Norwegian Cruise Line has numerous different categories of staterooms onboard each of their ships, so how do you pick out the perfect cabin or suite for your next cruise vacation?
Norwegian Encore, for instance, has over 2,000 staterooms onboard. You can choose anything from a standard inside cabin to a luxurious Two-Bedroom Family Villa with Large Balcony in The Haven. There truly is the perfect stateroom for everyone, regardless of budget and party size!
Here's the ultimate guide to Norwegian Cruise Line staterooms and suites to help you choose the best stateroom for your next cruise.
Norwegian Cruise Line cabin overview
Onboard every Norwegian ship, you will have four main categories of staterooms to choose from: inside, ocean view, balcony, and suite.
You can expect to find the same basic amenities in all rooms, including an ensuite bathroom, vanity with mirror and chair, safe, mini-fridge, closet, television, and two twin beds that can either be kept apart or pushed together.
Each main category is divided into subcategories that help categorize the rooms by specific configuration, such as accessible rooms.
Onboard Norwegian Prima, for instance, you have more than just standard ocean view cabins. Looking for a room with more square footage? Consider booking a large ocean view room with a round window. These measure about 235 square feet, while standard ocean view rooms are only about 186 square feet.
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.
Studio cabins on Norwegian ships
Planning to go on a solo cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line? When Norwegian Epic launched in 2010, Norwegian became the first mainstream cruise line to feature solo cabins onboard one of their vessels, effectively paving the way for single travelers to have an affordable cruise vacation.
Since Epic debuted, Norwegian has also made sure to put studios on Norwegian Escape, Bliss, Breakaway, Getaway, and Encore. Plus, Pride of America, which sails exclusively around the Hawaiian islands, was also renovated to include studios. Prima Class ships feature solo studio staterooms, too, with the smallest coming in at just 94 square feet!
They're committed to adding solo cabins to all ships in their fleet by early 2024. In total, they plan on adding about 1,000 studio cabins to Norwegian ships!
While these are the smallest cabins onboard, they come equipped with everything to make your stay comfortable. Plus, you can take advantage of a dedicated solo lounge called the "Studio Complex and Lounge," where you can mingle with other guests traveling by themselves, order a drink, watch big-screen television, and more.
Read more: Going on a cruise alone? Here are the 8 best solo cruise cabins
Inside cabins on Norwegian ships
Inside cabins are great for those cruising on a budget because they are usually the least expensive accommodation option onboard any Norwegian ship.
This is due to the fact that these rooms have no natural view of the ocean. Plus, they tend to be the smallest rooms on the ship, meaning that if you are traveling with four people, these rooms can feel cramped pretty quickly.
Inside rooms onboard Norwegian Breakaway range from 129 to 201 square feet, while balconies fall anywhere between 204 and 550 square feet. This means that the smallest balcony is larger than the biggest inside stateroom!
Family inside cabins are those that are located on the upper decks of the ship. While these rooms can accommodate four passengers, you do not have to put everyone in a single room, as there are some that connect, so you can stay close together while also having your own space and more than one bathroom!
If you are looking to cruise for as little as possible or want to allocate more money for cruise add-ons, an interior room will be your best choice!
Ocean view cabins on Norwegian ships
Ocean view staterooms are one category above interior rooms. Oftentimes, they are more spacious than interiors, which alone can be worth the cost to upgrade from an inside room. Sometimes, the price difference is pretty minimal, too!
These cabins also allow you to look outside at the passing scenery. It is important to note, though, that the window cannot be opened to let fresh air inside. If that is something you are seeking, you will want to consider booking a balcony.
If stateroom location is important to you, you tend to have fewer options when it comes to ocean view rooms. Since the majority of exterior-facing cabins are balconies, especially on newer ships, ocean view cabins are usually found on the lowest decks, as well as the forward and aft of higher decks. If you're prone to motion sickness, you will want a cabin that's located in the middle of the vessel.
Those traveling with a larger party will appreciate the family ocean view rooms on select ships, such as Norwegian Escape. These are able to accommodate up to five passengers on select ships, rather than four. They can be as large as 340 square feet, too!
Some ships, such as Norwegian Pearl, have obstructed ocean view rooms. These can sleep up to four guests and have either a picture window or porthole with an obstructed view, meaning that you will not get a clear view of the ocean.
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.
The primary reason to consider booking an ocean view cabin is if you are set on having an exterior view but do not want to pay for a balcony.
