buffet on norwegian cruise ships

11 venues, 32 dishes, 4 days: I tested every eatery at Norwegian Cruise Line's new Indulge Food Hall so you don't have to

How much weight have I gained this week in the name of research? I don't even want to know.

It's surely not a small amount.

For the past four days, I've been furiously trying to taste every one of the dozens of dishes at the just-opened food hall on Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Norwegian Prima — all in the name of finding the very best options it has available for you, our TPG readers.

Dubbed Indulge Food Hall, the multioutlet venue, which offers made-to-order dishes, is something of a big deal in the world of cruising. It's one of the first food halls added to a cruise vessel and the first for the Norwegian brand.

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It's likely to be a big draw for Norwegian fans once they start sailing on Norwegian Prima in the coming weeks. (The ship is scheduled to sail its first voyage with paying passengers on Saturday; I'm seeing it this week during a non-revenue preview sailing.)

The food hall has a mix of food outlets serving up everything from Mexican tostadas (out of a food truck converted from a real Airstream trailer) to tandoori chicken — 11 venues in all if you count the Starbucks in the middle of the complex. Notably, nearly none of them come with an extra charge.

My goal in recent days was to try every item on every menu and declare the very best.

I couldn't quite pull that off. I would have had to order more than a dozen dishes a day. But I've made a serious dent in the options — trying more than 30 dishes in all.

If you think that sounds impossible, know that I corralled several other cruise writers I know on board to join me during a series of lunches and dinners so I could order up a storm. We shared large numbers of dishes.

Related: My strange night out at Norwegian Prima's new 'zero waste' cocktail bar

As at some food halls on land, customers at Indulge Food Hall can order dishes both directly at its outlets and from their tables (either through a waiter or via tablets that are at every table). Food items then are delivered to passengers at their tables. There is both indoor and outdoor seating.

Here is a look at all Norwegian Prima's Indulge Food Hall has to offer and — should I ever feel hungry again — which dishes I would definitely order in the future.

Serves: Noodle dishes.

Cost: Free.

Menu: A small selection of classic noodle dishes from around the world. At lunch, you'll find pad thai, Singapore street noodles, an Italian tagliatelle dish with Bolognese sauce, German spaetzle and an Asian noodle soup. Dinner brings three types of Italian pasta dishes, an Italian gnocchi dish with pesto and a Chinese Lanzhou noodle soup.

The TPG take: Nudls is one of the standout options at Indulge Food Hall, offering the greatest hits of noodle dishes from around the world, mostly done well. The pad thai is just like you get it at a good Thai restaurant at home, and the Singapore noodles have just the right amount of spice. Made to order, each dish arrives fast and hot, and the portions are small in a good way. If you can't decide, it's perfectly acceptable to order two dishes!

My one big quibble here is with the Bolognese sauce on the lunchtime tagliatelle, which had an odd spiciness to it — almost as if a few peppers from the pad thai got mixed in. Then again, I'm the grandchild of Italian immigrants and quite critical of Italian meat sauce that isn't just like grandma made. Note to Norwegian: I have that recipe if you need it.

Best dish: Pad thai.

Serves: Indian cuisine.

Menu: Classic Indian dishes such as fish tikka, chicken tikka, chicken korma and aloo ghobi at lunch, and roasted pork vindaloo, chicken tikka masala and saag paneer at dinner. There are also sides such as basmati rice, garlic naan, raita and chutney.

The TPG take: Tamara may be the sleeper hit of not just Indulge Food Hall but the whole culinary lineup on Norwegian Prima. Home to its own tandoor, it offers classic Indian dishes done well. It's the sort of thing for which other big-ship lines would charge extra — a lot extra.

I was thrilled with everything that I ordered here, including the saag paneer, chicken korma and chicken tikka, which were all close rivals in my mind for "best dish" honors. In the end, I went with the tikka, which arrived buttery soft and infused with wonderful tandoor flavor.

Best dish: Chicken tikka.

Seaside Rotisserie

Serves: Grilled dishes.

Menu: Grilled items including beef shish kebab, vegetable kebab, chicken legs and leg of lamb (which arrives sliced) at lunch, and Australian lamb chops, beef tenderloin and Hudson Valley duck at dinner.

The TPG take: Seaside Rotisserie is mostly kebabs and sliced meats at lunch and then gets stepped up in elaborateness a bit at dinner. In some cases, the concept for the dishes seems more ambitious than what actually arrives, as was the case with the Australian lamb chops that I ordered one night at dinner. They looked great in the picture on the tablet screen, but what arrived was possibly the smallest lamb chops I had ever seen. They did taste good, though.

Best dish: Beef shish kebab.

The Latin Quarter

Serves: Mexican cuisine.

Menu: Tostadas made with mushrooms, crab or tuna; guacamole with chips; totopos (what you probably know as "nachos" from your local bar); and coctel de mariscos. The menu stays the same at lunch and dinner.

The TPG take: Nacho lovers will find nirvana here, as The Latin Quarter is basically a quick-serve outlet for nachos and tostadas covered with various things. We loved the guacamole, which tastes homemade and comes with properly crisp and salty chips. We were even more impressed with the crab tostada, which was topped with a generous helping of real crab. That can't be inexpensive.

Presentationwise, the single tostadas that arrived with each order were a little underwhelming. But tastewise, I give them high marks.

Best dish: Crab tostada.

Serves: Tapas.

Menu: Cured meats and cheeses including Spanish ham, chorizo, manchego and idiazabal cheese, as well as bruschetta-like appetizers. The menu essentially stays the same at lunch and dinner. One new item appears on the dinner menu, a pate de pato (duck pate).

The TPG take: Small bites are the focus here, as is the style at a tapas eatery. If you're coming to Indulge Food Hall for a meal, you can order a couple of items from here as an appetizer, but don't expect them to fill you up. You also won't find wildly creative concoctions like you would at some tapas bars in, say, Barcelona.

The selection is pretty basic, as is the presentation; when we ordered from here at lunchtime, the selections came in open-faced cardboard containers. That said, it's hard to argue with the yumminess of a nice piece of Spanish ham or manchego.

Best dish: Chorizo.

Serves: Soups and salads.

Menu: Two soups (French onion and roasted tomato) and four salads (spinach Caesar, Cobb, mesclun and romaine/kale).

The TPG take: This is the healthful option at Indulge Food Hall, and it offers a basic range of salad and soup classics. As with the noodles from Nudls, the dishes come in relatively small portions, perfect as an appetizer. You also can add a protein to the salads to make for a more substantial meal. Options include chicken and seared tuna.

I ordered a Cobb salad with tuna, and it was properly seared such that it was raw in the middle. Alas, it also was coated with an Old Bay-type seasoning that was overpowering. Everyone's tastes are different, but our take on tuna is that the best way to season it is barely at all.

Best dish: Roasted tomato soup.

Q Texas Smokehouse

Serves: Texas-style barbecue and chile.

Menu: Classic Texas barbecue and other Texas-themed items including pulled pork sandwiches, barbecue turkey sandwiches and chili at lunch, and brisket and pork spare ribs at dinner. Dinner also brings deviled eggs and fried green tomatoes.

The TPG take: This is a version of the Q Texas Smokehouse found on some Norwegian ships, and it offers a similar menu of Texas barbecue classics.

