Norwegian Cruise Ships Cruise Ship Deck Plans Norwegian Cruise Line

Table Of Content

• With more space allocated to the bathroom, the newer inside cabin lacked communal seating
• Pacific Coastal Cruises
• The Haven Lounge
• Hit or Miss: Carnival's Category 1A Cabins
• Learn About Staterooms forGROUPS

You can book a small, inside cabin that will get you on board one of the line's vessels at a very reasonable cost or a super suite that will set you back many times more but that comes with all sorts of perks. Among notable extras, the Garden Villas have private outdoor sundecks and courtyards with hot tubs. Additionally, the Garden Villas on Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star include private outdoor dining areas and steam rooms. Norwegian also offers four solo cabins on its Hawaii-based Pride of America.

With more space allocated to the bathroom, the newer inside cabin lacked communal seating

If the extra cost is a concern, and you're flexible on dates and destinations, look for deals where balcony cabins will be less expensive. Carnival Cruise Line's interior cabins are some of the largest in the industry, ranging from 185 to 220 square feet. These cabins include two twin beds or one king-size bed, and the larger rooms can sleep up to five guests.

Pacific Coastal Cruises

If I was to sum up Norwegian Cruise Line’s Haven I would say it is like having a backstage pass to the most exclusive and luxurious parts of a ship. The Courtyard area is what really made me sit up and take notice of The Haven. Think of an upscale resort pool at the top of the ship, except it’s reserved just for you and a select few. With NCL Haven lounge access, you can easily find a quiet corner to unwind or mingle with fellow cruisers in this cozy hideaway, away from the lively energy of the rest of the ship. Internet access is included and on certain ships, you are even provided with a mobile phone that you can use while you are on board. There were 4 small shelves beside the mirror and a long shelf under the sink.

The Haven Lounge

However, you sometimes can find ocean-view cabins that are significantly bigger than what is typical for a balcony cabin. This is sometimes the case for ocean-view cabins at the front of ships, where there can be relatively large but odd-shaped rooms with windows but no balconies. Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America and Royal Caribbean offer solo cabins that don't have a single supplement; these include inside, ocean-view and balcony rooms, depending on the line. Expect these to cost more than a standard inside or balcony room but less than the cost of that room with a 100% supplement. Other companies might offer promotions on select sailings with no single supplement, leaving you with the budget for a bigger cabin. The main difference is that balcony cabins are typically larger — with most, but not all, of the extra square footage going to the veranda.

Complaints vary but largely hone in on the cabins' small size (128 square feet), awkward layout (including poor TV positioning) and in-cabin noise from the bathroom. Another reviewer griped that, despite being billed as family-friendly, the cabin wasn't large enough to fit in a cot for a baby on a recent sailing. The general overall consensus was that this "family-friendly" cabin wasn't truly suitable, space-wise, for more than two passengers. If you'd rather enjoy the views from a private balcony — and have a space to escape other cruisers — and you plan to spend more time in your room, book a balcony cabin where you'll be more comfortable. A balcony will also be a better bet if you're trying to fit more than two people in one cruise cabin.

Hit or Miss: Carnival's Category 1A Cabins

Experience authentic Thai cuisine at Sukhothai, Norwegian Cruise Line's first Thai specialty restaurant aboard the Norwegian Aqua. Discover traditional dishes with a modern twist, set in a beautifully designed space on deck 17. Norwegian has something for everyone when it comes to cabins on its ships. The Garden Villas found on Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star are truly stunning, with living areas with glass walls looking over the pool areas of the ships.

Learn About Staterooms forGROUPS

You'll also be able to sit outdoors, have a glass of wine or read a book in private. You can order room service and enjoy a quiet breakfast or dinner on the veranda. It's a nice change of pace from going to the bustling lounges for a cocktail or to the restaurants for a meal. Discover the secrets to affordable cruising, from the cheapest months to set sail to insider booking strategies.

