Norwegian Cruise Line - Cruise Line and Cruise Ship Reviews

Entertainment On Norwegian Cruise Line
Entertainment-wise, Norwegian Cruise Line shines. Its newest ship, Norwegian Epic, is one of the best entertainment ships at sea, with four large-scale shows presented regularly on board — including a full production by the Blue Man Group that’s easily one of the very best shows at sea today. Norwegian Cruise Line's other ships feature production shows that are way above average, with inspired themes, music, and choreography. Many also offer sketch and improv comedy shows from the famed Second City Comedy Troupe, whose alumni include Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert, and Tina Fey.

Activities On Norwegian Cruise Line
Fleetwide, Norwegian Cruise Line's ships offer all the usual cruise activities, and more. You can take improv comedy workshops, dance lessons, bartending and cooking classes, or various other enrichment lectures; play Wii games on a two-story screen; participate in a talent show; participate in a wine tasting or beer tasting session; play basketball; work out at the gym; go broke or win big in the casino; or get a massage or makeover at the spa. Kids get a full program of activities divided into several age group; large and creative kids’ and teen centers; family activities like pizza parties and scavenger hunts; and, on Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Jewel, special programming created in partnership with Nickelodeon™, including poolside games, the messy Slime Time Live! game show, dancing and singing with Dora the Explorer, and breakfasts with SpongeBob SquarePants.

Suites & Staterooms On Norwegian Cruise Line
Accommodations tend to be about average for the industry, with standard cabins a bit smaller than those aboard some other competing lines. Decor is generally a mix of stylish and fun elements — say, nice wood paneling with bright, island-colored carpets and fabrics. On most of the ships, folks with some money to spend can opt for “The Haven by Norwegian,” a separate first-class section sequestered away toward the top of many of Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships, offering spacious accommodations and a private courtyard, private sundeck, a concierge lounge, and (on some ships) exclusive restaurants, bars, and fitness centers, all reserved for Haven guests only.

Norwegian’s New Epic: Big And Boxy On The Outside; Busy And Noisy Inside, Will You Love It Or Leave It?

by Ralph Grizzle. An award-winning travel writer, and recognized cruise ship expert.

It’s big and boxy on the outside, busy and noisy on the inside. With 20 dining options and 20 bars and lounges, Norwegian Epic features industry-first solo traveler cabins and innovative balcony staterooms, plus a lot more. Will you love it or leave it?

As our motorcoach approached the Southampton docks, I braced myself. Before me was a vessel that looked nearly as much like a container ship as it did a cruise ship. In the glow of a Southampton sunset, Norwegian Epic’s towering exterior appeared odd, with a flat aft and a Lego-like forward section, unlike any ship I had ever seen.

Despite its odd design, Epic represents what Norwegian Cruise Line hopes will be a turn-around for the company, or as CEO Kevin Sheehan put it during a press conference on Epic, the incarnation of ”the new Norwegian Cruise Line.”

My question before boarding Epic was whether the ship would, in fact, redefine Norwegian Cruise Line. I harbored hopes that it would.

At first glance, however, I had my doubts about Epic. Entering the ship did little to ease my doubts. Big and boxy on the outside, Epic was busy and noisy on the inside.

Epic’s Din & Decibels
Even with half of the full passenger complement, fewer than 2,500 press and travel agents, Norwegian Epic's public areas were densely peopled, the bars and restaurants crowded. There was no place devoid of decibels.

I was ready to give up hope. But hold on, I thought to myself, I am a professional. Make an objective assessment. I had just come off of Crystal Symphony, carrying slightly more than 900 passengers. Epic could top out at more than 4,600. I had to remember that I was going from a vessel in the luxury segment, with a much higher price point, to a vessel in the contemporary or mass market segment. Add to that that this was not a regular sailing but rather an introduction of Epic to travel agents and press.

Three successive thoughts help me temper my initial culture-shock about Epic: 1) British travel agents on something like a holiday, 2) only two nights to party, 3) and this one is important, open bar. Oh, and England was competing in the World Cup on a large-screen television. You get the picture.

Several hours late boarding (due to Epic’s late arrival in Southampton), I was paraded directly to my stateroom to drop my luggage then to the Argentine-inspired Moderno Churrascaria, which shares space with Cagney’s Steakhouse. The presentation of meat carved at the table was well done, and the food was good.

After a quick dinner, our group proceeded to the Manhattan Room for entertainment by Madonna, Elvis and Tina Turner look-alikes, and desserts. Again, great entertainment; tasty sweets.

Marching again, we headed to the upper decks to Spice H2O for a FABBA performance, where high-energy performers entertained us with ABBA favorites.

Around midnight, we stopped in at Headliners, where dueling piano players performed a mostly comedic act in “Howl at the Moon.”