Norwegian has this cuisine down from previous ships, and you won't go wrong with a pulled pork sandwich or a bowl of chili (our favorite among it all). Also, don't miss the cornbread.

Best dish: Lone Star chili.

Just Desserts

Serves: Desserts.

Menu : A handful of small desserts of the sort you typically find on mass-market cruise ships, including coconut pudding, five-spice cake and flourless chocolate cake.

The TPG take: This small grab-and-go dessert stand is filled during lunch and dinner with a mix of about half a dozen types of classic cruise ship desserts.

It's nothing fancy — and nothing to get excited about. But it's the free option for desserts at Indulge Food Hall, as opposed to the extra-charge Coco's dessert stand (see below). By that standard, the offerings aren't bad.

Best dish: Flourless chocolate cake.

Just Ice Cream

Serves: Ice cream.

Menu: An array of four ice creams (when we visited, we found chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and green tea).

The TPG take: The ice cream here also is part of the free dessert offerings at Indulge Food Hall. For something fancier, extra-charge handmade gelatos are available just steps away at Coco's (see below). Note that you can't order the Just Ice Cream offerings to your table, but if you go up to the counter, a server is on hand to scoop you a bowl.

I'm impressed that Norwegian offers hard ice cream here for free. That isn't always the case at ice cream stands on big-ship lines, some of which only offer soft serve ice cream for free and charge for hard ice cream.

Best dish: Chocolate ice cream.

Coco's

Serves: High-design desserts.

Cost: $3 to $8 per item.

Menu: A range of handmade ice cream desserts including chocolate gelatos, milkshakes and ice cream coupes, as well as chocolate desserts and crepes.

The TPG take: Other than Starbucks, this is the only extra-charge outlet at Indulge Food Hall and — if you're a dessert lover — it's totally worth the upcharge. It serves some of the most delicious dark chocolate gelato that I've ever had at sea as well as truly over-the-top ice cream desserts, handmade crepe desserts and other decadent offerings.

Best dish: Decadent brownie s'more.

Serves: Coffee and other beverages.

Cost: $3.25 to $6.25 for grande-size drinks.

Menu: Everything you can get at a Starbucks on land, from brewed coffee to Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappucinos.

The TPG take: If you've been to a Starbucks on land, you know what this is. There's nothing different about one at sea.

Best dish: Brewed coffee (I'm a simpleton, I know).

Bottom line

Indulge Food Hall is a wonderful addition to the lineup of eateries on Norwegian ships, and we hope to see it roll out to more of the line's vessels soon. It offers a wide range of dishes cooked to order, delivered fast and hot, and — the best part — at no extra cost.

Note that Indulge Food Hall doesn't take the place of the traditional buffet eateries on Norwegian ships. It's an add-on option as a quick-serve, included-in-the-fare outlet for Norwegian cruisers. In our opinion, it's a major upgrade. Some of its outlets, most notably the Tamara eatery serving Indian cuisine, could easily be extra-charge venues.

TPG's Gene Sloan is reporting live from Norwegian Prima as it sails from Reykjavik to Amsterdam on a non-revenue preview voyage for media and travel agents. You can find all of his dispatches on his author's page .

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• Cruise Advice

Norwegian Cruise Line Dining Options

• December 30, 2019

One of the biggest questions asked when people are planning their trip on an NCL ship is, “What are the Norwegian Cruise Line dining options?” Given that even the smallest ships in the fleet have a plethora of options, it’s easy to see why that “simple” question might feel overwhelming.

We’re going to walk you through everything you need to know, from which restaurants are included and which come with a fee to what dishes Norwegian Cruise Line fans put at the top of their list.

Please note that we’re about to give you a whole lot of information, but that some of it might be different from ship-to-ship or even sailing-to-sailing.

Getting Started

If there’s one thing we are 100 percent certain about, it’s that you will not go hungry on your Norwegian Cruise Line cruise. There’s a reason they say the typical cruiser puts on a bit of weight during their voyage. And yes, it’s entirely possible to eat only in the complimentary restaurants the entire time you’re on board, and still have a wide variety of foods to choose from.

But we’re getting a bit ahead of ourselves. Let’s back up a bit, because your food-related decisions start even before you set foot on a ship.

Typically, when you book a cruise with Norwegian, you’re given a variety of “perks” to choose from. How many perks you receive depends on either the category of stateroom you are staying in or the time of year, given that they sometimes have special deals that might offer you more perks, even if you’re staying in an inside stateroom.

One of those perks is “specialty dining” and, if chosen, it gives you the ability to dine in specialty restaurants a certain number of nights, depending on the length of the cruise. On seven-night sailings, you are typically awarded three nights in the specialty restaurants. Your meal is covered, although drinks are not and, at the time of booking your cruise, they automatically add a service charge.

Even if you opt not to pick specialty dining as one of your “free” perks, you can still eat in the restaurants, of course. You can also purchase dining packages which offer a bit of a discount.

For example, the price of a specialty package that gives you three-nights in the for-fee restaurants is $118 (which includes the service charge).

The specialty dining package is now available fleetwide.

What’s Complimentary On Norwegian Cruise Line

• main dining rooms.

Every Norwegian Cruise Line ship has at least one complimentary main dining room, although most have several. On the largest ships (such as the Breakaway , Escape and Bliss ), you’ll actually find three. Way back in 2000, Norwegian introduced the concept of Freestyle Dining, which essentially meant that you did not need reservations. Gone were the days of assigned seating, often with strangers, at an assigned time. While you can make dining reservations, the majority of passengers seem to eschew this process.

For those without reservations, seatings are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Generally speaking, there’s rarely a long wait (and always a bar nearby in which to have a drink while passing the time). Often, a hostess will hand you a buzzer which will let you know when your party’s table is ready.

The main dining rooms offer pretty much what you would expect to find. There’s a variety of appetizers, salads and main courses, the latter of which are divided up into “classics” and “featured.”

The “classics” will often stay the same throughout your cruise, with the “featured” entrees changing nightly. After the meal, you’ll be presented with a dessert menu.

At least one of the main dining rooms is also open for breakfast and lunch, with the menu offering a variety of items but staying the same throughout the week.

Trying to decide whether to eat in the main dining room or a specialty restaurant? By mid-afternoon, the evening’s menu will be posted outside the main dining room, and a quick glance might help push you one way or the other.

• O’Sheehan’s/The Local Bar & Grill

If you’re hungry at 2 a.m., this is the place to head. While it goes by different names on different ships, one thing remains the same: there’s a restaurant in which to grab food 24-hours a day. Ask longtime NCL cruisers, and they’ll likely rave about the chicken wings (which come in several varieties) that are served here, as well as the fish & chips.

O’Sheehan’s (as we’ll call the 24-hour venue to make things easy) has three menus throughout the day: breakfast, lunch & dinner, and late night. The breakfast menu has a small selection of breakfast items that are not available on the buffet. The bakery basket offers excellent pastries and the Country Platter should be experienced at least once. The french toast has raisins in it, just a warning for those who aren’t a fan.

The lunch and dinner menu has several appetizers including the soup du jour and two salads, some classic Irish items (including a shepherd’s pie), fajitas and an array of burgers, hot dogs, and sandwich choices. While their nachos are surprisingly underwhelming, the brownie cheesecake should not be missed.

