Norwegian Cruise Line

We just returned from a 4-night sailing onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Viva. This brand-new ship debuted in August 2023 in the Mediterranean, and we had the privilege of sailing onboard for her first cruise departing from the United States. 

Norwegian Star and Norwegian Sun are two of the oldest ships in Norwegian Cruise Line's fleet. Both these ships were built in 2001, making them over 20 years old. Because these ships made their debut in the same year, you might think they would be very similar. However, this is not the case. These two ships have some pretty big differences. 

I recently booked my flights through Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea airfare promotion, and it saved me over $800. However, the experience was stressful and not nearly as convenient as I expected.

Unless you are lucky enough to live within driving distance of a cruise port, you will need to book flights to your embarkation port. If you plan to cruise internationally, the cost of a transatlantic flight can absolutely bust your budget.

I have had the privilege of sailing on four of Norwegian Cruise Line’s classes of ships, and from these experiences, I have gained some insight into each of these ship categories and their class. 

I recently returned from a 10-night sailing onboard the Norwegian Star. This Norwegian Cruise Line vessel is over two decades old, and I was interested to see if this older ship is still capable of delivering an excellent cruise vacation.

Norwegian Cruise Line has numerous different categories of staterooms onboard each of their ships, so how do you pick out the perfect cabin or suite for your next cruise vacation?

Norwegian Encore, for instance, has over 2,000 staterooms onboard. You can choose anything from a standard inside cabin to a luxurious Two-Bedroom Family Villa with Large Balcony in The Haven. There truly is the perfect stateroom for everyone, regardless of budget and party size!

When planning your next vacation, you might be torn between taking a cruise or a land-based trip. Some destinations make a very good argument for cruising, as you can see many different places with ease. On the other hand, you might want to have more time visiting a specific destination by immersing yourself in a new culture.

After a 10-night sailing onboard the Norwegian Star, this older ship quickly became one of my favorites. After a refurbishment in 2021, this ship has been outfitted to last into the future for many sailings.

This ship is older, having been built .in 2001, but it is a great vessel that is more than capable of providing an excellent cruise vacation. Being able to explore the Norwegian Star for 10 nights meant that at the end of my journey, I walked away thinking about 10 things the Norwegian Star got right. 

Cruising for the first time can be equally exciting as it is nerve-racking. For those who have never stepped foot on a cruise ship before, everything onboard is a new experience — both good and bad.