I've had the joy and privilege of sailing on nine different Norwegian Cruise Line ships over the last two years. Yet, like most passengers, my experience had always been limited to the areas open to guests only.
On my recent voyage aboard the Norwegian Jade, however, I had the rare opportunity to venture behind the scenes, gaining a glimpse of the inner workings of the ship that are typically reserved for the crew. This unique opportunity gave me a fresh perspective on what it takes to keep a cruise ship running smoothly.
Norwegian Cruise Line offers a loyalty rewards program called the Latitudes Rewards program, and once you reach Platinum status, you’re treated to a complimentary tour of certain areas usually hidden from passengers.
On this tour, I explored the ship's kitchens, stepped backstage at the theater, marveled at the colossal laundry operations, and even got a peek inside the crew-only relaxation areas, including the elusive Crew Bar.
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Signing Up for the Tour
Platinum Latitudes members can sign up for this exclusive, complimentary behind-the-scenes tour on any Norwegian Cruise Line vessel and sailing. It's easy to register; just stop by the Shore Excursion desk on embarkation day. These tours are not heavily advertised, so it’s always a good idea to sign up early to secure your spot to not miss out.
On our Norwegian Jade sailing, the tour was scheduled for the first full day at sea, Day 2 of the cruise. We were instructed to wear closed-toed shoes and meet at the Shore Excursion desk at 8:30 a.m.
The tour group was much larger than I expected, with about 60 fellow guests, we were divided into two groups of 30 to ensure a more intimate experience. It was nice to see how many passengers, like myself, were interested in learning about the operations of the ship.
As we gathered, we were handed a small pamphlet full of fun facts about the Norwegian Jade. Did you know that the ship’s maximum speed is 28.75 miles per hour? Or that it takes a whopping 4,000 gallons of paint to cover both the interior and exterior of the vessel? Those were just two of the interesting tidbits I picked up before the tour even began.
It’s little details like these that made me appreciate the scale of operations of the Norwegian Jade even more. The pamphlet was filled with additional facts about the ship’s size, crew, and the technical prowess required to run a floating city.
Behind the Curtain
Our first stop: the theater. A mainstay on every Norwegian ship, the theater is central to the onboard entertainment, and nearly every passenger will visit it at least once during their cruise.
On this tour, we were taken backstage to the dressing rooms where the performers prepare for their shows. It was fascinating to see the intricate costumes up close and hear about the rigorous preparations that go into each performance.
We learned that the theater on the Norwegian Jade holds 1,040 guests, and the cast members are responsible for doing their own makeup for every show. The amount of preparation and self-sufficiency from the performers was impressive to hear about firsthand.
At the time of our sailing, there were 14 performers onboard, including singers, dancers, a magician, and acrobats. Most of them sign six-to-eight-month contracts, and they spend four weeks rehearsing on land at an apartment complex before ever stepping foot on the ship.
The quick costume changes, sometimes in under 30 seconds, are particularly impressive! We also heard some of the stories about their favorite performances, some of the mishaps that can happen onstage, and how they keep the energy alive, night after night, for new audiences.
I left the theater with a newfound respect for the work that goes into each performance. These entertainers aren’t just talented, they’re disciplined, quick on their feet, and essential to keeping the nightly shows captivating for guests cruise after cruise.
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The Cleanest Area on the Ship
Next up: the laundry department, which I quickly realized is the unsung hero of the cruise. This massive operation is responsible for laundering all the ship's linens, towels, napkins, and bed sheets. While guests rarely think about it, fresh towels, crisp linens, and spotless napkins play a huge role in creating the luxurious experience passengers expect onboard.
Led by the chief laundry officer, we toured this bustling area, and I was struck by the dedication of the crew. These workers spend hours each day ensuring that everything is impeccably clean and comfortable for passengers.
The size and scale of the machines that assist the crew were impressive, especially the massive devices that dry, press, and fold bed linens. I was particularly amazed by one machine that costs around $300,000!
