noordam cruise ship food

Noordam Food & Drink

Holland America Line invites you to dine "As You Wish". To savour Italian cuisine one night and a perfectly grilled porterhouse steak the next. To take your place in the Dining Room at a specific seating time or be spontaneous, following your desires. Onboard, there are restaurants to suit every mood, along with the flexibility to choose the dining style you prefer.

Pinnacle Grill

Refined and luxurious, the Pinnacle Grill represents the pinnacle of exceptional dining. Creative, innovative menus featuring choice sustainability raised beef and premium seafood delight the palate.

The Pinnacle Grill on the Lower Promenade Deck is an intimate reservations only additional charge restaurant.

Dishes on offer range from premium sterling silver beef, filet mignon and jumbo prawns, and broiled lobster tail to Caesar salad and lobster bisque for starters and chocolate and raisin bread and butter pudding or baked Alaska for dessert.

The lunch time menu offers dishes such as fish sandwiches on sourdough bread, pasta and salads.

For one evening per cruise, The Pinnacle is transformed into "An Evening at le Cirque" with a change to its wine list and table decorations and the menu serving dishes from Sirio Maccioni's legendary New York Restaurant such as lobster salad, sweetcorn soup, seared black cod, three cheese ravioli and creme brulee.

Canaletto Restaurant

Named for the famous 18th Century Venetian artist, the Canaletto Restaurant is adjacent to the Lido Restaurant dining area. “Spartire” is the Italian word for sharing; the new menu is designed around this authentic Italian experience and offers a variety of dishes to enjoy and share with family and friends.

The Canaletto Restaurant located on Deck 9, in a corner of the Lido Restaurant, is the ship's reservations only complimentary Italian restaurant, serving dinner.

Food on offer includes a selection of antipasti, soups and salads ranging from minestrone soup to tomato, cucumber and olive salad, pasta such as seafood linguini and spaghetti and meatballs and desserts including tiramisu, ice cream and chocolate mille-feuille.

Main Dining Room- Vista

On crisp white linen, course after course arrives. Behind the scenes, master chefs have brought flavours to perfection. For an elegant breakfast, leisurely lunch or unforgettable five-course dinners designed by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, the main dining room is your destination for elegant dining aboard.

As You Wish Dining- Flexibility is the hallmark of Holland America Line's As You Wish dining program, and in the main Dining Room, it’s your choice of a traditional pre-set seating and dining time or a flexible open schedule.

One level of the two-tiered restaurant will offer a flexible/open dining service from 5.15pm to 9 pm daily, and the other will host two seatings, an early seating at 5.45pm and main seating at 8pm. Pre-set dining times are subject to change based on itinerary. Guests selecting flexible open seating may make reservations daily during a cruise up to 4pm, or simply walk up anytime during dining hours.

Holland America Line has added another famous partnership to its innovative culinary program as it enters into an exclusive agreement with the illustrious Le Cirque restaurant to offer “An Evening at Le Cirque” in the Pinnacle Grill. Master Chef Rudi Sodamin worked with Le Cirque’s Executive Chef Craig Hopson to re-create the legendary eatery’s whimsical ambiance and award-winning dining experience onboard — from serving the amuse-bouche on fanciful orange Le Cirque china to featuring the restaurant’s famous crème brûlée.

For at least one night per voyage, the Pinnacle Grill will transform into a Le Cirque–like atmosphere. On these special evenings, menu offerings, wine selections, table decorations and the restaurant setting are tailored to create an authentic Le Cirque dining experience that is sure to impress both the eyes and palates.

Lido Restaurant

Located in the centre of the Lido deck, the Lido Restaurant offers relaxed dining, extensive menu selections and as always, impeccable service from an attentive, yet unobtrusive staff. Bountiful breakfasts feature fresh-squeezed orange juice, cooked-to-order omelettes, pancakes, fresh fruits, natural cereals and yogurts. For lunch, cuisine from around the world, including Asian stir-fry, sushi, pizza, pasta, gourmet sandwiches and an extensive salad bar. At dinner time, the Lido features waiter service and entrées from both the Lido and main Dining Room menus. Dine indoors in air-conditioned comfort or enjoy the fresh salt air on deck.

Terrace Grill

Located outside on the Lido Deck, the Terrace Grill features portable buffet bars offering pizza, nachos, grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings, sandwiches and gourmet sausages. Whether cruising the tropics where it's sunny and warm or enjoying the cooler destinations under an insulated sliding glass roof, enjoy a relaxed lunch poolside at the Terrace Grill.

Explorations Café

Explorations Cafe, located on the Promenade Deck, features a bar serving speciality coffees and pastries.

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Dining Guide

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On Holland America's Noordam, guests can expect a culinary experience that balances both traditional and modern dining options, reflecting the ship's sophisticated ambiance. The Noordam features a variety of dining venues, catering to a range of tastes and preferences. From complimentary classic dining rooms to specialty restaurants that offer unique flavors for an additional fee, passengers have ample choice to satisfy their culinary cravings. The emphasis on dining is evident in the quality and variety of menus available across the fleet, with specific attention to detail in presentation and service.

The Dining Room Included

Embark on a gastronomic voyage each night in The Dining Room, Noordam's main dining venue, where the ambiance of elegance and tradition is enhanced by modern culinary insights. Offering a plethora of dishes ranging from local tastes to international delights, the atmosphere here is set for memorable meals, underscored by panoramic sea views. Signature dishes mirror the cruise's itinerary, with 'port to table' offerings that bring the essence of the destination to your plate. With both fixed seating times and flexible 'As You Wish' dining options, every visit feels bespoke. Do not miss the opportunity to indulge in the master chef Rudi Sodamin's signature creations, making each dinner an affair to remember.

Lido Market Included

Lido Market presents an eclectic buffet experience with a myriad of global cuisines served in a casual yet refined atmosphere. From early morning breakfasts featuring made-to-order omelets to extensive lunch and dinner options boasting everything from hand-carved meats to fresh sushi, there’s always something to satisfy your cravings. Evening themes vary daily, offering a taste of different cultures. The market-style setup, combined with the stunning views from deck 9, makes for a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience. The dessert bar, with its array of sweet treats, is a must-visit for those with a sweet tooth.

