Welcome to our guide introducing you to Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). Yes, they were founded in Norway in 1966. There you go, you’re already on your way to becoming an NCL expert!
Norwegian operates all over the globe and is a great alternative (and competitor) to the big mega-resort-on-the-seas cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line. They’re all about big pools, Broadway shows, and unique entertainment options aboard their ships, making them an excellent choice for families who just want to have fun.
If you want to learn even more about Norwegian Cruise Line, be sure to check out our Planning a Cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line guide. The article you’re reading now will focus more on pricing, Norwegian’s main features, and a quick overview of what to expect from this awesome cruise line.
Here is what we will cover:
- What Can I Expect from Norwegian Cruise Line?
- How Many Ships Does Norwegian Cruise Line Have?
- How Much Does a Norwegian Cruise Line Vacation Cost?
- What is Included in a Norwegian Cruise Line vacation?
- What is NOT Included in a Norwegian Cruise Line vacation?
- The Unique Features of Norwegian Cruise Line
Let's roll!
What can I expect from Norwegian Cruise Line?
Norwegian Cruise Line is what cruises usually look like when you’re planning your next vacation.
That’s not a jab at Norwegian, by the way, it’s a (big) plus. When we think of cruises today, it’s easy to picture huge ships with multiple pools, crazy waterparks, Broadway shows, and tons of bars and dining options. Basically, a floating city in most cases. Norwegian is kind of like that, and we consider it the mega-resort experience at sea. There are, by the way, plenty of cruise lines that fit this profile, like Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line.
Norwegian is for those who love waterslides, good drinks, and something brand new when it comes to entertainment aboard a cruise ship. Did you know that some of their recent vessels have go-kart tracks on the top decks? Yeah, crazy. And their future ships will have the first-ever hybrid roller coaster waterslide at sea. Seriously, I’m counting the days until we see a rocket launch site on top of a cruise ship and guests can explore the Moon by boarding a cruise.
Norwegian is also all about letting you be just… you. They don’t have a strict dress code or rigid dining schedules, meaning you can dine in the Main Dining Room anytime between 5:30 and 9:30, as long as you’re not in your swimwear.
Tl;dr: Norwegian Cruise Line is all about the mega-resort experience, with no strict dress code and flexible dining times at most restaurants. If that sounds good to you, then you’re going to have a great time with these guys.
Solo travelers
Did you know Norwegian Cruise Line might be one of the best options for solo travelers? Their newest ships feature plenty of studio cabins designed specifically for guests cruising alone.
These cozy 95-square-foot cabins include a private bathroom, bed, desk, and ample storage space, perfect for a solo trip. Plus, booking a studio cabin grants you access to the exclusive Studio Lounge, where you can enjoy complimentary (and really good) espresso.
How Many Ships Does Norwegian Cruise Line Have?
A lot.
Let’s just leave it at that. No? Okay.
Norwegian has 19 ships in total, with more on the way. Yeah, that’s a lot, but only eight of them rank among the top 50 biggest cruise ships in the world. That’s because Norwegian operates all over the globe, with specific ships traveling to destinations like Alaska and Hawaii. Ships that visit these destinations often need to be small to mid-size, while the huge, blockbuster ships are usually reserved for the Caribbean and Europe.
Their most recent cruise ships are:
- Norwegian Viva, 2023
- Norwegian Prima, 2022
- Norwegian Encore, 2019
- Norwegian Bliss, 2018
- Norwegian Joy, 2017
And the upcoming ships, like:
- Norwegian Aqua, 2025
- Norwegian Luna, 2026
Norwegian Cruise Line Home Ports
Norwegian Cruise Line operates all over the globe and has dozens of departure ports. Their main ones in Florida are Miami, Port Canaveral, and Tampa.
For Alaska cruises, NCL departs from Seattle and Vancouver.
In North America, Norwegian also has ports of call in Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Galveston, and more.
Hawaii & Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line might be one of the best options for those looking to explore Hawaii by cruise. The reason is simple: they have a ship dedicated solely to Hawaii, offering year-round trips across the islands. The ship - Pride of America - sails exclusively in Hawaii, departing from Honolulu and offering 7- to 11-night cruises that explore nearly the entire island chain.
How Much Does a Norwegian Cruise Line Vacation Cost?
Norwegian Cruise Line has so many different itineraries and destinations that they’re bound to have a cruise that fits your budget. The great news is that you can pay less than $400 for a quick Caribbean cruise or invest more if you want to explore niche destinations like Fiji, New Zealand, and South Africa.
At the time of this writing, they offer more than 580 different cruises, all with varying prices. So, if you need help deciding on a cruise, don’t be shy and send us a message!
Here are some starting prices for cruises. As expected, trips on the newest ships, like Norwegian Viva, tend to be more expensive:
- 4-Day Caribbean Cruise to Cozumel: $380
- 7-Day Alaska Cruise to Glacier Bay, Juneau, Skagway: $400
- 7-Day Caribbean Cruise to Cruaçao and Aruba onboard Norwegian Viva: $800
- 11-Day Hawaii Cruise onboard Pride of America: $3000
More At Sea
More At Sea is a special fare that gives you some great perks for your next cruise. The good news? A lot of the time, the More At Sea fare is free or just $100 more than a standard fare.
