25 Norwegian Cruise Line Tips, Hacks & Mistakes to Avoid (2024)

Are you planning a Norwegian Cruise Line cruise & wondering what to expect? These Norwegian Cruise Line tips, tricks & mistakes to avoid will help you to have a better cruise, save money & more!

In this video I share what you need to know before your first NCL cruise. I've included some secrets that only repeat Norwegian Cruise Line cruisers know! Whether you're cruising on Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Pearl or any other NCL cruise ship, this cruise advice & information will be helpful.

From Norwegian Cruise Line dining to cruise cabin tips, this video will help you to get ready & excited for your upcoming NCL cruise vacation!

As well, you'll find NCL cruise essentials you'll love, which are part of the Lifestyle by Norwegian collections. I love the packing cubes, NCL cruise wear, refillable water bottles & more. You'll also find cruise style bedding. The luxury sheets are so soft!

This video is sponsored by @NorwegianCruiseLine

#NCLPartner #LifestyleNCL #ComfortNCL #CruiseNorwegian

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🛳 THE ULTIMATE CRUISE PLANNER 🛳

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Please note that this video is not sponsored. The links in this description are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a commission on purchases you make through my links, at no extra cost to you.

As Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

CRUISE ESSENTIALS

Passport holder with airtag holder:

Luggage tag holders:

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FTC LEGAL DISCLOSURE - Some links found in the description box of my videos are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a commission on purchases you make through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally like and trust.
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Please note that I am unable to give personal cruise & travel advice. If you leave a comment I try my best to answer.

ABOUT ME
Hi! I'm Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about & planning future cruises, ideally to hot & sunny destinations!

Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. Videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences & info with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or cruise line for advice & information specific to your booking.

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Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusicMusic

[markwisner]

Good video. The best hack for NCL is the fish in the carpet. They always point forward. It helps to keep you from making a wrong turn when leaving your cabin.

[SonjaStefan]

I just want to share my "meal planning" hack on NCL cruises. I find the best way to feel like you are always experiencing something different, but experience everything you can: buffet for breakfast, a different casual eatery each day for lunch, and dinner in a different Main Dining Room each night with a Specialty thrown in on a "special night" (we do take advantage of Captain's Night as well). The only change we make for breakfast, is room service on Disembarcation Day (to save time) and if we are going on an early excursion...we enjoy one of the decadent bakeries for some elegant pastries. Try it out!

[smoothsketch]

tip - on embarkation day be on the lookout for and pick up the day 1 Freestyle Daily to read while you are in the waiting area before NCL allows you to board the ship, that way you can find out what's scheduled that you want to attend and what decks the open restaurants are at . Make sure to give up your luggage so you can have fun instead of baby-siting suitcases (as you are on the ship but now waiting for your cabin to be ready), NCL will deliver your suitcases outside your room.

[WendyDyke]

Something new that was announced a few weeks ago for Norwegian, they are extending the military benefit to Canadians. The program has existed for U.S. military and veterans for awhile. I was impressed with the announcement they are now including our Canadian service members. Kudos to Norwegian for this recognition.

[wendyposteraro]

Tip for the laundry bag - bring a kitchen size garbage bag to put your dirty laundry in and squeeze out the extra air before putting it inside the paper laundry bag provided. Allows you to pack more in the paper bag without the bag ripping for the set price of $29 per paper bag.

[AppleJuiceQueen]

I will be cruising NCL in December. Your videos have been a great help and I genuinely appreciate you! I purchased your cruise planner (for the organization help, but also because I wanted to support your work!) and it has been SO helpful! I went from nervous to excited. This will be my first cruise, first flight and first time out of the country.

[justanothertra]

In answer to the paper versus app, we like the paper. Mark it up, highlight it, and keep better track of what we want to do!

[ino]

Honestly the most important tip in my opinion is if your embarkation port isn't your native city, arrive to the city of your embarkation port as early as possible. For instance, if you are in mass and your cruise happens to be in NYC, drive there hours before all aboard just incase of any traffic. Even more important is if you have to fly to your embarkation port, try to get there at least a day before the cruise just in case of any flight delays. You don't want to plan to fly out the night before the cruise and arrive the morning of the cruise then when you get to the airport, your flight is delayed and you miss sail away.

[christineshields]

Great information and very timely. We just booked our first NCL cruise. It's quite a way off (July 2026). The itinerary was so interesting and different we couldn't resist. It starts in Honolulu, cruises the Hawaiian island then heads to Alaska and ends in Vancouver. We jumped on it because they are only doing this itinerary twice.

[slipknotfannumber]

Ilana, my boyfriend and I are on our first cruise, NCL Gem Boston to Bermuda, and would not be having such an easy time if it weren’t for your videos! I’ve been referencing your videos constantly, and thanks to you we knew where to go at Horseshoe Bay, that we can drink water from the sink, to dine at an off time, etc. I love all of your videos and really appreciate all the hard work you put into helping cruisers have a better vacation!! 😊

[mayavandoorn]

I will be driving to the airport in 30 minutes and board the NCL Epic this afternoon ;)

[suewolf]

1. We love their military discount. We love their military appreciation party.. We also love the patches and the pins that we receive
2. We purchased their stock two or three cruises ago . We certainly enjoy the additional onboard credit it gives us
3. And I still believe they have the best drink package

[jillinbama]

In July, 2023, we booked an Alaskan cruise for the fall of 2025 on the Norwegian Encore. This is our second cruise ever and our first Norwegian. We have an aft Haven stateroom and I absolutely can't wait! Still so far away but it has given us plenty of time to pay for everything. I purchased your Ultimate Cruise Planner to help with the organization. I think I found your channel from your videos on Alaskan cruises. Thanks for all of the information!

[laurenschenck]

OMG! That cabin looks so cozy and relaxing and comfortable

[Krypto]

Ta for another interesting video. Our favourite quiet spot on NCL ships is the library and/or games room, but they don’t tend to show up on the megaships. So Spinnakers wins! Our next NCL break is on the Aqua, going from Southampton to Boston in March. Roll on!

[JoeSixpack]

I've got a great hack for you that I learned on my last NCL cruise. If you're not a big eater (and there's only two of you dining), use only one of your More At Sea specialty dining freebies at a time (especially in Food Republic or Q Texas Barbecue). Then you can go again. You get plenty at Food Republic with one dining package to go again during the week (and there are plenty of large-portion food options to choose from). You won't be able to do this with Latitudes Platinum and above coupons, so make sure you're splitting a More At Sea dining freebie. Do this before NCL catches on and stops it.

[eileenbelanger]

My sister and I are booked on the Jewel for a 12 day cruise in February. I been watching your videos before we even booked and very much enjoyed them.

[Lord.Kiltridge]

I finished my last cruise with 45 Latitudes points. I'm on the Joy in about a month for a 15 day jaunt through the Panama canal in one of the new solo balcony cabins. Because I'm Gold, I'll get one 1/2 price laundry which I'm seriously thinking about using. I'm also getting double Latitudes points so when the cruise ends, I'll be Platinum. Really looking forward to the extra dining credits and priority embarkation and disembarkation that come with it. I would like to point out that the 10% military appreciation discount is now available for Canadian veterans.

[robinadams]

Leaveing Wednesday morning for Athens and a NCL Mediterranean cruise. So excited.

[cindyneubauer]

13 days until we head off on the Viva for ten days in the Mediterranean. Two great friends but 2 solo cabins (this is so much better than sharing and similar cost) Ten days, ten ports then a week in Lisbon! Cannot wait!