Dive-In Included

Dive-In offers the quintessential poolside fare but with a gourmet twist, making it a cut above the rest. This complimentary venue specializes in mouthwatering burgers, hot dogs, and fries, perfect for satisfying those mid-day hunger pangs without straying too far from the sun deck. The secret sauces and gourmet toppings elevate the classic American comfort food to something memorably delicious. Make sure to try the signature Dive-In burger and the crispy fries; they are not to be missed!

Explorations Cafe Not Included

Positioned near the ship's extensive library, Explorations Cafe is the perfect haven for those seeking a quiet and cozy spot to enjoy a coffee while immersed in a good book. This specialty coffeehouse offers an impressive selection of premium coffees and teas, complemented by an array of pastries and snacks. While there is an additional fee for specialty drinks, the peaceful ambiance and stunning ocean views come without charge. Don’t forget to try their signature cappuccino as you catch up on emails or chat with fellow passengers.

Pinnacle Grill Not Included

Pinnacle Grill epitomizes the finest dining at sea, offering an intimate atmosphere with impeccable service. This specialty restaurant specializes in premium, sustainably sourced beef and seafood dishes, complemented by an exceptional wine list. Dinner here is an event; from Alaskan king crab to 28-day dry-aged steaks, each dish is prepared with an eye for detail. The $35 per person fee is a testament to the quality and exclusivity of the culinary experience. Reserve a table for a special occasion or simply to treat yourself to an unforgettable meal.

Canaletto Not Included

Canaletto welcomes guests into an Italian ambiance with its family-style servings and wide array of Italian classics. Located within a designated section of the Lido Market, this dinner-only venue offers a cozy and less formal dining option, with dishes designed to be shared. The menu, which features traditional favorites such as seafood linguine and veal meatballs, is complemented by a selection of Italian wines. With a modest additional fee of $15 per person, Canaletto is the go-to for an enjoyable evening with loved ones, relishing the flavors of Italy.

Rudi's Sel de Mer Not Included

Rudi's Sel de Mer, a French seafood brasserie, presents a refined dining experience, where the romance of France meets the freshness of the sea. This specialty venue, named after Holland America's master chef Rudi Sodamin, offers a la carte pricing, allowing guests to indulge in exquisite French favorites from bouillabaisse to sea bass in salt crust. The restaurant's elegant decor, attentive service, and a $49 per person fee underscore the premium dining experience. Signature dishes, expertly prepared and beautifully presented, promise an unforgettably luxurious evening.

Tamarind Not Included

Tamarind stands out as a sanctuary of Pan-Asian flavors, offering guests an exotic dining journey through the cuisines of Japan, China, Thailand, and more. The serene decor complements the harmonious balance of tastes and textures found in signature dishes such as wasabi and soy crusted beef tenderloin. With panoramic views that add to the atmosphere, dining at Tamarind is both a visual and culinary delight. Available for a $29 additional fee, it’s an adventure in dining that invites guests to explore the rich traditions and modern interpretations of Asian cuisine.

Nami Sushi Not Included

Part of the Tamarind dining experience, Nami Sushi brings a contemporary sushi bar onboard, featuring a la carte selections that showcase the art of sushi making. The brainchild of sushi master Andy Matsuda, this venue serves up fresh, expertly prepared sushi, sashimi, and special rolls that are as much a treat for the eyes as they are for the palate. Enjoy an intimate and vibrant dining experience, complemented by sake and Japanese beers. While there is an additional cost, the quality and freshness of the offerings make it a must-visit for sushi aficionados.

Gelato Not Included

Gelato offers a sweet escape any time of day, with an assortment of classic and innovative gelato flavors served in crisp waffle cones or cups. This dessert station also features a variety of toppings and sauces to make each creation your own. Whether you opt for a refreshing fruit sorbet or a rich, creamy gelato, it's the perfect way to cool down and indulge. Available for a small additional fee, Gelato is a delightful treat that promises to please everyone’s sweet tooth.

Grand Dutch Cafe Not Included

Immerse yourself in the coziness of Dutch culture at the Grand Dutch Cafe, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the warmth of traditional Dutch treats welcome you. This casual, fee-based café serves a variety of Netherlands-inspired snacks, beverages, and beers. A perfect spot for a light lunch or a mid-afternoon snack, here you can enjoy the likes of bitterballen and poffertjes. The inviting ambiance, combined with the quality of the fare, makes the Grand Dutch Cafe a beloved spot for a taste of Holland at sea.

New York Pizza & Deli Included

The New York Pizza & Deli provides a slice of the Big Apple at sea, offering customized, thin-crust pizzas baked to order, alongside a selection of deli sandwiches and salads. Open into the wee hours, this complimentary venue captures the essence of New York pizzerias, right down to the checkerboard floors. Whether you're craving a classic Margherita pizza or a skyscraper-high pastrami sandwich, the New York Pizza & Deli is your go-to for casual, flavorful dining with a view.

Room Service Included

Room Service on the Noordam ensures that guests can enjoy a wide selection of meals and snacks in the comfort and privacy of their staterooms, 24 hours a day. The menu includes everything from breakfast classics to heartier fare and light bites. The convenience of dining in your room, whether for breakfast on the balcony or a late-night snack, adds an additional layer of luxury to your stay. Complimentary and available around the clock, it's perfect for those moments when you prefer the tranquil ambiance of your own space.

Holland America Noordam Dining Guide

14-year-old Raff eats his way through the good, the better and the best of dining on board Holland America Line’s Noordam and finds the food a cut above the usual cruise ship offerings.

Imagine waking up to a breakfast buffet that’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is the stomach: pancakes piled high, omelettes made to order and an endless flow of freshly brewed coffee to keep your parents alive! It’s a breakfast lover’s paradise.

As the day unfolds, your options only multiply. Want a juicy burger by the pool? Done! Craving a meltingly tender steak at a swanky steakhouse? You got it! How about spicy tacos or fresh rolled sushi? No problemo!

