Freestyle Cruising: Norwegians cruise like no other people on earth. With more choices of what to do and see, and more freedom to do it your way. They call it Freestyle Cruising®. Freestyle Cruising starts with a wide range of complimentary dining options all included in your cruise price*, and all available on your schedule. The freedom continues with entertainment for everybody. From Broadway shows, to adults-only clubs where you can dance 'til dawn, to supervised activities for kids and teens. When it's time to recover from the excitement, you can retreat to accommodations designed for the way you cruise.
Accommodation: Retreat to accommodations designed for the way you cruise, from The Studios – staterooms for the solo traveler – to spacious 2-Bedroom Family Suites. NCL offer a higher percentage of balcony staterooms than any other cruise line. Bring your sweet dreams to a Balcony Stateroom, 2-bedroom Family Suite or our luxurious enclave at the top of select ships, The Haven by Norwegian. Each suite of NCL has been designed with style and comfort along with a view that changes with every port plus, a deluxe array of complimentary amenities and personal service from a butler and concierge that help create a memorable cruise vacation.
Safety: Prior to every cruise setting sail, NCL hold a mandatory safety drill for all guests during which important safety information is reviewed and demonstrated. NCL also show an extensive safety video which runs continuously on the stateroom televisions should further information be required.
Medical Facilities: A physician and nurse are on each ship to provide medical care and services at customary charges. Commonly used medications are kept on board and may be prescribed by the ship's doctor.
Clothing: Dress cruise casual anytime during the day, in the buffet and in most specialty restaurants. For women, it includes summer and casual dresses, skirts, regular or capri pants, shorts, jeans and tops. Khakis, jeans, shorts and casual shirts are fine for men. Swimwear is acceptable at the buffet and outdoor restaurant, but a shirt or a cover-up and footwear are required. Cruise casual is also allowed day and night on embarkation day. Wear smart casual if you are eating dinner in the aft main dining room (our more formal dining room) and in Le Bistro on cruises longer than five days. For women, it includes slacks or jeans, dresses, skirts and tops. For men, it’s jeans or slacks with a collared shirt and closed-toed shoes. Traditional Bermuda shorts along with long socks, loafers and a blazer are all acceptable on a Bermuda cruise. Tank tops for men, flip flops, baseball caps, visors and jeans that are overly faded, with holes or tears and worn below the hips are not permitted in main dining rooms or specialty restaurants. Kids 12 and under are welcome to wear nice shorts in all our restaurants. You may want to pack a sweater too—air conditioning can be chilly.
Child Care: Norwegian doesn’t offer babysitting but instead offers Group Sitting Services for children ages 3-12 years old every night from 10:30pm - 1:30am (Late Night Fun Zone) and on port days while the ship is docked.
Shopping: When you cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line you'll have plenty of great places to shop. Whether you are looking to splurge on yourself at one of our onboard boutiques or you want to shop for gifts for your friends and family on shore, our friendly staff will help you find exactly what you are looking for. Check your Freestyle Daily for shopping seminars, special sales and more on shopping while you cruise with NCL.
Shore Excursions: An updated listing of Shore Excursions is available approximately 6 months prior to the first sailing of each cruise destination season. All tours are available to pre-request. Once onboard, Shore Excursions can also be purchased at the ship's Shore Excursion Desk. Guests that cancel on board more than 48 hours prior to the tour will receive a refund for their purchase in the form of an onboard credit. Tours cancelled by guests less than 48 hours prior to arrival in the port where the tour is scheduled are non-refundable. Please note that certain tours, such as overland tours, customized tours and tours with theater performances or special events may be subject to different cancellation fees. To make a cancellation on board or for additional details, please visit the Shore Excursion Desk.
Smoking: Public areas throughout all NCL ships are smoke-free. If you smoke regular or electronic cigarettes, you can do so on your balcony, in the casino or in the Cigar Bar. Electronic cigarettes cannot be used in public areas where there is a No Smoking policy in force. Smoking inside your stateroom will result in a $250 cleaning charge added to your onboard account.
Telephone: You can also telephone, telex, radiogram or fax to anywhere in the world and be billed* at applicable ship-to-shore rates. Norwegian guests can also be contacted on our ships by calling on specific numbers. Norwegian guests can also make and receive calls, send and receive text messages and read emails on their own cell phones and mobile devices just as they do on land when the ship is at sea with the Freestyle Cellular Service.
Tipping: There is genuinely no need to tip but you can feel free to do so if you have a desire to acknowledge particular individuals. Certain staff positions provide service on an individual basis to only some guests. NCL encourage those guests to acknowledge good service from these staff members with appropriate gratuities. For example, for guests purchasing bar drinks the recommended gratuity is 15 percent. For guests purchasing spa treatments the recommended gratuity is 18 percent. Similarly, for guests using concierge and butler services, NCL recommend they consider offering a gratuity commensurate with services rendered.
Baggage: Each person is allowed up to two pieces of personal luggage on board, with each piece weighing a maximum of 50 pounds. However, if passengers are traveling by air, they need to check with the airline for specific restrictions.
Facilities For The Physically Challenged: All the NCL ships have designated staterooms to accommodate wheelchairs and guests with hearing impairments.
Settling Your Bills: All shipboard expenses are charged to Norwegian's special onboard credit program. Sign up on the first day of your cruise, by establishing your method of payment with a credit card (Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express®, Discover®, Diners Club®), travelers checks or cash. If you choose to settle your account with cash, a deposit will be required in advance. Norwegian does not recommend the use of a debit card as payment for your onboard folio. However, if you choose to pay with a debit card, please be advised that Norwegian obtains pre-authorization which some banks may hold for up to 30 days.
Currencies: You may cash travelers checks at the Guest Services Desk. Currency exchange, at prevailing rates, is available on some cruises. Travelers checks and most major credit cards are accepted in the ports. Proper ID is required when cashing travelers checks. NCL recommend you carry a small amount of local currency when visiting foreign ports, although credit cards are commonly accepted in shops and restaurants.
