Norwegian Cruise Line: The Complete Guide

If you’re considering a cruise and want flexibility, fun, and a little flair, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is one of the best cruise lines available in 2025. Known for bold ship designs, colorful hull art and a “Freestyle Cruising” philosophy that ditches the rigid schedules of old-school cruising, NCL is ideal for travelers who want freedom without sacrificing quality or entertainment.

With sailings to more than 400 destinations on ships ranging from cozy and classic to brand-new and thrill-packed, Norwegian has something for nearly every type of traveler — including solo cruisers, families, couples and those looking for a little luxury without luxury pricing.

NCL’s biggest calling card is its Freestyle Cruising concept. This means:

• No set dining times.

• No formal dress codes.

• No pressure to follow a rigid itinerary.

Whether you want to dress up for dinner or wear flip-flops, whether you want to catch a Broadway-style show or hang by the pool with a mojito, you can do you — and that’s the point. Many cruise lines have moved in this direction, but NCL pioneered the approach and still offers the most seamless version of it.

Not all NCL ships are created equal — and knowing the difference matters.

Newer ships like the Norwegian Prima (2022), Norwegian Viva (2023), and Norwegian Aqua (2025) are part of NCL’s Prima Class, a major leap forward in ship design. These vessels are sleeker, more spacious, and offer enhanced crowd flow and exclusive entertainment. On Prima and Viva, you’ll find things like three-story go-kart tracks, 11-station food halls, and top-tier shows like Elements (a Cirque-style acrobatics production) and The Donna Summer Musical. Norwegian Aqua debuts the Aqua Slidecoaster, the first-ever hybrid rollercoaster/waterslide at sea — an attraction not found on any other cruise ship, anywhere.

Older ships, like Norwegian Sun, Jewel, or Spirit, are more traditional and generally smaller. They don’t have headline-making features, but they’re often significantly cheaper and sail longer or more off-the-beaten-path itineraries, especially in Asia, the South Pacific, or South America.

Your base fare with NCL includes:

• Your selected stateroom type.

• Buffet and main dining room meals.

• Access to pools, the gym, and live entertainment.

• Shows like Elements, comedy acts, and live music.

• Taxes and port fees.

What’s not included (unless part of a promotion):

• Specialty dining.

• Alcohol and soda.

• Shore excursions.

• Gratuities.

• Wi-Fi (though basic packages may be included in promos).

NCL frequently runs its Free at Sea promotion, which bundles extras like open bar, Wi-Fi, shore excursion credits and specialty dining — often making it a better value than buying à la carte.

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Every NCL cruise includes:

• Main dining rooms with rotating menus.

• Casual buffet options.

• On newer ships, the Indulge Food Hall (Prima Class only), offering fast-casual fare from tacos to ramen.

Specialty dining

If you're after more curated meals, you can pay extra for specialty dining like Onda by Scarpetta (upscale Italian), Cagney’s Steakhouse, or Le Bistro (classic French). Most cruisers looking for variety end up buying a dining package — and it’s often worth it if you plan to eat in more than two specialty restaurants during a 7-night cruise.

Bars

While drinks aren’t included with your base fare (unless you’ve booked a Free at Sea open bar promo), the variety and quality of onboard bars help NCL stand out among mainstream cruise lines.

One of the most iconic options is the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar, found on select ships like Norwegian Breakaway, Getaway, and Epic. This fully frozen lounge — yes, even the glasses are made of ice — is kept at a frigid 17°F. Don’t worry, parkas and gloves are provided at the door. It’s part gimmick, part Instagram opportunity and all fun. And yes, it ranks among the best cruise line bars anywhere.

If you’re into cocktails with a view, check out The Observation Lounge (on Prima, Viva, and Encore), which offers panoramic ocean views in a serene setting — ideal for a pre-dinner martini or post-excursion glass of wine. For a more social vibe, The Local Bar & Grill offers pub food and pours late into the night, while Sugarcane Mojito Bar shakes up a menu of fresh, rum-forward cocktails in a Cuban-inspired setting.

Norwegian consistently offers some of the best entertainment at sea, particularly on newer ships. Prima, Viva, and Aqua feature Elements, a dazzling acrobatics and effects-driven stage show that rivals Cirque du Soleil in spectacle. There's also The Donna Summer Musical, a Broadway production with impressive vocals and energetic choreography.

Another standout show is “Beetlejuice the Musical,” found on Norwegian Viva, which has gained a cult following among returning cruisers. One new show for 2025 that's already drawing praise is “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince,” an electrifying live concert experience that feels like an edgy Equinox ad. The common thread here is that Norwegian takes entertainment seriously, especially on its newer vessels.

Unlike many cruise lines, these shows are included in your fare, and the production value is among the best at sea.

Cabin selection is a strong point across the fleet. One of NCL’s biggest differentiators is its Studio staterooms — cozy, 100-square-foot cabins designed specifically for solo travelers. But on the other end of the spectrum, you might book The Haven by Norwegian, the line’s luxury “ship within a ship.” Here's what to know about its various room types:

Solo Travelers: Norwegian is a standout in this space. Its Studio staterooms are designed for one person (no single supplement!) and come with access to a private Studio Lounge — a social space with snacks, drinks, and meetups. There’s no single supplement, which is rare in the cruise world and a huge plus for solo cruisers.