Most cruise ships do their very best to offer something for every palate, from casual bites to elegant dining experiences. Which is one of the things I love most about cruising … that, and the easy access to all that food and, more importantly, that it’s all you can eat (which in my case is a lot).

But as I discovered on my latest cruise on Holland America’s Noordam , not all cruise food is created equal, and Noordam doesn’t offer your average cruise ship dining experience.

I’m sharing why in my comprehensive guide to the best Noordam dining experiences .

The Dining Room

Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner  

The main dining establishment on Noordam is The Dining Room. A massive multi floored hall with beautiful interior design to match the rolling views of the ocean you’ll enjoy alongside your meal. Despite the stunning scene, the star of the dining room is quite clearly the food, and trust me, from breakfast to dinner, there’s nothing it doesn’t do well.

Dinner is the busiest time at the Dining Room, and along with fixed dinner seatings at 5:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m or “As You Wish Dining,” which means you can choose to dine any time from 5:15 pm to 9 pm. While you’ll find an enormous variety of ever-changing dishes at dinner, there are a couple of constants on the menu such as a rustic home-made lasagne, grilled salmon and a meltingly tender New York strip loin. Otherwise, you’ll find all manner of surprises in store, including local ‘port to plate’ specials. I have got to say that in our 14 days of dining here, there wasn’t a single meal that wasn’t amazing.

A couple of personal favourites for me were the crispy gyoza with a delicious ponzu sauce, buttery escargot, and a juicy perfectly cooked rack of lamb with cannellini beans and artichoke that had my tastebuds screaming with joy.

Then there’s the a la carte breakfast, and oh my lord it is so good. Boasting an pretty serious menu filled with everything from hot cereals and bagels to waffles, French Toast and eggs Benedict with Canadian bacon, there’s something for everyone, and it is all amazing.

I got rather attached to the egg Benedict but that didn’t stop me from trying the pancakes with a perfectly tart raspberry compote or an impressive full English breakfast and a seriously tasty Indian breakfast of aloo masala and egg bhurji.

If you want to beat the buffet crowds, they serve an awesome lunch too, with salads and cold bites as well as regular specials like mac cheese and waffles with fried chicken, which you can dine on at your leisure.

And I can’t forget to mention the awesome afternoon tea served on sea days from 3pm, which is honestly so bountiful it could justify as a full meal. With towers stacked with sweet delights, deliciously fluffy scones and savoury bites, served with tea, it was hard to keep my sugar-loving sister away.

The Lido Market

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

It’s pretty easy for buffets to get it wrong with a dull and stodgy selection but let me assure you Noordam’s Lido Market gets it oh so right! While it does get busy, queues move fast and the food is always fresh and packed with flavour.

At breakfast you’ll find an extensive array of choices, ranging from made-to-order eggs and omelettes to waffles, pancakes, an abundance of fresh fruit and pastries.

At lunch and dinner, you’ll find about everything your heart could desire from slabs of pizza and bowls of pasta with the toppings of your choice to succulent roast dinner and fresh salad, you can find it here. My personal favourite was the Asian and Indian station that featured a revolving menu of noodle dishes, savoury stir-fries and steaming piles of curry, as well as fresh rolled sushi.

This is the place to stuff your face silly or just drop by for a quick snack.

Oh, and I saved the best till last, they serve up those fresh slabs of pizza till late at night, so you can nab one last slab (or three in my case) on your way to bed.

Dive in Burger Bar

Lunch until 5 p.m

Considering the sheer amount of food options on the cruise I consider it a complete miracle I even had the time to squeeze in a burger, but of course, I did. Because… food.

Dive In, located alongside the pool on the Lido deck, is the place to be for the made to order burgers, including a portabella mushroom vegan option, a grilled chicken burger with oozy guacamole and my personal favourite, the Gainer, a toasted brioche bun with a juicy patty, a mountain of crispy onion rings smothered in Dive In’s classic sauce. There’s a  hotdog menu too and their loaded dogs were the bomb.

Adjacent to Dive In is a dangerous serve-yourself taco/nachos/burrito bar. Why dangerous? Because I couldn’t stay away from it. This place was the biggest surprise of the included dining option on board and became a daily go-to after an exhausting session of leaping around the pool.

With a choice of hard-shell tacos, wraps for burritos and a bunch of fillings including hot chicken, beef, beans and rice to salsas, salads, rice, sour cream, cheese and everything in between, we created many a DIY Mexican marvel.

A closed off extension of the Lido market and Noordam ’s official Italian restaurant, Canalleto is one of Noordam’s fee dining establishments. And though I only got the chance to experience Canaletto once, boy oh boy it is worth every penny.

With a huge menu of Italian delights and pasta made fresh daily, you can’t go wrong. After a platter of olive, fresh bread and delicious dips, I started with an entree of beef carpaccio, the paper thin slices of buttery beef bathed in a tangy sauce. Then for mains I devoured the braised beef rib gnocchi. Think crispy yet soft gnocchi lathered in a rich sauce and beef that practically jumps off the bone.

Portions are huge, which is fine by me, because it meant I also got to finish off my sister’s tender-as-it-gets calamari with salsa verde, lemon and herb pangrattato and a good portion of Mum’s creamy, seafood-studded spaghetti.

Moving on to dessert, I assumed there would be no way it could stand up to the restaurant’s spectacular savoury performance… but plot twist, it did. I got the orange blossom ricotta tart served with fresh berries. The ricotta was creamy and silky and while rich was brightened by the tartness of the berries and the orange undertones throughout. Sadly, the fam wouldn’t share their desserts with me. So rude!

My only issue with Canaletto is that we didn’t hit repeat!

Pinnacle Grill

Pinnacle by name and pinnacle by nature, because what could possibly top this? Pinnacle is stunning high-end experience and serves by far the best food on board the ship, which is saying something. My pick for the best Noordam dining experience, it does come at a fee, but it is a must for a really special meal served in seriously stunning surrounds like white leather seats, fine linens and a cool mirrored ceiling.