After four hours of nonstop entertainment, my ears were buzzing when I returned to my room after midnight.

Bath & Bed
I was unable to immediately assess whether I liked my stateroom or not. As has been widely publicized, Epic’s staterooms are more curvy than boxy. The bathroom configuration turned out to be a point of controversy. Some loved it; some hated it. The toilet is in an enclosed capsule on one side as you enter the room, the shower is in an enclosed capsule on the other side, and the sink is close enough to the bed that I could have brushed my teeth with my head on my pillow.

The bed, though wide enough, missed accommodating the length of my body by about half a foot, and thus, I slept sideways. I appreciated the large, flat-screen television, the coffee-maker and the roomy balcony. Also, in a nod to environmental conservation, the stateroom keycard must be inserted into a slot to activate the light switches in the room. Kudos to Norwegian Cruise Line for that.

Similar to rooms at European hotel, keycards power the room.

The next morning, Norwegian Cruise Line’s publicist told me that tonight we would experience sensory overload. “I thought that was last night,” I jokingly replied.

The on-board ambience is intended to be busy and buzzing, Norwegian Cruise Line execs say. With 20 bars and lounges and an equal number (or possibly more – it’s difficult to keep count) dining options, Epic clearly follows in the wake of Oasis as an entertainment extravaganza.

On a weeklong cruise on either ship, I think I would miss the close connection with the sea. Epic is more like Vegas than it is a cruise ship. However, that said, Epic grew on me during the 36 hours I was on board.

The Blue Man Group put on one of the best shows I’ve ever seen, at sea or otherwise. And there is nothing at sea like the Cirque Dreams & Dinner, which featured a Broadway-style show and acrobatics. Cirque’s meat and potatoes dinner was a bit heavy, so I skipped it and hit the Wasabi sushi bar after the show.

NCL says that upscale cruisers would be happy in Norwegian Epic’s Courtyard villas, which were not completed during our brief inspection. Perhaps, but it wouldn’t be my first choice as a luxury cruiser. Of course, I am one who is happier looking out at the sea than I am watching high-energy performances. With my children, however, there’s no doubt that Epic would be a hit.

Is this the ship that will launch the new Norwegian Cruise Line? I’m not sure. What is certain is that the new ship certainly represents an epic moment in the cruise line's 40-year history.

Ship Review: Norwegian Pearl

by Ralph Grizzle. An award-winning travel writer, and recognized cruise ship expert.

Ship: Norwegian Pearl
Entered Service: November 28, 2006
Where I Saw Her: Miami, on a two-night ‘cruise to nowhere.’

Sister Act: Sister ship to Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Star, the 2,400-passenger Norwegian Pearl was to be an identical twin to Jewel, but top brass decided on additional features, such as an industry-first bowling alley; and two Norwegian Cruise Line firsts — a rock-climbing wall and two Deluxe Owner’s Suites.

Lucky Strike: The most talked about feature on Pearl is the bowling alley. The four-lane, ten-pin bowling alley is situated aft on Deck 7 in the Bliss Ultra Lounge & Nightclub. The cost, which includes shoe rental, is $5 per person, per game. I bowled and saw little impact from the ship’s movement on the ‘roll-true’ lanes, but the fact that we were bowling at sea (on a moving vessel) made a great excuse for gutter balls.

Rock On: Pearl also features a rock-climbing wall. Hmm. Doesn’t another cruise line feature rock-climbing walls? Clearly, Norwegian Cruise Line doesn’t mind borrowing good ideas from Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines. Pearl also features a waterslide on the pool deck, a la Carnival, (Pearl’s is not as big as Carnival’s), and the main lobby features a big screen, a la Princess, Carnival and Disney Cruise Line.

Freestyle: The challenge for Norwegian Cruise Line, and indeed for all cruise lines, is to distinguish and differentiate. Norwegian Cruise Line is doing a good job at that with its Freestyle Cruising concept, which seeks to remove all the perceived constraints of cruising, such as assigned dining times and dress codes.

Moreover, Norwegian Cruise Line is seeking to bury the idea that its fleet is comprised only of midsize and older ships, which is ‘absolutely not the reality,’ the company’s Andy Stuart told The Avid Cruiser. Pearl is the ninth new big ship in Norwegian’s fleet since 2000, and with three additional ships coming, the company will have the youngest fleet in the industry by 2010. ‘Our ambition was not to become the biggest,’ Stuart says, ‘but the youngest.’

My Stateroom: 11594, on deck 11, Mini-Suite, Category AF. Pearl features 134 value-oriented Mini-Suites, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a balcony, queen-size bed (convertible to twins), sitting area with sleeper sofa, and a spacious bathroom with shower and tub. Ultra-roomy, mini-suites measure 284 square feet.

