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Table Of Content

• I tried the newest ships from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Norwegian. Here’s how they compare
• Norwegian Jewel13-Day Denali/Talkeetna Explorer
• Fun facts (company & ships)
• Search underway for 3 missing Colombians from Norwegian Sky cruise ship
• - 2025 Caribbean Cruises
• Venice removed from NCL-Norwegian's 2024-2025 cruise itineraries due to regulatory measures

At 78,309 tons, Norwegian Sun is less than half the size of the biggest Norwegian ships, and it holds just 1,878 passengers at double occupancy. (Compare that to more than 4,000 for Norwegian's biggest vessels.) Expect a far more intimate experience than what you'll find on most of the ships mentioned above. The sailings out of Papeete will offer the chance to visit such iconic French Polynesian islands as Bora Bora, Raiatea and Moorea. Ia and Thailand in-depth, with departures ranging from 13 to 18 nights — the sort of cruise that appeals more to older couples than families. The bigger Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss all have an 82-cabin solo complex, while two older ships — Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway — have solo areas with 59 cabins. The line's two newest vessels, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian VIva, have 72-cabin solo complexes spread over two decks.

I tried the newest ships from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Norwegian. Here’s how they compare

A bigger caveat, perhaps, is that these solo cabins have become so popular they often sell out far in advance and at prices that aren't much better than booking a cabin for two. Norwegian Epic was the first Norwegian ship with an exclusive solos zone, and it was such a hit the line later added them to eight more vessels. 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.

Norwegian Jewel13-Day Denali/Talkeetna Explorer

Extending its animal welfare policy, the shipowner is now fully committed to responsible animal food sourcing practices (regarding pork, chicken, eggs, and seafood) within the global fleet's supply chain. The goal is by the year 2025, fleetwide (NCL, Oceania, Regent) to be sourced only cage-free eggs, crate-free pork, certified sustainable seafood, and chicken purchased from American and Canadian suppliers who meet GAP (Global Animal Partnership) standards. In February 2016, Norwegian ordered 4 new ships from Fincantieri under the codename Project Leonardo, to be delivered in 2022–2025. In July 2018, NCL confirmed that they had ordered 2 more ships to be delivered in 2026–27. On December 9, 2019, the keel of the first ship was laid down and named Norwegian Prima. It was launched in August 2021 and commenced sailing in the same month of 2022.

Fun facts (company & ships)

The Caribbean deployment is based on 7-day roundtrips from Port Canaveral to Puerto Plata (Dominicana), Road Town (Tortola BVI), Charlotte Amalie (St Thomas USVI) and Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas. Due to the COVID pandemic, NCLH's entire fleet (all vessels of the brands NCL-Norwegian, RSSC-Regent, Oceania) is with an expanded cancellation policy. All bookings on pre-scheduled itineraries (departures March 14, 2020, through April 30, 2021) were given the option to cancel (up to 48 hours prior departure) without penalties. Ship refurbishments were the biggest part of "The Norwegian Edge" (fleetwide upgrade program). Drydock refurbishments started in October 2015 with NCL Epic, followed NCL Gem in November 2015. Since December 2022, fleetwide (on all NCL boats) are offered soft drinks from The Coca-Cola Company.

Search underway for 3 missing Colombians from Norwegian Sky cruise ship

In October 2025, the ship starts an Eastern Caribbean program with 5- and 7-day roundtrips from Miami. In August 2025, NCL Aqua starts homeporting in NYC (New York USA) offering 5- and 7-day voyages to Bermuda (King's Wharf). Onboard specialty restaurants (a la carte priced or cover charge venues) add an 18% gratuity service charge. In April 2017, NCL announced it will employ certified lifeguards on some of its vessels (in summer 2017) and fleetwide (by the year 2018). The news made NCL the 3rd major cruise company with shipboard lifeguards - following Disney and Royal Caribbean.

- 2025 Caribbean Cruises

It also sends a few ships to Asia, Australia and South America, and it'll typically keep a single vessel in Europe, too. Unveiled in 2019, Norwegian Encore is, notably, the 23rd biggest cruise ship in the world as of this story's publishing (it will drop in the rankings over the coming years as additional megaships debut). While they may be the most affordable of the rooms onboard Norwegian Cruise Line ships, these standard cabins are very comfortable and have many modern amenities, making them the perfect home at sea.

Greece, Santorini

What's included in the fare is your lodging, meals (in non-extra-charge restaurants) and most entertainment. The line's ships are designed to offer a little something for everyone, and thus they appeal to a wide demographic, including couples of all ages and even solo travelers (the line has been a leader in adding solo cabins to ships in recent years). Around 17% smaller than Norwegian's biggest vessels, Prima and Viva are the first tow of six sister ships that the line will roll out between now and 2027 that will significantly change the composition of its fleet.

Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Over a Dozen Voyages in 2025 — What to Know - Travel + Leisure

Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Over a Dozen Voyages in 2025 — What to Know.

Posted: Mon, 08 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Venice removed from NCL-Norwegian's 2024-2025 cruise itineraries due to regulatory measures

The policy also includes the private islands Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas) and Harvest Caye (Belize). Passenger shipping operations started with one vessel (cruiseferry/combined cruise ship and car ferry) operating on short and cheap Caribbean roundtrips from the USA. When Ted Arison left NCL in 1972 (to establish CCL-Carnival Cruise Lines), Knut Kloster acquired more ships for NCL's Caribbean operations. As of August 2023[update], Norwegian Cruise Line operates 19 cruise ships, with four on order. All its ships are flagged to the Bahamas, except for the Pride of America, which operates cruises within the United States and is flagged and registered in the US, as well as being owned by a US-registered subsidiary, NCL America.

Norwegian announces eight new cruise ships, company's largest order - USA TODAY

Norwegian announces eight new cruise ships, company's largest order.

Posted: Mon, 08 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

I recommend taking a look at what bars and entertainment are offered onboard each ship. Once onboard their cruise, you can find the times and locations of entertainment inside the Freestyle Daily, the onboard ship schedule which is delivered to each stateroom cabin each night of the cruise, as well digitally in the Norwegian Cruise Line app. With 19 different cruise ships to choose from, there is a wide variety of vessels for prospective guests to choose from, meaning that they are capable of providing a wide breadth of opportunities and variety to their passengers. Brand-New Culinary and Bar Experiences Making its debut on the all-new Norwegian Aqua is Sukhothai, the Company’s first-ever Thai specialty restaurant, featuring an eclectic menu with authentic, traditional offerings with creative, dynamic flavors.

In 2023 (November-December) the ship is homeported in Baltimore (Maryland Cruise Terminal) for 5-day Bermuda and 12-day Caribbean itineraries. Call ports include Kings Wharf (Bermuda), as well as San Juan (Puerto Rico), Philipsburg (St Maarten), Basseterre (St Kitts), St Johns (Antigua), Charlotte Amalie (St Thomas USVI), Road Town (Tortola BVI) and Puerto Plata (Dominicana). (December 2022 and March 2023) NCL Prima from Port Canaveral offers day roundtrips to Western Caribbean. Norwegian Prima is a newbuild (2022) ship with Maiden Voyage currently scheduled for August 17, 2022. The inaugural season in Northern Europe (August 17 through September 13, 2022) includes 10-day Baltic itineraries leaving from Amsterdam and Copenhagen. From homeport Miami, the ship operates roundtrips (Sunday departures) on 7-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries with call ports San Juan Puerto Rico, St Thomas USVI, and Tortola BVI.

The strategy is expected to boost Norwegian Cruise’s product offering, guest experiences, and operational infrastructure. Norwegian doesn't have any formal nights, but there is an optional Norwegian's Night Out at least once per sailing, for which passengers are encouraged to dress up. You'll rarely see a tux or gown, but suits and cocktail dresses are not unheard of. For the active, outgoing guest, this tour offers spectacular vantage points of Mt. McKinley with time to purchase an optional all-day fishing excursion in Homer - the halibut capital of the world. A comprehensive Alaska Denali program in only six days, complete with riverboat and railroad experiences as well as a preview of Denali’s incredible wilderness.

That said, the line does offer some smaller ships that aren't quite as big and bustling as its giants. Since Norwegian Cruise Line does a great job of having something onboard for nearly everyone in the family, it's a great choice for multigenerational family vacations and adventures. Guppies is for the youngest sailors and offers a place for parents to interact with their children who are between the ages of 6 months and 3 years old, as well as those still in diapers. Something that I have noticed onboard some of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ships, such as Norwegian Viva, is the crowded pool area. Those who love to cruise are often able to find exceptional cruise itineraries at affordable prices with Norwegian Cruise Line; however, it can be important to read the fine print to avoid any frustrations during a cruise. I have found every NCL ship that I've sailed on to be beautiful and well-maintained.

It gives guests the ability to see a show, explore a port, or just relax by the pool without having to structure their entire day around an assigned dinner time. However, while the majority of travelers on Norwegian ships may be adults, there are still many programs and venues for children onboard. For those who would like to or need to fly to their cruise embarkation port, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a flight program in which they assist guests with booking airfare for them and managing flight details. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line charges guests for the ability to message other passengers onboard. While it is free to use the Norwegian Cruise Line app onboard a cruise, it is not free to use the onboard messaging system.

If you had to compare Norwegian ships to something on land, you'd probably say they were like floating versions of the casino resorts you find in Las Vegas. Norwegian Cruise Line offers many great itineraries during off-peak seasons, making these sailings more affordable. Additionally, NCL has frequent sales and promotions, as well as lowers the price of many cruise sailings the closer the date gets to embarkation.