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    We Gave Norwegian Cruise Line Another Chance – Still Worth it in 2025?



    We Gave Norwegian Cruise Line Another Chance – Still Worth it in 2025?

    We’ve cruised over 100 times, including plenty of voyages with NCL — once one of our favourites. But since the pandemic, things have definitely gone downhill.

    So, we decided to give them one more shot. Was it worth it? Should you sail with them in 2025? We’re answering those burning questions today. Plus, we’re sharing the incredible experiences we had exploring a new Japanese port and the vibrant city of Seoul, South Korea. We are so excited to visit yet another new amazing country, so what are you waiting for let’s do this!

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    00:00 – Introduction: Why We Gave Norwegian Cruise Line Another Chance
    01:20 – Trying Norwegian’s Room Service Breakfast
    07:15 – Exploring Sasebo, Japan: Hidden Gems & Cruise Tips
    14:13 – Norwegian Cruise Line Buffet Dinner Tour
    17:34 – Is the New ‘More at Sea’ Package a Good Deal?
    20:15 – Exploring Seoul, South Korea: Our Shore Excursion Highlights
    35:18 – Silk Restaurant Review: Once Free, Now an Extra Charge – Is It Worth Paying For?
    43:15 – Our Honest Thoughts on the Food
    44:16 – Final Verdict: Should You Cruise with Norwegian in 2025?

    45 Comments

    1. @Backhomeonthehill on

      I’m new to cruising and have two booked in which I’m so excited for.

      Can I ask did you have a guide when in South Korea or explore by yourselves? It looks incredible especially the food market.

    2. @donnagoode708 on

      Could you do some work on alternative diets: gluten free, vegan dairy free etc. This would be helpful if you could highlight these in your food reviews

    3. @raybrown8887 on

      we were big NCL fans we did the panama canal from miami to la in march this year. while we love the bliss mostly because of the thermal suite but this will probably be our last norwegian cruise.. the cuts they are making with there broadway shows is one of the biggest reasons. we were lucky enough to see jersey boys which is also leaving and their new box show Icons lets just say worst cruise ship show we have ever seen. the cabin stewards are over worked and not given the time needed to do a proper job and they seem not happy at all. the specialty dinning cover charge is out of hand, the only good meal in specialty dining was le bistro so good we went 2 times and Cagney's while never a big fan of was horrible and for $60pp a rip off. since they removed a good portion of the observation lounge for more suites good luck finding a seat, I can't imagine how that is working out for their alaska season. I will say the MDR for the most part was pretty solid but in general much of the staff seemed over worked. they must start cracking down on chair hogs on the pool deck. our next cruise we have booked is on Princess for the first time I think from what I have seen looks like it might be what we are looking for. keep up the good work love following you guy's adventures

    5. @CC-wy1gn on

      How do you know the actual port addresses for booking shore excursions outside of cruise line? My daughters are already in Seoul and cruising tomorrow on the Spirit from Seoul to Tokyo. I've talked to 3 different Norweigan reps and gotten different cruise port addresses from each! Their website will only list port locations and even then, there may be multiple ports for that location. I'm so glad you both enjoyed the Asian cruise! What a relief to hear. I'm considering a cruise to Africa for safari. Norweigan has one and reviews are a really mixed bag.

    9. @torrydooley on

      19:30 – We recently did NCL and they would give you their well vodka when you asked for a brand name like Tito’s Vodka. Had to ask for them to make a new drink fairly often. Luckily the staff was apologetic. Makes you think NCL is asking the bartenders to pour the lowest cost spirits into drinks to save some money 🤔

    13. @karengatz3022 on

      NCL is garbage. They have 0 customer service and are all about cutting corners. Unfortunately, I do still cruise on them. It drives me crazy when they say they are cutting ports and port time for customer satisfaction when we all know it is because they want to save on fuel costs. They even bragged in their last earnings report that they saved so much on their fuel and it was totally at the expense of the cruisers and the port stops.