The Local is found mostly on newer Norwegian ships, but its menu is very similar to O’Sheehan’s late-night menu. Two notable items only available at the Local is the Rachel sandwich (a turkey reuben with coleslaw) and the Watermelon Greek Salad. The Local also serves breakfast, but has fewer menu items than the main dining room. 

• The Buffet (The Garden Cafe)

A cruise ship without a buffet would be like a train without tracks, right? Norwegian’s ships offer a large buffet which is usually named the Garden Cafe. While not open 24-hours, it does serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and — in most cases — late-night snacks.

As with the main dining room, the buffet here is pretty much exactly what you’d expect. There’s a salad bar and a variety of stations, some of which remain the same each day and some of which change. Overall, the food is well prepared and plentiful. If there’s one item we’d say to skip it would probably be the pizza. While some cruise lines have the kind of pizza people get excited about, Norwegian’s is definitely not among them.

Ice cream, coffee, tea, iced tea, and lemonade are also available in a couple of spots around the Garden Cafe.

On several ships in the fleet, there’s a second, smaller buffet with limited options located outside and just past the main buffet. On Norwegian Sky , the second buffet is called The Great Outdoor Cafe.

One thing we love about the Norwegian buffet and its seating area? That the tables have silverware, already wrapped in cloth napkins, readily available. You won’t have to try and balance the silverware while you’re scooping food onto your plate or, worse, get back to the table and realize too late that you forgot to grab some.

• Other Complimentary Options

Most of Norwegian’s ships also have either an Asian-fusion restaurant (each with a unique-to-the-ship name) or Shanghai’s Noodle Bar featuring freshly prepared noodles, delicious wok-fried dishes, soups, and more.

The Asian restaurants usually offer traditional table service, while the noodle bars have a little order form at each seat for guests to check off what they’d like to eat. Both are an excellent alternative to the dining room or buffet.

Food can show up at the most unexpected of times and places. For example, late-night snacks are often put out at a small buffet in the casino, all the better to keep you gambling instead of leaving to fend off hunger pangs. On the newer Breakaway-Plus class ships such as Bliss and Encore , you’ll find a surprisingly wide selection of buffet options available in the Observation Lounge.

For-fee Specialty Dining

Norwegian has numerous specialty dining options on every ship. Some of them have a set price, but most have a la carte menu pricing. All of them are included in the Ultimate Dining Package, but a few have an upcharge if chosen as one of the guest’s package dinners. If using the dining package, the guest generally gets two appetizers, an entree and a dessert. 

Over the past few years, Norwegian has been introducing new dining concepts into their standard rotation. While on some ships you’ll find Moderno Churrascaria (aka a Brazilian steakhouse), on others that venue will be replaced with Los Lobos’ high-end Mexican fare.

READ MORE: Review of La Cucina

On the Norwegian Encore, longtime Italian favorite La Cuchina was replaced with up-and-comer Onda.

Since what is available varies from ship to ship, we’re going to give you a rundown of the various restaurants offered on Norwegian cruise ships. To figure out which ones are available on your sailing, simply look under “dining options” on your reservations page at NCL.com.

Specialty restaurants on Norwegian Cruise Line ships are:

• Le Bistro . This French restaurant is extremely popular with couples looking to celebrate a special occasion. It’s definitely the kind of place you want to dress a bit nicer for, and tends to be both quiet and romantic.
• Moderno Churrascaria . Come hungry to this Brazilian steakhouse, where servers walk around with huge skewers of meat and keep coming until you throw in the towel. While not exactly idea for vegetarians as a whole, the salad bar is incredibly well-stocked.

• Teppanyak i. Better known to some as a hibachi restaurant, the chef here puts on a heck of a show. If you’re going out with friends — old or new — and want a meal that’s sure to keep people entertained, make a reservation here.

READ MORE: Cagney’s Steakhouse Review

• Food Republic . The best way to describe this is Asian-fusion tapas (tempura shishito peppers, sushi rolls, etc). The small plates are great for sharing, so bring a friend and try twice as many things.
• Margaritaville at Sea . Yes, you can order a Cheeseburger In Paradise, and you’ll have no trouble getting a table as this venue rarely attracts a crowd. (The same can’t be said for the attached 5 O’Clock Somewhere bar, however.)
• Los Lobos . This high-end Mexican restaurant focuses on unique flavor combinations and best of all offers tableside guacamole preparation. Our go-to entree? The carne asada.

• Ocean Blue . Originally created in partnership with Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, this seafood restaurant no longer bears his name, but continues to serve up incredible, fresh dishes.
• Onda by Scarpetta . If La Cuchina is classic Italian, this venue — introduced on Norwegian Encore — is high-end Italian.

Elsewhere, several ships in the Norwegian fleet feature shows (such as the Cirque du Soleil production Cirque Dreams) which come with the option of having dinner before the entertainment begins. The menus are pre-set, although vegetarian options can be arranged, and included in the price of admission.

And of course, room service is available aboard all Norwegian ships. While a limited breakfast menu is available at no charge, all other orders (no matter how big or small) come with a $7.95 delivery fee.

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Deliciousness with a Side of Sea Breeze.

• About Freestyle Dining
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CRUISE SHIP DINING

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Enjoy a four-course meal and a great bottle of wine. Or grab a burger hot off the grill. Dress up. Dress down. Sit with your friends or make new ones. Dine inside or Oceanside along The Waterfront. Only Norwegian offers the freedom and flexibility of Freestyle Dining, which means no fixed dining times or pre-assigned seating. So follow your mood, not a timetable .

Enjoy a Wide Variety of COMPLIMENTARY DINING

All of our ships offer beautifully crafted menus in up to three Main Dining Rooms, a Buffet and a variety of casual eateries. With our chef's original dishes made with the finest ingredients, your dining can be as fine or as fun as you want.

Main Dining Rooms

Choose from up to three main dining rooms serving a wide variety of delicious cuisine. Enjoy specially curated modern and classic dishes made with the freshest ingredients.

Beyond Buffets

Our quintessential buffet is a crowd favourite for a reason. Available during breakfast, lunch and dinner, feel free to enjoy our meat carving station, made-to-order omelettes, pasta and more. Best part, it's complimentary.

24 Hour Eatery

Classic pub fare offered in a relaxed atmosphere. With popular dishes like the Reuben Sandwich and Fish n' Chips, this eatery has all your favourite comfort foods!

Indulge in Norwegian Exclusive SPECIALITY DINING

When you want a unique culinary experience, our speciality restaurants offer a variety of tastes for every palate. Now through The Norwegian Edge we are bringing an even higher standard of excellence to our dining with upgraded menus and new exciting venues. Whether you're indulging in succulent meats at Moderno Churrascaria, savouring French cuisine in Le Bistro, or enjoying fresh Mexican flavours at Los Lobos, you'll be sure to discover menus as fresh as the ingredients and cuisine that looks almost too good to eat.

• Brazilian Steakhouse
• Global Cuisine

Dig into some authentic Texas BBQ at Q Texas Smokehouse. All our smoked meats are infused with delicious flavours and come with all the traditional sides.

Our authentic Brazilian steakhouse is a must. Start with an impressive salad bar, but save room for skewers of slow-roasted meats carved tableside by our Pasadores.

A contemporary take on classic French cuisine. Surround yourself in chic décor and rich fare plates. Perfect for a romantic night out for the deux of you.

