Norwegian Cruise Line Planning: Ships, Great Stirrup Cay & Tips

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian (NCL) invented “freestyle cruising”: no set dinner times, no assigned tables and no formal nights. You eat when and where you want, and there are a lot of places to choose from. It’s a great fit if you hate schedules.

Who it's best for

Couples and friends who want flexibility
Foodies (lots of specialty restaurants)
Solo travelers (NCL has studio cabins built for one, with a solo lounge)
Families, especially on the newer ships

The ships, in plain English

Prima Plus class (Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna): the newest, with a roller-coaster waterslide and lots of open-air space. Luna debuted in 2026.
Prima class: stylish, spacious and less crowded-feeling.
Breakaway and Breakaway Plus class: go-karts, big water parks and Broadway shows.
Smaller and older ships: great for longer itineraries in Europe, Alaska and Hawaii.

NCL's private destinations

Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, with the new Great Tides Waterpark (opened September 2026), a heated lagoon with swim-up bars and a new pier
Harvest Caye in Belize

What's included

NCL’s More at Sea package can bundle drinks, specialty dining, Wi-Fi and excursion credits, depending on the fare you choose. It’s often a good deal, but not always. I’ll compare the fares for you.

From my own trips

My experience

What a night at sea looks like for me

Grabbing a drink, finding some live music and seeing where the night takes me.

Favorite restaurant on board

Cagney’s Steakhouse. That’s a dinner to make a night out of.

Tip

Book your specialty dining as soon as reservations open, especially if there is one restaurant you really want to try.

Discover the Magic

Ready for your Norwegian cruise?

Tell me where you’d like to go and when. I’ll compare the fares and packages so you get the best value.