Your Guide to the Ultimate Norway Cruise

Table Of Content

• Top Destinations
• Norwegian Cruise Line credit card
• Alaska
• Which Norwegian Ship Has Go-Karts?

It'll also operate trips to Bermuda from New York City and Boston, usually with two ships, and trips to the Bahamas and the Caribbean out of Miami. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays. Norwegian Breakaway launched the Breakaway Class for NCL and was considered to be a huge success, so it’s a surprise for it to be ranked so low down. The waterslides are incredible, although I couldn’t try all of them due to being pregnant at the time. Despite joining the fleet in 2004, the Norwegian Spirit is actually the oldest ship in the fleet, having been constructed in 1998.

Top Destinations

Reading the reviews, the negative comments are mainly those levelled at the cruise line as a whole – disorganisation at ports, the expense of paying extra for so much on-board, and pre-cruise service. So it feels a little harsh that this exciting, feature-packed ship is nearer the bottom of the list. It’s a smaller ship in the fleet, so better suited to adults who want a more relaxing break. Norwegian Encore is an almost identical copy of Norwegian Bliss, the most popular ship in the fleet.

Norwegian Cruise Line credit card

Get the latest cruise deals and vacation specials sent straight to your inbox. The line's relatively new Norwegian Prima will operate a single Bermuda sailing out of New York at the end of 2024. Norwegian usually deploys two ships on Bermuda runs every year — one out of New York City and one out of Boston. Norwegian's seven Western Caribbean voyages will typically include a visit to Roatan, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico.

Alaska

If you're after something more adrenaline pumping, you can spot polar bears and the midnight sun on cruises into Norway's arctic reaches. And if you want to see the Northern Lights in Norway, that's on the cruise menu too. The Norwegian Sky is a relatively small cruiser most popular for weekend trips to the Bahamas. She is one of the oldest cruisers in NCL’s fleet, but the 2019 renovations brought some much-needed upgrades.

In fact, the main dining room menu is offered in the Manhattan Room, the large dining room, as well as the Savor and Taste restaurants. With that being said, here are the 6 best Norwegian cruise ships for families, as well as the answers to some frequently asked questions. ● For warm water cruisers, we found amazing deals on Norwegian's Bermuda/Bahamas combo cruises, with balcony cabins around $89 per person per night. Skip winter and check into brighter days, warm turquoise waters and tangerine sunsets on a Caribbean cruise. We’ve added longer itineraries in addition to our shorter cruises— giving you more time to immerse in port and to soak up all the fun in the sun on shore. Norway cruise itineraries depart from a variety of cities, though most begin in Bergen or Oslo.

She’s also one of the oldest ships the company still has in operation, as she’s been around since 2005. The ship was renovated in 2018, so all the onboard amenities are pretty much brand new. The Norwegian Bliss is one of NCL’s most popular cruisers capable of carrying a little over 4,000 passengers and some 1,700 crew members. Accommodation options include everything from a single bed to a private villa with butler service, so there’s something for everyone’s budget.

Which Norwegian Ship Has Go-Karts?

The 8 Best Norway Cruises to Book Now - AFAR Media

The 8 Best Norway Cruises to Book Now.

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Fares rise again for holiday cruises, even though there are often amazing deals between Thanksgiving and the middle of December. The Norwegian Jade is one of the older ships in the fleet, but she got fully renovated in 2017. The ship is capable of transporting 2,402 passengers and 1,037 crew members to destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.

For would-be Norwegian cruisers, Norwegian Sky's shorter sailings out of Miami serve as a sort of "test the line" opportunity. Their short time frame and low pricing mean you're not out a lot in time or money if you don't love it as much as you hoped. These shorter sailings cater heavily to first-time cruisers and Florida locals who can book on short notice and drive into the port for a quick escape. At 169,116 tons and carrying 3,958 passengers, Norwegian Encore is the largest ship in the Norwegian fleet. That means it has the most space for the many over-the-top family fun zones that are at the core of the four Breakaway-Plus vessels — a series of ships that was specifically designed with families in mind. A 15-day ‘Viking Homelands' itinerary from Viking Ocean Cruises starts in Stockholm.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Celebrates Its Newest Prima Class Ship: 'Viva'.

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The updates brought quite a variety of new adult-only venues, including the guest-favorite O’Sheehan’s Bar And Grill and NCL’s first 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar. The Norwegian Dawn sets sail from New York, Tampa, Venice, Rome, and Barcelona, transporting passengers throughout Europe, or to the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Panama Canal. The Norwegian Pearl is most popular for affordable weekend cruises to the Bahamas. The round trip from Miami starts at some $370, which is one of the most popular cruises for the ship. Dine, dance, laugh, and relax with onboard activities, premier entertainment, and unforgettable shore excursions.