This delicious Asian-Latin fusion cuisine served tapas style is perfect for sharing. Food Republic is open for lunch on sea days and dinner nightly.

Dine on Italian classics prepared using the finest ingredients at La Cucina. Or explore a new wave of flavour with a fresh take on old-world fare at Onda by Scarpetta.

Gather around a shared table as a skillful chef perfectly prepares steak, chicken and seafood on a large steel grill at Teppanyaki. In the mood for sushi? Pull up a chair at any one of our sushi bars for some traditional Japanese fare, including Nama, our new contemporary sushi house offering upscale sushi and sashimi prepared by master chefs.

Bienvenido a Los Lobos, a premium Mexican restaurant celebrating traditional flavours with a modern twist. Chefs serve up new favourites like Carne Asada marinated in guajillo chiles and tequila or Tres Leches Cake with Coconut Cream.

Indulge in our newest seafood concept, Palomar, featuring flavourful Mediterranean inspired dishes and an exclusive eco-friendly wine list. Dive into an ocean of flavour with other incredible seafood options like Ocean Blue, Bayamo and The Raw Bar, serving some of the finest and freshest ingredients at sea with perfectly paired wine selections and cocktails.

Enjoy a taste of Spain's cuisine at this lively tapas bar. Sip on delicious sangria as you savour an array of small plates, like Manchego Cheese and Iberico Ham, or Cod Croquettes and Garlic Shrimp.

An American-style steakhouse where succulent choice cuts of Angus beef are incredibly flavourful and perfectly prepared. Make sure to order our famous Parmesan truffle fries.

Experience the all-new Sukhothai. Relish a stylish and warm atmosphere as the aroma of authentic Thai cuisine gently trails through the lush dining room.

Indulge your sweet tooth with decadent treats such as French macarons, chocolate bonbons and gourmet cupcakes at Coco's, Dolce Gelato, or The Bake Shop.

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Norwegian Prima and Viva Dining Options Revealed

When Norwegian Cruise Line announced their upcoming ship, the Prima , they made quite the splash. The ship is the first in the Prima-class and features an entirely new layout and design. 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. Still, there were a few things Norwegian didn’t share. One of the biggest was all the dining options. While they did disclose a few venues, including a new concept called the Indulge Food Hall, deck plans still had massive blank areas.

Then, before Norwegian released the dining options, they announced the sister ship, the Viva , which will begin sailing in June 2023. So now there were two upcoming ships with many questions still remaining. However, they probably didn’t feel too much pressure. Norwegian started talking reservations for these ships, and they had the strongest release sales in their history, so the lack of information didn’t put off many people.

Now though, we finally get details on all the dining options guests can choose from on the Prima and Viva. 

Changes to the Main Dining Room

Before getting to all the newly announced restaurants on the Prima and Viva, we have to talk about Norwegian’s change to the main dining rooms. Instead of featuring a rotating menu each night, the main dining rooms on the Viva and Prima will have a set menu that doesn’t change each night. Also, there will be only two dining rooms on the Prima and Viva. Both venues will also feature a build-your-own-pasta section so guests can come up with their own dish by selecting their choice of pasta, sauce, and topping. 

Norwegian has stated that if this concept is well received, it may roll out to the rest of Norwegian’s ships. 

New Restaurants Exclusive to the Prima and Viva

Norwegian is adding four brand new restaurants to the Prima and Viva. Technically, if you include each venue in the Indulge Food Hall separately, it’s even more.

Palomar (additional fee)

Palomar is Norwegian’s first Mediterranean Seafood restaurant. It’s a great addition to these ships as both will be spending time in the Mediterranean. 

Indulge Food Hall (mostly included)

The Indulge Food Hall was one of the first new dining venues announced for the Prima. It’s a large, open-air space with food stalls scattered around with both indoor and outdoor seating available. Many of the options will be complimentary for breakfast and lunch, with select items having an upcharge during dinner time. They have not yet released which items will cost extra or how much.

Here are some of the 11 stalls:

• Seaside Rotisserie
• Tapas Food Truck
• Q Texas Smokehouse
• Latin Quarter   
• Just Desserts  
• Just Ice Cream  

Hasuki (additional fee)

Hasuki is an updated take on Norwegian’s Hibachi restaurant. We’re not sure how this venue is different from Tennanyaki, which is found on most other Norwegian cruise ships. However, we at least get a glimpse at the modern decor and large hibachi tables. Here, guests can watch chefs put on a show as they prepare some Japanese dishes using the large shichirin (hibachi grill). 

Nama (additional fee)

Nama serves upscale sushi and sashimi masterpieces. Soft lighting, marble countertops, and gentle orange accents give Nama a modern feel. Based on the renders, Nama is more similar to a full restaurant concept than the simple “Sushi Bar” located on the older Norwegian ships. 

Favorite Restaurants Returning to Prima and Viva

Cagney’s steakhouse (additional fee).

Cagney’s provides the classic steakhouse experience, with mouth-watering cuts of meat and delicious sides. On the Prima and Viva, it’ll have a whole new look with influences from 20th-century architecture and mid-century design. 

Food Republic (additional fee)

Food Republic is a venue for the adventurous eater. The menu takes inspiration from cultures and cuisines around the world and uses fusion and innovation to put a new spin on them. You can scroll through all the dishes right at your table using a tablet to place your order. 

Le Bistro (additional fee)

Guests can find Le Bistro on many other Norwegian ships. It’s French cuisine at its finest, with many classic dishes to choose from. Le Bistro on the Prima and Viva is even more opulent than the other ships, with blown glass chandeliers suspended in the middle of the dining room. 

Los Lobos (additional fee)

A premium take on a Mexican Restaurant, Los Lobos serves dishes like Carne Asada and tres leches cake. On Prima, guests can choose to eat inside the restaurant or outside on Ocean Boulevard. 

The Local Bar & Grill (included)

On many ships, The Local is a place to go for a quick, casual bite to eat. That continues on the Prima and Viva, although the Local here has more of a beach club feel. It’s located right off Ocean Boulevard, so you can enjoy food indoors or outdoors. 

Hudson’s (included)

Hudson’s is the name of the new main restaurant on the Prima and Viva. It’s replacing the Taste and Sabor dining rooms found on other Norwegian ships. With a 270 degree view through floor-to-ceiling windows, this venue is bound to impress you with amazing dinner views. While the menu change is disappointing, the look of this new venue is impressive.  

The Commodore Room (included)

The Commodore Room is the other main restaurant on the Prima and Viva. It’s a bit more upscale than Hudson’s. Here you’ll find traditional dishes like a honey-glazed pork chop or New England clam chowder. 

Surfside Cafe (included)

Surfside Cafe is the Prima and Viva’s answer to the main buffet. You’ll find all the traditional options you’d usually find on a cruise buffet here as well as a new wood-burning pizza oven. Indoor and outdoor seating make this bright café an excellent place for a quick bite.

Surfside Grill (included)

Surfside Grill is the place to go if you want a burger or hot dog. With indoor and outdoor seating, it makes for a great lunch option. 

The Haven Restaurant ( exclusive )

The Haven Restaurant is a restaurant exclusively for guests staying in “The Haven.” Here, you’ll have some of the best food options on the ship with no crowds or waiting. 

This version of the Haven Restaurant also takes advantage of the new expanded Haven Sun Deck with an outdoor seating option. 