I ordered the steak tartare for an entree and was greeted by a plate of utter perfection. The silkiest meat imaginable was perfectly complimented by parsley, cornichon, capers, red onion and topped with egg. Mum’s also let me nosh most of her spectacular clothesline candied bacon, pegged with sweet maple bacon, smothered in black pepper and served with cornichons.

But the real surprise came with my main. I wouldn’t normally consider myself much of a steak guy. But if every steak tasted like the medium rare 23 oz porterhouse I ate at Pinnacle Grill, I’d eat it three times a day. The most flavoursome, buttery piece of steak I’ve ever had the pleasure of devouring, it began melting on my tongue the second I put it in my mouth and was so fresh I was considering having a poke around the boat to make sure they didn’t have livestock on board.

Being the greedy boy I am, I ordered a host of sides that did not disappoint including a peppery mushroom sauce, some ridiculously creamy mash potatoes, and some blanched greens. Not to mention the beautiful silky Béarnaise sauce I stole from Mum’s surf and turf (topped with a huge juicy lobster tail), which she assured me was nothing short of sublime.

Dessert was particularly exciting. Mostly due to my lightweight mother and sister not being able to make it through all of theirs, so along with my superb key lime pie, I got to scoff half a chocolate soufflé and the best part of an awesome ice cream-stuffed baked Alaska.

And I still wanted more. This place gets an 11 out of 10 for service, style and the luscious menu.

Explorations Café

Open early until late

Dining on Noordam isn’t just about big meals. Missed breakfast or just feel like a barista brewed coffee or a quick sandwich, bagel or fresh pastry, while you relax in soft lounges or read a good book? Explorations Cafe is the place, but there is a fee for specialty coffee drinks and teas.

24-hour Room Service

When you feel like a lay in or you’re just not feeling all that sociable, room service is just a phone call away. You can indulge in a leisurely morning with a delightful breakfast delivered right to your door before the Lido Market even opens, rr savour a delightful lunch or early dinner on your verandah while you anticipate an exciting evening of entertainment. All the room service menu selections are part of your cruise fare, unless specifically indicated on the in-room menu.

5 Comments on Holland America Noordam Dining Guide

Diana Walsh

Excellent review. I will be on it from Australia and looking forward to enjoying myself with good friends and great food.

Aleney de Winter

You will have a wonderful time.

Sounds ao great. Food is so important and I’ve been trying to decide which ship to sail on next so you’ve helped me choose!

LOVED reading your foodie experience aboard the Noordam. We are leaving in a week for their Alaska cruise and look forward to all of it! So glad we have a reservation for Pinnacle. You are quite the writer! Keep exploring and sharing!

thank you hope you had a great time

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Hey, I’m Aleney! A mum, award-winning travel writer, magazine editor and gallivanting glutton. He’s Raff, the “boy” in boyeatsworld, and a fearless foodie, adventurer and eco-warrior. Along with his all-singing, all-dancing, all-adventurous sister, Sugarpuff, we’re exploring the world’s colour, culture and cuisine on a food safari for the junior set.

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Dining Options Onboard The Noordam

Bar & lounge options onboard the noordam, cultural options onboard the noordam, technology options onboard the noordam, family options onboard the noordam, rest & relaxation options onboard the noordam, sports options onboard the noordam, entertainment options onboard the noordam.

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Led by a team of world-class chefs, the cuisine on our cruise ships satisfies your every craving. There are many options, from classics like poolside burgers and fries to Tamarind’s Pan-Asian flavors to fine dining at Pinnacle Grill. Our culinary cruises, and Fresh Fish program chart an exciting course for dining across our fleet. Let us take you on a taste adventure with various dining options as you travel the globe.

Indulge in a taste of Europe on board with premium Lindt chocolates. Savor sweet surprises such as Lindt Chocolate Tulips in the Dining Room and world-renowned LINDOR truffles on your pillow.

Global Fresh Fish

Highest Quality Seafood for You

Culinary Cruises

Fine dining.

An unforgettable journey in flavor from tantalizing Asian dishes to modern takes on classic French fare.

The Dining Room

Our flagship dining experience is a welcoming and sophisticated setting for an exquisite breakfast, lunch or superb multicourse dinner.

Pinnacle Grill

The ultimate steakhouse at sea, with an exceptional menu of Prime steaks, seafood and wine.

Canaletto is a relaxed setting with authentic Italian cuisine that is best enjoyed when shared.

Explore traditions of Southeast Asia, China and Japan with cuisine praised by  Condé Nast Traveler   as rivaling the top restaurants on land.

Rudi's Sel de Mer

Master Chef Rudi Sodamin’s award-winning, lively brasserie offers a modern twist on classic French dishes and seafood.

Nami Sushi presents the vibrant recipes of Master Sushi Chef Andy Matsuda. Located within Tamarind, it offers tasty sushi and Asian spirits.

Casual Dining

Casual dining done right with everything from the best burgers at sea to heavenly gelato.

LIDO MARKET

A casual, modern marketplace, Lido Market offers the widest range of food options on board for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a late-night snack.

This casual poolside grill serves up the best burgers at sea, Nathan’s Famous gourmet hot dogs, golden French fries and more.

NEW YORK PIZZA

Our poolside pizzeria has fresh Italian salads and authentic thin-crust personal pizzas with savory toppings.

With many flavors to choose from and ingredients like Sicilian pistachios and amarena cherries, each frozen spoonful transports you to Italy.

Grand Dutch Cafe

Enjoy a savory snack, a pint of lager or a traditional Dutch coffee in a space that exudes Dutch heritage from the moment you walk in.

24-Hour Room Service

Enjoy breakfast in bed or an early dinner on your verandah — entrées and more are available whenever you wish.

Explorations Café

Our relaxing café with panoramic views is your home for handcrafted espresso drinks during the day and refreshing cocktails in the evening.

