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Norwegian Cruise Line

I sailed on Norwegian Cruise Line’s worst rated ship. Here's what it was really like.

Having previously sailed onboard seven other Norwegian Cruise Line vessels, I was curious to see what the worst-rated ship in the fleet was really like. 

Is Norwegian Epic really as bad as people say? Why do some passengers consider this the worst ship in Norwegian’s fleet? 

After spending 12 nights aboard, I have a lot to share about this unique ship, from the vessel's layout to the onboard offerings. 

Norwegian Cruise Line Freestyle Dining Explained

Before booking a cruise, it's important that you research the line to know all the ins and outs that can make your sailing more enjoyable. All have their quirks that make them unique from competitors. Norwegian Cruise Line, for instance, differentiates itself from the rest of the cruise line industry in their approach to onboard dining. 

Norwegian markets itself as a cruise line that gives its guests the ultimate freedom to create their ideal vacation onboard. One of the ways they do this is through their Freestyle Dining approach. 

15 things I loved and hated about Norwegian Epic

After spending 12 nights onboard Norwegian Epic sailing from Florida to Italy, I was able to explore every nook and cranny of the ship. 

The Norwegian Epic is one of its kind, and I was interested to see how this unique ship compares to others that I've been on. Because I was able to take a lengthy voyage onboard, I had plenty of time to pick out some things I liked and some things I disliked about the Norwegian Epic.

I tried the newest ships from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Norwegian. Here’s how they compare

Few travel experiences come close to the excitement of stepping foot on a brand-new cruise ship. Similar to driving a brand-new car with all the bells and whistles, the experience of cruising on a newly built cruise ship is unmatched. It’s undoubtedly exciting to see the latest and greatest that a cruise line has to offer.

I spent $20 at NCL's Ice Bar, and it was the best-kept secret on Epic

During a 12-night transatlantic voyage from Orlando, Florida to Rome, Italy, I found perhaps the best-kept secret onboard Norwegian Epic: the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar. 

While devout NCL fans are probably aware of this relatively hidden feature, it's easy to miss if you're new to the brand! In my personal opinion, this venue is a must-see when sailing onboard Norwegian Epic! 

I stayed in a $2,554 studio cabin on NCL Epic, and it was one of the best sailing experiences I ever had

I recently embarked on a 12-night Transatlantic cruise onboard Norwegian Epic and was able to try out one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s famous Studio Staterooms, which are unique cabins designed with one person in mind.

Norwegian Cruise Line just ordered four massive cruise ships

Norwegian Cruise Line has begun planning for the future, announcing four new ships scheduled to enter service between 2030 and 2036, as well as the construction of a multi-ship pier at their private island in The Bahamas. 

The new ships, which are part of a new and unnamed class, will be the largest, most efficient, and innovative within NCL's fleet. They'll be built in partnership with the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, who was responsible for the construction of Norwegian Prima and Viva. 

I went on one of the weirdest cruise itineraries possible. There were some major challenges, but I would do it again

In January, I set sail onboard Norwegian Dawn for one of the weirdest itineraries offered by a mainstream cruise line. Far from the likes of Nassau and Cozumel, my cruise departed from a tiny African island in the Indian Ocean. Most had never even heard of the island of Mauritius before booking this cruise.

Norwegian Cruise Line dress code: what to wear on a cruise

Sailing to countless destinations all over the world and boasting a fleet of 19, soon to be 20 ships with the introduction of the new Norwegian Aqua in 2025, Norwegian Cruise Line is one of the biggest cruise lines in the industry. 

I have had the privilege of sailing with Norwegian six times now and currently have three more NCL cruises scheduled for 2024. With these cruise experiences, I have gained some insight and knowledge into how to dress when sailing with Norwegian. 

I have been on Norwegian Cruise Line’s oldest and newest ships: Here are my top 10 tips

Over the last two years, I have had the privilege of sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line onboard some of their oldest and newest ships. These ships have all been quite different, highlighting the wide expanse of offerings from Norwegian. 

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