Onda by Scarpetta (additional fee)

Onda provides a modern take on Italian dishes. The concept debuted on the Norwegian Encore and returns on the Prima and Viva. Although it’s Italian food, Norwegian doesn’t go with the standard “family-style” kitchen that other cruise lines are moving towards. Instead, they go very high-end with beautiful sweeping lines and bold colors. On Prima and Viva, you can choose to eat indoors or outdoors. 

Prima and Viva have lots of food choices, but also lots of costs

The Prima and Viva both have a huge number of restaurants to choose from, 40% more than the previous ship, the Norwegian Encore. They have a variety of options that will satisfy everyone’s tastes. The new venues look amazing with high-end finishes, bold colors, and sleek lines. 

That being said, many of the food venues have an upcharge, and with so many venues, that cost can add up quickly. Considering that Norwegian has recently cut back on how many meals come with their “free at sea” promotion, it’s a bit of a disappointment. One of the biggest opportunities is the Indulge Food Hall, but Norwegian is quiet about what foods will have an upcharge and how much that will be.

On top of that, we have the new menus in Norwegian’s dining rooms. While they say the change to a set menu is to provide consistent, high-quality dishes to guests, you have to wonder if they were doing it so guests would get tired of the main menus and resort to paying more for specialty restaurants. On a 10-day cruise, how many times would you want to eat from the same fixed menu in the included two dining rooms? 

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Related posts:

• Carnival Spirit to Sail From Mobile in 2023
• Norwegian Prima and Viva Atrium and Bars Detailed

Randy Young

Randy Young is the founder and editor-in-chief at Cruise Spotlight. He has been in marketing for 19 years and has been cruising for just as long. Over the years, he's worked with products like TVs, copiers, light bulbs, and EV chargers, but cruising has always been his passion. There's nothing Randy likes more than the first couple of hours on a ship, exploring every nook and cranny and seeing how it's different from everything else out there. He's known for providing detailed and analytical coverage of cruising to help cruisers get a comprehensive picture of a ship's offerings.

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NCL Main Dining Room Menus & CHanges – UPDATED FOR 2024

Norwegian cruise line main dining room menus for dinner, lunch & breakfast.

Norwegian Cruise Line announced changes to its main dining room menus (usually called “The Manhattan Room, Taste, Savor, or Hudsons”).

NCL has introduced a more streamlined menu with a few rotating selections. The new menu program, implemented in 2023-2024, features “Classic Entrees” and “Featured Entrees” sections. Despite initial concerns from seasoned cruisers, feedback about the new menus has been mostly positive, with guests appreciating the variety and quality of food options.

On my most recent cruise on the Norwegian Joy in March 2024, the menus for breakfast and dinner included a “Featured Entree” section which is comprised of a few unique items that rotate throughout the week. The balance of the menu is the same every day.

• The new menus include “Classic Entrees” and rotating “Featured Entrees” sections.
• Initial concerns from cruisers were addressed as feedback about the new menus has been positive overall.
• The changes aim to enhance the dining experience across NCL ships, offering a wider variety of culinary delights.
• Additional dining changes on Norwegian ships for 2024 include room service upgrades with new pricing structures.

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See the Norwegian Cruise Line main dining room menus (2024)

Last Updated on April 22, 2024

When you actually see the new menu options on NCL, it’s hard to complain. There is something for everyone, and it’s possible to have something different on every night of a standard-length cruise. No one is going hungry! 🙂

Some things that stand out are the wider variety of culinary delights from around the world such as Paella and Salmon prepared in a more traditional Mediterranean method as opposed to what was more ‘meat and potatoes’ and the build-your-own pasta option.

In my opinion, the changes seem to be an improvement and will hopefully lead to a better experience in the main dining rooms across the entire Norwegian fleet of cruise ships.

NCL Main Dining Room Dinner Menus

The main dining room menus on Norwegian Cruise Line feature “classic” items that are available every day with a few rotating chef specials. On longer cruises, these daily chef selections repeat about every 4 days.

Also new is the ability to order a steak from Cagney’s! A much better option than paying for a random cut of meat out of the main dining kitchen.

Main Dining Room Breakfast Menus

Breakfast items are basic and consistent with a couple of daily features that are generally pretty good and unique. It will keep breakfast service from getting boring!

Please wait while flipbook is loading. For more related info, FAQs and issues please refer to DearFlip WordPress Flipbook Plugin Help documentation.

Main Dining Room Lunch Menus

Lunch in the main dining room on Norwegian Cruises is one of the bigger surprises. The featured selections are generally always quite good and unique. Unlike breakfast and dinner where there are always staple items available, the lunch menu is different every day.

Unfortunately, lunch is only served in the main dining room on sea days.

Norwegian Haven Restaurant Menu

There’s no word on whether or not NCL will make any substantial changes to the Haven Restaurant menus. For reference, we’re publishing a 2023 Haven Restaurant Menu from a recent NCL Cruise.

See More NCL Menus 2024 (updated)

Cagney’s Steakhouse Le Bistro Moderno Los Lobos La Cucina Sushi Teppanyaki Q Texas Smokehouse

What passengers are saying about the menu changes

Now that the new menu program has been released and there is real feedback out there, it’s difficult to come by many complaints. Here are a few comments from people we spoke with:

It was nice knowing what was being served every night so we knew how to plan our specialty dining. In the past we felt like we missed some of the better options when the menu was being changed nightly. Janie H.

I feel like the food was of a higher caliber in the main dining rooms with this menu change. Every meal, each item was cooked perfectly and very good, which is better than I can say for previous main dining room experiences Melvin K.

I’m not sure how anyone can complain about this menu, it’s amazing! The food choices are elevated and preparations are gorgeous. No one is going to go hungry with this new menu! Alice B.

Do you have a thought on the new menu?

Let us know! Do you want to add an idea? Submit a comment below!

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30 Comments

Hi Phil, we will be on the Pearl in July-do you know if the new menu will be implemented by then? Trying to figure out which nights to do specialty restaurants. Thank you!

Hi Kristin – I just got off the Joy with all new menus which I’ll be posting here this week! So come back and have a look towards the end of the week. But the way they are doing it is pretty old school now. One page of the menu is consistent through the entire cruise, then the other page has some daily changes that repeat every few days. It seems like they’ve pulled back the concept of a fixed menu every night for now (on the whole fleet)

Thank you for the quick reply! I will check back to see your menus-I appreciate it!

Hi there, my family and I are headed to board the NCL Encore in 2 weeks, would you happen to know if this new one menu has been implemented on this particular ship yet? I don’t mind the one standard menu as I always find myself at the Local or garden buffet to top myself up lol. Any insight is greatly appreciated. If it is one menu it makes booking out one specialty dining night a lot easier! Thanks for time 🙂

Hey there! I was on the Epic earlier in the year and they still had rotating menus. It’s my understanding that they are evolving with the idea of a single menu. So while I’m not 100% sure, I would expect it’s still rotating. Definitely do a specialty! They’re not as good as they used to be, but I think the Epic has some good food with the speciality restaurants. (better than a lot of the other ships these days)

Thanks so much for the reply! We’re going to book Onda, we did that last year and the food was excellent. This is a cruise for our ten year anniversary so we are very excited. Thanks again! Take care 🙂

does the dining room serve escargo

As recently as this summer, they did in fact have escargo on some nights! I know the menus are still changing a bit, but my experience was they were available.

