NCL Cruise Line

One of the oldest of the modern cruise lines that had not been in the ocean liner business, Norwegian Cruise Line was established - originally under the name Norwegian Caribbean Line - by Norwegian entrepreneur Knut Kloster and Ted Arrison, who later started his own company, Carnival Cruise Lines, in 1966 with a single ship, the Sunward. Kloster added four new ships until 1971, and in 1979 his decision to purchase the former pride of the Grande Nation, the S/S France, made the public sit up and take world-wide notice of his company. The former liner was skillfully converted into cruising's very first superliner, S/S Norway, by Germany's Lloyd Werft shipyard in 1980. She became the prototype of the huge cruise ships of the 1990s and the new millennium. In 1990 S/S Norway was further enlarged by adding two completely new decks. One of the last grand liners of yesteryear to sail the seven seas, the Norway continues to offer traditional cruises in a unique environment. Norwegian Cruise Line accepted delivery of two brand-new ships in 2001, the 80,000 gt Norwegian Sun and the 91,000 gt Norwegian Star. A second 91,000 gt vessel, Norwegian Dawn, will follow in 2002. NCL's innovative "Freestyle Cruising" concept has impressed passengers world-wide, and has already found imitators among competing cruise lines.

• Margaret  Norwegian Dawn  New York to Bermuda Round Trip

  This was my second time on the Dawn, and I am happy to say that the ship, the amenities and the experience have not deteriorated. My boyfriend and I are both golfers and selected this cruise... read more

  2 users found this review helpful.
• Ken  Norwegian Star  alaska

  It was one of the worst cruises that we have ever been on with NCL! The food on this cruise was terrible! The game room was small. We never met our room steward. The entertainment was the same... read more

  13 users found this review helpful.
• Sandra  Norwegian Star  Alaska

  We just returned from a family cruise celebrating our parent's 50th anniversary. It was the last sailing of this season for this ship, and the weather reflected that. It was a good venue for our... read more

  8 users found this review helpful.
• Michele  Jade  Mediterranean

  I had an amazing experience and I cannot wait to do it again! I absolutely loved the Mediterranean and seeing all the beautiful countries. We were on a tight budget so the specialty restaurants... read more

  12 users found this review helpful.
• Joe  Norwegian Dawn  Bermuda

  Embarkation & Debarkation was a great. The ship is still beautiful in my opinion, the crew was very good. My family and I have been on this ship seven years in a row. This is probably the last time... read more

  24 users found this review helpful.
• Karen  Pride of America  Hawaii

  The staff was really nice. We had to wait 2 hrs. for our cabin to be ready. At 5pm still no luggage and my husband found them at the opposite end of our hall just sitting there! The cabin was... read more

  24 users found this review helpful.
• Andy  Norwegian Sky  bahamas

  Being that it was our first cruise, we were absolutely pleased with it as we did not know what to expect. The Norwegian staff is very attentive and constantly striving to keeping everything clean.... read more

  22 users found this review helpful.
• Cruzer  Norwegian Sun  Alaska

  With our 3 teenage kids, my husband and I decided to try this Alaska cruise after talking to a friend of ours who happens to be a travel agent and we were able to get a phenomenal price. As we have... read more

  12 users found this review helpful.
• Adam  Pride of America  Hawaii

  Best trip ever because of the beautiful islands! We rented cars and did our own excursions which saved us a lot of money. The cruise line excursions are extremely expensive. Book excursions... read more

  50 users found this review helpful.
• Sara  Norwegian Dawn  Bermuda

  This was our 3rd NCL cruise. Our first with the freestyle format. Overall, we had a wonderful time and had a great time in Bermuda. We loved being on one island for more than 1 day. I agree... read more

  16 users found this review helpful.
• michele rivard  Norwegian Sky  bahamas

  the whole crew was very friendly. The cruise director, Matt was awesome as was his whole staff. The service in the crossings resturant was great. The buffet on deck 11 was good. Our cabin... read more

  7 users found this review helpful.
• Leigh and Alan Rector  Pride of America  hawai cruise

  We thoroughly enjoyed the Cruise. Once we were actually cruising! We checked in at Marriott Honolulu, where we stayed for 3 nights prior. Our flight was late and we checked in just before 11:00pm.... read more

  15 users found this review helpful.
• Natalie Dougherty  Norwegian Dawn  Bermuda

  My husband and I had previously sailed on Royal Carribean cruise line and found it to be much better than Norweigan. What we really did not like was the pool area. The pool was so small and you... read more

  15 users found this review helpful.
• Linda Rich  Jade  western med

  I have just finished reading a review of this ship and this itinerary and just had to add a review of my own. We did a back to back cruise on the Jade Nov. 2008. That means we sailed her for 24... read more

  31 users found this review helpful.
• Courtney  Norwegian Star  Alaska

  We had the worst experience ever with NCL. They are terribly rude. I will never cruise with them and will continue to let the public know what a awful, disgusting cruise line they are!!! My... read more

  10 users found this review helpful.
• William Peterson  Norwegian Star  Alaska Inside Passage

  My wife and I were delighted with our cruise, taken to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Let me say up-front that I was strongly inclined to enjoy it: as a young boy in 1961-66 I was... read more

  9 users found this review helpful.
• Maura  Norwegian Spirit  Bermuda

  For the price, you can't beat this cruise. That being said, if you are looking for an elegant vacation complete with fine dining and white glove service--this is not the cruise for you. The... read more

  24 users found this review helpful.
• Ted  Norwegian Star  Inside Passage Alaska

  I took my family on the Inside Passage in August 2009 on NCL Star. We have all cruised several times. We will not do NCL again. Freestyle cruising is a phrase that means charge extra for... read more

  18 users found this review helpful.
• Beth  Norwegian Star  Inside passage

  I'd lke to go back to Alaska but not via NCL. I was very disappointed in the cruise. The Fish & Chips were the only thing I found that was edible. The onboard entertainment was okay I... read more

  5 users found this review helpful.
• Stephanie  Norwegian Majesty  yeah

  10 of us just recently sailed on Bermuda (ages from 1-63) and for the most part we were dissapointed. To go on this ship I sure hope you like making your own fun because thats what you have to do.... read more

  6 users found this review helpful.
• Doug W  Norwegian Sky  Bahamas

  The ship was very nice and in good condition. The crew was mostly young and pleasant and helpful. The food was the main reason I chose a cruise over a land vacation. My past cruise on Carnival... read more

  12 users found this review helpful.
• Anita  Norwegian Sun  Alaska

  Our family recently returned from the 7 day Vancouver/Alaska cruise on the Norwegian Sun. The positives: The serving staff, the entertainment (on our cruise - MaryEllen Hooper, Rushlow... read more

  15 users found this review helpful.
• chris  Norwegian Sun  Alaska

  You must like cigarette smoke and terrible constant pop music to enjoy this. We were very disappointed. They allow smoking on nearly all outside areas, and they blasted pop music in all the spaces... read more

  13 users found this review helpful.
• mindy f  Gem  Mediteranean

  Overall the trip was okay. The ports of call were why we chose this ship as we really wanted to visit Italy. We thought the excursions were overpriced (as they generally are on cruises) but,... read more

  22 users found this review helpful.
• Debbie Rice  Norwegian Sun  Alaska

  Overall, a great experience. Lots of kids on board, but you hardly saw them out and around. The ship is in need of refurbishment at this time. Carpets are torn and the walls are pretty banged... read more

  21 users found this review helpful.