Just be prepared for the extra charges across the entire fleet – a lot of reviewers weren’t happy with the costs they incurred during their cruise, no matter which ship they sailed on. It might be worth booking an NCL drinks package at least, so that you don’t get charged for every drink you order. For adults who want a varied cruise, the Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva are much newer, have a lot more to do, and feel like a luxury resort. The nicest NCL ship is Norwegian Viva, which is the newest ship in the fleet. She has been designed to offer more space, so that she feels a little less crowded than the Breakaway Plus ships, without sacrificing any of the exciting attractions you’ll find onboard.

It calls in to historic ports including the Åland Islands, Gdansk, Bornholm, Copenhagen and Aalborg on its way to Norway and the fjords. This itinerary includes just one fjord–the Hardangerfjord on the way to and from Eidfjord–but it might suit those looking for a wider introduction to the region. Many other cruise lines provide regular trips to the fjords, with departures from various U.K. Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) are among the options.

Their ships sail to all parts of the planet, and they’re known for amazing service and a great amount of freedom for passengers. Experience a once-in-a-lifetime moment you will never forget while witnessing the icy-blue glaciers and unique wildlife of Alaska. Walk through Greece's enchanting, sun-bleached streets, or find your own paradise in a secret beach in The Caribbean. Our award-winning ships are designed for you to enjoy as you choose while cruising to the most beautiful destinations around the world. No matter where your dream vacation takes you, feel free to cruise your way.

Accommodation options onboard include everything from small cabins to spacious suites, but without the most luxurious suites that have their own butlers. The cruiser ship is one of NCL’s smallest, capable of transporting 2,004 passengers and 899 crew members. Guests can choose between four different room types, ranging from small cabins to suites that are up to 835 square feet. The Norwegian Epic is one of NCL’s largest cruisers, capable of transporting around 4,100 passengers and 1,724 crew members.

6 Best Norwegian Cruises for Families in 2024 Complete Guide

Table Of Content

• CardMatch
• The Best Options For A Norwegian Fjords Cruise In 2023
• Norwegian Cruise Line credit card
• Norwegian Sky: Best for budget travelers
• Who sails Norwegian Cruise Line?

Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva were built with a higher ratio of space to passengers than earlier Norwegian vessels, which itself is an upscale touch. The ships also have a higher crew-to-passenger ratio than many Norwegian ships, leading to better service. If it's swanky digs you're after (and you have the money to spend), you'll find plenty of options on these ships.

CardMatch

The Norwegian Escape sets sail from New York City, Miami, Orlando, Copenhagen, Rome, and London, taking thousands of passengers on cruises to the Caribbean, Bermuda, and select destinations in Europe. Beginning and ending on the island of Oahu, the itinerary includes two days each on the islands of Maui, Kauai and Hawaii. The two-day visit to Maui involves an overnight stay at the port of Kahului.

The Best Options For A Norwegian Fjords Cruise In 2023

All cabins on Norwegian vessels have standard North American-style, 110-volt outlets and European-style, 220-volt outlets. Norwegian also offers dedicated teen zones and programming on ships for children ages 13 to 17. Called Entourage, the teen zone is a place for teens to hang out, dance and play games, and it's supervised by counselors who plan activities and challenges. Norwegian also has rooms on its ships for babies and toddlers ages 6 months to 3 years.

Norwegian Cruise Line credit card

Viking Ocean Cruises also incorporates at least one fjord into several of its Northern Europe itineraries, such as the 8-day ‘Viking shores & fjords’ sailing from Amsterdam to Bergen via the Geirangerfjord. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line visits the Geirangerfjord or Nordfjord on many of its itineraries billed as ‘Iceland & Norway’ or ‘Northern Europe’. MSC offers cruises to at least one fjord in many of its Northern Europe itineraries from Kiel, Germany. While you’ll see spectacular scenery throughout the voyage, the number of fjords visited by the ship is actually very small. Sailing into Northern Norway’s narrow Trollfjord is a wonderful experience and during the summer the ships also sail along the Geirangerfjord, but otherwise these are not fjord-focused voyages. Dating back to 1893, dual-purpose vessels have traversed the Norwegian coastline, offering both cargo and passenger services.

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The cabins measure just 100 square feet but are superbly designed to maximize storage space. They're also clustered around the exclusive Studio Lounge, which has its own private bar and a television area where solo travelers can mingle at daily hosted happy hour gatherings. Here we list our top picks for the best Norwegian cruise ships for five different types of travelers. Many other cruise lines include a Norwegian fjord on a longer itinerary, which also features one or more of the British Isles, the north of Norway, Iceland or southern Scandinavia and the Baltic region. The ships call at many of the 34 port calls for just a few minutes, enough time to unload and load cargo and passengers. Passengers do get a few hours to wander around bigger ports like Ålesund, Trondheim and Tromsø.