I sailed on the Prima and absolutely hate the one menu. I’m staying away from NCL because of it. Seriously looking at an Antarctic cruise. NCL is tempting, but I just can’t swallow the same food over and over and over again. Especially when they cut back the number of specialty dining nights they give you.

I can’t decide if the one menu concept is good or not. Especially for a longer cruise. I’m doing the Joy transatlantic in February – and I’ll either cope with it or live off of chicken wings 😉

I have always said NCL had the best food of any ship I’d been on… but I must say that this new Main Dining room menu is disappointing… The seafood choices especially are not appealing at all.

Hi Wendy, I do agree. However, depending on what ship you sail on right now, they may still have the more traditional menu. They did on the Sun recently.

Hi there, I’m departing on November 2 on the 12th night spirit, and have purchased the specialty dining package. I would like to browse the standard main dining room dinner selections prior to making my reservations, so I don’t miss out on something special! Is there anywhere posted? I can find out what the dining choices are in the main dining room before I depart on my cruise?

Hi Linda – They rotate a lot of the items in the main dining room and post the menus daily so you can see in the mornings what they’ll have for dinner. I’ll post a few sample menus, but they don’t have a set day that they serve certain items. NCL Was going to a fixed menu (posted here as an example) — but it’s not been implemented fleet-wide yet as far as I know (It wasn’t a month ago when we were on the SUN)

Sorry Phil, you’re wrong. It’s the same menu every night. Except where cruises are longer that 7 days. NCL is driving you to specialty restaurants. We’ve been very disappointed in NCL’s specialty restaurants because the “prized” dishes are an additional upcharge.

Food is so subjective for sure. On the Sun this year, they had not yet gone to the one menu concept. I do think that when the cruise lines try to do too much variety – they don’t get any of it too right – so I’m hoping this will at least make everything consistent and better. Only time will tell!

Hi Linda. On 7 day and shorter cruises, the menu is the same for the whole cruise. With 12 days, you might get a second menu. But you’ll only get 2 at the most. The same offerings every night in the main dining room.

Is there a limit to the choices you can order off the menu in The Haven?

In our experience, there is no limit to any food in The Haven!

Thank you very much for this information. We are going on our next NCL cruise this fall and look forward to the changes.

Thanks for taking the time to read the article! Enjoy your cruise! Looks like things are finally returning to ‘normal’ with dining and food quality after the ships started sailing again. (We’ve done 4 NCL since the restart, each getting better and better menus) Enjoy!

Why don’t we ever see lunch menus?

Hi Kate – If you flip through the above menu, there is a lunch menu section.

You only have the lunch for the perma-menu, nothing showing what is on offer if they have not gone to the new menus yet. In fact I have heard rumors they are not going to the new menus everywhere. I am also disappointed that if you are vegetarian you have three, just three, options for a seven day cruise.

I agree about the Vegetarian. I traveled with a friend who ate almost no meat, but was left with pretty unremarkable options when it was all said and done.

On the NCL Star, is O’Sheehans changing up their menus?

Hi Jenny – I haven’t seen anything or experienced changes at any of the O’sheehans! The biggest changes are coming to the main dining menus. For what it’s worth though, the food quality at O’sheehans isn’t what it once was 🙁 — at least over the past 4 cruises on NCL in the past 6 months we’ve done. I hope it’s temporary!

Yeah- that is what I recall from last year as well. Thanks for the detailed update on the main dining.

The changes in menu might be good for someone who eats everything – but not so much for vegetarian cruisers. Hope my upcoming cruise still has old rotating menu where diff options were available each day so we don’t end up eating almost same thing everyday!

Agreed! I do like the rotating menu, but hoping the static menu will up the quality of the food. For what it’s worth, a friend of ours just got off the Prima with a fixed menu and was able to ask for some menu items to be prepared without meat! Enjoy your cruise!

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• Norwegian Cruise Line

Do they still do Midnight/chocolate buffets on NCL?

By lvic , November 29, 2022 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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Wondering if NCL has completely abandoned the midnight/chocolate buffet concept, in preference for theme nights for Garden Cafe dinner? Sailing for first time since 2018, on the Bliss. 

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no,long gone

1 hour ago, shof515 said: no, long gone

Sad, but true!

2 hours ago, lvic said: Wondering if NCL has completely abandoned the midnight/chocolate buffet concept, in preference for theme nights for Garden Cafe dinner? Sailing for first time since 2018, on the Bliss. 

As stated, long gone.  You didn't have on the Bliss in 2018 either.  At least, I didn't in June 2018.

BirdTravels

The chocolate buffet was discontinued long ago. 90% of the chocolate treats were ending up in the grinder and jettisoned to be fish food. At the time, it was 10's of thousands of pounds of chocolate each week, fleetwide, that was just thrown out. While it was a favorite in the olden days, the contemporary cruisers were no longer interested in sweets at midnight. They are down in The Local having chicken wings and beer. 

4 hours ago, BirdTravels said: The chocolate buffet was discontinued long ago. 90% of the chocolate treats were ending up in the grinder and jettisoned to be fish food. At the time, it was 10's of thousands of pounds of chocolate each week, fleetwide, that was just thrown out. While it was a favorite in the olden days, the contemporary cruisers were no longer interested in sweets at midnight. They are down in The Local having chicken wings and beer. 

I never found the chocolate to be very good.  Looked nice, but the taste was lacking.  Perhaps that's also why so much was uneaten.    (I'm not a baker, but I suspect there's a difference between the ingredients used on a small scale and those used for a huge buffet of chocolate treats.)

LandlockedCruiser01

Most chocolate made in the US isn't good, with Godiva being one exception.  (Although you wouldn't expect Godiva to be served at a buffet on a mass-market cruise line; even on Cunard, it's a stretch.)  I bet the chocolate buffet was Hershey-quality.  That stuff was fine in the 80's and 90's, because that's all Americans knew back then, but today, they've tried better-quality European chocolates.  So it's one cutback that won't be missed for the most part.

Besides, if you dump ground chocolate into the ocean, it could make the dogfish sick.  😁

detroitlions

I tried it a few times everything had the same flavor and I did not like it so they should come up with something else. I am not a big eater of sweets at night but when your on vacation you do things you normally don't. 

Thanks for the responses -- it sounds like I'm not really missing anything, am I? I'll stop in on a theme night for the buffet or go to Coco's instead.  😉  

Midnight/Chocolate Buffet was discontinued over 10 years ago, I don't remember the exact timeline (last one that we knew was on a mini-scale in the mid-afternoon in the Garden Cafe, not as elaborate as the "full scale" major production ones, including the sugar-free sections ... and ice carving demo on display)  

AFAIK, it was never offered on the Breakaway or other newer *.Away/Plus class ships. 

Had to really search into my digital folders in the NAD server to find those old photos, these're either from the mid-sized Jewel or Star, over 10 years ago & held in the AFT Main Dining Room.  IMHO, nice for photo ops but fairly wasteful, and after seeing one or two, the third time ... pretty boring & we skipped them.   Here's to memory lanes, the old days - not missing anything

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Norwegian Cruise Line reveals new onboard dining, including first Thai restaurant at sea

R eady your stomachs. Food options on Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, will include a dedicated Thai restaurant, as well as an eatery that caters to passengers who prefer plant-based diets.

