Summary
Overview of Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet of 14 ships functions as floating resorts, recognized for their unique freestyle dining options along with a diverse range of eateries such as a Chinese noodle bar, a Brazilian steakhouse, and Japanese hibachi and sushi. These ships also offer premium onboard entertainment and a wealth of distinctive recreational activities. The latest ships in the Breakaway class (Breakaway, Getaway, and Escape) are particularly equipped with exceptional water parks and engaging sports activities, including bungee trampolines, climbing frames, and ropes courses.
In 2014 and 2015, NCL introduced the second Breakaway-class and the inaugural Breakaway Plus-class vessels. The 4,000-passenger Norwegian Getaway provides weekly sailings to the Eastern Caribbean from Miami, while the Norwegian Escape operates year-round out of Miami, offering seven-night Caribbean itineraries.
Family Offerings
Norwegian Cruise Line presents an outstanding selection of family-focused amenities, featuring supervised children’s clubs catering to ages 3 to 17 years. The two-story Splash Academies aboard Norwegian Escape, Breakaway, and Getaway represent NCL’s largest children’s facilities at sea, filled with state-of-the-art games, a circus school, and even a small cinema. The Splash Academy divides children into three age groups: Turtles for ages 3 to 5, Seals for ages 6 to 9, and Dolphins for ages 10 to 12. Programs include juggling and circus tricks, arts and crafts, and Nintendo Wii competitions. For adolescents aged 13 to 17, the Entourage club provides sports, movie nights, and a trendy gathering space equipped with foosball, air hockey, and video game options.
Infants and toddlers aged 6 to 35 months may participate in the Guppies activity program; however, a parent must accompany them. There is supervised group childcare available during specified hours, though private in-room babysitting is not offered.
For families hoping to engage in one of the onboard Nickelodeon or Nick Jr. activities, it is important to note that NCL’s collaboration with Nickelodeon, aimed at providing Nick-themed entertainment on select vessels, concluded in late 2015.
Best Ships
The Breakaway-class vessels are splendid and aesthetically pleasing, showcasing a refined, sophisticated color scheme compared to other ships in the NCL fleet. Notable highlights for families include a multi-story AquaPark featuring numerous slides, pools, and hot tubs; a sports complex with the largest ropes course at sea; mini-golf; rock climbing; and an extensive assortment of dining options (most requiring an additional fee). The Waterfront, an oceanfront promenade, offers shops and eateries along with a significant number of stateroom configurations suitable for families and connecting rooms.
Best Bargains
While the newer ships attract considerable attention, Norwegian’s older vessels provide many similar features at considerably reduced prices, making them an ideal option for novice cruisers. NCL frequently offers significant discounts, and previous promotions have included $99 children’s fares, complimentary onboard credit, and extremely low rates (as low as $25 per night). Additionally, if one is flexible regarding dates, last-minute sailings (within two to three months of departure) can yield fantastic opportunities.
Important Information
Travelers should be aware that there is an increased level of additional charges aboard NCL compared to certain other cruise lines. While several dining establishments and buffets are free, enjoying the myriad dining options for which the cruise line is acclaimed entails extra fees. Conversely, the extensive selection of dining choices and adaptable scheduling are conducive for families who prefer not to be restricted by fixed dining times and venues.
Although certain entertainment options are family-friendly (such as the Blue Man Group), others are decidedly geared towards adult audiences and may feature more risqué productions (notably the Broadway show, “Rock of Ages”).
In early 2018, Norwegian expanded its Breakaway Plus class with the addition of the Norwegian Bliss.