• Holland America Line

Noordam Alaska Dining Advice

By Vols760 , May 17 in Holland America Line

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First time with Holland and ready to book in a Neptune Suite.  Active adults and celebrating 60th wedding anniversary (married very early).  On this trip (as opposed to previous cruises) we simply desire to dine at a table for two.  One with celiac/gluten free requirements and always desire to be at same table and normally same staff.  Suggestions best way to accomplish especially for table for two.   Thanks.

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Have your TA call and request a table for two with either early or late fixed dining.  If you had no TA you can call and set this up.  Also be sure to fill out the special needs form. HAL is very good dealing with dietary needs if they are informed 

PS if you fill out the form you will be presented with a menu for the next evening’s meal and can choose your courses ethics will then be prepared accordingly 

If there are problems once onboard, the Neptune Suite concierge should be able to help. 

We were just on Noordam in a Neptune Suite.  We had anytime dining.  Each night we requested and were seated at a table for two.  Once we had the waiter we liked, we requested him each night.   They were very accommodating and we normally dined around 5:30

Thanks to All for responding.

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• Holland America

Cruise line Holland America

• Vancouver (BC Canada)
• Whittier (Alaska)
• Sydney (NSW Australia)
• Auckland (New Zealand)

ms Noordam current position

ms Noordam current location is at North America West Coast (coordinates 49.91705 N / -125.08243 W) cruising en route to Vancouver. The AIS position was reported 4 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of ms Noordam

ms Noordam current cruise is 14 days, round-trip Alaska Roundtrip Collectors Voyage . The itinerary starts on 09 Jun, 2024 and ends on 23 Jun, 2024 .

Specifications of ms Noordam

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

ms Noordam Itineraries

Ms noordam review, review of ms noordam.

The 2006-built MS Noordam cruise ship is the 4th/last Vista-class Holland America liner, with sisterships ms Westerdam , ms Oosterdam , ms Zuiderdam .

The vessel (IMO number 9230115) is currently Netherlands- flagged (MMSI 246028000) and registered in Rotterdam .

History - construction and ownership

Holland America Line (HAL) is a Seattle -based cruise company owned by Carnival Corporation (shipowner). Between 1873-1989, HAL was a Dutch cargo and passenger shipping company operating regular Transatlantic crossings between Holland and the Americas. HAL was founded in 1873 as "Dutch-American Steamship Company" headquartered in Rotterdam Netherlands . In 1989, HAL was acquired by Carnival Corporation for around EUR 530 million. Among the company's assets are the Westmark hotel chain (Alaska-Yukon), Worldwide Shore Services (warehouses-logistics) and Half Moon Cay (Caribbean private island).

The 1214-passenger ship Noordam was the first vessel built to include into her layout all of the changes, according to the 2003 Holland America's "Signature of Excellence" undertaking (wherein the line would refit all of the vessels in its fleet with stylish Euro-style mattresses, upgrade the bedding, add waffle-weave bathrobes to all cabin categories, incorporate massage-type shower heads into the baths, add flat-screen LCD TVs and DVD players to the rooms, expand its children and teens' amenities and change some of the public cabins into contemporary, multi-aim meeting places). The Culinary Arts Center of Noordam (instead of the Wajang Theatre - films are still played there) and the Explorations Cafe (which replaced the Windjammer Lounge, Cafe Bar and the library) can be the greatest changes onboard Noordam but they are certainly not the only ones. Outstanding, though, to Noordam cruise ship were some additional modifications. 27 feet of aft deck space was added to the Lido Deck and thirty-five new staterooms were included into the project, cutting away much of the angled raking at the stern and providing a straighter up/down aft end. This has been deemed very successful so each other Vista-class ship in turn, went into drydock to get the same additions.

Decks and Cabins

MS Noordam staterooms (986 total, in 30 grades) include 162 Suites, 499 Balconies, 163 Oceanviews, 162 Inside cabins. Most staterooms are sized 170-205 ft2 (16-19 m2). Nearly 70% of all passenger cabins have private step-out balconies. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 28. The largest accommodations are the Pinnacle Suites (1000 ft2 / 93 m2, with terrace sized 320 ft2 / 30 m2).

The boat has 11 passenger decks , of which 7 are with cabins.

Implemented fleetwide in 2019, "Club Orange" program provides exclusive amenities to Suite passengers booked in categories Neptune and Pinnacle. Bonus perks by this program include:

• priority services (check-in, disembarkation, tendering, dining reservations)
• 24-hour concierge service (assistance, information, reservations)
• exclusive dining venue (serving complimentary Pinnacle Grill breakfast and Dining Room dinner, plus exclusive dishes)
• dedicated Concierge Desk (Guest Services and Tours)
• room service (a la carte breakfast menu with complimentary gourmet dishes - including smoked salmon, steak and eggs)
• sparkling wine (embarkation day), Club Orange tote bag, premium bathrobes (cabin use, available for monogramming and purchasing).
• Club Orange Restaurant is part of the Main Dining Room (designed as a separate VIP dining section).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Noordam's main dining rooms are joined by a grand staircase. Breakfast consists of made-to-order waffles and eggs, plus the usual baked goods and cereals. Lunch offers starters, mains and desserts. Entrees might include salmon piccata, Swiss steak and stuffed bell pepper. A daily "express combo" caters to those who are in a hurry. One of HAL traditions is Afternoon Tea, served in the upper dining room daily. Three themed teas - Cupcake, Indonesian and Royal Dutch - are served once during a sailing. Signature dishes available nightly feature Caesar salad, French onion soup, grilled salmon, roasted chicken and broiled strip loin. There is at least one vegetarian entree plus a full vegetarian menu with vegan selections, which should be ordered the night before.

Follows the complete list of ms Noordam restaurants and food bars.

