Norwegian's Official Travel Blog

Everyone loves to take a cruise, for any occasion. Whether it’s a birthday celebration, an anniversary, or just a regular getaway with friends, cruising is one of the most exciting adventures one can embark on. If you are looking to have some extra flair on your next vacation, why not consider a theme cruise? Norwegian Cruise Lines offers lots of different options to ramp up your excitement at sea. If you are a fan of music festivals, or a fan of television, you are sure to love the many themed cruising options they have available.

By Rachel Sigur

I’ve been on plenty of cruises in my lifetime and I have always stayed in either a cabin with a window or a balcony room.  These rooms have suited me just fine; that is until I cruised in The Haven. 

Taking a cruise during the winter months is an excellent way to escape the holiday hustle and the freezing temperatures of the north. Fortunately, Norwegian Cruise Line has a variety of vacations to choose from, including award-winning Caribbean Cruise packages, leaving from various ports such as Miami, San Juan, Orlando & Port Canaveral, and New York.

Planning on taking a honeymoon cruise? It’s the perfect way to celebrate your new life together. Imagine being pampered from the moment you step on board, and, all the while, enjoying different destinations. Plus, let’s not forget about all the fun shopping, specialty restaurants, and exciting nightlife that you’ll find right on your ship! Let’s take a look at some essential honeymoon cruise tips to kick off the romance the right way.

By Meghan Roth of Meghan on the Move

Most people put together a packing list before any major vacation. If you are going on a Norwegian Cruise Line vacation your packing list might vary a little bit depending on where you are going, how long you are going for, and which shore excursions you plan on taking. But there are a few “must have” items that I bet probably aren’t on your cruise packing list. Today, I am sharing my top 6 things you’d never think to pack for your cruise vacation.

If you’ve booked a Caribbean Cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line, chances are Jamaica’s ports of call Ocho Rios and Falmouth were huge incentives for you. (And if they weren’t, they should be!)  Although the entire Caribbean region may conjure images of endless beaches and swaying palm trees, every island charted on Norwegian’s Caribbean itineraries boasts a notable culture, language, and scenery. And Jamaica is, perhaps, one of the most unique destinations.

Savvy world travelers already know that saving money while you’re on vacation is a surefire way to a faster next vacation. Sailing the high seas is well-known as the kind of vacation that comes loaded with inclusive features. Like, one of the great adventures for foodies is just going deck to deck to sample the array of complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner options that are available to cruisers and built-in to the costs of their fares. Also, these days, more and more amenities like Wi-Fi, specialty restaurants, and onboard credits, are being included with stateroom fares.

While you probably already know the golden rule of travel is to simply ask, the tips in this post will point you in the right direction.

By Melina Gibbins of Melina's Travel Tales

You will often hear that the best part of cruising is, “I only have to unpack once”, or even “each morning, I wake up in a new port”.

While these are perfectly true statements, there are so many more reasons to love cruising … Here are some of mine.

When it comes to planning a family cruise, it may not be as much about the destination itself as it is about how you’re going to get there. Choosing the right ship and the perfect stateroom all within your budget are the keys to keeping everyone happy.

The best family cruises offer a well-rounded balance of exciting destinations and shore excursions, as well as fun, entertainment and the coolest kids’ clubs at sea. To get your family cruise vacation sailing in the right direction, here are our top tips for planning a family cruise.

By Suzanne Wolko of PhilaTravelGirl.com

My friend and I would run into my Mom in the atrium on a sea day and ask her to join us at lunch, she replied “no thanks, I’m busy with other things, see you at dinner” and with that, she walked away and I laughed. My own Mother had better things to do than spending time with me, her first born! That's life on a cruise ship.

When we think of celebrating the holidays, we usually think of family gatherings, crowded shopping malls, and getting together for copious amounts of food and drinks with friends. Instead of staying home and doing the same thing you do each season, consider taking a holiday cruise to one of our many Norwegian Cruise Line destinations with your family or friends instead. You can always enjoy your copious amounts of food and drinks at sea, where you won’t have to drive anywhere or clean up after the festivities are over.

By Katie Collins

My husband and I fell for cruising just before we got married. Our second cruise and honeymoon took us to the Caribbean. When we had our first child, we presumed our cruising days were on hold. But when I looked into holiday options when our eldest was 14 months, I realised children are very much included in the cruising experience.

Cruising done right can be a very thrilling adventure. Besides traditional Sports Deck features like soccer, basketball, dodgeball, or volleyball, you can feel like a super athlete by partaking in one of our more non-traditional activities like rock climbing with your family or friends. Our multi-level Sports Complex offers many opportunities for you to challenge others to a friendly game or get your workout in before you hit one of our many buffets.

There's no better way to see the islands of the world than aboard a cruise. What appears as a dot on the horizon grows larger and larger as you approach by ship, eventually becoming a swath of land just begging to be explored. From sunny specks of white sand beaches, to volcanic outcrops of towering peaks, and historic ports with sordid pasts, Norwegian Cruise Line visits islands in every corner of the world. Here, we list ten not to miss.

By Mikkel Paige Mihlrad of Sometimes Home

I was anxious to take my first cruise in 2006 when I was a resident in Orlando, Florida. There was a cruise port just about an hour east of where I lived and I had always wanted to try it. I was instantly HOOKED.

There's a popular quote by author Vivian Greene, who says: "Life is about learning to dance in the rain!" The same is true if it happens to rain on your cruise: you're still on vacation so why not make the most of it?

Whether you're cruising as a couple or enjoying time with your family and friends, doesn't it always seem like the little things are the most memorable? After the delight of seeing your ship for the first time, maybe your memories will include the ocean waves, breathing in the salty air, or simply watching the amazing sunset, moon and stars from your balcony. There are so many little things on your cruise that make a big difference; let's take a look!

I have to say my wife and I are not your average cruisers. We've only recently started cruising in the last 2-3 years. Traditionally when we vacation, we like to relax, splurge, go off the beaten path, and treat ourselves to a more laid-back luxury experience. For many years when planning vacations, though, the thought never crossed our minds that a cruise would give us this kind of experience. But then we researched The Haven by Norwegian Cruise Line. This was a different experience than our previous cruises. And if you are like us and gravitate towards a more exclusive, care-free, luxury experience, then you'll want to read further. This article will give you an in-depth look at what it's like to cruise The Haven.

Chances are, you need a vacation. But studies show that the average U.S. worker leaves nearly half of his or her vacation days unused. Project Time Off attributes these forgone days off to what they call, “vacation stigma,” the belief that too much time away from work is irresponsible and reflects a lack of commitment to the company. But employers don’t agree. If time constraints are an issue, a short cruise vacation may be exactly what you need.

While Norwegian Cruise Line offers unforgettable cruises to popular cruise destinations including the Caribbean, Alaska and the Mediterranean, there are also some more distinctive voyages to consider. Think Australia, South America, and Scandinavia. Allow your imagination to wander. If you've already done the Caribbean why not check Morocco, China or Russia off your bucket list? The world is waiting to be explored.