Latin dance, and other exclusive nighttime entertainment includes live-action game shows such as “Deal or No Deal” and “The Price is Right Live.”
Impressive Comedians: A partnership with Levity Entertainment Group has resulted in some of the better comedy acts at sea, which take place several times a night in a dedicated comedy club.
The Haven: Norwegian’s ship-within-a-ship concept offers an upscale enclave for suite guests with amenities such as a private pool and sundeck, exclusive restaurant and lounge, and concierge service.
Who It's Good For
Families: These are big, bustling ships with entertainment designed to work well for families with children of different ages, as well as multigenerational groups.
Solo Travelers: Studio cabins mean no single supplements, which results in reasonable prices for cruisers who want to sail alone.
Don't Say We Didn't Warn You
Specialty Restaurants Can Be Pricey: The alternative dining options on the newer ships are particularly good, including everything from fine-dining French to sushi and Mediterranean seafood restaurants. That said, these upgrades will cost you. Meals at all specialty dining restaurants are priced à la carte and can easily top $70 per person for three courses, although specialty dining packages do reduce the cost.