• Pinnacle Grill (145-seat reservations-only seafood/steakhouse restaurant with fine wines selection; free for passengers under 12 yo). The venue transforms into “An Evening at le Cirque” once per cruise via a partnership with NYC “Le Cirque” French restaurant.
• Vista Restaurant (1050-seat, aft Dining Room; features open seating Breakfast and Lunch, two Dinner options - 2 fixed seatings or “Any Time” dining between 5:15-9 pm)
• Terrace Grill (fast food pool bar; complimentary)
• Lido Restaurant (420-seat complimentary buffet restaurant; offers self-service Breakfast 6-11 am, Lunch 11:30-2 pm, Afternoon Tea, Dinner 5:30-8 pm)
• Canaletto Restaurant (Lido Restaurant annex; operates as an Italian restaurant for Dinner, reservations required).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Vista Lounge showcases a resident cast with song-and-dance numbers - a staple of cruise entertainment. Guest performers include musical acts and comedians. The lounge is quite comfortable, with plush seats and excellent sightlines from the balconies and the main floor. The B.B. King Blues Club located on Deck 2 is a multi-use spot that also serves as the Culinary Arts Center and the Queen's Lounge. It gets a grove on when B.B. King All-Star Band appears on the stage 3 times nightly on most evenings to belt out high-energy rock 'n' roll, funk, soul and blues. It's the most dynamic venue onboard. The club closes around midnight. Other amenities include: complimentary 24-Hour Room-Service, Supervised Kids Program ("Club Hal"), cruise ship weddings, Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry.

Follows the complete list of ms Noordam lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Atrium (3-deck high midship open-floor area with live performances)
• Vista Lounge (846-seat theatre/main show lounge; also serves Holland America’s enrichment program (via a partnership with BBC Earth)
• Piano Bar; Sports Bar; Pinnacle Bar (36-seat wine bar); Ocean Bar (Atrium bar and lounge, with dance floor and stage for live performances)
• Northern Lights Disco & Nightclub
• Queen’s Lounge & Culinary Arts Centre (170-seat, with live band entertainment, cooking shows, culinary classes; via a partnership with “Food & Wine Magazine”)
• Explorer’s Lounge & Bar (lounge with bar; classical concert performances)
• Meeting Rooms (Hudson, Half Moon, Stuyvesant)
• Photo Gallery & Shop; Art Gallery
• Casino (served by Casino Bar and Sports Bar)
• Screening Room (38-seat indoor cinema)
• Atrium Shops (boutiques for duty-free tobaccos and liquor, perfumes, watches, clothing, HAL logo merchandise, souvenirs); Marabella Luxury Shop
• Explorations Cafe (specialty coffee bar and patisserie; also serves as ship’s Library and Online Centre/Internet computers room)
• Neptune Lounge (club venue for Deluxe Suite and Pinnacle guests only)
• Fitness Center (gym with separate Aerobics Room); 5 jacuzzis
• Greenhouse Spa & Salon; Lido Pool area, served by Lido Bar and Terrace Grill; Sea View Pool area served by Sea View Bar; The Retreat (adults-only)
• Crow’s Nest (observation lounge; bar and dance floor; becomes disco at night)
• Sport Court (basketball, volleyball, soccer); Promenade Deck, Walking Track
• Club HAL (kids lounge, complimentary youth programming)
• The Loft (teens club lounge area, with Video Games Arcade, computers, PlayStations; teen disco).

Since 2023, all HAL ships have pickleball courts (installed on the top deck) operated via an exclusive partnership with PPA-Professional Pickleball Association. HAL also offers complimentary beginner lessons (led by onboard instructors), sells branded pickleball starter kits (at the ship's retail shops) and Play Pickleball tutorial videos are included in the cabin TV programming.

Itineraries

MS Noordam itinerary program was previously based on Mediterranean and Caribbean (from Fort Lauderdale Florida ) voyages, with seasonal Transatlantic repositioning crossings.

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, HAL's Noordam ship was paused for 2 years (March 2020-2022). "Grand World Voyage 2022" (129-day roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale/Jan 3-May 12) was canceled. Operations restarted on May 8, 2022, with 7-day Alaskan itineraries (between homeports Vancouver BC Canada to Whittier AK ) followed by Australia-New Zealand deployment (between Auckland NZ and Sydney NSW ).

ms Noordam - user reviews and comments

Photos of ms noordam.

ms Noordam ship related cruise news

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Other Holland America cruise ships

• ms Koningsdam
• ms Nieuw Amsterdam
• ms Nieuw Statendam
• ms Oosterdam
• ms Rotterdam
• ms Volendam
• ms Westerdam
• ms Zuiderdam

ms Noordam Wiki

Being one of the HAL's "compass ships", Noordam is Holland America's 4th (last) Vista-class liner, with sisterships Oosterdam , Westerdam , Zuiderdam .

Noor means "North" (in Dutch).

The vessel (Fincantieri Marghera yard/hull number 6079) has volume 82897 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight tonnage 10939 tons, max draught 8 m. The powerplant is based on 5x Wartisla-Sulzer marine diesel engines (models 3x 16ZAV40S plus 2x 12ZAV40S) with combined output 75,14 MW (100764 hp). The propulsion is diesel-electric and based on 2x ABB Azipod thrusters with combined output 35,24 MW (47260 hp). The registered shipowner is HAL ANTILLEN NV, while the registered manager is HOLLAND AMERICA LINE NV.

Noordam's Inaugural Cruise/ Maiden Voyage was on February 22, 2006.

The ship's Godmother was Marlee Beth Matlin (1965-born American actress, author, activist). She is currently the world's only deaf performer to have won the "Academy Award for Best Actress" (for the 1986-released movie "Children of a Lesser God").

The Noordam liner can produce up to 1700 tons (450,000 US gallons) of freshwater daily by using the desalinization technology. Vessel's fuel consumption (daily) is approx 216 tons (57,000 US gallons) of HFO (heavy fuel oil) and 90 tons (23,000 US gallons) of MGO (marine gas oil).

MS Noordam refurbishments review

The ship's last refurbishment was in 2019 (November). The 14-day drydocking project was done at Victoria Shipyards (in Victoria BC Canada ). The conducted works included Billboard Onboard (added to the Music Walk area), Microsoft Studio (added in Explorations Cafe), Fujifilm Wonder Photo Shop (new photo studio). On Sports Deck was added pickleball court (doubles badminton court, sized 20×44 ft / 6,3x13,4 m).

