Norwegian Cruise Line

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. 

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.

Having never sailed to Alaska, I booked a 7-night cruise onboard Norwegian Jewel in an inside cabin. Though I was happy to save money on my cruise fare, I was curious about what it would be like to stay in a stateroom with no exterior view in a region renowned for its beautiful landscapes. 

I recently returned from my very first cruise to Alaska onboard Norwegian Jewel! Throughout this week-long itinerary, I saw and did many quintessentially Alaskan things. However, some aspects of my Alaska cruise experience surprised me. 

Over the last few years, Alaska has become an increasingly popular cruise itinerary, and I was intrigued to explore this remote destination for myself.

Here's a recount of my trip to the Last Frontier, including 15 things that surprised me about an Alaska cruise, tips and tricks, and more. 

Last year, I took a 12-night transatlantic voyage aboard Norwegian Epic from the United States to Europe. 

The cruise consisted of 11 days at sea and only one port stop, making it the longest stretch I've ever spent at sea! Before the journey, I was curious to see what 11 days in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, onboard a cruise ship, would be like. Would I find it relaxing or boring? 

Last month, I embarked on my first Transatlantic cruise sailing onboard Norwegian Epic. Preparing for this voyage felt a bit daunting at times when it came to packing. After all, I would be gone from home for 2 weeks and was planning on taking only a carry-on suitcase! 

This cruise was a 14-day sailing that embarked in Orlando, Florida and disembarked in Civitavecchia, Italy with two scheduled stops at Gibraltar, United Kingdom and Alicante, Spain.