Couples and Families: Inside, oceanview, and balcony cabins are widely available across the fleet. Newer ships feature sleeker designs and slightly larger balconies.

Luxury Seekers: The Haven by Norwegian is NCL’s upscale “ship within a ship.” These suites offer exclusive access to a private sun deck, restaurant, butler service and more. You’ll find The Haven on Encore, Prima, Viva, Aqua, and a few other ships. It’s not cheap, but it offers many of the perks you’d find on a small luxury cruise while keeping you connected to the high-energy atmosphere of a big ship.

Itineraries are as brief as two nights, but some top three weeks (or more). Norwegian sails to every continent, including seasonal Antarctica cruises. Common embarkation ports include:

• U.S. East Coast: New York, Miami, Boston.

• West Coast: Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle.

• Hawaii: Pride of America sails round-trip from Honolulu — the only U.S.-flagged ship offering weekly inter-island cruises.

• Europe: Rome, Barcelona, Athens, Amsterdam.

• Panama Canal, Asia, and South America: Select sailings on longer itineraries.

Another highlight with Norwegian is its private island experiences. NCL was the first cruise line to debut a private island, and today it operates two:

• Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas offers white-sand beaches, zip lines and cabanas for rent.

• Harvest Caye, off the coast of Belize feels more like a full-day resort, complete with a massive pool complex, saltwater lagoon, shopping village, and direct access to excursions on the mainland.

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These stops are included on many Caribbean and Central America itineraries — but not all. If you're hoping for one of these tropical day trips, double-check your route before booking.

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Pricing is highly variable, as with any cruise line, but NCL often runs its Free at Sea promotion, which bundles in extras like unlimited drinks, shore excursion credits, Wi-Fi and specialty dining. These offers can be valuable, especially when paired with lower base fares on older ships or off-peak sailings.

For a 4-night cruise to the Bahamas, expect fares starting around $350 per person, while weeklong Caribbean or Mediterranean cruises generally run $600–$1,000 per person, depending on the season and ship. The Haven suites often start around $2,000+, but can climb much higher during peak travel times.

As always, cruise fares fluctuate based on variables including:

• Time of year.

• Trip duration.

• Destination.

• Ship class.

• Cabin type.

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Norwegian’s Latitudes Rewards program is also one of the more traveler-friendly cruise loyalty programs out there.

Unlike points-based programs with complicated redemption charts, Latitudes works on a simple structure: you earn one point per night cruised, and bonus points for booking a suite, The Haven, or during promotional sailings.

The higher your point total, the more perks you unlock — such as free laundry, priority embarkation, behind-the-scenes ship tours and even a free 7-night cruise once you hit Ambassador status (700+ points). There's nothing to redeem or track manually — your tier benefits automatically apply to future sailings. That kind of set-it-and-forget-it simplicity makes it more appealing than other cruise loyalty programs that rely on reward redemptions or blackout dates.

Latitude Rewards levels

The loyalty program has seven levels, from Bronze to Ambassador. The full roster of onboard amenities can be found on the Norwegian Cruise Line website. There are some extra perks that come with certain tiers.

How to earn Latitudes Rewards points

Earn one point for every night you spend on a sailing and double points in suites or The Haven category accommodations.

How to redeem points

This program does not offer any points to redeem. Instead, you would earn benefits on future cruises related to your particular elite tier. Ambassador members (700+ points) earn a free 7-night cruise.

Spending on the Norwegian Cruise Line® World Mastercard® won’t earn you Latitude Rewards points (the only way to do that is by sailing with NCL), but it will earn you WorldPoints. This currency can be redeemed for onboard credits on future sailings, Norwegian Cruise Line shore excursions and other travel experiences. The card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for world travelers.

With the Norwegian Cruise Line® World Mastercard, you earn WorldPoints as follows:

• 3x points on NCL sailings.

• 2x points on eligible airfare and hotel purchases.

• 1x point on everything else.

Earn 20,000 WorldPoints, which is good for a $200 onboard credit or discount toward a future cruise, if you spend $1,000 or more in the first 90 days the account is open.

How to redeem WorldPoints

Each WorldPoints point is equivalent to one cent, which you can then redeem for things such as:

• Stateroom upgrades.

• Travel discounts.

• Last-minute cruises.

• Onboard credits.

• Car rentals.

• Hotel stays.

• Gift cards.

• Cash.

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NCL's fleet of vibrant ships — known for their colorful hull art — are family-friendly, large ships that sail to over 400 destinations across all seven continents.

NCL is especially ideal for travelers who value flexibility over formality. With its “Freestyle Cruising” concept, you won’t be stuck with assigned dinner times, dress codes, or structured daily schedules. You can wear jeans to dinner, eat whenever you're hungry, and explore onboard attractions at your own pace. While nearly every cruise line has moved in this direction to some extent, NCL still leads in terms of how thoroughly that flexibility is baked into the entire cruise experience.

If you're new to cruising or simply want a vacation that balances big-ship energy with customizable options, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is one of the best mainstream cruise lines you can book in 2025. NCL isn’t the cheapest cruise line, nor is it the most luxurious, but it consistently ranks as one of the most versatile — with a fleet that includes older, budget-friendly ships and brand-new vessels packed with splashy features like go-kart tracks, high-speed waterslides, and cutting-edge shows.

Plus, with activities like race tracks, NCL cruises are fun for all types of travelers, and its loyalty program can provide added perks along the way.

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(Top photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)