More At Sea gives you some pretty good perks, like:
- Standard Drink Package
- Free meals at Specialty Restaurants
- Wi-Fi package with limited minutes
- Credit for Shore Excursions
The best perk is, by far, the included Drink Package. The Wi-Fi only gives you a limited number of minutes (75 minutes for short cruises and 150 minutes for week long cruises), and you get a number of meals at specialty restaurants depending on the length of your cruise. As for Shore Excursions, you typically get a $50 credit.
What is Included in a Norwegian Cruise Line vacation?
Norwegian follows a standard procedure when it comes to what’s included in your cruise fare. Wi-Fi and beverages like Coca-Cola are not included, and some entertainment options, such as the recently added Go-Karts and Laser Tag games, come at an extra cost.
Here’s what’s included in your base fare:
- Your stateroom
- Complimentary restaurants, buffet & main dining room
- Water & complimentary coffee
- Kids Club
- Swimming Pools & Hot Tubs
- Fitness Center
- Sports Court
- Live Shows & Music
As you can see, one of the main downsides of Norwegian is that not much is included in the base cruise fare, making the More at Sea promotion almost essential for many passengers. It also doesn’t help that Norwegian has some of the highest taxes among all cruise lines.
Norwegian adds a 20% gratuity and spa service charge for all spa and salon services, as well as a 20% gratuity and beverage service charge for all beverage purchases. That’s higher than the 18% added by Royal Caribbean. Keep in mind that even if you purchase the More at Sea fare, you’ll still need to pay gratuity on drinks.
What is NOT Included in a Norwegian Cruise Line vacation?
Here are the items that are not included in your Norwegian Cruise Line base fare:
- Gratuities
- Specialty Restaurants
- Beverages
- Alcoholic Drinks
- Premium Entertainment Options (Laser Tag, Go-karts, etc…)
- Casino
- Spa
- Wi-Fi
- Arcade
- Laundry
The Unique Features of Norwegian Cruise Line
Freestyle Cruising
Norwegian Cruise Line is kind of a mix between Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages. On one hand, it offers the mega-resort experience similar to Royal Caribbean. On the other, it embraces freestyle cruising like Virgin Voyages, with no set dinner times or strict dress codes.
With Norwegian, you don’t need to schedule specific meal times, and you can dress however you want, well, almost. Swimwear isn’t allowed in the dining rooms, but that’s understandable.
So many destinations!
Norwegian offers more than 580 different cruises with departure ports all over the world. Seriously, they have cruises to Africa, Asia, Oceania, and, of course, the Caribbean. Whether you're looking for a short getaway or a long voyage, they have something to fit your budget.
Great Stirrup Cay
Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line’s main private island in the Bahamas. It’s included in your cruise fare, features a beautiful beach, and you can use your drink package while you're there.
The main downside? You can’t dock at the island (yet), and the ship’s Wi-Fi won’t work there. But honestly, you’re here for the beach, the vibes, and some seriously good tacos.
Check out our full review of Great Stirrup Cay here.
They DO have a Main Dining Room… and sometimes more than one!
Norwegian is all about freestyle cruising, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a Main Dining Room. In fact, some of their newer ships, like Norwegian Viva and Prima, have more than one. With freestyle dining, you don’t need to select a dining time before your trip with NCL. Heads up: the Main Dining Room is usually open from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
For more information about the Main Dining Room and restaurants, make sure to visit our Dining Options Onboard Norwegian Cruise Line guide.
The Haven
Do you want a luxury suite for your next cruise?
Most Norwegian ships feature an exclusive area called The Haven, offering luxury perks like a personal butler, priority check-in, free room service, access to exclusive restaurants, and more. The Haven isn’t cheap, as it can cost more than double the price of a standard balcony cabin, but that’s the price you pay for living like a celebrity on the high seas.
For more details about rooms on Norwegian Cruise Line, be sure to check out our Room Options Onboard Norwegian Cruise Line guide.
Crazy Entertainment Options
As the years go by, cruise ships keep getting crazier, and Norwegian might just be leading the charge. Some of their ships feature a go-kart racing track on the top deck, while others have a full Laser Tag arena for those who want to test their aim. And their future ships? They’ll have the first-ever hybrid waterslide and roller coaster at sea. So, if you’re on a Norwegian cruise, there’s a good chance you’ll find something unexpected and exciting to try.
For more details on all the entertainment options onboard Norwegian Cruise Line, check out our Activities Onboard Norwegian Cruise Line guide.
Family Games and Lots of Shows!
As a cruise line that delivers the mega-resort experience, it’s no surprise that Norwegian offers tons of entertainment, from main theater productions to family-friendly games. Some of their ships even feature The Cavern Club, where singers perform spot-on Beatles tributes, and on Norwegian Viva, you’ll find a special Beetlejuice show.
Perhaps the coolest part? The family games. Norwegian brings Deal or No Deal and Wheel of Fortune to life on board. Yeah, it’s like being transported to live TV in the '80s in the best way possible.
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