Norwegian Cruise Line

In the last two and a half years, I have sailed on nine different Norwegian Cruise Line ships and itineraries. From Europe to Alaska, the Caribbean, and more, I’ve had the joy of seeing much of what Norwegian has to offer its passengers.

With so many different sailings under my belt, you might wonder: which ones are my favorites? Which ships stand out? And which itineraries do I think are the best? 

I’ve sailed with Norwegian Cruise Line nine times so far, but until my most recent two voyages, I had never set foot in one of their specialty restaurants. Despite the allure of these extra-cost venues, I always found Norwegian’s complimentary dining options more than satisfying. 

The days of worrying about adding a drink package, specialty dining, and other extras to your cruise fare are over—at least for one cruise line!

Norwegian Cruise Line has upgraded their popular "Free at Sea" program to offer a more enhanced and streamlined experience for passengers. From premium cocktails to delicious specialty dining, Norwegian is honing in on the concept of "MORE," focusing on more onboard offerings, more places to explore, and more value. 

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. 

I recently returned from a 7-night sailing aboard the Norwegian Jade, one of the oldest ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet on a unique itinerary that took us roundtrip from Boston, Massachusetts, to several breathtaking stops throughout Atlantic Canada. 

The Norwegian Jade, built in 2006, is among Norwegian Cruise Line’s older vessels. With nearly two decades under its belt, the ship recently underwent a refurbishment in 2022, modernizing much of the vessel for future sailings. But what about the staterooms? How do they measure up after all these years?

I embarked on a 7-night voyage aboard Norwegian Jade and stayed in the most affordable option onboard—a standard inside stateroom. Here's an in-depth look at the experience and what you can expect from the cheapest cabin on one of Norwegian’s veteran ships.

After nine Norwegian Cruise Line sailings in the past two years, I thought I had experienced it all—until my most recent cruise aboard the Norwegian Jade, where I finally indulged in one of the ship’s most exclusive luxuries for the first time: the Thermal Suite at the Mandara Spa.

Most cruisers will agree: food indulgence and cruising go hand-in-hand. One of the best aspects of cruising is having unlimited access to food throughout your voyage. Even better, most dining options are included in your cruise fare.

Last week, I had the privilege of sailing on the Norwegian Jade, my second ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Jewel Class. Built in 2006, the Jade has been sailing for nearly two decades, but it’s far from obsolete. 

It’s always interesting to experience how older ships compare to the newer, flashier models in Norwegian’s fleet. While there’s a lot to love about the Norwegian Jade, there are also a few areas where the ship’s age is starting to show. 

Here’s a breakdown of what I loved—and what I didn’t—about this cruise experience.