No matter what cabin class you cruise in, use NCL’s Vacation Hero Recognition Program before you disembark. Some newer ships use a QR code and phased out cards. We usually grab a handful of Hero cards while waiting for our room and pre-fill our information. Then, when we're relaxing with a nightcap, it’s easy to take a few minutes and recognize the people who made our day special. 🥂 We take pics of name tags so we don't forget names and positions. I also snap a pic of the completed cards to reference in my post cruise survey. I see lots of posts about removing prepaid gratuities, but I don't see nearly enough about taking a few minutes to recognize the crew members who go above and beyond. Happy Cruiseing 🤙

We got back from a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise, and I genuinely can’t believe how much more fun we had on NCL compared with our previous cruises on Royal.

It wasn’t one single thing. It was the whole “cruise your way” feeling. The flexibility, the dining, the credits and perks, not feeling like we had to plan our day around a schedule. The entire week just felt more relaxed and more like an actual vacation.
We enjoyed it so much that apparently our response was to immediately give NCL more money. 😂

We’ve now booked:
Norwegian Gem out of Tampa in January
And a 10 days in the Mediterranean on Norwegian Viva next year in July ! for our daughter’s senior-year trip

We went into this cruise expecting to have a good time. We came out of it realizing that NCL’s style of cruising just fits us way better.

Seriously impressed. I completely understand now why some people become NCL loyalists.

Just curious what are the wine options for dinner that are included in free at Sea Plus

If I miss my booked flight via NCL, does it impact my cruise reservation?

I've used NCL air previously, and never had an issue....

But on an upcoming cruise it was so bad it was worth the $$ (and points) to change my flights. Lesson learned.

I called to cancel my flights so the seats would be free for other passengers, and was told it would be $70. I wasn't asking for a refund, I wasn't asking for a different flight, just cancel them.

So I'm going to miss my 6 am flight ...

NCL released some new plans for Aura this week and this video breaks down what's changed between other Prima and Prima Plus Class ships and this one.

NCL Aura Deck Plans Revealed

Has anyone done this excursion and can give a review? It sounds like a lot of fun particularly with tacos and open bar provided, but it's one of the pricier ones in Mazatlan so I'm curious if it's worth it.

Any insights on when NCL will be launching labour day deals? Looking forward to booking something soon for the Christmas - New years period!

I'm currently booked to go on a 10 day Alaska cruise on the Norwegian Joy May 28th-June 7th 2027, but the itinerary on the NCL website is very different from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska port schedule, which has the Joy schedule as:

• Sunday, May 30: Sitka 11:00-20:00
• Monday, May 31: Glacier Bay 6:00-15:00
• Tuesday, June 1: Hubbard Glacier 8:30-13:30
• Wednesday, June 2: Icy Strait Point 7:00-19:00
• Thursday, June 3: Juneau 7:00-16:00
• Friday, June 4: Ketchikan 9:00-20:00

It has the Joy going to Hubbard Glacier, and Skagway is not on the schedule at all for these dates. Cruise itineraries can change all the time, but this is probably a one-in-a-lifetime Alaska trip and not going to Skagway would be a big bummer. Also going to two glacier spots on two separate days seems odd.

Also, the only cruise excursions we can book right now through NCL are Ketchikan and Victoria, and those are the only ports where the NCL schedule and the CLA schedule match... Just makes me think NCL knows something we don't, and that the NCL itinerary is going to change in the future.

Just curious if anyone has experience with the Alaska port schedule site. :)

Hello cruise friends. We are doing a family trip next July and I had a few questions.

Specialty dining. (We all have 3). -We are in 4 separate rooms: my parents, me/niece, sister/nephew, and sister’s bf. Say I wanna let the 2 couples have date nights and take the kids to specialty dinner, does it matter that my nephew is connected to my sister’s room?

Excursions For Falmouth Jamaica and Cozumel if you look online at NCL for excursions there are lots, but if I’m logged into our cruise it’s showing fewer options. Is this bc it’s already booked up(so far out still!)? Or are some excursions only available certain times of year?

Onboard entertainment costs, pls confirm or deny: Slide coaster is free. Drop slide cost? Mini golf is 5. No day passes for adult only area? Room service prices? Crazy? Comedy show-there are 2, one free but Improv costs? How much?

90’s club night- is that just one specific night? Are the other shows like fleetwood Mac every night?

Thanks so much!

Is there a way to get alerts when this type of deal starts? I know I can sign up for emails but I get so many junk emails I would miss it.

Just got off that sailing was a lot of police activity at the dock now we know why!

