Norwegian Cruise Line: The Complete Guide

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is without doubt one of the high gamers in large-ship cruising, and its fleet is seeing certainly one of its greatest refits in many years with its new Prima fleet of ships. Norwegian Cruise Line ships are additionally identified for his or her colourful hull artwork that makes them stand out in ports around the globe.

The corporate dates again to 1966 when it received its begin as a Norwegian delivery firm. At the moment, it has change into one of many extra common mainstream cruise manufacturers and is a part of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which additionally contains the Regent Seven Seas and Oceania manufacturers.

In case you’re scrolling by infinite Norwegian Cruise Line opinions, let this entire information to the cruise firm provide the bigger overview of what units this model aside from the remaining. There are some fascinating improvements from Norwegian that different cruise traces have since adopted, however they began right here.

About Norwegian Cruise Line sailings

NCL sails around the globe with quite a few routes from the U.S. to Caribbean locations in addition to across the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas.

Its loyalty program, onboard facilities and number of cabin varieties provide one thing for each kind of traveler.

• Cabin varieties: You possibly can anticipate a variety of various cabin sizes and layouts starting from solo-traveler inside studios and inside cabins for as many as 4 individuals to ocean view and balcony cabins. A variety of suites are additionally obtainable. The Prima class of ships function the biggest suites, a few of which have non-public whirlpools on the balcony and as many as three bedrooms. 

• Fundamental U.S. routes: NCL has loads of North America sailings from U.S. ports to Alaska, Bermuda, Canada and New England. There are additionally sailings to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico and the Panama Canal, amongst others. 

• Loyalty program: NCL’s Latitudes Rewards loyalty program, which points one level for each evening sailed in addition to bonus factors for reserving suites or taking part in sure promotions. At every elite tier, members earn onboard advantages like reductions, laundry service and particular occasion entry. The extra you journey with NCL, the extra advantages you may earn. 

Norwegian Cruise Line locations

NCL spans the globe with sailings to each continent (even Antarctica) on a variety of ships. They go away from each U.S. coasts in addition to from Hawaii — the place NCL has operated inter-island Hawaiian crusing for nearly 20 years.

Relying on how lengthy you need to sail and the place you are going, you will discover cruises as transient as two nights and so long as 21 days or extra.

Norwegian Cruise Line cruise costs

You will discover a lot of good offers on Norwegian, however cruise fares will fluctuate primarily based on the vacation spot, time of yr and different variables. You’ll need to maintain these components in thoughts when reserving a cruise, as they’re going to have an effect on the worth of the journey:

You will discover cruise bargains for as little as $350 on four-night cruises, however if you wish to splurge and do an extended cruise, anticipate to pay as a lot as $4,600 or extra (particularly if you happen to e book a collection or a Haven class room).

After all, the fare will all the time fluctuate relying on which cabin kind you e book.

What’s the greatest Norwegian Cruise Line ship?

With regards to which NCL ship is greatest, that is determined by what you are on the lookout for in a cruise. In case you’re touring with a household, for instance, water slides, amusement park-style video games and multi-bedroom suites could also be necessary. This implies chances are you’ll favor one of many line’s latest Prima Class ships: Norwegian Prima or Norwegian Viva.

In case you’re on the lookout for a romantic trip, maybe you will desire a smaller ship or a cabin in The Haven, which is a hotel-within-a-hotel idea with extra customized service. The Haven is barely obtainable on choose Norwegian ships, together with Encore, Viva and Prima.

Norwegian Viva launched in the summertime of 2023, making it the latest ship for NCL. It has particular options like a three-tier race monitor, the quickest slides at sea, a meals corridor with 11 complimentary eateries and a sustainable cocktail bar.

What’s included on NCL cruises?

On any NCL cruise, these advantages are all the time included:

• Lodging within the class you choose at reserving.

• All meals in snack and buffet eating places, foremost eating rooms and, when obtainable, the meals corridor. 

• Free non-bottled water, juice, scorching chocolate, and a few coffees and teas.

• Swimming pools and children pool play space.

• Authorities charges and port taxes.

If you wish to partake in specialty eating reservations, Wi-Fi, Norwegian cruise excursions or upgraded beverage packages, you will need to pay charges (generally bundled for higher financial savings).

NCL firsts within the trade: What’s Norwegian identified for?

Norwegian Cruise Line pioneered many options aboard its ships, a few of which different cruise traces have imitated. These are a few of the particular options you will discover aboard some or the entire ships in NCL’s fleet.

• Freestyle eating: open-seating in eating places with prolonged hours and no reservations. 

• Personal island: Nice Stirrup Cay within the Bahamas is a personal island for cruise passengers. NCL was the primary cruise firm to supply entry to a personal island, and it spurred a rising development within the trade.

• Full Broadway theater productions.

• Studio lodging for solo vacationers, with a personal lounge.

• Sustainability-focused onboard bar with zero waste.

• Assortment of NFTs from a cruise firm, obtainable on the market.

NCL loyalty program: Latitude Rewards

Latitude Rewards awards members with factors primarily based on every evening they sail, and so they can earn bonus nights when reserving sure classes of suites.

Occasional promotions additionally provide double-night credit score. You’ll solely earn cruise factors on eligible sailings the place you’re paying a standard fare; promotional sailings with a heavy low cost may not be eligible, though you’ll nonetheless obtain the advantages at your tier. Additionally, sailings on sister traces don’t qualify for Latitude Rewards cruise factors.

As you accrue nights, you earn elite standing that delivers onboard advantages that develop with every standing tier.

The loyalty program has seven ranges, from Bronze to Ambassador. The total roster of onboard facilities will be discovered on the Norwegian Cruise Line web site. There are some further perks that include sure tiers.

Earn one level for each evening you spend on a crusing and double factors in suites or The Haven class lodging.

This program doesn’t provide any factors to redeem. As an alternative, you’ll earn advantages on future cruises associated to your explicit elite tier. Ambassador members (700+ factors) earn a free 7-night cruise.

Norwegian Cruise Line bank card

Spending on the Norwegian Cruise Line® World Mastercard® received’t earn you Latitude Rewards factors (the one method to do this is by crusing with NCL), however it is going to earn you WorldPoints. This forex will be redeemed for onboard credit on future sailings, Norwegian Cruise Line shore excursions and different journey experiences. The cardboard has no annual payment and no international transaction charges, making it ideally suited for world vacationers.

With the Norwegian Cruise Line® World Mastercard, you earn WorldPoints as follows:

• 3x factors on NCL sailings.

• 2x factors on eligible airfare and lodge purchases.

• 1x level on the whole lot else.

Earn 20,000 WorldPoints, which is sweet for a $200 onboard credit score or low cost towards a future cruise, if you happen to spend $1,000 or extra within the first 90 days the account is open.

Every WorldPoints level is equal to 1 cent, which you’ll then redeem for issues akin to:

Norwegian Cruise Line presents sailings at completely different value factors to a world vary of locations. Additionally it is identified for its stunning hull artwork, pioneering Freestyle Eating and including buzzworthy facilities like ice bars and race tracks to its ships. NCL cruises are enjoyable for every type of vacationers, and its loyalty program can present added perks alongside the way in which.

(Prime picture courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)