If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to sail a transatlantic cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, here’s an unfiltered look from my fourteen days at sea. As someone who’s cruised on multiple lines—and prefers a certain level of comfort and clarity—this crossing delivered a mix of surprises, small wins, frustrations, and a few standout moments. This is my opinion, and you may not share it. I know many people who only cruise with Norwegian. I will say the purpose of this trip was to get back to the States. I had flown one-way to France to visit friends, and the cruise was about the same price to return home; I had a credit with NCL. It seemed like a logical thing to do. I think it was, and I felt I got good value from the journey.
Four Days In: First Impressions of Norwegian’s Transatlantic Experience
Embarkation in Barcelona was quick and easy. I did my muster check and then went to the buffet and waited for the cabins to be ready. That happened around 2 pm. After unpacking, which didn’t take long since I travel light. I explored the ship along with others. I attended the solo gathering and was overwhelmed by the more than 100 people who were there. I mingled with a few, and we soon headed to dinner to get out of the throng.
After four days on board, my biggest takeaway is that the food is bland—not terrible; it just needs seasoning. My first specialty dining meal at the steakhouse was decent, but nothing memorable.
I met some great people, including Karen, whom I met back when leaving the hotel in Barcelona. She had a dramatic start: her balcony cabin door literally came unhinged. Although the staff initially claimed the ship was full, they eventually moved her, even though it was carrying only 1,300 guests, even though its capacity was 2,900. It’s baffling that they insisted “no cabins were available.”
Entertainment: Some Hits, Mostly Misses
Entertainment has been average at best:
- The forensic science speaker was boring and not suited for the stage.
- Both the hypnotist and the magic show were lackluster.
- The opening show was fine, but not remarkable.
However, one bright spot arrived later: Samantha Ivy, a West End performer from Mamma Mia, gave a strong, polished performance. She was the best singer I’ve seen on board. A talented group of singers and dancers performed traditional shows during the cruise. I heard they were good; unfortunately, I missed some of them.
Life in Cabin 4590: Old but Serviceable
My cabin, 4590, is showing its age, but it works: Here is a cabin tour video.
- The TV offered two New York network feeds and a loop of older movies on repeat on multiple channels.
- You can purchase new movies for about $3, but I didn’t bother.
- The bathroom is tiny but usable.
I did get resourceful on laundry day—washing essentials in the bathroom trash can for agitation (after a good scrub!), rinsing them in the sink, then hanging them in the shower. In humid weather, drying takes patience.
Rough Seas and Acupuncture Adventures
The first few days brought rougher seas—sick bags appeared in stairwells, which is always a sign. I tried two acupuncture treatments in the spa. Expensive, yes, but the first one actually seemed helpful. The second left me a bit woozy, likely a mix of needles and choppy waters. Overall, it was a positive experience and helped ease some pain.
I had stocked up on ginger in dark chocolate, green apples, and motion-sickness medication, just in case. Fingers crossed we avoid those predicted 15-foot swells. Thankfully, I didn’t experience any issues. However, I did get a head cold, which was annoying. I decided to keep to myself for a few days because no one would appreciate the runny nose and coughing.
Port Days: Cadiz and the Azores: Narrow Streets & Italian Leather
I found Cadiz charming. I did a walking tour in the Old Town. We stopped at a market and several squares. It is definately somewhere I would visit again.
Our stop in the Azores (Ponta Delgada) delivered beautiful weather and narrow streets lined with souvenir shops. A highlight was a charming leather shop run by two Japanese women—their buttery-soft Italian leather goods were tempting.
Back on board, dinner at Aqua brought paella with slightly better seasoning and a wonderfully trained server who had once worked at The Greenbrier in West Virginia.
Teppanyaki Triumph & Crowded Nassau
The night we left Nassau, I tried Teppanyaki, and it was—hands down—the best meal of the cruise. Great flavor, fun show, and lively conversation with fellow solo travelers. If Norwegian did everything at that level, I’d be far more impressed.
I will say the two meals I had at Le Bistro were good, and the service was excellent.
Nassau itself was packed: six ships in port, crowds everywhere, and high prices. Wi-Fi was unreliable, and even gelato was $9 a scoop. Needless to say, after six days at sea, I walked around some and then headed back aboard.
Final Days at Sea: Ready for Land
On the final sea day, I was more than ready to get off the ship. I met some lovely people, including Mickey, a retired United Airlines flight attendant who left me an old-school handwritten note after dinner at Le Bistro—such a thoughtful touch.
The final day meant packing, relaxing, and hoping the weather stays calm. We arrived in Tampa early on a Sunday, where I dashed to the airport for my flight home.
My Final Verdict: Norwegian Is Not for Me
While I’m glad I did the transatlantic crossing, I wouldn’t cruise Norwegian again, especially not on an older ship. Here’s why:
- Too many nickel-and-dime charges for on-board experiences.
- The excursion credit system was confusing and felt inconsistent.
- Entertainment was mediocre more often than not.
- The ship itself felt dated.
- Many included dining options lacked flavor.
- Fourteen days is too long for me; seven would be plenty.
I prefer knowing exactly what I’m getting, and Norwegian doesn’t deliver the value or experience I want. With only 1,300 guests on board, I can’t imagine how crowded it would feel at full capacity. I am not a big ship cruiser, I prefer smaller vessels with fewer guests.
Next time, I’m going back to Viking Cruises—where service, dining, and clarity are built into the experience.
I did appreciate the sunsets. They were beautiful!
If you appreciated this content, you might enjoy my videos at RRJ on YouTube. Please like, share, and subscribe.