Norwegian is introducing Sukhothai, the first Thai restaurant at sea, featuring new spins on traditional dishes, and Planterie, which will offer a menu of meatless bowls.

Here's everything we know so far about these two new dining options.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Sukhothai, a sit-down restaurant on Norwegian Aqua's Deck 17, plans to whip up Thai favorites, such as cashew chicken, salt and pepper prawns, grilled steak salad, and a number of curries. Its interior, designed to evoke Thailand, will be a mix of modern and traditional, featuring colorful furniture and rice paper pendant lights. You can dine there for an extra fee.

Planterie will be positioned in the ship's Indulge Food Hall . It will cater to anyone looking for meatless meals with selections like the Mediterranean Goddess Bowl, packed with spiced vegetables, tabbouleh and honey-roasted carrots, and the Southwest Bowl, which features smoked tempeh. As with other venues at Indulge, Planterie will offer both indoor and outdoor seating, and the food will be included in the cruise fare.

NCL also announced that Norwegian Aqua will house a new wine bar called Swirl. Despite the venue's upscale nature, its goal is to remain approachable — something the bar hopes to accomplish by offering an extensive list of wines by the glass, as well as more rare and premium vintages. It will be found on Deck 6, between the Whiskey Bar and Hasuki, the ship's hibachi-style eatery. The interior design was inspired by Antelope Canyon in Arizona, featuring warm colors and a serene atmosphere.

"Expanding on our award-winning food and beverage program, we're looking forward to bringing new concepts to life aboard Norwegian Aqua, while continuing to deliver on the variety of available offerings and value that NCL delivers," said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, in a statement.

In addition to the new venues, returning passenger favorites — some with a new twist — include the Metropolitan sustainable cocktail bar , Nama Sushi and Sashimi, the Surfside Cafe buffet, Mediterranean seafood restaurant Palomar, The Local Bar & Grill, Cagney's Steakhouse , main dining rooms Hudson's and The Commodore Room, upscale Italian restaurant Onda by Scarpetta, French eatery Le Bistro , and Mexican restaurant Los Lobos.

Other standout ship features already revealed for Norwegian Aqua include a 10-deck dry slide with a nearly vertical drop, a hybrid waterslide and roller coaster, and Glow Court, a glowing sports court illuminated with LEDs.

The 3,571-passenger ship, which will be the first in the line's expanded Prima Plus Class — a larger version of the Prima Class — is slated for completion in April 2025. For the first four months, the vessel will sail seven-night Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida, near Orlando. The ship will then relocate to New York's Manhattan terminal to sail a brief series of voyages to Bermuda before taking up residence in Miami and returning to Caribbean cruises through the end of 2025.

Want more information on Norwegian Cruise Line? TPG has you covered:

• A complete guide to Norwegian Cruise Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line's Latitudes loyalty program
• All you need to know about NCL cabins and suites
• Norwegian Cruise Line's ship types, explained
• NCL ships from biggest to smallest
• NCL ships from newest to oldest
• A guide to Norwegian Cruise Line drink packages
• The best NCL ship for every type of traveler
• What is NCL's Free at Sea?

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

More From Forbes

How to choose the best cruise ship cabin for you.

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Balcony staterooms on Norwegian Prima feature a Scandinavian color palette with some modern design ... [+] touches.

Choosing your cruise ship cabin or stateroom is an essential part of planning a dream cruise vacation. The right accommodation can enhance your cruise experience, providing you with a comfortable retreat after a day of adventure, but some choices may turn out to be an expensive mistake.

Here’s how to select the best cruise ship cabin for your needs, whether you're seeking breathtaking views, peace and quiet, convenience, or the best value.

Cruise Ship Cabin Grades

From motel-sized inside cabins to luxurious suites that rival the most expensive land-based hotels, cruise ships offer a range of accommodation grades to suit all preferences and budgets:

Interior Cabins : The most budget-friendly option, these cabins are located inside the ship and have no windows. Although they are often just as spacious as oceanview cabins, the lack of natural light may be off-putting to some.

Oceanview Cabins : Offering a window or porthole, these cabins provide natural light and views of the ocean or ports, a good middle-ground option. On modern ships, such cabins will likely be located towards the bottom of the ship, as balcony cabins now dominate ship exteriors.

Balcony Cabins : These cabins feature private balconies allowing direct access to ocean breezes and private views. These cabins are perfect for those who prefer to enjoy the scenery privately.

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Some ships offer cabins with direct access to the promenade deck, while the largest ships, including MSC World Europa , offer balconies overlooking an internal courtyard or promenade.

The newest, largest cruise ships such as Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas' offer a huge range of ... [+] cabin grades and locations.

Suites : The most spacious and luxurious option, suites often come with extra amenities and services, ideal for travelers looking for a premium experience. Separate bedrooms, wraparound balconies, and even butler service are some common features of cruise ship suites.

Pioneered by Norwegian Cruise Line, solo traveler cabins are becoming more common across the industry. Whereas for many years solo cabins were usually interior grade, there are now oceanview and even balcony cabins available for solo travelers on some lines.

Consider The Location

Perhaps more so than the accommodation grade, the cabin location can significantly impact your cruise experience.

Top-to-bottom : Cabins on lower decks are usually cheaper with the added benefit of experiencing less movement in rough seas.

However, depending on the size of the ship, they could be farther from entertainment and dining areas. On big ships, there may be 10 or even more flights of stairs between your cabin and the pool, sun deck, buffet, and other amenities found at the top of the ship. There will be elevators, of course, but you should expect queues at busy times.

Cabins on higher decks will provide better views from balconies and suites, and good access to many of the ship’s amenities, but passengers may feel the ship's movement more. You may also hear more noise from outdoor activities on the pool deck.

Cabins on middle floors offer the best combination of access to facilities and less movement in the event of rough seas.

Front-to-back : Just as important as the deck number is the cabin’s location between the ship’s front and rear.

Cabins located at the very front and very back of the ship will experience significantly more movement in the event of rough seas, so choose a cabin towards the middle of the ship if you’re facing multiple sea days or sailing off-season.

Inside cabins on the 'P&O Arvia' cruise ship are a good value accommodation option. They can be ... [+] configured with a double or twin beds.

It’s also worth knowing that most cruise ships feature main dining venues at the rear and the main theater at the front.

The Budget Accommodation Choice

When choosing a cabin, start with understanding your budget. Decide how much you’re willing to spend and remember that while the cabin is important, you’ll also want to budget for on-board activities, excursions, beverages, and other expenses.

If budget matters above all else, an interior cabin is a wise choice. You could also save money by booking a saver fare offered by some cruise lines.

These fares typically don't allow you to select your cabin in advance. This will likely result in you being allocated a cabin at the front or back of the ship, but it will save you money.

Questions To Ask Yourself

If you have more flexibility in your budget, consider what’s important to you in accommodation. If you plan to spend a lot of time in your cabin, you might value a balcony or a spacious room more. Families might look for cabins with connecting doors or extra bed options.

Before booking, read reviews of the ship and specific cabins on websites such as Cruise Critic or watching YouTube reviews. Previous travelers can offer invaluable insight into noise levels, views, and overall satisfaction.

