Norwegian Cruises
Overview
Norwegian Cruise Line revolutionized the industry by introducing Freestyle Cruising - a liberating approach that eliminates traditional cruise conventions. No assigned dining times, no formal dress codes, and ultimate flexibility define the Norwegian experience. For travelers who value freedom and choice, Norwegian delivers.
The Freestyle Cruising philosophy permeates everything. Want breakfast at noon? No problem. Feel like skipping the dining room for specialty restaurants every night? Go ahead. Prefer shorts and sandals throughout your vacation? Absolutely acceptable. This flexibility attracts independent travelers who resist rigid schedules and formal expectations.
Norwegian's fleet spans multiple ship classes, each embracing the Freestyle concept while offering unique features. The Prima Class represents their newest innovation with the highest percentage of balcony cabins in the industry. The Breakaway Class introduced The Waterfront - an oceanfront promenade lined with restaurants and bars. The Getaway Class perfected the outdoor experience with extensive deck space.
The Haven represents Norwegian's ship-within-a-ship luxury experience. This exclusive enclave offers suites with butler service, private restaurant, exclusive sundeck with pool, and 24-hour butler service. The Haven demonstrates that Norwegian can deliver ultra-premium experiences while maintaining their relaxed atmosphere.
Solo travelers particularly appreciate Norwegian. They pioneered Studio cabins - efficient single-occupancy staterooms designed specifically for solo cruisers. These cabins include access to an exclusive Studio Lounge where solo travelers meet and mingle. No more paying double for traveling alone.
Norwegian sails globally with diverse itineraries including Caribbean, Alaska, Mediterranean, Baltic, and beyond. Their private island Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas provides exclusive beach day experiences. Ships are sized appropriately for destinations - large ships for Caribbean fun, mid-sized vessels for European exploration.
Fleet Information
Norwegian's fleet delivers Freestyle Cruising across multiple ship classes:
Prima Class (2022+):
The newest generation with unprecedented space and features:
- Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva
- 142,500 GT with 3,215 passengers
- Highest percentage of balconies in the industry (over 70%)
- Ocean Boulevard outdoor promenade
- Indulge Food Hall with 11 eateries
- The Drop - 10-story dry slide
- Infinity Beach with stunning pools
Starting at $799-999 per person for 7-night sailings
Breakaway Plus Class (2015-2019):
Massive ships with The Waterfront promenade:
- Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss
- 164,600-169,000 GT with 4,004-4,266 passengers
- The Waterfront oceanfront promenade
- Galaxy Pavilion (virtual reality on select ships)
- Go-kart racing track (Bliss, Encore, Joy)
- Observation Lounge with panoramic views
Starting at $649-849 per person
Breakaway Class (2013-2014):
The ships that introduced The Waterfront concept:
- Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway
- 145,655 GT with 3,963 passengers
- Aqua Park with water slides
- The Illusionarium dinner theater
- Ice Bar frozen cocktail experience
Starting at $549-749 per person
Jewel Class (2005-2007):
Mid-sized ships perfect for diverse itineraries:
- Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Gem
- 93,500 GT with 2,376 passengers
- Great for Alaska and Europe
- Courtyard villas with private pool
Starting at $499-699 per person
Dawn/Star Class:
Classic Norwegian elegance:
- Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Sun
- 77,000-91,000 GT with 2,000-2,400 passengers
- Great value propositions
- Often positioned for Cuba, Bahamas, short cruises
Starting at $399-599 per person
Pride of America:
The only US-flagged cruise ship - sailing Hawaii year-round:
- 80,000 GT with 2,186 passengers
- All-American crew
- Inter-island Hawaii cruises
- No passport required for US citizens
Starting at $999-1,499 per person
Onboard Experience
The Norwegian experience centers on freedom and choice:
Accommodations:
Norwegian offers extensive cabin variety:
- Studios: Purpose-built for solo travelers with Lounge access
- Interior: Budget-friendly with ample storage
- Ocean View: Natural light, some with portholes
- Balcony: Most popular category, some with larger outdoor space
- Mini-Suite: Extra space with deeper balconies
- The Haven: Ultra-luxury ship-within-a-ship experience
The Haven by Norwegian:
Exclusive luxury enclave featuring:
- Private restaurant and bar
- Exclusive sundeck with pool and hot tubs
- Butler service 24/7
- Concierge arrangements
- Priority boarding and dining
- In-suite espresso and premium spirits
- Suite categories from Deluxe to Garden Villa
Studio Cabins & Lounge:
Norwegian pioneered solo cruiser accommodations:
- Efficient interior cabins designed for one
- Access to exclusive Studio Lounge
- Meet fellow solo travelers
- No single supplement fees
- Virtual porthole on some ships
Activities & Attractions:
- Go-Kart Racetrack: Electric karts on top deck (Bliss, Encore, Joy)
- Laser Tag: Compete in themed arenas
- Galaxy Pavilion: VR experiences and games
- The Drop: 10-story free-fall slide (Prima Class)
- Aqua Parks: Water slides and splash zones
- Ropes Course: Elements over the ocean
- Mini Golf: Themed courses
- Sports Complex: Basketball, tennis, batting cages
- Pool Decks: Multiple pools, hot tubs, loungers
- Spice H2O: Adults-only outdoor space
Mandara Spa & Fitness:
- Thermal suite with heated loungers
- Extensive treatment menu
- Full-service salon
- 24-hour fitness center
- Fitness classes included
Dining & Entertainment
Norwegian's dining embraces the Freestyle philosophy with abundant choice:
Included Dining:
- Main Dining Room(s): Multiple venues, open seating, no reservations needed
- Garden Cafe: Extensive buffet with action stations
- The Local: Pub fare and comfort food
- O'Sheehan's Neighbourhood Bar: 24-hour pub with free fare
- Room Service: 24-hour menu
Specialty Dining (Additional Fee):
Norwegian offers more specialty restaurants than any competitor:
- Cagney's Steakhouse: Premium cuts, à la carte
- Le Bistro: French cuisine in elegant setting
- La Cucina: Italian with handmade pasta
- Teppanyaki: Hibachi entertainment
- Onda by Scarpetta (Prima): Celebrity chef Italian
- Los Lobos (Select ships): Upscale Mexican
- Food Republic: Asian fusion tapas
- Ocean Blue: Seafood specialties
- The Raw Bar: Fresh oysters and sushi
- Moderno Churrascaria: Brazilian steakhouse
- Indulge Food Hall (Prima): 11 eateries in one venue
Entertainment Excellence:
Norwegian invests heavily in entertainment:
- Broadway Shows: Full Broadway productions (Jersey Boys, Six, Burn the Floor, etc.)
- Headliners: Original productions
- Comedy & Magic: Dedicated comedy clubs
- Bliss Ultra Lounge: DJ and dancing
- Sugarcane Mojito Bar: Live Latin music
- Syd Norman's Pour House: Rock venue (select ships)
- Cavern Club: Beatles tribute (select ships)
- The Improv at Sea: Stand-up comedy
- Spiegel Tent (Prima): Immersive entertainment venue
Unique Experiences:
- Howl at the Moon: Dueling piano bar (select ships)
- Social: Interactive game show venue (Prima Class)
- Infinity Beaches (Prima): Resort-style pools
Pricing Guide
Norwegian pricing reflects their premium Freestyle experience:
Base Cruise Fares:
Rates per person, double occupancy:
- Studio: $125-200/night (solo)
- Interior: $90-175/night
- Ocean View: $110-200/night
- Balcony: $125-275/night
- Mini-Suite: $175-350/night
- The Haven: $400-1,500+/night
Free at Sea Promotion:
Norwegian's signature bundling offer:
Choose 1-4+ perks based on cabin category:
- Open Bar: Premium beverage package
- Specialty Dining: Restaurant meals included
- WiFi: Internet package
- Shore Excursions: Credit per port
- Extra Guests: 3rd/4th guests sail free
- Friends & Family: Companion discounts
Cruise Now, Pay Later:
Norwegian offers flexible payment:
- Deposit as low as $100-250
- Payment plan options available
- 0% APR promotional financing
- Final payment 120 days before sailing
- Price protection policies available
Latitudes Loyalty Program:
Earn points for benefits:
- Bronze (1 cruise): Bottle of wine, priority check-in
- Silver (4 cruises): Specialty restaurant discount, internet credit
- Gold (7 cruises): Balcony discount, priority debarkation
- Platinum (12 cruises): Behind-the-scenes tour, concierge access
- Platinum Plus (17 cruises): Free specialty dining
- Ambassador (Highest): Ultimate perks and recognition
Value Considerations:
- Free at Sea offers tremendous value when utilized
- Compare studio pricing versus inside+solo supplement elsewhere
- The Haven provides luxury at fraction of luxury line prices
- Alaska and Hawaii itineraries command premiums
- Specialty dining packages offer significant savings
Frequently Asked Questions
Freestyle Cruising means no assigned dining times, no formal dress code requirements, and complete flexibility in your daily schedule. Eat when you want, wear what's comfortable, and create your own vacation pace. It's Norwegian's signature approach that attracts independent travelers.