Balcony cabins on Norwegian ships
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. They also make for a great place to sip your morning cup of coffee in peace while watching your ship pull into port. You don't always have to rush to the lido deck to get a view.
There's no shortage of balcony staterooms on Norwegian’s newest cruise ships! Onboard Norwegian Encore, for instance, there are 1,396 balcony rooms, including standard balconies and Club Balcony suites. This number does not include suites within The Haven, either! This means that over 65% of all staterooms onboard Norwegian Encore have private verandahs.
Balcony cabins have more indoor (and outdoor) space, meaning that you will have more room in your stateroom for everyone in your travel party.
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. This means that you would have a total of 90 more square feet of living space if you opted to splurge on a balcony.
Norwegian Cruise Line also offers Club Balconies, formerly known as mini-suites. These rooms come with additional amenities, such as the option to pre-book entertainment and dining, complimentary treats delivered to your cabin, as well as a bottle of sparkling wine and the choice of valet laundry or pressing service.
Suites on Norwegian ships
If you are looking for the most luxurious cabins onboard, look no further than The Haven. While these are some of the most expensive cabins, you pay for more than just additional space; you are paying for an exclusive experience that comes with access to suite-only pool decks, 24-hour butler service, and more.
Not all suites are within The Haven, though. Onboard Norwegian Viva, for instance, you can select one of five suites that do not come with access to The Haven, including the Aft-Facing Suite with Large Balcony, Family Suite with Master Bedroom & Balcony, and Forward-Facing Suite with Master Bedroom & Large Balcony. Norwegian Gem is another example of a ship that offers both standard suites and The Haven.
Onboard Norwegian Encore, however, the only suite options you have, other than Club Balcony Suites, are those within The Haven.
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.
No matter what suite you book, you'll gain access to numerous amenities and benefits meant to enhance your time onboard, such as...
- Distinctive Purple or Haven Keycard
- Personal escort on and off the ship at the pier and at ports of call
- Priority when reserving restaurants and entertainment
- Concierge Service to help you book dining, entertainment, shore excursions, and more.
- Trained and certified Butler Service
- Daily specialty restaurant breakfast & lunch
- 24-hour suite room service menu
- Continental breakfast menu
- Mobile phone that can be used throughout the ship
- Nespresso Coffeemaker and Tea Forte tea bags
- Treats delivered to your door each night
- Complimentary in-suite movies
- Evening turndown service
- NCL or Haven umbrella, available for use onboard & ashore
- 100% cotton bed linens, feather duvet, and pillow menu
- Plush bathrobes, slippers, and oversized bath towels
- L’Occitane bathroom products
Of course, those within The Haven get a few more benefits that are meant to give you the most exclusive and luxurious experience:
- 24-hour trained and certified Butler Service
- Exclusive access to The Haven with a private pool, sundeck, and hot tubs
- Haven attendants to take care of all your cold towels, fresh fruit, and sun deck refreshment needs. Available on sea days from 12pm to 4pm.
- Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner in The Haven Restaurant or designated specialty restaurant (dinner service not available on Jewel Class ships)
- Cocktail party with ship's officers
- Specialty dining delivered to your suite from any restaurant (cover charges apply)
- Fruit bowl replenished upon request
- Tranquility pillow-top mattress
- Tranquility pillow-top mattress
If you are staying in an Owner's Suite or Garden Villa (whether in The Haven or not), you'll get a few extra perks, too:
- 1 bottle of Moet Champagne upon embarkation
- Custom selection of liquor (1 bottle for cruises less than 7 days; 3 bottles for cruises 7 days or longer) upon embarkation
- 2 bottles of spring water replenished daily
- 2 bottles of sparkling water replenished daily
- 6 canned sodas replenished daily
- 1 complimentary laundry pressing
Read more: Norwegian Cruise Line suites: What's included & is it worth it?
Those in all other suites can expect to get only one bottle of sparkling wine and spring water upon embarkation, rather than the above benefits.
Note that The Haven is much more expensive than standard cabins, with an interior on a 7-night cruise onboard Norwegian Breakaway in July 2024 starting at $949 per person and The Haven increasing to $3,339 per person. It can get as expensive as $9,000 per person if you want to book a Deluxe Owner's Suite with Large Balcony. Cruising in The Haven might mean that you're not able to cruise as frequently as you'd be able to in a standard stateroom.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