Examine the ship’s layout to see where your cabin is in relation to key areas like the lido deck, dining rooms, and entertainment venues. Consider potential noise from above or below your cabin, especially if it’s immediately above or below a dance floor, crew area, or near the pool.

Your cruise itinerary might also influence your choice of accommodation. For scenic cruises, such as those in Alaska or the Norwegian fjords , a balcony might be worth the splurge to enjoy the magnificent views in relative peace. A balcony breakfast while sailing along a fjord will be an experience to remember.

On the other hand, if you plan to spend most of your time exploring ports and partaking in onboard activities, the type and location of cabin might be of less importance.

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Travel + Leisure’s 2024 It List.

Since 1971, Travel + Leisure editors have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. T+L's editors have traveled to countries all over the world, having flown, sailed, road tripped, and taken the train countless miles. They've visited small towns and big cities, hidden gems and popular destinations, beaches and mountains, and everything in between. With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey.

Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

For the first time, we’re spotlighting new cruise ships on Travel + Leisure ’s It List, as these exceptional vessels become more and more like floating resorts — celebrity chefs, crystal chandeliers, and Rolex boutiques included.

Explora Journeys’ Explora I

Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure

It’s not every day a new cruise line arrives. The debut of the remarkable Explora I was a moment years in the making for Explora Journeys , the upstart luxury operator that aims to bring a European sensibility to the world of vacations at sea. So far, the project is a smashing success, thanks to the ship’s low-key vibe, standout food and beverage, and intriguing itineraries that visit in-demand ports in Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean. My own August 2023 trip on Explora I , from Copenhagen to Hamburg, Germany, included fulfilling visits to places such as Oslo and the town of Stavanger, Norway, a gateway to adventurous hiking with a postcard-perfect Old Town. The ship itself was also a destination, with its abundance of outdoor space — including an alfresco fitness center — and pools at seemingly every turn. The 461 suites, all of them with balconies, are filled with luxurious touches such as Frette linens and robes, heated marble floors, and Dyson hair dryers. But Explora I truly shines when it comes to food: During the week I was aboard, it was impossible to find a bad meal — and I was often astonished at the quality of, in particular, the pasta served in the Emporium Marketplace and the sushi on offer at Sakura, two of the nine restaurants aboard. The most ambitious of them all is Anthology, a rotating-chef concept that has seen a residency from seafood whiz Mario Ulaissi, known for his Michelin three-starred restaurant on Italy's Adriatic coast, and that recently welcomed Emma Bengtsson, from Aquavit , in New York City. Much has been made of Explora I ’s Rolex boutique — the first on any cruise ship — but for my money, the other shops on board were more interesting: The company has tapped family-owned businesses around the world to create capsule collections of resort wear, handbags, fragrances, sunglasses, and beautiful gifts that can’t be found elsewhere. From $2,050 per person for a six-day sailing. Accessible ship. — Paul Brady

Oceania Cruises’ Vista

Nick Tortajada/Courtesy of Oceania Cruises

The new Oceania Vista is in a class of its own; no really, it’s the first in Oceania Cruises ’ new Allura class. Of its 11 bars and restaurants, three are entirely new to the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings–owned brand — including a high-end cocktail spot called Founders’ Bar, serving 26 intricate drinks that use house-made syrups and top-shelf booze like Whistle Pig and parsley-infused Grey Goose. As Oceania levels up, the cruise line has produced a ship that feels more like a floating resort than the vessels that came before. There’s pickleball; a health-conscious restaurant, Aquamar, serving made-to-order salads and pressed juices; and a coffee shop that looks like one in walking distance of my home in L.A. (marble counters, gold accents, leather bar stools) and pulls an espresso shot of similar quality. Vista has more suites than others in the Oceania fleet, too: There are 14 Oceania Suites (up to 1,200 square feet); eight Vista Suites (up to 1,850 square feet); and three Owner’s Suites with Ralph Lauren Home decor and two massive terraces (2,400 square feet). But the most hotel-like touch? A celebrity chef–driven restaurant, Toscana, where Giada De Laurentiis — the ship’s godmother — supplied two recipes for the menu. As someone who watched a lot of Everyday Italian in the early aughts, I was particularly excited to try her signature, Capri-inspired lemon spaghetti, and lemon-cream sauce with grilled shrimp and capers didn’t disappoint. From $2,499 per person for a seven-night sailing. Accessible ship. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Grandeur

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ sixth ship, the Seven Seas Grandeur , sailed its inaugural season in December, joining sibling ships Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor as the newest member of the luxury fleet. The cruise line is a favorite among T+L readers for its gorgeous ships and all-inclusive pricing that covers unlimited shore excursions, dining at specialty restaurants, and even round-trip airfare. Grandeur lives up to its name thanks to stunning, art-filled spaces designed by cruise ship interior experts Studio Dado: signature restaurant Compass Rose is enchanting with interiors inspired by a fairy-tale forest; the Observation Lounge sparkles with an undulating chandelier and swanky bar; and the $11,000-per-night Regent Suite has a private en suite spa and custom Treesse mini pool. As I boarded Grandeur for the ship’s inaugural sailing, I was mesmerized by the grand staircase and glittering chandelier. And with a maximum capacity of 744 guests, I found it easy to take time to myself in the myriad of quiet spots tucked throughout the ship, whether in the Serene Spa and Wellness area, in the Library, or on the Sports Deck overlooking the ocean. Seven restaurants include specialty steakhouse Prime 7, pan-Asian restaurant Pacific Rim, and breakfast and lunch buffet La Veranda, which refines the cruise buffet experience with daily specials like paella and sushi. Several bars and lounges, a pool and hot tubs, a casino, Broadway-style productions, and cooking classes at the Culinary Arts Kitchen make the ship a destination in itself, though guests will want to take advantage of those included excursions on Caribbean, Central American, North American, and European itineraries, ranging from seven to 16 nights, during the ship’s 2024 season. From $4,669 per person for a seven-night sailing. Accessible ship. — Elizabeth Rhodes

Silversea’s Silver Nova

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Carrying 728 passengers, Silver Nova is big for the luxury sector, but boasts a hugely important metric: a capacious passenger space ratio — that is, the number of guests relative to the size of the ship. Simply put, this ship offers more elbow room per passenger than almost any other cruise vessel. Silver Nova is wrapped in glass, with an asymmetrical layout; the funnel is positioned off-center, so is the pool, offering an expansive, uncluttered pool deck. Many features of the brand-new ship recall previous Silversea successes, my favorite of which is the S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) program, expanded for Silver Nova . S.A.L.T. perks include a gorgeous, sea-facing lab for hands-on culinary lessons (at no additional cost), plus a new concept, the Chef’s Table, where an 11-course menu is prepared for just 24 diners. All facets of the S.A.L.T. ecosystem, including ingredients, a bar, lectures, and shore excursions, are keyed to the region Nova is sailing. While food is a drawing card for Silver Nova , accommodations also received a revamp. Tied to the theme of bringing the outside in, there are brilliant new suites found in the aft starboard corner of the ship, with wraparound balconies revealing a 270-degree view.  This is where you can tuck me in when I win the lottery and head off on a world cruise. But until then, Silver Nova will summer in Alaska and spend northern hemisphere winters in Australia and New Zealand, places where top-deck views should prove ceaselessly rewarding. From $3,250 per person for a seven-night sailing. Accessible ship. — David Swanson

It List 2024