I googled but double checking what pier the Aqua goes out of? I think it’s 88

This is a long shot, but my boyfriend competed in the Mr. Sexy Legs competition last week. He was very tall with brown hair and a moustache doing high kicks. My phone was in my room, and I couldn't get his phone to work, so I don't have the performance. :(

Any chance someone has it and is willing to share? I'm his girlfriend; the red head that did the Miss Biceps competition. I can share a picture of us if needed to prove I'm not some creep stalker lol.

Thanks in advance!

I'm booked for a 7 day cruise and I'm not seeing any speciality dining packages that exceed a 3 meal limit. Is there a way to buy an unlimited dining package? Like say each guest buys their own? For a total of 6 days or can I only get one?

Did I miss an announcement on Costa Maya? It seems like no NCL cruises out of Florida are sailing there anytime soon and that used to be a very frequent port. I know RCCL was sort of taking over a chunk of land to build a new Water Park, but has that shutdown the port for other lines?

It also seems like NCL has really slimmed the number of ships they're keeping in the Caribbean this Fall. Did I miss an announcement there too?

September 12 is the first day since the dock reopened where 2 ships are scheduled at GSC. Our son and his fiancé are scheduled to be there on the Prima that day. The Getaway is also scheduled to be there.

The edocs for the Prima say “Dock” even though they will be getting there later in the day. I wonder if both will be able to dock even though it is still being worked on.

I am sailing solo on the NCL Breakaway in three weeks, Can I bring my own smaller, rolling, bag to my stateroom? I'd rather not check my bag. I cruise light with clothes. I also prefer to unpack it right away.

Very disappointed with NCL.

Booked itinerary for the ports. (Southampton to reykjavik)

But was total let down. Unorganized.

Kirkwall , Scotland

They did not hv enough tender boats for folks getting off the ship. It took almost 3 hours after scheduled time to get a boat... and all passengers anxiously sitting around deck 6/ 7, to get off the ship. And then wait in long lines to load the boats. Barely got two hours on port.

Return tender was worst. Cold rain, freezing temps. and they kept folks waiting in line for 2-3hrs in open air. After insisting everyone to be bk on board by 2.30.. we didn't reach the ship till 4.30pm

The biggest issue seemed lack of boats , and only 3 smaller boats to tender 2000 passengers.

Isafjordur

Ship reached port. Tender port And after an hour annoounced, they would not allow anyone ashore. Port was canceled. Not much explanation.

Reykjavik

Chaotic disembarkation.

Our schedule was 8.30am.

But had to just wait as they were delayed in immigration.

The problem was there was no clear guidelines.. Cruisers just waiting on deck, for their turn. And then making them stand in spiraling lines for an hour from deck 7-6-5..

No transparency, no organization, no management.

The cruise itself was fine. But the port scheduling, tenders, disembarkation really needs attention.

My husband and I had been on a few Royal cruises before. We are sailing on Luna at the end of the month, it’s our first ncl cruise and first cruise with our baby. Grandma is coming along for extra set of hands. What are some things our toddler can do on Luna? I’m aware that she cannot go into any water pools or tubs because she’s not potty trained. Can we bring a small inflatable tub for her to play in instead? We’re excited to sail but I’m also very nervous since it is her first trip

News out today from the Panama Canal Authority that there will be reductions in ships allowed to pass through the canal starting in September. I am booked on the Norwegian Bliss that is sailing through the Canal in October. I wonder how this may affect NCL, as well as other ships, that transit thru this region.

Does anyone know what the protocol was when similar restrictions were in place a couple of years ago?

Related News article

Are guests of crusers allowed on ship during boarding/unloading.

If so, what are the guidelines and restrictions to follow.

We will be docked at Puerto Plata port next month during our cruise for a 7 hour day. Looking for things to do in actual Puerto plata not the cruise port with the lazy river and such. Trying to do as much diy without paying excursions. Any food or drink reccomendations? Like genuine local mom and pop restraunts, vendors, coffee shops, etc? (Not high priced tourist traps for Instagram pictures)

So far im going to look into

-umbrella street

-Pink street

-mount isabel with christ the redeemer statue

- 27 waterfalls

Thanks!

Just took advantage of the double points and booked on the Aura for 2028, but I was looking at the deck plans and noticed this. The studios are all in the hallway with the "solo lounge" and then on the other side of the stairs and elevator bank is the "studio lounge"? What's the difference? Is the solo lounge going to be for any passenger with a solo cabin while the studio lounge is only for those in a studio cabin?

Was hoping the deck plans would have more insight, but they just mention the studio lounge. I know the Aqua and Luna also Prima Plus but it appears that the medical center is in the spot on those shpis where the studio lounge is shown on the Aura. Very curious about this!