Norwegian Cruise Line: Freestyle Cruising With NCL, NCL America and the New Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Cruise Lines is a leading provider of mainstream cruise packages to popular as well as more exotic vacation destinations. NCL offers the most flexibility in dining options for its guests, in addition to a more relaxed disembarkation procedure. NCL is a good choice for first-time cruisers looking for lower-priced cruise vacations and for family cruises. Studio staterooms on the new Norwegian Epic are designed for single travelers. Comparable cruise lines include Carnival Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises.

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.

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. The Norwegian Epic will also feature curved-wall New Wave staterooms, 40 spa rooms or suites (with special access to the ship's Hydrotherapy Courtyard & Termal Suite) as well as studio staterooms for singles. 

A unique concept to NCL, the newest 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'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. (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).

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!) A partnership with Nickelodeon includes a family game show and character breakfasts. 

Norwegian Cruise Line's teen program offers parties and socials, sports, team-building challenges, a teen disco, video arcade and more. On the new Norwegian Epic, the sports court will have soccer tournaments, basketball and bungee trampolines. Read more about family cruises.

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 an NCL cruise, you can sleep in if you wish, have breakfast or a quick workout, and disembark at your leisure.

The dramatic new 4,200-passenger, Norwegian Epic will feature name entertainment with Blue Man Group, The Second City and Cirque Dreams. With 21 restaurants, half of which are complimentary, guests will be challenged to try all the dining venues on a typical 7-day cruise! Norwegian Epic will feature an Aqua Park with tube bowl slides, a 33-foot high rock climbing and rapelling wall, and six bowling lanes. The Mandara Spa is the largest spa at sea. What more can a kid of any age want?

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.) Read more about our Hawaii Cruises Tips. Cruising the Hawaiian Islands offers passengers all the benefits and comforts of a cruise combined with a Hawaiian vacation that provides a taste of each of Hawaii's major islands all in one week. 

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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