Mom and Dad, consider leaving the bathroom squabbles to the young'uns, and shower at the spa. For me, the allure of cruises is exploring the giant ship and enjoying the entertainment, so an additional $150 for a porthole cabin — and even more for a balcony or better — didn't make sense. Note that The Haven is not available on some ships, including Norwegian Sky, Sun, Star, Dawn, Spirit, and Pride of America. Of course, you'll have options for larger suites if you so choose, such as an expansive 3-Bedroom Garden Villas or Aft-Facing Penthouse with Balcony. Balcony staterooms are some of the most desirable rooms and for good reason! With a private verandah attached directly to your cabin, you can breathe in fresh air whenever you would like.

Get More with Free At Sea

I wanted to be on a higher floor and I wasn’t too keen on a room next to the stairs. Norwegian's oldest ships (i.e., Norwegian Sky) have ocean view rooms that either feature a porthole or picture window. While the square footage tends to be the same, the location is the primary difference. Porthole rooms are located on lower decks, such as 4, 5, and 6, while those with a picture window can be as high as Deck 10. On more than half of Norwegian's ships, many of the top suites are part of an exclusive, keycard-accessed area called The Haven.

This cabin was supposedly 160 square feet, which is slightly larger than the inside cabin on Norwegian Sun. Earlier this year, I flew to Europe on a whirlwind trip to embark on a two-night repositioning cruise from Málaga, Spain to Lisbon, Portugal on Norwegian Sun. This was one of the oldest cruise ships in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, although we did not spend much time onboard during our short cruise.

Disney Cruise Line's interior cabins with Magical Portholes also feature live sea cam views on a circular screen — and an occasional appearance from Disney characters. If you need natural light for health reasons and are prone to motion sickness — especially if the seas are rough or you get claustrophobic — you probably won't be happy in an interior cabin. Seeing the horizon and having access to fresh air is essential when the ship starts to pitch and roll, so you'd do better splurging on the balcony cabin. Many cruise planning decisions come down to cost — and which cabin you choose has one of the biggest impacts on your bottom line. If price is an issue, you'll likely find yourself with the dilemma of whether to book an inside cabin or a balcony cabin.

I stayed in a windowless cabin onboard Norwegian Star that cost $1700 — here's what my inside stateroom looked like - Cruise Blog

I stayed in a windowless cabin onboard Norwegian Star that cost $1700 — here's what my inside stateroom looked like.

Posted: Mon, 30 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Probably my favorite feature of the entire stateroom was the larger shower. We’ve been on ships with tiny little corner showers with plastic shower curtains that stick to your bum. This shower was wide, had a sliding glass door and an adjustable shower head that could easily accommodate taller guests. The shower had a pullout line to hang wet clothes and a peg to hang clothes or, in our case, swim goggles. There were also 3 pegs on the outside of the shower door perfect for hanging towels or wet bathing suits. There were some large gouges and scrapes on the storage cabinet and the overall look of the room cried out for modernization.

Older inside cabins usually lack modern design, decor, and functionality. As such, I did not have high hopes for our cheap cabin on Norwegian Sun during our two-night sailing. We paid $454 for two people to sail in an inside cabin guarantee, meaning we did not get a cabin assigned until right before the sail date. I just returned from a four-night sailing on Norwegian Viva, which is the newest cruise ship from Norwegian Cruise Line. This modern, stylish cruise ship is the second in the cruise line’s Prima Class.

Dive into our comprehensive guide and learn how to navigate the high seas without sinking your budget. As mentioned above, Norwegian is known for a large number of suites on its ships. It's also known for some of the very biggest suites in the entire cruise industry. Norwegian's newer ships have relatively few such cabins, as generally cabins that face outward are now built with balconies.

Family Harbor accommodations also offer additional perks with access to the Family Harbor Lounge, which includes complimentary snacks, games, movies and other perks like free specialty dining for the kids. Moreover, guests who choose the new solo stateroom categories will have exclusive access to the Studio Lounge, available on select ships. This key card entry-only area offers a serene space to unwind and meet other solo travelers, accompanied by a well-stocked bar and a range of daily snacks. Beyond the lounge, solo cruisers can partake in tailored activities that allow them to socialize with fellow travelers. Both standard inside and balcony categories are designed for double occupancy, but some rooms in either category can sleep up to four.

