From the moment you step on board Norwegian Prima, you notice the difference from past Norwegian ships. Unfortunately, I suspect this will create some traffic jams in the buffet once the ship is fully up and running. This also includes gourmet treats specially delivered to your suite each evening in case youd like a late-night snack. (6,694 sq. Wonder of the Seas measures 235,600 tons 62% larger than Norwegian Prima. Did it live up to the hype? So I was a bit disappointed since my experience on Sky was so amazing. By day two, The Haven bartender, concierge and restaurant hostess knew our names. In other words, while the interior of the ship has taken an elegant turn, for sure, this isn't a vessel that's just for couples on an upscale getaway. 17. Perhaps the greatest design triumph of Norwegian Prima isn't the elevated style of its public spaces. Even if I had my opinion is exactly that, a single opinion. Theres quite a clear distinction between the ships NCL has launched since Norwegian Epic, and those before. Which Cruise Lines Require That Kids Be Vaccinated? You and your baggage have been whisked to an area of the ship known as the Norwegian Cruise Line Haven. But with roughly 214 guests staying in the complex at any given time, assuming two passengers per suite, it's still an intimate venue. A private balcony is perfect for outdoor relaxing. Such is the case on the Norwegian Gem, where Haven guests typically have special access to breakfast at Moderno and lunch in Cagneys, both of which are closed to other diners until dinnertime. Norwegian Gem is very similar to other ships in the Gem class, and so doesnt have any particular features or notable attractions to shout about. This is important, because non-Haven guests are not given access to the area and its amenities. ft. sleeps 6), The living and dining areas are well-planned and a luxury bath is included. But it would be tight if my wife were here with me, and we both had suitcases full of clothes for a week. The Norwegian Joy was constructed in 2017 and got its first makeover in 2019. These rooms also receive complimentary access to the Thermal Spa. The ship-within-a-ship cruise experience aboard Norwegian Cruise Line is called The Haven. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. We learned about the amazing new venues, such as an expanded waterfront section called Ocean Boulevard and a super-sized Haven area with a dedicated sun deck. On Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, the Haven is at the back of the ship. Courtyard was large with many loungers to choose from. 1. On the Breakaway-Plus class NCL Bliss ship: The total number of The Haven suites is almost doubled in comparison to the Breakaway-class ships - 95 Suite accommodations, including . For comparison, Seabourn Venture, the new ship that just debuted from luxury line Seabourn, is built for 264 passengers. Priority and reserve seating at the shows was a plus and not having to get there 30 minutes before the shows. Even the lowest-ranking ship averaged 3.43 out of 5, which is a pretty good score it means there were a lot more 4* and 5* reviews than there were 1* or 2*. If you dont want to go take this option, however, keep in mind that the Haven also has a variety of connecting rooms, although keep in mind that you cant stick two children in a cabin of their own. How Many Cabins Are on The Norwegian Epic? If you're a fan of the line, this is the new ship you can't wait to book. I loved the Epic Haven. Related: How to get the most from Norwegian's Latitudes Rewards loyalty program. Now that weve learned how the Norwegian Cruise Line Haven creates a ship-within-a-ship hideaway, lets choose which vessel to book. The bedroom has a king-sized bed; and the balcony has room for everyone. For longer and/or extended days at sea, this can be a real bonus. But, in trying to offer the variety needed for this to work, the ship ended up with a really confusing layout packing in restaurants and bars with apparently little thought to how guests would navigate them easily. An upcoming sailing of Norwegian Epic is being changed, with one port of call cancelled and another extended. LauraS Norwegian Breakaway 4.464. A few moments later, a staffer approached, tablet in hand, and checked us in while we finished snacking. The Breakaway's Haven was nice (the retractable roof is a plus!) Picking a cabin a Norwegian Cruise Line ship isn' easy.. For starters, a huge number cabins Norwegian ships. