Five essential things to know before you board a Norwegian Cruise Line ship

Telegraph

24-05-2025

Norwegian Cruise Line – affectionately dubbed NCL – has been shaking things up in the cruise world for nearly 60 years.
It was NCL that pioneered the private island trend when it opened Great Stirrup Cay – a beach haven in the Bahamas – back in 1977.
Other cruise companies, including Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises, followed in NCL's footsteps and purchased their own private islands, but decades later in the 1990s.
For its next trick, in 2007, NCL brought bowling onboard before introducing the Haven – a private ship-within-a-ship concept that other cruise lines have since adopted – in 2010.
However, it is overthrowing fixed dining – whereby you are allocated a table and time to dine for the duration of your sailing – that the line is arguably best known for. Instead it offers freestyle cruising: on NCL ships, guests get to eat when, where and with whom they wish.
This relaxed approach to dining proved such a hit that, once again, it wasn't long until competitors unveiled their own versions of Freestyle Dining – Holland America Line 's 'As You Wish' and Princess Cruises' 'Personal Choice' dining.
Never a line to rest on its laurels, NCL was also the first cruise outfit to offer studio cabins and accompanying lounges for solo travellers.
Today, NCL has 20 high-energy ships – including the new Norwegian Aqua, which boasts the world's first hybrid roller coaster and water slide at sea – in its fleet, with four more set to be launched by 2036.
1. Where does NCL cruise?
Worldwide to more than 400 destinations, including the Caribbean – where it has two private islands, Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas and Harvest Caye in Belize – Europe, and Alaska.
During the summer months, the line typically deploys nearly half its ships to Europe (destinations include the Greek islands, the Mediterranean, and northern Europe), while also sending several vessels to Alaska and operating cruises out of Boston and New York City to Bermuda.
In winter, NCL moves the lion's share of its fleet to the sun-kissed Caribbean. Make no mistake: the region is a big focus for NCL – so much so that, up until 1987, the outfit was known as Norwegian Caribbean Line.
Elsewhere, a few ships are redeployed to Asia, Australia, and South America, with one vessel staying on in Europe.
NCL has also become synonymous with sailings to Hawaii: the line's 2,150-passenger Pride of America is the only cruise ship in the world to sail year-round from Honolulu, with stops at four different islands and overnights in port at the islands of Kauai and Maui.
Repositioning cruises (whereby vessels relocate, when the weather turns chilly, from one part of the world to another for the start of a new season) are another option offered by NCL.
Since they often cross oceans, repositioning cruises invariably feature several sea days but NCL puts on a programme of activities – from line-dancing classes to trivia contests – to help passengers fill the time onboard.
2. Who does NCL appeal to?
The mainstream line prides itself on offering a flexible cruise experience – NCL introduced the idea of 'freestyle cruising' in 2000 as a way to attract customers who may be put off by the idea of a regimented holiday at sea.
Consequently, NCL appeals to passengers who relish the chance to eat spontaneously in any choice of restaurant, while eschewing dress codes and formal nights.
Much like Royal Caribbean – the line's closest competitor – NCL also attracts multi-generational groups and families who flock to its amenity-filled vessels: onboard, you'll find everything from water slides to go-kart tracks, miniature golf courses, climbing walls, and a cornucopia of children's clubs aimed at keeping little ones entertained and occupied.
But NCL doesn't just fit the bill for families. The line's top-notch evening entertainment – expect immersive shows celebrating music legends like Fleetwood Mac – live music bars, lounges and casinos entice couples too.
Solo travellers are no mere afterthought either: NCL was the first cruise company to build ships with staterooms and lounge areas designed specifically for solo travellers. It now offers 1,000 solo cabins across the fleet.
What unites NCL guests is their belief that bigger is better: while the line does have a few smaller ships, the overwhelming majority are huge vessels that are essentially giant playgrounds.
Subtle? As the colourful hull art across NCL's fleet attests, the line doesn't know the meaning of the word.
3. NCL's fleet
There are currently 20 ships in the fleet. These can be divided into 10 classes (or groups), which are as follows: Breakaway Plus, Breakaway, Prima, Prima Plus, Epic, Jewel, Pride of America, Dawn, Sun and Spirit.
Breakaway Plus
Norwegian Encore (3,958 passengers), Norwegian Bliss (4,010), Norwegian Joy (3,776), Norwegian Escape (4,218)
If you're a fan of floating-resort-style vessels packed with plenty of places to eat and a plethora of ways to party, then Breakaway Plus – stretched versions of the line's Breakaway ships – is the NCL ship-class for you.
These monster ships offer a dizzying array of amenities – from gargantuan go-kart tracks to water slides, vast spas, state-of-the-art theatres, and a staggering 20 restaurants.
Should the prospect of thousands of fellow guests seem overwhelming, the Haven – a high-end ship-within-a-ship concept – offers a quieter and more luxurious environment.
Sails to
Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Canada and New England, South America
Breakaway
Norwegian Getaway (3,903 passengers), Norwegian Breakaway (3,903)
Breakaway-class ships are similar to Breakaway Plus-class ships, only slightly smaller.
The two ships came with plenty of firsts including a full-size ropes course, a large water park and cabins designed specifically for solo travellers.
What you won't find onboard a Breakaway-class ship is peace and quiet: these mega ships, much like their Breakaway Plus-class siblings, accommodate close to 4,000 passengers at full occupancy.