I would venture to guess this loveseat area in our older cabin is where Norwegian Cruise Line found space to expand the bathroom for newer inside cabins. Again, we had booked an interior cabin guarantee and did not receive an assignment for the stateroom until right before the cruise. We ended up being assigned cabin 13167, which was located on Deck 13.

The 9 Best Cruise Ship Inside Cabins ..and 3 to Avoid

Table Of Content

• Norwegian Viva
• The bathroom had just enough room for a sink, toilet, shower, and a few shelves.
• Should my travel party determine which cabin I choose?
• Norwegian Cruise Line staterooms and suites guide

At first glance, it was evident that Norwegian Cruise Line had recently refurbished the cabin. The inside cabin appeared to be in good condition with recent upgrades, such as the addition of extra outlets, a new carpet, and a television on the vanity. Based on the cabin alone, it would be hard to guess that the stateroom was 22 years old. Understandably, the cabin had many design elements from the early 2000s. The room especially felt more dim with darker woodwork and accents.

Norwegian Viva

Moreover, you can choose a balcony that is located at the back (or aft) of the ship that overlooks the ship's wake, rather than one located on the port or starboard side. With the touch of a button, the top half of a floor-to-ceiling window slides down; you can close doors to create a separate veranda or leave them open to bring the fresh air into the entire cabin. If you don't feel well and are confined to your room, you'll appreciate the larger accommodation and the option to sit outside on the balcony. Some of the Garden Villas measure as much as 6,694 square feet — more than twice the size of the typical home in the United States.

The bathroom had just enough room for a sink, toilet, shower, and a few shelves.

I stayed in the cheapest cabin on Norwegian's newest cruise ship. Here's what a windowless cabin on Viva looks like - Cruise Blog

I stayed in the cheapest cabin on Norwegian's newest cruise ship. Here's what a windowless cabin on Viva looks like.

Posted: Mon, 11 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

There was additional storage under the TV, as well as a few glasses. They're hard to find, but the USB ports are on the side of the lamps situated behind the bed. Inside rooms on the Norwegian Sky measure between 121 and 147 square feet. Other amenities such as a closet, a flat-screen television, a minifridge, a personal safe, a hair dryer and bathroom toiletries will be similar.

Should my travel party determine which cabin I choose?

The Haven is also especially appealing for digital nomads—and that’s not just for the extra living space in the rooms (as well as Wi-Fi throughout the ship). Guests in The Haven have access to a special lounge, with its own bar and restaurant, but also plenty of couches and quiet space to get work done. The Haven lounge also has its own private sun deck at the aft of the ship with an infinity pool.

The backstory here is that Norwegian ships are designed to appeal to a wide demographic, including travelers willing to spend at a wide range of price points. Currently the cabin is an OV X cabin which is indirectly above the karaoke bar (heavy sleepers). If you're interested in a sail away, I would go to NCL and do a mock booking. When I did this it gave me the room number online, we researched the opinions of others that had that room then booked.

I spent $20 at NCL's Ice Bar, and it was the best-kept secret on Epic

That amount of storage, in addition to my hanging toiletry bag, was plenty of space for my family to keep our personal care items. While some insides are hardly more than dark closets with a bed and bath, others are downright spacious or have cool decor and nifty technological features. I recommend upgrading if you're worried about sunlight or want to give yourself a little extra space — especially if you're sharing a cabin. I can understand some people may prefer sitting out on their cabin balconies away from the chaos of the crowds and are willing to pay more for that perk. Some also mentioned seasickness being worse and struggling to wake up in the morning due to the lack of windows. I booked the tiny room simply because it was the cheapest option, though I was warned by several people about the woes of an inside cabin.

Caribbean's Leading Cruise Line.

Guests in The Haven can cherish their exclusivity before even getting to their suites, which are sealed off from other staterooms on the desk with an electronically locked door that opens with a key card. Behind those doors, the hallways are lined with dark wooden panels and mood lighting reminiscent of an urban luxury hotel—and that’s by design. Many travelers have been flocking back to cruises this year—some experienced cruisers, and others first-timers. And since the pandemic and getting back out in the world, many travelers have shown with their dollars that they are willing to splurge. An inside cabin is the perfect choice for travelers looking for an affordable option when booking a cruise.

