Monday, April 1, 2024

Norwegian Cruise Line Review for April 2024 Best Cruise Lines

norwegian cruise line reviews

While the innovation debuted on twin sister Norwegian Breakaway, it just really works on Getaway, which sails mostly to warm-weather destinations. As you might expect, pricing for all ships will generally be lower during offseason periods such as September and October. Norwegian allows you to bring bottles of your own wine or Champagne on board, but it will charge you a hefty corkage fee of $15 per bottle for the privilege — even if you plan to drink the bottle in your room. This is a more draconian policy than you'll find at most lines. Most lines allow passengers to bring at least a bottle or two of their own wine on board at no charge.

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Overall, Norwegian Encore is a sophisticated ship, there's tons of things to do, and you'll be wowed by the quality -- and quantity -- of the dining and entertainment. Yet because of this, a vacation here can cost more than on other "small-town" ships, and even if you do pony up for the fun, you simply won't have enough time to do everything. Make sure you budget accordingly, and be prepared to book another cruise to experience everything you missed. Regardless, it’s tough not to compare Norwegian Sun to newer cruise ships that have more amenities and onboard offerings. For example, the theatre was quite small onboard; in fact, the first night onboard did not even feature any shows.

Day 2 Sea Day Activities

I was shocked by how small the Garden Cafe was onboard Norwegian Sun. Hayley and I looked around to ensure we weren’t missing the other side of the venue somewhere. There was only one location of food in the Garden Cafe with very limited indoor seating. Although Norwegian Getaway doesn’t sail from Florida as often as it used to, the ship was built to ooze Miami, starting with the hull, with art designed by Miami artist David "LEBO" Le Batard. It's impossible to miss the painting, which features a mermaid and pelicans and employs the colors of the sea.

The ultimate guide to Norwegian Cruise Line ships and itineraries

So if you know you want to dine at many specialty restaurants, the package upgrades are a good deal. So, for example, an upcoming cruise on the Prima — a seven-day trip from Galveston, Texas, to the Caribbean in February — is about $2,400 per balcony cabin (with two people). Then you add on gratuities for the open bar at $305 and specialty dining of about $40. Whether you use a travel agent or not, make sure to maximize your purchase when paying for the cruise by using a card that offers extra points for travel purchases.

My Port (Half) Day in Juneau

The smaller and older ships tend to be used for port-intensive itineraries that are more destination focused. However, I had only sailed on Pride of America, which is only four years newer than Norwegian Sun. The two ships are nearly identical in size, weighing right around 80,000 gross tons. Norwegian Sun had a lot of similarities to what I remember from Pride of America onboard the ship.

How much does it cost to go on Norwegian Getaway?

norwegian cruise line reviews

So, it's up to you, but know that your stateroom attendant, the counselors in the kids' club, and your dining room servers would probably not turn down a tip. Whoever said, “there’s nothing 6 gallons of ice cream can’t fix” has clearly never had to disembark a cruise ship, but I did my best to enjoy my giant sundae from Coco’s anyway. I noted that prices have gone up at Coco’s since I cruised last. I hope I don’t exceed my onboard spending budget of zero dollars.

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There are two main sets of elevators on the ship, one midship and another forward. A third set is available only to guests who are staying in The Haven, an exclusive area with a private concierge, butler, restaurant, bar, lounge, pool and other perks. Keep checking on the rates until you make your final payment. If they drop, you can sometimes take advantage of a better deal by modifying the booking.

Norwegian Bliss Ship and Cabin Tours

On ships with water slides, ropes courses, go-kart tracks and laser tag, these are also popular and often require a wait of up to 30 minutes or more. If you're looking for a romantic vacation, perhaps you'll want a smaller ship or a cabin in The Haven, which is a hotel-within-a-hotel concept with more personalized service. The Haven is only available on select Norwegian ships, including Encore, Viva and Prima. It was the first cruise line to eliminate the traditional set dining times when it introduced Freestyle Dining, allowing guests to eat at any time at up to 28 different locations on each ship.

And, if you receive service that goes above and beyond, adding to the recommended gratuity is always appreciated. Be aware that tips for bartenders, poolside servers, and professional services provided in the spa or elsewhere are not included in the daily suggested gratuity and may be charged automatically at the time of service. Unlike the majority of big-ship cruise lines, Norwegian doesn't require tipping or even recommend an amount for it, beyond the 20% automatically added for spa and salon services plus beverage purchases. But, they do point out that they encourage their staff to "go the extra mile" and that their employees are allowed to accept cash gratuities for outstanding service.

Expert Review of Norwegian Aqua - Cruise Critic

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There's also an always-busy casino, which opens when the ship is out to sea. No, but all sailings do include accommodations, activities, food and beverages, and entertainment. There is the ability to purchase extra benefits on each ship. You will only earn cruise points on eligible sailings where you are paying a traditional fare; promotional sailings with a heavy discount might not be eligible, although you would still receive the benefits at your tier. Also, sailings on sister lines do not qualify for Latitude Rewards cruise points. If you want to partake in specialty dining reservations, Wi-Fi, Norwegian cruise excursions or upgraded beverage packages, you'll have to pay fees (sometimes bundled for greater savings).

The cruise line's move has angered some passengers and prompted social-media accusations that the effort was profit-motivated. It may be possible to work remotely while at sea, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Norwegian Cruise Line, commonly referred to as NCL, is a popular cruise line that was founded in 1966 by Knut Kloster and Ted Arison, who also co-founded Carnival Cruise Line. Norwegian Cruise Line is headquartered in Miami, Florida, and is currently part of the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., which also includes Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

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