The laundry team works around the clock to ensure all linens are fresh and ready for use. One surprising fact? On Caribbean and other warm-weather itineraries, the ship goes through roughly 5,500 beach towels in a single day. Fortunately, there’s a special machine just for folding all those towels that helps the crew!
It can be easy to overlook the effort that goes into laundry, but seeing the department in action made me realize how vital their work is to the comfort of every passenger onboard.
What It Takes to Feed Thousands
After the laundry tour, we headed to the galleys—the ship’s kitchens. As food is one of the most important aspects of any cruise, it was eye-opening to see how much work goes into preparing the thousands of meals served onboard daily.
Each galley is dedicated to specific meal times and onboard restaurants. We learned that even the specialty dining venues, though they may be small, have their own dedicated kitchens to ensure that every dish is served hot and fresh. There’s even a designated bakery onboard the Norwegian Jade that bakes fresh bread and pastries each day.
Walking through the kitchens, I could feel the fast-paced energy and excitement among the crew. Each chef and cook wears a specific-colored uniform to denote their rank and position, which helps maintain order in such a busy environment.
What struck me most was the pride each crew member took in their work. Whether it was a chef crafting a signature dish or a baker perfecting a batch of croissants, everyone we encountered greeted us with smiles, eager to share what they were working on.
The galley tour reminded me of just how much behind-the-scenes effort goes into something as simple as dining. Every meal served to passengers is the result of careful planning, precise timing, and teamwork, a true culinary symphony!
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Navigating the Ship
As we moved from one area to another, we traveled through the crew-only passageways, which they affectionately refer to as their “highway.” These corridors are vital to crew operations, allowing them to move quickly and efficiently between different areas of the ship.
It was fascinating to see these parts of the ship that passengers rarely glimpse. The walls were lined with bulletin boards featuring crew accomplishments and important notices for upcoming cruises, giving us a glimpse into life onboard from the crew’s perspective.
This peek into crew life helped humanize the hardworking people who make the cruise run smoothly. Their world exists behind closed doors, but it’s just as vibrant and full of stories as the guest experience onboard a cruise ship!
Life Onboard for the Crew
A significant part of the tour was dedicated to learning more about the crew's day-to-day life. Without the dedication and hard work of the crew, cruising simply wouldn’t be possible.
Most crew members, except for the captain and senior officers, share cabins with a roommate during their contracts, which range from four to eight months onboard. During this time, they live and work onboard without much time off.
The tour even included a visit to the crew bar, where staff can relax and unwind during their limited off-hours. Most Norwegian ships have a designated bar just for crew members, a space for them to socialize and de-stress.
The crew's work schedule is grueling, and that's why recognizing them through Norwegian’s Vacation Hero cards is so important. These cards, which can be filled out by passengers, give crew members the chance to earn promotions, recognition, and well-deserved time off.
Additionally, completing the post-cruise survey to shout out outstanding crew members is another meaningful way to express appreciation. These small acts really help crew members! Vacation Hero cards onboard all Norwegian Cruise Line ships can be found near the Guest Services desk.
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Overall Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed the behind-the-scenes tour onboard the Norwegian Jade! It was an incredible experience to see areas of the ship that are typically off-limits to passengers and to gain a deeper appreciation for the hard work that goes into running such a massive vessel.
For Platinum members of Norwegian’s Latitudes Rewards program, I highly recommend taking this complimentary tour. Not only will you learn more about the ship’s operations, but you'll also walk away with a new respect for the crew who work tirelessly to ensure your cruise is memorable.
And remember—if a crew member makes your trip extra special, don’t forget to fill out a Vacation Hero card or mention them in your post-cruise survey. It’s a small gesture that can have a big impact on their lives as cruise line employees!
Hayley Phillips
Hayley Phillips is a military spouse currently living in Florida and loves all things travel and travel planning.
