Norwegian Cruise Line

The Norwegian Cruise Line Fleet

With just over a dozen ships and more additions planned, the Norwegian fleet is small but distinctive. Norwegian ships offer two types of experiences: older vessels operate with a more intimate feel, while the more modern, newer ships are comparable to any of the other mainstream lines, including Carnival and Royal Caribbean. In recent years, all of the fleet’s older vessels have undergone extensive renovations to expand passenger services and amenities, and today Norwegian Cruise Line is rapidly becoming one of the most popular cruise lines in the world.

Size

Norwegian’s smallest ship, the Norwegian Crown, is also the fleet’s oldest, originally launched in 1988 and refurbished in 2003. The small vessel can accommodate just over 1,000 passengers, which pales in comparison to the newest ships in the Norwegian fleet, the Norwegian Star and the Norwegian Dawn, both of which easily serve over 2,200 passengers. All of the ships offer multiple amenities and floor space comparable to other mainstream lines with plenty of activities for all members of the family.

Departure Ports

Norwegian Cruise Line is based in Miami, FL, but sails from a wide variety of ports, including Baltimore, MD; New York, NY; New Orleans, LA; Boston, MA; Los Angeles, CA; and Honolulu, HI. This range of departure ports makes Norwegian Cruise Line a viable option for passengers across the country, with cruise itineraries ranging from Bermuda and Bahamas voyages to both Alaskan and Hawaiian journeys. As ships are relocated to different departure ports, however, itineraries are subject to change and interested cruisers should consult a travel agent for the most up-to-date information.

Décor

Décor varies among Norwegian’s ships and includes both traditional seafaring elements (cherry-wood trim and brass and chrome fittings) as well as modern glitz (vibrant, tropical-colored carpeting and art deco touches). Several ships’ color schemes are coordinated with their itineraries, such as the tropical touches for the Pride of Aloha’s Hawaiian cruises. Interior artwork includes works by renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Van Gogh, and Monet. Murals, themed accessories (lamps, tables, etc.), outdoor sculptures, and themed lounge adornments complete these ships’ integrated décor.

The most interesting decorating touch on the Pride of America, the Norwegian Dawn, and the Pride of Aloha are the colorful murals that decorate the ships’ hulls. These distinctive touches make each ship doubly photogenic and add an element of luxury even to the vessel’s exterior. New ships also have similar artistic murals planned.

Itineraries

From its widely varied departure ports, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a wide variety of vacation itineraries. The shortest voyage is five nights, with the majority of cruises being seven nights in duration. Ports of call include Bermuda, Canada, the Bahamas, assorted Caribbean nations, the Mexican Riviera, and Hawaii. In fact, Norwegian has cornered the market on Hawaiian cruises and is the only mainstream line that currently offers year-round Hawaiian itineraries, with seven-, ten-, and eleven-night voyages. Both Bahamas Cruises and several Caribbean itineraries offer the line’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay, as a port of call. International destinations include the Panama Canal, Europe, and South America.

Onboard Activities

Norwegian Cruise Line prides itself on offering passengers the widest variety of choices of any mainstream cruise line. To that end, there is no lack of onboard activities on any of its vessels.

Dining

Norwegian’s biggest innovation is its dining organization. Both the main dining rooms as well as specialty restaurants operate on an open-seating, casual dress code standard of service, and even traditional formal nights are optional no matter where passengers chose to dine. There are no fixed dining times or seating assignments, allowing passengers to mingle more freely than under stricter, more regimented arrangements.

Each ship has a variety of specialty restaurants which require reservations for dinner (and occasionally for lunch as well). Choices range from Asian and Japanese to French, Italian, and Spanish-themed restaurants. Most specialty restaurants require nominal per-person cover charges.

Like other mainstream cruise lines, Norwegian ships offer several casual options, including pizzerias, ice cream, and 24-hour room service. The most popular culinary event on Norwegian ships, however, is the Chocoholic Extravaganza Buffet, which features more cocoa than anyone could consume, from brownies and tortes to elaborate masterpiece cakes and chocolate-covered treats.