Who sails Norwegian Cruise Line?

In fact, for a long time, the regions were so much the focus that the line included "Caribbean" in its name. In Northern Europe, Norwegian ships mostly sail out of Amsterdam, Stockholm, Copenhagen, England's Southampton and Reykjavík in Iceland. In northern Europe, Norwegian will take you to such famed Baltic cities as Stockholm; Tallinn, Estonia; and Helsinki in a single sailing. Norwegian Sun is also among the smaller and less family-oriented ships deployed to Alaska during the summer season, making it a preferred choice for retirees interested in this destination. The full roster of onboard amenities can be found on the Norwegian Cruise Line website.

With a tonnage of 77,104 and a capacity for 2,002 passengers, it is considerably smaller and offers fewer venues, including bars, restaurants, and entertainment spaces. Unlike the larger ships, it lacks features like a water park or go-kart track, making it less suitable for family travel. According to reviews and our testing methodology, the best NCL ship is Norwegian Bliss. But ultimately, the best ship for you depends on your preference and taste. The newer ships offer a lot of features and activities, so they’re great for families.

Choosing The Best Norwegian Cruise Line Ship For You

In some cases, the Club Balcony may cost just under $100 more per person than a standard. Finding a good deal on a Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) cruise can be tricky, but it's not impossible. Just because a cruise fare says "deal" doesn't mean it's the best price out there - in fact, it often takes a lot of digging and quite a bit of math to unearth the real deals. Although it may be difficult to find deals at first, once you know where and when to look, it becomes much easier. And stay tuned as many exciting new cruise itineraries continue to be unveiled.

Norwegian Epic – Overall Score: 8.7/10

The ship is very popular with families thanks to the age-appropriate clubs for kids and teens, a dinosaur-themed pool, and a spacious video arcade. There are also many amenities for adults, including six hot tubs, a spa center, a casino, and 14 different dining venues. Eight of those are specialty restaurants that are available to guests at an extra fee, and they also include fan-favorites from other cruisers like the Brazilian Steakhouse and the 24-hour O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill. The Norwegian Breakaway is a large cruiser with a capacity for 3,963 passengers and 1,657 crew members. She’s a popular ship for family cruises, thanks to a wide variety of entertainment options for kids and teens.

For the more adventurous, a Norway cruise to the Arctic just might be the best option. However, you don't need an expedition ship to visit Norway's Arctic destinations, which include Tromso, Honningsvag and the North Cape, Svalbard (Spitsbergen) and the Lofoten Islands. Many mainstream and luxury lines offer itineraries to these ports, though the cruises typically last two to three weeks and may include some southern Norway destinations, too. There’s also an aqua park just for adults, as well as a variety of entertainment shows ranging from rock’n’roll concerts to stand-up comedy. The ship also boasts about 25 different dining options that include fan favorites from other cruisers like Cagney’s Steakhouse. The Norwegian Star is a mid-size cruiser capable of carrying 2,348 passengers and 1,031 crew members.

In addition to entertainment spaces, the interiors of Norwegian ships are loaded with other venues where passengers can kick back and let loose day and night. One notable outlier among the smaller ships is the 2,186-passenger Pride of America. Sporting a patriotic U.S. theme (you'll find venues named after Thomas Jefferson and John Adams), and a distinct array of lounges and entertainment, it's the only big cruise vessel based year-round in Hawaii. Norwegian ships are also loaded with bars, lounges and nightclubs, including always-busy casinos. Put it all together, and you have vessels with a very lively atmosphere — particularly at night.

So, if you’re someone who values a bit more personal space, this is something to consider. As you accrue nights, you earn elite status that delivers onboard benefits that grow with each status tier. Norwegian Viva launched in the summer of 2023, making it the newest ship for NCL.

On Norwegian's recently built Breakaway Plus-class ships, there are up to 20 places to grab a bite, ranging from high-end French restaurants and steakhouses to casual pubs. However, unlike Royal Caribbean, Norwegian hasn't retained any of the trappings of old-style cruising. There are no formal nights, as you'll still find on Royal Caribbean ships, or dress codes. Norwegian has also thoroughly done away with the concept of big main restaurants with fixed seating. Norwegian appeals to vacationers who want a big-resort experience at sea with lots of options for dining and entertainment.

Norwegian ships also all have Mandara Spas, which can be quite big on the bigger vessels, and there are fitness centers on every ship. Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Epic, for instance, have the Cavern Club, a reproduction of the British club that gave rise to the Beatles. It comes complete with a cover band that plays the group's greatest hits. Many of Norwegian's biggest ships have state-of-the-art theaters as big as those you'd find on Broadway, with big-name productions to match.