No! Norwegian pioneered casual cruising. While you can dress up if desired, there's no formal night requirement. Resort casual is appropriate everywhere. The only restrictions are no swimwear or tank tops in restaurants. This relaxed approach is a major draw for many cruisers.
Studios are single-occupancy staterooms designed for solo travelers. They're efficient spaces around 100 square feet with everything you need. Best of all, you don't pay a single supplement. Studio guests also access an exclusive Studio Lounge to meet fellow solo cruisers.
The Haven offers luxury cruise line experience at a fraction of the price. Private restaurant, butler service, exclusive sundeck, and priority everything create a ship-within-a-ship experience. For special occasions or those valuing premium service and exclusivity, The Haven delivers exceptional value compared to actual luxury lines.
Norwegian Bliss, Encore, and Joy feature the go-kart racetrack. These electric karts race on a track above the top deck with ocean views. Expect lines during sea days. It's an additional cost but incredibly popular. Each race lasts about 5-7 minutes.
If you drink alcohol, dine at specialty restaurants, or want internet access, Free at Sea provides tremendous value. Calculate what you'd spend on these items separately versus the promotional upgrade cost. Most cruisers find it worthwhile, especially the beverage package alone.
Norwegian welcomes families with Splash Academy for kids 3-12 and Entourage for teens. Some ships have waterslides and go-karts. Family suites accommodate larger groups. However, Norwegian's vibe skews slightly older than Carnival or Royal Caribbean - it's more about adult flexibility than dedicated kids' programming.
Guest Reviews
Norwegian Prima exceeded every expectation. The Ocean Boulevard wraparound outdoor space is genius. Indulge Food Hall had us trying something different every day. The Drop slide was terrifying and amazing. Our balcony was huge compared to other cruise lines. Freestyle dining meant no rushing back for dinner times. The Haven guests looked envious of how much fun we had in regular cabins!
Ship: Norwegian Prima | Destination: Caribbean | January 2024Booked a Studio on Norwegian Encore specifically for the solo experience. The Studio Lounge became my social hub - met amazing fellow solo travelers. No single supplement saved me hundreds. Go-karts were addictive. Jersey Boys show was incredible. The observation lounge at sunset became my happy place. Already booked Prima next year. Norwegian understands solo cruisers.
Ship: Norwegian Encore | Destination: Alaska | July 2023Loved Norwegian Bliss for our Alaska cruise. The observation lounge views were spectacular. Go-karts were fun despite the lines. Our balcony suite was spacious and beautiful. Only disappointment: some specialty restaurants weren't as good as expected. Food Republic was excellent but Cagney's felt overpriced. Still, Freestyle concept is perfect for us. Will cruise Norwegian again.
Ship: Norwegian Bliss | Destination: Alaska | August 2023Cruised all four major Hawaiian islands on Pride of America and it was perfect. Wake up on a new island daily, no packing/unpacking between hotels. Overnight in Maui and Kauai allowed evening explorations. Na Pali Coast sailing was breathtaking. Sure, the ship is older than Norwegian's newest, but for Hawaii itinerary purposes it's ideal. American crew added nice touch. No passport needed was bonus.
Ship: Pride of America | Destination: Hawaii | March 2024