All suites (cabins and bathrooms) were renovated and updated with new furniture. Also renovated (as furniture and carpeting) were Pinnacle Bar, Pinnacle Grill, Dining Room Restaurant, Lido Market (buffet restaurant), the wellness complex (Greenhouse Spa and Salon).

During drydock 2015 (May) all passenger cabins (including the bathrooms) were updated with new furnishings (sofas, chairs, headboards, carpets, wall coverings, privacy curtains, draperies, bed runners, bed skirts, quartz stone tops (bath vanities), vanity lighting, dressers, dressing tables, nightstands, smart HDTVs, BOSE SoundDock (iPod stations). New USB charging ports, power outlets and LED lights were installed.

MS Noordam drydock 2015 was part of Holland America Line's USD 300 million fleet renovation program (2016-2018).

• Cruising / Holland America / Ship Reviews

ms Noordam Ship Review

by Prof. Cruise · February 3, 2023

Introduction

Just prior to my boarding her, ms Noordam felt similar to a tube of zit cream three days before prom: crushing pressure! Why? Because I would have just flown 16-hours with a 9-year-old child and a 6’4″ man stuffed into a plane seat appropriately sized for a toddler clocking in at 1% on the growth chart. And because it was my most expensive cruise ever at just under 20k. And because she’d be hosting two holidays (Christmas and New Year’s) and a milestone birthday (my son’s 10th) onboard. AND because she had to compete with the sweeping vistas and blue penguins and fur seals of my destination ports in New Zealand. I mean, imagine having to win over my affection against this:

So, would she prove worthy of 31 hours of total in-air travel time and 20k? Or would her greatest fears come true, that I’d dread sea days and step back onboard after a day at port in New Zealand only to wish I’d shacked up with a newer, flashier, bigger vessel. Read on to find out!

But first, here’s a complete ship tour:

ms Noordam Ship Tour

What I Loved about ms Noordam

Let’s start with what I loved about the Noordam…

Ship Size and Layout

ms Noordam and I have two things in common, our small stature and our outsized personalities. While that second one is somewhat subjective (be nice in the comments), there’s no doubt that ms Noordam is on the small side for a modern cruise ship and I’m on the small side for a full-grown adult woman (I, for one, find airplane seats quite spacious). And while there are some advantages to being a tiny human (I still get charged child prices at museums and amusement parks), there are advantages to smaller cruise ships too (even though every non-luxury cruise line is moving away from them). What, you ask? Fewer steps from one dining venue to another, for one. I am NOT on vacation to burn calories between my second breakfast and my mid-morning snack!

At 936 feet long and accommodating 1,972 guests, I found the Noordam to be the perfect size! She was also extremely easy to navigate even though it still took me 3 days to locate the Crow’s Nest and 16 (out of 16) to head down the correct hallway for my stateroom coming off the elevator.

Speaking of my stateroom…

Signature Suite

This was my first time sailing in a suite. And while I’m back to my typical inside cabin for my next two cruises (coming up next month on the Discovery Princess and the Celebrity Solstice), it was fun to live like a Kardashian (I mean, not one of the super famous ones with a private yacht, but like a cousin who’s made a good living selling photos to the tabloids). I loved the suite life and you can read my full review of my Signature Suite here:

ms Noordam Signature Suite Tour and Review

Crow’s Nest

The Crow’s Nest, located on deck 10 forward offered the perfect spot to relax with a cocktail, some peanuts, and a book. At least that was always my plan. In action it looked more like half a cocktail and a two hour nap. Every 10 minutes or so someone would poke me to complain of my snoring and I’d awaken to gaze out at the gorgeous, sweeping (and hypnotic) ocean views only to return to merry (and loud, as I was repeatedly told) slumber. There’s a full bar in the Crow’s Nest, plentiful seating, board games, and puzzles.

For a complete tour of the Crow’s Nest, see my Instagram Reel HERE .

Outdoor Wraparound Promenade Deck

Here’s a tour of the Noordam’s outdoor promenade deck:

This is my favorite spot on older Holland America ships and I think it’s a shame they’ve been scaled back on the newer ships to make more room for revenue producing venues (I suspect that’s what’s going to happy with Lincoln Center Stage too…sigh). I love walking the deck while listening to an audio book (the walking prevents me from falling asleep, but the padded loungers along both the port and starboard sides make for another excellent nap spot). Venture out here for gorgeous aft views too!

Retractable Roof

See an Instagram Reel featuring the retractable roof on the Noordam HERE .

The main pool area on the Noordam features a retractable roof that comes in handy for temperature control or keeping rain out of your giant frozen cocktail. And it’s pretty cool to watch it open and close. Honestly, it was better than most of the entertainment in the main theater each night (more on that later).

Fresh Flowers

See an Instagram Reel featuring the fresh flowers on the Noordam HERE .

Holland America is known for having beautiful fresh flowers onboard and I enjoyed them on the Noordam. We even had our own little vase of flowers in our stateroom, changed by our steward several times during our voyage.

Service and Crew

Even before the herculean challenges the cruise industry faced as it ramped back up post-pandemic, I was never one to tout cruises as having particularly stellar service (in terms of speed, not effort or friendliness) or food quality – the nature of modern cruising makes that challenging. As much as I love cruising and have clearly chosen it as my vacation of choice (not to mention my occupation), cruising requires lots of waiting and patience at times and the food is generally on par with your average chain restaurant at the mall.

But as far as service and food quality, ms Noordam was at the front of the pack with a few of my favorite chain restaurants (looking at you Olive Garden) huffing and puffing to keep up. In terms of service, everyone from the Captain, to our cruise director, to our room steward, to restaurant and bar staff, to the entertainment and excursions team, to the maintenance crew were professional, efficient, and kind. And should you not trust my standards for service, my in-laws, who were on the Noordam for a month-long transpacific voyage just a few weeks before us agreed that the service was the among the best they’d ever experienced onboard their dozens and dozens (and dozens – I’m starting to become resentful of the number of cruises they take in a year) of sailings.

