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September 22, 2025

Thinking About Booking a Cruise? Here’s the Real Deal with NCL.com and Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) isn’t just another name in cruising—it’s one of the loudest, flashiest, and most debated players on the ocean. If you’re eyeing NCL.com and wondering if it’s worth your time and money, here’s what actually matters.

NCL's Origin Story Isn’t Boring—It’s the Blueprint for Modern Cruising

Back in 1966, Norwegian Cruise Line started as a joint project between two shipping powerhouses—Knut Kloster from Norway and Ted Arison, who would later go on to found Carnival. From the start, NCL set out to break the mold.

They ditched rigid cruise traditions: no fixed dinner times, no enforced tuxedo nights. Instead, they coined “Freestyle Cruising,” which basically means do whatever you want, whenever you want. Today, every major cruise line has copied this to some degree. NCL did it first.

What You Get When You Book Through NCL.com

It’s more than just a booking portal. NCL.com is the launchpad to over 450 cruise options each year. You can scroll through destinations like:

Caribbean (year-round sailings)
Alaska (a seasonal favorite)
Mediterranean, Greek Isles, Northern Europe
Asia, South America, and even Transatlantic crossings

The real sell is the variety. You’ll find weekend trips, 7-night classics, and longer bucket-list itineraries like Panama Canal or Hawaii island-hopping.

And it’s all wrapped up in flash sales and upgrade offers: Free open bar, free shore excursions, and free WiFi are common promos. But don’t get blinded by the “Free at Sea” marketing—those perks come with a catch (like mandatory service charges).

The Fleet: Modern, Flashy, and Getting Bigger

NCL isn’t sitting still. Their fleet includes 19 ships, and it’s growing. The Norwegian Prima and Viva launched recently, loaded with infinity pools, glass bridges, and open-air food halls.

Coming soon: Norwegian Aqua, which will carry over 3,500 passengers and feature the first-ever hybrid rollercoaster-water slide at sea. It's called the Aqua Slidecoaster, and yes, it's as wild as it sounds.

They’re also investing $9 billion into four mega-ships (over 226,000 gross tons) to roll out between 2030 and 2036. That’s nearly the size of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships. NCL wants in on the big leagues—and is throwing down serious cash to get there.

Food, Entertainment, and All That Freestyle Stuff

This is where NCL leans hard into their brand. Onboard, dining is mostly included—but the good stuff costs extra.

Free venues give you basics: main dining rooms, a buffet, and 24-hour pub food. But the real gems are specialty restaurants like:

Cagney’s Steakhouse – solid filet mignon and truffle fries
Le Bistro – French food with white tablecloth vibes
Onda by Scarpetta – upscale Italian with surprisingly good wine pairings

Entertainment-wise, Broadway shows come standard. Think Beetlejuice, Jersey Boys, Six. Some shows sell out fast—book early through the app or onboard kiosks.

But here’s the trick: all this freedom comes at a cost. Drinks, gratuities, specialty dining, WiFi—it stacks fast. Freestyle doesn’t mean free.

What NCL Gets Right

Flexibility
No set dinner time. No required formalwear. Sleep late, grab dinner at 9, and catch the late show.
Solid Itineraries
Some of the best Alaska and Mediterranean routes are NCL's. Their Hawaii-only cruises—on Pride of America—sail weekly from Honolulu, no international flight needed.
New Ships Are Genuinely Impressive
The Prima class ships are a leap forward. Bigger outdoor space, refined design, better crowd flow.
Private Islands
Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas is NCL's private beach day, complete with zip lines and upgraded cabanas.

Where NCL Drops the Ball

Customer Service Gets Hammered
On Trustpilot, NCL scores a rough 1.5 out of 5. Common complaints: long call hold times, refund issues, and reps giving contradictory info.

Nickel-and-Diming is Real
WiFi is slow unless you pay for premium. “Free” drink packages still incur a $20+ daily gratuity. Want better restaurant food? That’s another $40–$60 per person.

Cabin Cleanliness Can Be Hit or Miss
Especially on older ships, reviewers flag issues like stained carpets or musty bathrooms. If you care about this, newer ships are a safer bet.

Excursions Feel Overpriced
Shore excursions booked through NCL are easy—but often double the price of local vendors.

NCL vs the Competition

Carnival is cheaper but more party-focused. Think spring break energy.

Royal Caribbean is NCL’s main rival. Bigger ships, more family-friendly. But less flexible when it comes to dining and attire.

MSC wins on price but loses in customer service and English-language comfort.

Celebrity is pricier and more upscale. More for adults than families.

NCL sits right in the middle: better than budget, not quite luxury.

FAQ

Is NCL all-inclusive?
Not really. The base fare includes food, lodging, and basic entertainment. But drinks, specialty dining, excursions, WiFi, and gratuities cost extra unless you get a bundle deal.

What’s the best NCL ship?
Right now: Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva. They’re brand-new, better designed, and less crowded thanks to fewer passengers per square foot.

Is Norwegian good for families?
Yes, especially on larger ships. There’s kids clubs, waterslides, game zones, and family cabins. But not quite as kid-focused as Royal Caribbean.

What’s the dress code on NCL?
Casual. Wear jeans to dinner, no problem. Only specialty restaurants might expect collared shirts and closed shoes.

Can you bring alcohol onboard?
Only one bottle of wine per adult, and it comes with a $15 corkage fee unless consumed in your room. No hard liquor or beer allowed at embarkation.

Are gratuities optional?
Technically yes—you can adjust them at guest services. But it’s frowned upon unless there’s a serious service issue.

Final Thought

NCL is not for everyone. It’s not the cheapest, nor the fanciest. But it is great for travelers who want destination variety, don’t want to pack a blazer, and like choosing their own schedule.

Use NCL.com to book smart, pay attention to the fine print, and always compare deals. If you go in knowing what’s included—and what isn’t—you’ll probably have a great time. If you assume everything’s covered, you might feel burned.

Know the game, and you’ll cruise like a pro.