Norwegian Cruise Line: Freestyle Cruising With NCL & NCL America

NCL is a mainstream cruise line that invented "Freestyle Cruising," offering the most flexibility in dining options for its guests, in addition to a more relaxed disembarkation procedure. It's a good choice for first-time cruisers looking for lower-priced cruise vacations and for family cruises. Comparable cruise lines include Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

Bowling at sea? You bet! Villas at sea? Why not! Norwegian Cruise Lines has always been an innovating pioneer, and today is a leading provider of mainstream cruise packages to popular as well as more exotic vacation destinations.

NCL has two product brands: traditional cruise ships with international crew that operate in international destinations under the Norwegian Cruise Lines (or "NCL" brand), and ships operated in the U.S., principally Hawaii cruises, that employ American crew and staff under the NCL America brand.

Because of various regulations, NCL is the only cruise line operating roundtrip cruises from Hawaii that cruise these islands. (Other cruise lines offering Hawaiian Islands cruises do so by transiting the Pacific from the West Coast.)

Although NCL America had a rough start largely due to the challenges of hiring and training an all-American crew, the line has hit its stride and is hugely popular. Cruising the Hawaiian Islands offers passengers all the benefits and comforts of a cruise combined with a Hawaiian vacation that provides them a taste of each of Hawaii's major islands.

We invite you to read more about our Hawaii Cruises Tips.

Perhaps you've seen the commercials: Norwegian Cruise Lines' special take on the cruise vacation is a novel carefree style called Freestyle Cruising.

NCL's ships feature multiple dining venues, often ten or more on some ships, offering both the traditional large main dining room(s) as well as multiple smaller restaurants whose cuisine varies from Italian, Japanese, French, Tex-Mex, etc. Rather than fixed or tiered dining times, Norwegian Cruise Line's Freestyle cruising concept permits dining at anytime one pleases, in any dining venue or even in one's stateroom, if you prefer.

Because the alternative dining restaurants are smaller, this concept works to the degree you make a reservation in advance. (But with as many as a dozen locations at which to dine, there's always one available.)

In addition to dining, NCL's Freestyle Cruising also promotes "resort casual" dress onboard (no formal attire required). While most contemporary ships do not require formal attire, some still promote "formal nights" where dressy attire is recommended for the main dining room (though there is an alternative dining opportunity for casual attire).

On many large cruise ships, getting off the ship at the end of the cruise can be a stressful "hurry up and wait" affair, where passengers must vacate their cabins and wait in designated areas for the ship to be cleared by customs for disembarkation. On a Norwegian cruise, you can sleep in if you wish, have breakfast or a quick workout, and disembark at your leisure.

As for accommodations, Norwegian Cruise Lines offers a wide variety of staterooms, including villas with private sundecks and hottubs, as well as multi-bedroom family suites, from which to choose.

A unique concept to NCL, the newer ships feature ten Garden Villas centered on a private deck with keycard access with its own butler and concierge, pool. Villas are 5,000 square feet with living room and dining areas, three bedrooms, whirlpool and sun deck.

NCL offers a complimentary Kid's Crew and Teen's Crew programs with supervised, age-appropriate activities that will keep everyone happy from toddlers to teens. (Some NCL ships even have a bowling alley, with computerized scoring, glow-in-the-dark bowling balls and plasma video screens!)

Engaging teenagers on vacation can be a challenge. Norwegian Cruise Line's teen program offers parties and socials, sports, team-building challenges, a teen disco, video arcade and more. What more can a teen want?

Our cruise experts can arrange your Norwegian Cruise Line vacation, secure necessary air arrangements, and guide you as to travel insurance recommendations, pre- or post-cruise options, and more. For personal service, you can call them directly at 1-888-779-7447.

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