Expert review of Norwegian Cruise Line
Best for
Families and couples who appreciate innovative dining, entertainment, and activities. Plus, singles will be wowed by Norwegian's studio cabins.
Not for
Introverts and cruise purists who may prefer traditional ships over these resorts-at-sea.
We love
- Creative dining outlets, including a Chinese noodle bar and a lobster roll stand.
- The studio cabins on newer ships make it the most affordable line for solo cruisers.
- Haven suites, which share a private sundeck, feel like a mini-luxury ship within a mass-market one.
- While other lines have comedy acts, Second City offers improv on these ships, and Norwegian Breakaway’s edgy Broadway show, “Rock of Ages,” pushes boundaries. (Picture bra dancing, potty-mouth language, and adult themes.)
- Original activities for grown-ups include onboard pub crawls that will make you feel like an undergrad again.
- On Breakaway and Epic, the water park and sports decks — which include a bungee trampoline, a spider web climbing frame, and multiple corkscrew water slides, as well as a ropes course on Breakaway — are outstanding.
- Kids love the family breakfast with Nickelodeon characters.
- Bars and eateries on Breakaway’s Waterfront deck have the best setting at sea.
We could live without
- Compared to those on Carnival and Holland America, The standard cabins on Norwegian cruise ships are tight, especially the bathrooms.
- Nickel and diming for food: Other than the main dining room and buffet, there is a charge (from $15 to $75) for almost everything else.