History

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) was founded in 1966 by Knut Kloster and Ted Arison with a vision to make cruising more accessible to the general public. The company started with a single ship, the Sunward, offering affordable Caribbean voyages. Over the decades, Norwegian revolutionized the cruise industry by introducing innovations such as the first-ever private island experience at Great Stirrup Cay in the 1970s and Freestyle Cruising in 2000, which offered passengers more flexibility with dining and entertainment options.

Today, NCL is one of the leading cruise lines in the world, with a fleet of 19 ships visiting more than 400 destinations worldwide. Known for its casual atmosphere, cutting-edge entertainment, and modern amenities, Norwegian has consistently pushed the boundaries of cruise vacations, introducing mega-ships like the Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Encore. The company continues to expand with new builds and sustainability initiatives, aiming to create exceptional vacation experiences for its guests.

Dining on Norwegian Cruise Line

• Complimentary Dining: NCL offers a wide range of free dining options included in the fare, and their Freestyle Dining concept allows guests to dine when and where they like. Here are some options:

  • Main Dining Rooms: The ship has several main dining rooms (e.g., The Manhattan Room, Taste, and Savor) offering rotating menus with delicious global cuisine and no set dining times.

  • Buffet: The Garden Café buffet offers casual dining with a wide variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

  • Casual Eats: Options like the Local Bar & Grill offer complimentary comfort food like burgers and wings 24/7, perfect for a quick bite.

• Specialty Dining (Premium): NCL’s specialty restaurants offer unique, elevated dining experiences for an additional fee. These are perfect for celebrating special occasions or simply upgrading the cruise experience:

  • Cagney’s Steakhouse: A classic American steakhouse offering premium cuts of meat and seafood.

  • Teppanyaki: A fun and interactive Japanese hibachi experience.

  • Le Bistro: A French restaurant offering elegant cuisine and a romantic setting.

  • La Cucina: Italian dining featuring fresh pasta, gourmet pizzas, and classic dishes.

  • Ocean Blue: Fresh seafood and fine dining with waterfront seating (on select ships).

• Dining Packages: NCL offers specialty dining packages, allowing guests to dine at several of these premium restaurants at a discounted price if they pre-purchase.

Onboard Entertainment

NCL is known for its vibrant entertainment lineup, offering world-class shows, live music, and thrilling performances, much of which is included in the fare:

• Broadway Shows: Norwegian is one of the few cruise lines to offer Broadway-caliber shows like "Kinky Boots", "Footloose", and "Six: The Musical". These shows are typically free and performed in the main theater.

• The Cavern Club: On some ships, guests can enjoy a Beatles cover band playing live in a recreation of the famous Liverpool club.

• Comedy and Live Music: Ships often have comedy clubs like Headliners Comedy Club, live bands, and piano bars with interactive music and sing-alongs.

• Cirque Dreams: Certain ships, like the Norwegian Epic and Breakaway, have exclusive Cirque-style acrobatic performances (premium seating available).

Activities on Norwegian Cruise Line

NCL offers a variety of activities for all types of travelers, from relaxation to adventure, much of which is included:

• Pools and Aqua Parks: Norwegian ships have multi-level water parks with thrilling slides like the Free Fall or Aqua Racer, and kid-friendly splash zones. These are complimentary and fun for all ages.

• Sports Complex: Some ships, like the Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Escape, have a multi-level sports complex featuring mini-golf, a rock-climbing wall, basketball courts, and a ropes course with the famous plank walk that extends over the edge of the ship.

• Go-Kart Racing and Laser Tag: Norwegian's larger ships, like the Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Joy, feature an electric go-kart race track and laser tag arena, offering thrills for an additional fee.

• Fitness and Wellness: Guests can access the fitness center and participate in free classes like stretching or use the jogging track. Spa treatments, including the Thermal Suite with a snow room, salt room, and heated lounges, are available for an extra fee.

• The Mandara Spa: Norwegian offers a luxurious spa experience with services like massages, facials, acupuncture, and a thermal suite that features saunas, steam rooms, and whirlpools for an additional fee.

• Kids and Teens Clubs: NCL has a complimentary Splash Academy for kids (ages 3-12) and the Entourage Teen Club for ages 13-17, which offer supervised activities and hangouts. Babysitting services are available for an additional fee.

Freestyle Cruising

One of Norwegian’s biggest selling points is its Freestyle Cruising concept, which allows passengers to enjoy a flexible schedule without strict dining times, formal nights, or dress codes. This flexibility makes it easy to participate in various onboard activities without worrying about a set itinerary.