I spent $20 at NCL's Ice Bar, and it was the best-kept secret on Epic - Cruise Blog

I spent $20 at NCL's Ice Bar, and it was the best-kept secret on Epic.

Posted: Tue, 16 Apr 2024 16:31:14 GMT [source]

With the priority embarkation that comes with The Haven, your vacation starts the moment you step on board, long before the ship even leaves port. Our electronics charged on the desk next to the stateroom phone, but left little space for placing other items. Not always being able to retrieve messages was an issue, as we used the phone as a way for K to check-in (he’d leave messages at a specific time). Walking into the room, there was a large closet storage unit along the left wall.

NCL Cruise: Norwegian Spirit Inside Stateroom Review

Unpack once and see more of Asia by both land and sea in one seamless vacation;explore the other side of the world, and create memories for a lifetime. There haven't been any perks included with GTY/Sailaway cabins for over a year. Sign up for the Fortune Features email list so you don’t miss our biggest features, exclusive interviews, and investigations. Since Norwegian Sun had just undergone refurbishment in 2021, there were obvious upgrades in the cabin that I noticed. One example was the addition of lamps near each bed that provided USB charging ports. I love having my phone on the nightstand each night, so having a charging port by the bedside was perfect.

On Norwegian's 4-year-old Norwegian Encore, for instance, 19% of the 2,040 cabins are suites — a huge percentage for a large, mass-market cruise ship. On Royal Caribbean's 4-year-old Symphony of the Seas, which launched at almost the same time as Norwegian Encore, by contrast, just 7% of cabins are suites. On Carnival Cruise Line's 4-year-old Carnival Panorama, just 3% of cabins are suites. I was looking at a New England cruise for this fall...lowest level category had the perks. Now the lowest level on either one of those sailings no longer has the perks.

Norwegian Cruise Line's studio cabins for solo travelers are inside rooms with a full-size bed, a one-way window onto the corridor, a separate bathroom, sink and shower. It also provides keycard access to the Studio Lounge, where single guests can mix and mingle. These days, not all inside cabins are the bottom-of-the-barrel inventory.

I booked an inside guarantee two weeks ago with the UBP and I could've booked the "Sail Away" rate for $10 less with no promotions. Dine, dance, laugh, and relax with onboard activities, premier entertainment, and unforgettable shore excursions. The second area is methanol; Sommer said NCL is looking to do tests on select ships but also looking forward into building ships with methanol support from day one rather than have to convert existing engineering later. Sommer added NCL has been looking into hydrogen fuel, but there’s not enough of a readily green supply available. He said he expects more progress on this front in the later half of the decade going into the 2030s. Looking for some more luxurious ways to spend your time on a cruise?

For those yearning for an intimate, tranquil, and pampered cruising experience, The Haven might just be your slice of vacation heaven. Think plush sofas, gorgeous artwork and a private bar with an atmosphere that is both exclusive and welcoming. At the heart of The Haven is the Lounge, a space designed for serenity.

The cabin's outer wall will be floor-to-ceiling windows with a door that leads to an additional seating area outside; the seating area usually consists of two chairs with a small table between them. An inside cabin has no window or access to natural light or fresh air. On older Norwegian ships (and, in general, all older cruise ships), there are fewer suites — sometimes far fewer. Only 1% of the cabins on Norwegian's oldest vessel, the 1998-built Norwegian Spirit, are balcony cabins. A standard ocean view cabin onboard Norwegian Viva measures 186 square feet, while a standard balcony comes in at 231 square feet with an additional balcony that is 45 square feet.

It’s clear that Norwegian Cruise Line has allocated more bathroom space when designing inside cabins. With more space in the bathroom, the cruise line could design a more functional, spacious shower. This is one of my least favorite aspects of the cruise cabin experience on an older ship, so I was pleased to see this drastic improvement in design.