Bigger Digs: Pearl also features Norwegian Cruise Line's unique Garden Villas, Courtyard Villas and two Deluxe Owner’s Suites.

The two Garden Villas are a whopping 4,390 square feet each and feature a spacious living room, dining room and three bedrooms, each with a private bathroom.

Garden Villa guests have their own private sun beds, hot tub and steam room in a private garden, plus butler and concierge service. The company’s Andy Stuart says the Garden Villas offer a ‘ship within a ship’ experience with the ‘ability to duck in and out of the big ship’ features.

The Courtyard Villa ‘suite complex’ also features 10 villas that measure up to 572 square feet. Eight of the villas have separate children’s bedrooms, and all feature living area, dining area, separate bedroom with queen-size bed, luxury bath and separate shower as well as access to the private courtyard, and butler and concierge services.

New for Pearl and high above everything else are two Deluxe Owner’s Suites, measuring up to 928 square feet. With views of the ship and the ocean, these suites offer a master bedroom with king-size bed, luxury bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower, living and dining area, two balconies, access to the courtyard, butler and concierge services.

Family Friendly: Pearl features 280 connecting staterooms across many categories, including suites and mini-suites as well as the Aqua Kids Club on deck 12.

My Favorite Public Room: Bliss Ultra Lounge & Nightclub. During the day, Bliss is a sports bar and bowling alley, with flat screen televisions airing sports events, plus air hockey, foosball and other arcade games. In the evening, Bliss transforms into a hip, high-energy ultra-lounge with non-stop music. Bliss is the most unique lounges at sea I’ve ever seen. Reminiscent of those in South (Miami) Beach, Bliss features eclectic furniture, including beds (yes, beds), sofas and comfortable chairs.

Freestyle Dining: Seeking to break down regimentation, Norwegian Cruise Line's Freestyle dining concept permits passengers to dine where they want, when they want and with whom they want — and also dress as they want. Like her sisters, Pearl features 10 restaurants, with some that charge nominal fees. My favorite was Cagney’s Steak House (featuring USDA Certified Premium Gold Angus beef and other menu items; cover, $15 per person), but others preferred Le Bistro (serving French cuisine; cover, $10 per person).

The other restaurants are:
• Summer Palace — One of the two main restaurants. Inspired by St. Petersburg’s grand palaces and the era of Russian Tsars.
• Indigo — The second of the two main restaurants. Inspired by a modern boutique hotel with clean lines and color combinations of vibrant blues, purple and orange hues.
• Lotus Garden — Featuring the exotic cuisine of the Far East and a full sushi and sashimi bar. Per person cover charges: $10 for Lotus Garden; $12.50 for Shabu-Shabu and sushi bar.
• Teppanyaki: chefs entertain while cooking Asian meals. Cover charge of $20 per person.
• Mambo’s Latin/Tapas Restaurant — Featuring Tex-Mex and tapas.
• La Cucina Italian Restaurant — Casual Italian eatery reflecting a village trattoria or traditional farmhouse kitchen.
• The Garden Cafe — Indoor buffet featuring prepared-to-cook omelets, waffles, fruit, soups, ethnic specialties and pasta. Features a special ‘kids only’ area with smaller tables and chairs.
• Tip: Look for the self-serve coffee machine aft toward The Great Outdoors, an outdoor eatery with alfresco dining, for free specialty coffees.
• Blue Lagoon — A 24-hour food-court-style eatery with menu items that range from hamburgers to fast-wok dishes.

Freestyle Dining Information System: I did see a few frustrated diners who gave up trying to get into some restaurants because of long wait times. Of course, I was on a two-night cruise, and demand on our full-capacity cruise was high for popular restaurant, such as Le Bistro.

To help alleviate waits (or to make them tolerable), Pearl uses Norwegian Cruise Line’s Freestyle Dining information system. The system allows guests to view restaurants and make reservations for the entire cruise or for a specific night and restaurant. Plasma screens placed in high-traffic areas around the ship and outside each restaurant display the status of each restaurant with indicator bars that reflect when each restaurant is ‘full,’ ‘moderately busy’ or ‘empty.’

If a restaurant is full at a specific time, the screens also indicate an estimated wait time and what table sizes are available. If you would like to wait for an opening, you are quoted a wait time and issued a pager that works shipwide. Take a seat in one of the 13 bars and lounges, have a pre-dinner cocktail, and listen to one of the ship’s many entertainers until your table is ready. With a little planning, the experience need not be frustrating. It’s like planning to go out to dinner at a landside restaurant.