Sails to
Bermuda, the Caribbean, Canada and New England, the Mediterranean
Prima
Norwegian Prima (3,099 passengers), Norwegian Viva (3,195)
Norwegian Prima and Viva are noticeably smaller than the line's behemoth Breakaway-class ships, but are still packed with places to play – from go-kart tracks spread over three decks (an industry first) to a theatre that transforms into a vibrant nightclub.
But Prima and Viva aren't all about over-the-top entertainment. Both ships are more upscale than their predecessors – something reflected in the number of suite categories (13) available to passengers.
Sails to
Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Bermuda, transatlantic
Prima Plus
Norwegian Aqua (3,571 passengers)
The first vessel in NCL's new Prima Plus-class, Norwegian Aqua is 10 per cent larger than its predecessors, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.
The ship has hit the headlines for its Aqua Slidecoaster – a thrilling combination roller coaster and water slide – but there are a number of ​​other new activities onboard too including Glow Court, a new digital sport complex with an LED floor; plant-based dining venue Planterie; expanded pool area, NCL's first ever Thai restaurant, Sukhothai; and Revolution, an immersive productionset to the music of Prince.
Sails to
The Caribbean, Bermuda
Epic
Norwegian Epic (4,070 passengers)
With its blockish design, Norwegian Epic has long been described as one of the ugliest cruise ships around.
Some of its cabins have also come in for criticism due to the fact that the sink is situated next to bed, while the en suite has been replaced with separate shower and toilet cubicles.
It's little wonder, then, that the line cancelled ​​plans for a second and third ship in its class.
Nonetheless, Norwegian Epic has won a legion of fans thanks to innovative features like an ice bar, tube-and-bowl water slide, and a three-lane bowling alley.
Epic was also the first cruise ship to introduce solo studio cabins in a bid to make a holiday at sea more attractive and – crucially – affordable to those travelling by themselves.
Sails to
The Caribbean, the Mediterranean
Jewel
Norwegian Gem (2,344 passengers), Norwegian Jade (2,352), Norwegian Pearl (2,344), Norwegian Jewel (2,376)
Introduced in 2005, Norwegian Jewel was the first of the new namesake class. Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Jade followed the subsequent year, with Norwegian Gem completing the lineup in 2007.
The fab four offer many of the benefits of being onboard a larger ship – live entertainment, a cornucopia of bars, restaurants, and lounges, and multiple pools – but without the crowds you'll find on Prima, Breakaway Plus, and Breakaway ships.
Sails to
Alaska, Asia, Bermuda, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Europe, the Mediterranean
Pride of America
Pride of America (2,150 passengers)
Refurbished in 2022, Pride of America is staffed by a predominantly American crew – a stipulation of ships that sail exclusively in US waters. And, in keeping with local Hawaii regulations, it's also the only NCL vessel not to feature a casino.
What you will find onboard, however, are hot tubs, saunas, an open-air swimming pool and bars including Pink's Champagne Bar and Waikiki Beach Bar – where you can order an expertly-made Mai Tai, Hawaii's most famous drink.
Sails to
Hawaii
Dawn
Norwegian Dawn (2,290 passengers), Norwegian Star (2,298)
NCL's two mid-sized, Dawn-class ships both offer plenty of things to do – from golf driving nets to whirlpools, a spa, and speciality restaurants including Cagney's Steakhouse and French favourite Le Bistro – without being overcrowded.
All of which means that if you're looking to bridge the gap between an intimate-sized vessel with bags of character but few facilities, and a mega ship offering every amenity under the sun but hosting hordes of people, the Norwegian Dawn class could be the answer.
Sails to
Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Bermuda, transatlantic, South Pacific, Africa, Asia, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal
Sun
Norwegian Sky (1,944 passengers), Norwegian Sun (1,878)
Launched in 1999 and 2001 respectively, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun are among the oldest and smallest ships in NCL's fleet.
As with all NCL ships, there are swimming pools, whirlpools, a jogging track, basketball court, casinos and theatres that stage nightly shows.
However, Sun-class ships lack the over-the-top attractions that the line has become synonymous with in recent years: think virtual-reality gaming and go-kart race tracks.
To this end, they tend to attract passengers who don't need all the bells and whistles and favour a port-intensive sailing.
Sails to
Africa, Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, Asia, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, the Mediterranean, Panama Canal, South Pacific
Spirit
Norwegian Spirit (1,972 passengers)
The line's oldest ship, Norwegian Spirit, is also its smallest – and consequently appeals to passengers after a more intimate version of NCL's offering.
Due to its smaller size, Norwegian Spirit has fewer facilities and amenities than the line's newest vessels but there's still plenty to keep you entertained onboard – from multiple pool areas to a plethora of restaurants and bars, a basketball court, casino, jogging track, spa, nightclub and theatre.
Sails to
Alaska, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, South Pacific, Hawaii
4. Loyalty scheme
Latitudes is NCL's loyalty programme, and it has seven tiers. The more you sail with NCL, the more points you'll accrue. Points can be converted into perks, which range from discounts on shore excursions to complimentary meals at speciality restaurants.
5. Access for guests with disabilities
NCL says that it 'is committed to providing inclusivity and access to world-class holiday experience' and asks guests to complete its accessibility and medical questionnaire in advance. A trained member of the reservations department will then get back to you to discuss the various options.