Search our LOWEST Rates on Norwegian

At NCL, we don't just leave the pier. We depart from the cruise industry entirely. It's called Freestyle Cruising:

On May 28, 2000, Norwegian Cruise Line ushered in a new era of cruising when it introduced its innovative Freestyle Cruising aboard Norwegian Sky. Freestyle Cruising is characterized by having no fixed dining times, relaxed attire, up to 11 distinct restaurants, relaxed disembarkation and even more lounges, bars, theatres and other entertainment and activity options.

In 2001, NCL extended Freestyle Cruising to all of its ships, and in 2008, NCL introduced Freestyle 2.0, on-board enhancements to further improve the guest experience. Enhancements included a major investment in the total dining experience; upgrading the stateroom experience across the ship; new wide ranging onboard activities for guests all of ages; and additional recognition, service and amenities for balcony, suite and villa guests.

In 2010, NCL introduced a new third generation Freestyle Cruising ship named Norwegian Epic. The 150,000 ton, 4,200 passenger ship will incorporate a world of new features and amenities, including curved New Wave staterooms and unique nightlife options.

Freestyle Dining - "Dinner will be served at whatever o'clock."

• NCL ships have up to 21 dining options
• Guests can eat in a different restaurant every night of the week if they choose;
• Open seating and extended hours in the main restaurants allow guests to dine when they want, where they want and with whom they want;
• Guests can dine in their choice of main restaurants any time between the hours of 5:30 p.m. to midnight with seating until 10 p.m.;
• Guests have the option to choose their dinner companions and request tables of any size from two to 10 each evening rather than being assigned to a specific table for the length of the cruise;
• Meals cooked to order instead of prepared banquet style;
• Guests can linger over dinner or dessert without feeling rushed.
• NCL's newest ships feature a Restaurant Reservation and Table Management system. Flat-screen TVs placed in key, high-traffic areas around the ship, show each restaurant's current availability status. Indicator bars reflect when each restaurant is "full," "short wait," "filling up," or "empty." Screens also show an estimated wait time in each restaurant. If a restaurant is full and guests would like to wait for an opening, the hostess will quote a wait time and issue a pager that works all over the ship. This allows passengers to sit down in a bar, enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail, and listen to one of the ship's many entertainers until their table is ready.

Freestyle Attire: "Come as you are, really."

• Resort casual dress is the norm throughout the fleet;
• One completely optional "formal night" (two on cruises longer than seven-nights) offered in various areas of the ship for those who enjoy dressing up for dinner.

Freestyle Service: "Breakfast in bed - Wow! You really are on vacation."

• A ratio of roughly one crewmember per stateroom ratio brings crew-to-guest ratio up to the level typically found at top land-based resorts;
• More crewmembers provide a higher level of service and allow many public rooms and restaurants to stay open for longer periods each evening.

Freestyle Disembarkation: "You must board. You must disembark. Thus ends the lists of 'musts.'"

• NCL's guest-friendly disembarkation system allows guests to enjoy the final morning of the cruise and depart the ship at their leisure;
• Guests may stay in their cabins and enjoy continental breakfast, eat breakfast in one of the main restaurants or eat at the buffet or casual restaurant until their colored luggage tag is called or until the last and final call, which is normally around 10 a.m.

Freestyle Lifestyle and Enrichment Programs: "175 activities for Type A. 900 deck chairs for Type B."

• "Active Decompression" lifestyle programs offered on board and ashore aimed at stimulating the mind and challenging the body;
• Components include everything from computer and cooking classes to yoga and mountain biking shore excursions;
• Guests looking for something different on their cruise will be able to leave the ship with a sense of having learned something, achieved something or simply regained the balance in their lives;
• Guests can still have a sense of "staying connected" through the Internet Cafés on every ship. In 1999, NCL pioneered the industry's first Internet access on the high seas with its Internet Café. NCL is also the first cruise line to provide remote wireless Internet access (WiFi) to its guests. In 2006, NCL became the first cruise line to offer cell phone service fleet wide.

Service Charges:

• Simplified system eliminates the traditional last night rush to distribute tipping envelopes to dining staff and cabin stewards;
• Service charges are automatically added to each guest's onboard account;
• Guests have the option of leaving an additional gratuity for exceptional service or can choose to deduct the service charge from their bill.