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. Another bonus: the sundeck spans two decks, with one being dedicated solely for passengers over 18, meaning that you can venture into the hot tubs without fear of kids and splashing. But the ship itself isn't ridiculously giant in the way that many recent megaships from big-ship lines have been and it doesn't carry the same sort of massive number of passengers. Huge Haven area and love the Haven lounge and restaurant. There are views for days through walls of windows; and some ships have not one, but two balconies. Older ships are smaller, quieter and more relaxed but they still have a fun vibe great for young couples who want to let their hair down. And one last point a lot of the reviews Ive read mention bad things across the entire cruise line, rather than the ship. I never experience anything like it on any other NCL ship. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Norwegian Bliss cabins review. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? It's built around three massive crystal chandeliers costing nearly $100,000 that hang down all the way to the floor a showstopper of a design element. The Norwegian Epic was built in 2009 and the cabins have remained largely unchanged during this time. It has been designed to offer more space, so that it feels a little less crowded than the Breakaway Plus ships, without sacrificing any of the exciting attractions youll find onboard. Built in 2002, she was designed to take advantage of the new Freestyle Cruising mantra that NCL had introduced with sister ship Norwegian Star. Finally, the Restaurant on the Prima-class Havens is larger and has much better views than you find on the other ships. While she lacks some of the exciting features of the latest ships, she still packs plenty of fun, whether thats the bowling alley or just the decor. There are several different types, depending on ship. Pride of America is the only ship in the world that sails under the US flag, and it is NCLs primary ship for exploring the islands of Hawaii. And, you can make reservations at any time. In addition, the top of Norwegian Prima has a new-for-the-line open-air games zone called The Stadium with a pickleball court, foosball tables, pingpong, bar-style hand shuffleboard tables and other amusements. (1,307 sq. It's a Big Cruise Ship. On both sides of Ocean Boulevard, there are infinity pools as well as shallow dipping pools. For a greater percentage of passengers on this ship than any other big-ship vessel at sea, Norwegian Prima can offer a truly upscale experience in a private, hidden-away complex. While some suites are located within The Haven itself, many are found behind the actual enclave, but still have access to it. Planning a cruise? There's also a new electronic darts venue called The Bull's Eye where you rent a space to play with your friend, a souped-up miniature golf course, a bowl-style waterslide, a kiddie splash zone and two giant dry-slide drop attractions where you plunge from the top of the ship to the promenade deck below. Read Less. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 20 cruises. Breeze through security with CLEAR lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. The Norwegian Jade is one of the older ships in the fleet, but she got fully renovated in 2017. In exchange, you will have more space, fewer crowds and quiet public areas. Second reason is Posh. On the other hand, Carnival has . When it comes to variety of activities, Escape is a winner. It does have very stylish decor, and the Alaskan summer itineraries are definitely more attractive to those who prefer sightseeing over partying. The FFS cruise will set sail on the Carnival Horizon cruise ship in . Enrollment required. The largest ship in the NCL fleet is Norwegian Encore, the last of the Breakaway Plus ships. The line has been a pioneer among big-ship lines in taking promenades to a new level by making them wider and adding venues to draw passengers out onto them. It's enough for me this week, as I'm traveling solo. NCL is a cruise line that is very family-friendly, and while Norwegian Escape isnt different, it does excel from a couples perspective too. Moments later, you are surrounded by luxury with a concierge at hand and more drinks and snacks about. Now that youve settled into your suite, enjoyed a hot shower in the luxury bath, and changed out of travel clothes into comfy cruise attire, lets see what the Norwegian Cruise Line Haven section has to offer. Picking a cabin on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship isn't always easy.. For starters, there are a huge number of cabins available on some Norwegian ships. Also designed by Studio Dado, they have a clean-lined, minimalist look of the sort you find at sophisticated contemporary hotels on land. (4,824 sq. Its still a very popular ship and people do love the exclusive Onda restaurant but most cruisers prefer that extra adults-only space that Bliss has in comparison. While NCL pitches itself as a family-friendly cruise line, the newer ships definitely have a lot more to do onboard, and are more about the at-sea experience. First, it is one of the newer ships, and so has a dedicated suite restaurant for all meals if one wishes, the older ships do not have a suites venue for dinner. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. On a Norwegian cruise, you can be yourself while enjoying endless opportunities for entertainment, lots of thrills, and a huge selection of dining options. This cruiser appeals to travelers of all ages thanks to the diverse entertainment options. You'll find the equally sculptural Onda by Scarpetta, a high-end Italian eatery, right off its top level, and a string of stylish restaurants with new-for-Norwegian themes not far from its midlevel. Unless, of course, I bid to upgrade. This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. The Haven allows passengers to enjoy everything from a private bar and lounge to a custom restaurant, secluded sun deck and calm courtyard, without ever leaving the suite complex. It also has just as robust an array of onboard entertainment, including a real Broadway show (the Tony Award-nominated "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical") in a stunner of a theater that converts late at night into a dance club. Norwegian Dawn - 3.92. If youre reading this, theres a pretty good chance you know what The Haven is and are considering booking. The ship has a total of 80 all-suite Haven staterooms: The majority of them (50) are located in a two-story complex at the bow of the boat that spans both the . Taking a bite-the-bullet approach, I booked an amazing two-bedroom suite and invited Doug (aka Mr. Cruise Radio) along for the ride. As a Norwegian Cruise Line Haven passenger, youll find more benefits here. This is totally subjective. The concierge on Sky was great. ft. sleeps 3), For a cozy spa experience, this is the spot. Given his love of eating, drinking and gambling, its astonishing how long it took him to discover the joys of cruising. There are a few things about its design that leave me scratching my head things that maybe the line can change before it moves ahead with the rollout of five sister ships that already are on order. It really is elevated. Instead, the destination is the main attraction here, with itineraries planned around maximising the time spent among Hawaiis magnificent scenery, with some fun-packed excursion options available. Speaking of the Haven suite area on Norwegian Prima, there's really nothing like it. What is Norwegians best ship? The concierge would personally visit you twice a day to check up on you. There are also over five bars and lounges on each ship. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. With 28 bars and restaurants onboard, most people will have . Enrollment required. So it feels a little harsh that this exciting, feature-packed ship is nearer the bottom of the list. Fresh off my first experience in The Haven, Im looking forward to doing it again although my next sailing on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship will be in a balcony aboard the Joy. Read about my attempt to test every dish at its 11 venues in four days to find out. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Norwegian Bliss is considered to be quite upmarket by NCLs standards not that NCL ships are cheap anyway, but Bliss just has an aura of being more refined. Cruising in an aft suite on the Jade 10/24/15 and wondered if anyone has sailed in them..and your opinion.. We always book an aft SF on Jewel class ships and really like the privacy, large balcony (particularly large on deck 10), and how being located aft shelters you from the wind. After five days on board Norwegian Prima in advance of its first sailing with paying passengers, I am skeptical no more. Norwegian Bliss has a total of 2043 passenger staterooms, of which 1599 are outside (suite, balcony, oceanview) and 444 inside cabins. Depending on the destination, you can signup for bus tours, walking tours, adventures like snorkeling, cultural experiences and more. The benefits of cruising within The Haven enclave are many. Its lounge chairs are plush and upscale. On most Norwegian ships, the exclusive sun deck is at the very top of the ship and typically forward, meaning it's the perfect place to sunbathe in peace or have a drink while you sail into a new port. Makes me think "motel" pool. The ships are slightly smaller and feel a lot less crowded, which really helps to accentuate the modern and minimalist design choices too this feels like a really premium ship compared to the rest of the fleet. Sure, we went to several specialty restaurants, but we opted for The Havens restaurant for a majority of our meals. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. 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