Talk Travel to Me: The Blog

Consumer Reports recently dropped their findings on the worst cruise lines for overall satisfaction. As a cruise lover and professional travel advisor, I was not surprised at all to see Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) at the very bottom.
They surveyed more than 18,000 cruisers looking at everything from cleanliness and food quality to price transparency. NCL rated at or near the bottom in almost every single category.

While Norwegian was once a fantastic option, their cost-cutting has completely tanked the guest experience and their leadership doesn’t seem to care.

NCL used to have incredible Broadway shows like Kinky Boots, Six, and Beetlejuice. Now? They ditched them for cheap, in-house productions that don’t even compare. It is 100% a cost-cutting measure to avoid licensing fees and hiring top-tier talent. By switching to generic shows no one has ever heard of, they save a buck while you pay the price in entertainment quality. They also ditched the reservation system in favor of a first come, first served situation that has created some chaos onboard.

As a travel professional, I’ll be the first to admit NCL can be a total nightmare to deal with. They do some shady stuff including cancelling port stops and major schedule changes just after guests have made their final payments.  The worst part? They don’t tell the truth about why - instead they give vague reasons like “strengthing partnerships” or “fuel optimization.”

A few years back, I spent months organizing a 14-cabin group on the Norwegian Encore for a school vacation week. I booked the rooms and locked in deposits a year in advance. With six months to go, Norwegian cancelled the entire cruise. Why? Because a corporation offered to charter the whole ship. NCL took the corporate cash and dumped the regular families who had been planning for a year.

They refunded the money but only offered a 10% bonus credit to rebook. By then, comparable cruises were 30% to 40% more expensive because cabins had filled up. My clients couldn't afford the jump and were furious at Norwegian, and unfortunately at me even though I was simply the messenger. They all took their refunds and vowed never to sail NCL again.

NCL also takes the cake for misleading advertising. They constantly push their "Free at Sea" promotion, promising free excursions, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and drinks. The reality? None of it is truly free - it’s a marketing illusion that draws in and promptly infuriates potential customers.

You have to pay hundreds out of pocket in mandatory gratuities just to get the dining and drink packages. And bottled water isn’t even included in that package. (What?!?! Yes, really.)

The shore excursions aren't free either. You get a $50 credit per stateroom per port, but good luck finding an excursion that cheap. The Wi-Fi is the only free item, but they cap you at 150 minutes for a 7 night cruise. That disappears instantly.

None of these companies get it 100% right, but NCL will nickel-and-dime you to death onboard. Want room service? Extra charge. They are even slapping an extra cover charge on guests just to attend the adults-only circus production on their brand-new ship, the Norwegian Luna.

Their famous go-kart tracks are a huge selling point for teens and young adults, but you will pay $15 per person for every single ride. You can buy a week-long pass for $199, but if the track closes due to bad weather, you aren't getting a refund.

NCL recently tried to remove the ability for guests to use drink packages on their private island in the Bahamas. The public outcry was so fierce that management actually backtracked. I was shocked because normally they just sit back and wait for the yelling to subside. So, I guess they win some points there? Maybe?

Every cruise line has its own personality, and part of my job is to make sure you match with the right one. Let's find your perfect fit! Contact me to set up a complimentary discovery call where we'll go over your vacation wish list and pick the best ship for your next sailing