Cuisine and dining on NCL cruise ships
Norwegian Cruise Line has recognized the increasing trend away from formal restaurants (for dining) into bistros (for eating faster).
For cruising, NCL has championed more choices in dining than any other cruise line (except parent company Star Cruises) with its Freestyle Dining, giving you the opportunity to try different types of cuisine, in different settings, when you want.
In practice, however, it means that you have to make reservations, and getting it just right takes a little planning and, sometimes, waiting.
Freestyle Dining works best aboard the newest ships, which have been purposely designed for it (Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Sun, Pride of Aloha, Pride of America) while the others (Norwegian Dream, Norwegian Majesty) have been modified to accommodate the concept, which tends to create food outlets instead of restaurants.
Cabin service breakfasts are very basic, with only Continental breakfast available and no hot food items – for those, you’ll need to go to one of the restaurants or the self-serve buffet.
The (non-breakfast) Room Service menu has only two hot items available throughout the day: Oriental soup and pizza; the rest is cold (salads and sandwiches).
Casual Eateries: All NCL ships have self-serve buffet-style eateries. Most are of the move-along-with-your-tray) type, although the newest ships have more active stations and individual islands.
Family cruises with NCL
NCL’s Junior Cruisers (Kids Crew) programme divides children into three groups, according to age: Junior sailors (ages 2–5); First Mates and Navigators (ages 6–12); Teens (ages 13–17). Babysitting is available (group only, not individual), at an extra change.
Best NCL ships for children:
Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Sun
Ships with few facilities for children:
Norwegian Dream or Norwegian Majesty
Entertainment on NCL cruise ships
All showlounges are non-smoking venues. NCL has always had consistently good production shows that provide lots of colour and spectacle in a predictable (though now a little dated) format. Each ship carries its own resident troupe of singers/dancers and audio-visual support staff. There are two or three production shows in a typical 7-day cruise (all provided by the Jean Ann Ryan Company).
They are all very colourful, high-energy, razzle-dazzle shows, with much use of laser and colour-mover lights, and so much happening on stage that by the end of the evening, if you are a typical passenger, you will be tired and unable to remember much about the shows. But they are very entertaining.
Spa and fitness facilities on NCL ships
The spas are staffed and operated by the Hawaii-based Mandara Spa, owned by Steiner Leisure. Many of the staff are young, and will try to sell you Steiner’s own-brand Elemis beauty products (spa therapists have sales targets). Some fitness classes are free, while some, such as yoga and kick-boxing, cost US$10 per class.
However, being aboard will give you an opportunity to try some of the more exotic treatments (particularly some of the massages). Massage (including Aroma Stone massage, Chakra Balancing massage and other well-being massages), facials, pedicures, and beauty salon treatments cost extra.
Examples:
Massage ($99 for 50 minutes/$140 for 80 minutes); Hot Stone Massage ($135 for 50 minutes; $185 for 75 minutes). It’s best to book early because the most convenient time slots go quickly.
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