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These are some of the special features you'll find aboard some or all of the ships in NCL’s fleet. Norwegian Viva launched in the summer of 2023, making it the newest ship for NCL. It has special features like a three-tier race track, the fastest slides at sea, a food hall with 11 complimentary eateries and a sustainable cocktail bar. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. If a spa experience is what you’re after, consider booking a Spa Suite, Mini-Suite, or Balcony Stateroom.
On both of my Norwegian cruises, entertainment was overshadowed by the destinations we visited.
Here’re my honest thoughts about Norwegian Cruise Line after more than a decade, including a few things I really liked and others that left me expecting more. If you recently came down with an intense case of itching (particularly at night) accompanied by a rash, you may be experiencing some of the uncomfortable ... In our tech-driven world, the allure of the great outdoors beckons stronger than ever, offering a much-needed escape from screen-lit life.
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Dating to 2001, Norwegian Sun is one of Norwegian's oldest and smallest vessels, and it lacks many of the family-focused onboard attractions that are typical for the line's newer and bigger vessels. You won't find big waterparks, go-kart racing tracks or laser tag zones on this ship. Only solos staying in the solo cabins (via keycards) can access the Studio Lounge, meaning that you and your new solo friends will have the place to yourselves. The entryway to each of these ships, for instance, deposits you at the three-story-high Penrose Atrium, which may be the most beautiful atrium of any big ship at sea. It has a curvy, sculptural feel as if the entire space were an art piece. In addition, Norwegian Encore has a large laser tag area on its top deck (one that I can tell you from personal experience is a blast) and a massive indoor gaming and virtual reality zone called the Galaxy Pavilion.
I stayed in a $2,554 studio cabin on NCL Epic, and it was one of the best sailing experiences I ever had
One of two ships in the line's Sun class that date to the turn of the millennium, Norwegian Sky is far from the snazziest ship in the Norwegian fleet. At 77,104 tons and carrying 1,944 passengers, it's just half the size of Norwegian's biggest ships and has far fewer venues, from bars and restaurants to entertainment spaces. There is no giant water park on its top deck or a go-kart track to keep the kids busy all day, so it's not the best Norwegian Cruise Line ship for families. Norwegian Encore is also the setting for one of the biggest go-kart racing tracks at sea.
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I even tried multiple dishes from the menu because our time was limited, as I wanted to be sure I had a variety of entrees, appetizers and desserts before disembarking. My last cruise on Pride of America featured a large buffet as well in the Aloha Cafe, so I was surprised by this tiny Garden Cafe. Luggage is something that everyone will need at some point in their life, whether it be a backpack for an overnight trip or school, or a full set of luggage ...
Norwegian Bliss Cruise Reviews (2024 UPDATED): Ratings of Norwegian Bliss - Cruise Critic
Norwegian Bliss Cruise Reviews (2024 UPDATED): Ratings of Norwegian Bliss.
Posted: Tue, 12 Sep 2023 12:10:13 GMT [source]
While many restaurants and activities are included in the cruise fare, it's really the extras that create a special experience. You have the choice to spend extra on exclusive spaces such as the spa's thermal suite, the Norwegian Breakaway adult-only Vibe Beach Club, on a handful of entertainment offerings or on specialty restaurants. For a more traditional cruise traveler, that approach can seem like nickel and diming, but for those accustomed to resort stays, it's quite similar. On the flip side, Breakaway is also not a ship for those who prefer cruise traditions.
Now seems like a good time to educate you on what we Seattleites consider formal. This is pretty much as dressed up as we get with rain boots mandatory from about October through May (hat is optional, but I hate being cold and this is Alaska in April, so I figure better safe). The artwork is fun, the food is largely delicious and with "Beetlejuice" and Syd Norman's "Rumours" headlining the entertainment, passengers will never be bored day or night.
Find a Norwegian Encore Cruise from $469
Food Republic, across from Palomar on Deck 17, is my favorite of NCL's alternative restaurants. Indulge, found on Deck 8 aft, is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with different menus for each meal. Norwegian Viva houses more than a dozen places to eat and also more than a dozen bars, so there are plenty of choices for even the pickiest of palates. Standard bathrooms are shower-only with doors rather than curtains. They also include a toilet, a sink, storage space for toiletry items, wall-mounted hand soap by the sink and body wash and conditioning shampoo in the shower.