    14. @elizabethbryan3821 on

      Totally agree re Norwegian..I went on a Japan cruise on the spirit earlier this year..the ship was good with just the right amount of people…unfortunately due to bad weather we missed /had replaced ports…was such a shame …I laughed re the drinks..I wanted a particular Prosecco ..nothing special.. but the one they tried to give me consistently was awful..they didn’t have the ‘white ‘version at that Prosecco particular bar nearly every night😡….i found the food average..but in the specialty found it very good..in terms of trying to contact customer services at NCL ..don’t bother they never reply ..that in itself means I won’t sail with them again .But in terms of cost it is affordable for more people

    16. @vzkmqz on

      We had similar issues trying to get the premium drinks/liquors on the Spirit last year. Even when we would call the "good stuff", bar tenders would consistently reach for the well. One evening we specifically went to Henry's Pub to get their signature Old Fashion. We watched the bar tender pour Kentucky Gentleman instead of Buffalo Trace as listed in the menu description. When we asked to the ship's Beverage Manager about the recurring substitutions, he was not happy or helpful. Clearly it is a cost saving measure with directions coming from the top down. Definitely ask by name and make sure you get what you paid for at the bars.

    18. @susanhall7737 on

      Re Sasebo: Sasebo, Japan is a U.S. naval base. It is the home of Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo (CFAS), which is part of the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet. The base provides support services for forward-deployed naval forces in Japan and the Western Pacific.

      Loving this series. My dad was stationed in Hawai'i in the early 60s. We took a three-week trip to Japan while we were there and I still have visual memories that have not faded in over 60 years.

    19. @vickigilligan8159 on

      I wonder if the upselling is only in certain markets? I only cruise NCL and have never been approached like that. You have opened my eyes and now putting Japan on our bucket list cruises

    23. @earlhigaki on

      We love NCL and almost exclusively sail with them. But we book the Haven so I imagine that our experience is much different than those who do not stay in the Haven.

    24. @ellenraysmith4391 on

      Thank you, Ben & David, for the detailed recommendations regarding excursions and the honest reviews. Cruises are wonderful but the word is out! So many people, all around the world, are cruising that it has gotten to be expensive. So, we really do need to do our homework and research the cruise line, the ship, the excursions, the itineraries and THE FOOD! I’m a lousy cook, I can eat bad food at home!🤣

    25. @StreakyP on

      Many cruise lines not just Norwegian I've found that many of the buffet cakes LOOK great but just don't have the flavour to back it up…. WHY?!?! (it shouldn't be rocket science)

    26. @lynnefromSoCal on

      Were the other cruise guest misbehaving at the buffet like they were on your previous Asia cruise? Tasting the food right at the buffet for example? I hesitate to cruise in Asia if that is a common occurance.

    28. @Philipp1503 on

      I can say why they gave NCL a chance to mention how great they are. They had „VIP“ standing on their room key card, where the latitudes level is displayed normally. Says it all or? This is an paid ad… @ben&david…you should be ashame.

      No normal guest, who pays for the room gets VIP on the room key card.

    35. @AlexisRennie-g9d on

      Hi guys, we came off the Spirit a few weeks and we loved it! We didn't get any upselling at all and had no problem with our drinks. They even went to different bars if they didn't have what I asked for. It was our first cruise and we will definitely be on the Spirit again 😃

    36. @sarapugh6700 on

      it REALLY irritates me when cruise ships say there is an upcharge of X amount + X percent gratuities…the gratuities in those cases are not optional so why dont they just include them in the price of the upcharge?! WTH?!?!?!

    37. @InsaneNuYawka on

      I'm no expert but the constant upselling, poor upkeep of the ships, and taking away of things that used to be included like restaurants on top of the downgrade of entertainment all scream "company going broke" to me.

    42. @patriciad.7309 on

      Hi guys, we have been on the Spirit 3 times in all, two of those times after the pandemic, and we've loved it each time. I wonder if the upselling is new because of the new 'more at sea'? We've never noticed it before, but we'll watch out for it next time we're on the Spirit, and for the palaver with the drinks! We've loved the itineraries we've been on, including the last one, Yokohama to Seoul. With such a relatively small ship you can get into more out of the way ports. Lovely!

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