Bars: Bar Central was first introduced on Norwegian Jewel and features a martini bar, a champagne and wine bar, a beer and whiskey bar and a cigar bar all connected but with distinct personalities:
• Shakers Martini and Cocktail Bar — art deco inspired, with a large screen behind the bar depicting James Bond inspired graphic silhouettes of funky images from 60′s and 70′s.
• Magnum’s Champagne and Wine Bar — French art deco inspired with elements reflecting the grand ocean liner The Normandy. The bar features art that reflects Paris in the 1920′s. The back bar has a bubbling, backlit water feature to look like champagne.
• Maltings Beer and Whiskey Bar — contemporary bar-lounge with low seating and tables along with mood lighting that complements the backlit artwork, themed around famous whiskeys of the world.
• Corona Cigar Club — an art deco cigar club with hand-rolled, premium cigars, cognacs and spirits.

The Bottom Line: With a hull that features brightly colored pearls, Norwegian’s newest ship is both fun and festive. Pearl’s faux palm trees on the pool deck and cheerful interior colors (turquoise cabana style stateroom doors and carpet with design patterns featuring tropical fish), makes her feel like a tropical ship. Those bright features may be a bit jolting in Alaska, but at least Pearl provides an option for cruisers who want Freestyle on their visits to The Great Land.

As the ninth big new ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet since 2000, Pearl continues the trend of Freestyle Cruising ‘Nonconformist, free-spirited; we hope those are the words that will be associated with our brand,’ Stuart says. ‘We’re looking to appeal to a mindset … people who see themselves standing out of line ‘¦ swimming against the tide.’

Hawaii Freestyle Cruising is "uku pile"

There's a Hawaiian phrase: "uku pile", which translates to "lots of choices". On a Freestyle Hawaii cruise you have more choices in staterooms, entertainment, onboard activities and onshore options than ever before.

Whether you dream of mountain-biking down a volcano, snorkeling in an undersea universe or strolling through a garden of orchids, you'll find a world of adventures to enhance your Hawaii experience.

With the Pride of America, you have the freedom to cruise exclusively within the Hawaiian islands. Hawaii is heavenly year-round and Norwegian Cruise Line cruises Hawaii throughout the year.

Cruising America’s Paradise

by Ralph Grizzle. An award-winning travel writer, and recognized cruise ship expert.

Awesome Overview
Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America offers a tasty sampler platter of a Hawaiian vacation, sailing direct from one island to the next. Pride of America’s itinerary eliminate the long days at sea required of non-U.S.-flagged cruise ships.

This makes the Pride of America vacation a fun and convenient exploration of the Hawaiian islands, eliminating the hassle and stress of packing and making connections for the next leg. The ship spends nearly four full days at port on a seven-day itinerary, giving families plenty of time to get off the ship and find something fun to do on the islands.

Comprehensive facilities for kids on board and a destination that is fun and interesting make these seven-night itineraries great for families, even those with young ‘uns. The Norwegian Cruise Line youth program is broken into four age groups, starting with 2-year-olds. And Pride of America can handle big families, too, in its 12 family suites that can sleep up to eight people.

Too Much Fun
The Mud Buggy Safari / Waterfall Excursion in Kauai is available to children 5 and older, and it’s well worth the money and the muddy mess. Enjoy a guided tour of the mountains, sugarcane fields and stop for a swim in the waterfalls to rinse off before a very nice lunch.

Best Adventure, or THE attraction
Sightseeing on the islands is not complete without a volcano tour, such as The Land of Frozen Fire tour on Hilo. This hiking excursion shows the beauty and the destructive force of lava flows. On Kauai, Blue Hawaiian’s helicopter tours provide spectacular airborne views of the dramatic landscape.

Keep’em Happy/ No Shuffleboard, Dad!
In addition to the youth programs and their age-appropriate activities, these Hawaiian itineraries provide opportunities for amusements and activities that will keep the entire family smiling. Whether you take advantage of hundreds of shore options offered by the cruise line or go off on your own, Hawaii is an American destination that’s easy and rewarding to explore.

When To Go
Pride of America offers Hawaiian cruises year-round. The best Hawaiian weather is often found in April, May, September and October, which also happen to be months when tourism is usually not at its peak.

Best Dining
You’ll have lots of days and evenings on the islands, and with a little research you’ll find some splendid Hawaiian restaurants. On board, the ship’s East Meets West is a small Asian fusion restaurant that’s perfect for a quiet night out. There are also separate steak restaurants, Lazy J Texas Steakhouse, and a gourmet French room, Jefferson’s Bistro, that both require reservations and per-person cover charge.

Anchors Aweigh!
It would be hard to imagine a better way to see Hawaii than to cruise on your floating hotel from island to island. With its Freestyle concept that breaks down regimentation, particularly for dining times, Pride of America offers a relaxed and laid-back way to see America’s paradise.