Entertainment

Every evening, Norwegian passengers are treated to excellent entertainment, from soloists and comedians to revue shows and abridged drama productions. More intimate entertainment includes pianists, cabaret acts, and late-night discos. Norwegian also offers several passenger-participation shows, such as the “Star Seeker” talent show program that operates with the same principles as the popular television show American Idol.

Spas and Fitness

Numerous pools and hot tubs are available on all Norwegian Cruise Line ships, allowing passengers to relax in the sun no matter where the ship may be headed next. For guests who desire a vigorous workout, each ship boasts generous workout areas with free weights along with assorted exercise machines and rooms for specialty aerobics, yoga, and other fitness classes. Common classes, such as stretching and step aerobics, are often offered at no charge, while there is a minimal fee for more innovative classes including spinning and kickboxing. Jogging tracks and sports courts are standard features, and the larger ships also offer golf nets for driving practice.

After a workout, passengers can refresh themselves with any number of spa treatments, including massages, facials, manicures, and other standard options available throughout the cruise industry.

Gambling

The casinos on Norwegian ships are not the largest or flashiest at sea, but they do offer the standard variety of table games as well as abundant slot machines and occasional bingo games. Serious gamblers should note that the Pride of Aloha does not have a casino (in accordance with Hawaiian law).

Games, Contests, and Activities

Naturally, the largest ships also offer the largest number of onboard activities, but there is no lack of options aboard any Norwegian ship. Dance lessons, cooking demonstrations, art auctions, and spa demonstrations are standard activities, and longer cruises also offer educational enrichment cruises about a wide variety of topics such as classic ocean navigation, investing, and nutrition. One unique opportunity offered aboard several Norwegian vessels is the opportunity for snorkeling demonstrations in the pool – a great option for guests planning on snorkeling during a tropical shore excursion. Poolside games are a hilarious diversion for sunbathers, and trivia contests abound.

Children’s Programs

As more and more families opt to try cruising during school holidays and summer vacations, Norwegian Cruise Line continues to expand its repertoire of children’s programs. Supervised activities are available for different age groups for children from 2-17 years old, including dances, face painting, magic shows, craft projects, and treasure hunts. The larger ships, the Dawn and the Star, also have climbing mazes and outdoor themes to delight younger passengers. One unique feature presented by Norwegian Cruise Line is that children receive their own daily newsletter detailing the day’s children’s events.

Once per cruise (on seven-night voyages), parents are treated to a “Mom and Dad’s Night Out” when children remain with counselors during dinner, allowing parents a private, intimate escape. Group baby-sitting is offered nightly for a small fee, as well as during business hours on port days. There is no private baby-sitting available, and counselors do not change diapers. Instead, parents are provided with a beeper to let them know when a change is necessary.

Extras

The biggest bonus that this line offers is the flexibility that is characteristic of the entire fleet. From open dining to casual dress, passengers can truly make each cruise suit their vacation plans without compromising on activity options or dining choices.

Another benefit the line offers is on its Hawaiian cruises: the Pride of Aloha is staffed with 100% American officers and crew members. This eliminates potential problems with foreign accents and misunderstood communication, though Norwegian continues to hold all its crew members to exemplary standards of service.

Cons About Norwegian Cruise Line

The most frequent complaint about each of Norwegian’s ships is the smaller-than-average cabin size. Though newer ships have more spacious accommodations, floor space is limited, and most ships offer fewer balcony cabins than found with other cruise lines. On the other hand, many bathrooms offer multiple dividers (between the toilet, shower, and sink) to accommodate families, and with a plethora of onboard distractions, active passengers are not likely to notice the somewhat cramped sleeping quarters.

A small cruise line now gaining in both size and popularity, Norwegian Cruise Line is rapidly becoming one of the most distinctive mainstream cruise lines in the world. From spectacular hull artwork to innovative freestyle options, any Norwegian cruise is certain to be a unique and memorable experience.

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