Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line was founded in 1966. Their first ship, Sunward, operated as a ferry between Southampton and Gibraltar and was a mere 8,666 tons. It was not until 1971 that they started operating cruise ships that could not carry vehicles. 

Ready to take a Norwegian Cruise Line sailing but want to know the best secrets?

Norwegian Cruise Line is one of the biggest names in the cruising industry and is known for their relaxed "freestyle cruising" model. In addition, they offer their guests great itinerary choices around the world, affordable cruise fares, and so much more. 

When most people think of cruising, images of sun-drenched beaches in the Caribbean or the Bahamas typically come to mind. After all, who wouldn’t want to spend their days lounging on golden sands, sipping tropical cocktails, and indulging in soft-serve ice cream by the pool? Sounds like a dreamy vacation! 

But if you're someone who craves a bit more adventure and natural beauty from your cruise vacation, an Alaska cruise might be exactly what you’re looking for. 

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.