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Mains include sea scallops, sea bass, filet mignon, New York strip and a whole grilled lobster, with sides such as potatoes, jasmine rice and carrots. I opted for sole (again), preceded by a golden beet salad with cheese and accompanied by asparagus. This specialty restaurant on Deck 7 is as elegant as they come, featuring a bright atmosphere with light blue accents and high-end decor, including giant floor-to-ceiling crystal chandeliers that are stunning. There's no dress code to dine at Le Bistro, but you might want to embrace the experience by making an effort. The Free at Sea package included 300 minutes of Wi-Fi for this entire 12-night cruise, meaning I had to remember to log off to keep from using minutes. My father quickly learned logging off was not the same as just turning off the Wi-Fi on his device after a bunch of his allotted minutes went away fairly quickly when he wasn’t doing anything.
Looking for a place to hang out with a drink and your thoughts? The menu comprises 11 beverages created with watermelon rind cordial, spent coffee ground cordial, banana peel syrup and pineapple peel. I tested the Cucumber Cool — vodka, elderflower liqueur, lime juice and cucumber pulp cordial — and loved it. On the wall across from the bar is a cool electronic art installation that senses when people pass by. When I placed a late-night order for an 11-inch pizza, a cheese plate and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, it cost me $11.94, and it took an hour and 13 minutes to arrive. The pizza was lukewarm with way too much garlic, and the sandwich bread was stale.
Find Norwegian Encore Cruises to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) - Cruise Critic
Find Norwegian Encore Cruises to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices).
Posted: Sun, 21 Apr 2024 06:18:28 GMT [source]
In short, the best Norwegian cruise ship for you will depend on a bunch of factors, and which ship is best for a trip with your family might not be your top pick for a couple's cruise or girlfriends' getaway. Over the years, I've sailed on all but three of Norwegian's 19 vessels, and my personal favorite is Norwegian Prima. I love its stylish design and upscale feel, as well as its wide mix of eateries, bars and entertainment. The Norwegian Getaway ship was built for socializing, and its deck plans make it easy.
For me, European or other destination cruises are different from Caribbean cruises in that I spend most of my time off the ship. The Pulse Fitness Center is also large with lots of weights and machines, as well as cardio equipment that faces the bow, giving exercisers a great view while working out. Room service is available 24 hours a day but has an extra cost. Now, for the specialty dining options, the Prima has eight where the food and presentation are elevated. There is an aqua park for kids, a waterslide and a few hot tubs and smaller pools and lounging areas on other decks, but no one large gathering place for water and sun fun.
Because we wanted to enjoy our day in Cadiz, we spent our only full day ashore in the city. Norwegian Sun was built in 2001 while Pride of America construction was complete in 2005. At this time, most cruise ships being built were nowhere near the giant mega ships that cruise lines are building today. While searching for spring break cruises, I stumbled upon a very cheap, two night sailing onboard Norwegian Sun. Even better, the cruise sailed from Malaga, Spain to Lisbon, Portugal with a stop in Cadiz, Spain. I love cruising around Europe, so I couldn’t resist the opportunity to book this cheap cruise.
You’ll need either a printed or mobile copy to show at the embarkation point. It’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy, but it’s important to make sure the deal works for you. As you accrue nights, you earn elite status that delivers onboard benefits that grow with each status tier. Of course, the fare will always vary depending on which cabin type you book. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence.
Make sure you budget accordingly, and be prepared to book another cruise to experience everything you missed. However, while Norwegian Encore is big enough to offer something for everyone, it clearly caters more to some people than others. Sun worshippers might be disappointed in the compressed pool and complimentary sun deck spaces, with outdoor thrill rides and extra-fee sun decks spanning a huge chunk of the ship's top decks. Families with young children are stuck with the Norwegian Encore Splash Academy, a windowless space in the bowels of the ship; a small water play area, and restaurants and shows that are very much geared toward adults. NCL has become such a low-quality cruise line in the past few years that I will not sail on NCL again.
With daily news stories of delayed and canceled flights, lost baggage, and travelers stranded overseas in the middle of a natural disaster, it's ... But, we give Norwegian somewhat of a downgrade for its safety record. The cruise line has had several incidents in recent years, including a fire on one of its ships in 2019 and a mechanical issue on another ship in 2018. The company has faced criticism for its handling of these incidents. While no cruise line is completely immune from problems, there are several that have never experienced a major incident and that invest heavily in safety training and technology. We wouldn't say Norwegian is unsafe, per se, but it's one area where some of its rivals outpace its track record.
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