More on the food…

Food on the Noordam

As a vegetarian, the food on the Noordam was among the very best I’ve had at sea. It’s not uncommon for there to be no vegetarian options at certain fast casual and specialty cruise restaurants (especially burger joints and steakhouses, understandably). However, at every restaurant on the Noordam there were great vegetarian options (note I said options and not one token item). My non-vegetarian readers should also take comfort in knowing that Mr. Cruise (who hasn’t eaten anything green since his boogers in 8th grade – I mean 1st grade) also enjoyed the food on the Noordam. While the food overall was excellent, here were some of the standouts for us:

Hard Ice Cream and Waffle Cones

My son is proof that you can survive for 16 days on ice cream alone. And I’ll admit to partaking of a few (dozen) cones each day myself. While there was soft serve and regular cake cones available, our favorite was the hard ice cream and complimentary waffle cones at the dessert stations in the buffet. There was a rotating flavor of the day (sometimes there were two different flavors in a day if they ran out of the first) in addition to chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. There was also sugar free ice cream available. The quality and flavors were excellent! There are also sauces and toppings available if you want to make a custom sundae.

Bread Pudding

I love bread pudding as much as I hate raisins, so when the two are combined into a single dessert, I feel like a surgeon desperately rooting around inside the chest of her patient for a lost wad of bloody gauze before she can close him up and finally start her weekend. And, to be honest, I’d rather eat a wad of bloody gauze than a raisin. But I LOVE the signature bread pudding on Holland America, so I suit up and dig around in my bowl until I find every last raisin and dispose of them on a separate plate which I scoot as far away from me on the table as possible with a look of disgust. Toddlers beware – I’m coming for all your signature moves!

But seriously, my whole family loved the bread pudding on the Noordam. Be sure to ask for some at the dessert stations (they keep it behind the counter and a lot of people miss it).

I’m telling you, the dessert stations at the buffet are THE PLACE to be on the Noordam (and I’m not even going to mention the pre-plated dessert selection available there or the cookies which are excellent as well)! And while the other entertainment on the Noordam wasn’t great, the crepes were the star of the show and worth a visit to the Lido after dinner each evening (skip the theater and head there instead). I rotated between Nutella and a simple butter and sugar creation with a side of vanilla ice cream. My son asked for “everything” in his and almost made me feel my age when I looked at it and said, “only a child would order that.”

Asian Station on the Buffet

While the overall quality of the food available at the buffet was high, the Asian station was a particular standout for us with Indian, Japanese, and Chinese selections available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I LOVE Indian food for breakfast and there were three different Indian dishes available every morning. The sushi was also a highlight. Extra Credit Pro Tip: There is vegetarian/vegan sushi available, you just have to ask for it.

If you like In-N-Out burger on land, you’ll love Dive-In on the Noordam. Just don’t accidentally ask for your fries “animal style,” because the crew member taking your order will just look at you with a blank look and say something disparaging in their head about Americans. #lessonlearned However, you can order your fries (or burger or dog) with special Dive-In sauce. Always ask for extra, because it’s so good it’s never enough.

Dive-In is especially great for vegetarians and vegans because, in addition to the two burgers on the menu that are already vegetarian, you can substitute a Beyond Burger Patty or Beyond Brat for any burger or dog. This makes Dive-In the most vegetarian/vegan friendly burger joint at sea. You can also ask for a gluten free bun or no bun.

Lunchtime Taco Bar on the Noordam

The lunchtime taco bar on HAL went away after Covid only to be revived only to be going away again on some ships. But our cruise took place in that sweet spot in between and it was outstanding. Soft and hard taco shells as well as homemade chips were available to fill or top with numerous high quality offerings. I affectionately referred to it as “cruise Qdoba.”

Explorations Cafe

Because our drink package included specialty coffees (including spiked ones), I spent a lot of time at Explorations Cafe, located on deck 3 forward. And literally every time I told myself, “I’m just going for a small decaf almond milk latte,” I ended up with a large mocha with two shots of amaretto and a dessert. Every. Time. But the complimentary desserts and breakfast pastries available are too good to pass up. I mean, you can try, but you’ll just feel like a failure or find yourself ascribing ill intentions to non-sentient baked goods, “It’s the Dutch apple pie’s fault for looking at me like that!”

Room Service

Considering what’s happened on other lines regarding room service over the past few years, my breath is bated waiting for an inevitable announcement from Holland America that the awesome room service situation is changing. Sorry for going all fatalist on you and maybe I’m wrong (I mean, it’s happened a time or two). We’ll see. But in the meantime, I’ll continue to enjoy the extensive, complimentary room service offerings on HAL. Not only is there a dedicated room service menu available, you can also order any item from the main dining room as long as it’s open. I came back to our cabin on the Noordam one night to find Mr. Cruise watching basketball with a bowl of French onion soup, a giant steak, and an ice cream sundae. I was like, “are you sure you work hard enough to deserve all this luxury?” LOL.

I spent a lot of time at the Lido Bar pretending to parent my child. Because when he wasn’t eating ice cream, he was in the pool. I’m hoping there were some bathroom breaks in there at some point too, but I was too busy enjoying GIANT frozen cocktails and then taking many of my own bathroom breaks to keep track. I’m not sure if the drinks are actually larger than the average frozen cruise cocktail, but the glasses they serve them in will garner lots of likes on Instagram. They are a bit top heavy though, so pair them with flip flops and choppy seas at your own risk.

Besides being a tripping hazard, there are two other minor problems with giant frozen cocktails. First, brain freezes! And second, they’re super filling, meaning less room for buffet desserts. Solution? Martinis! I like martinis because you get a lot of buzz for your buck, they taste good (as long as you put chocolate in them and not olives), and they aren’t too filling. And my favorite place to get martinis on the Noordam? The Ocean Bar! I was onboard for 16 days and my goal was to try a new martini every day. Toward the end they started getting a bit out there (cantaloupe? French with a Midori base?), but you can’t go wrong with chocolate, espresso, a cosmo, or a lemon drop.

Lincoln Center Stage

While the format of HAL’s signature partnership with the Lincoln Center has changed (not for the better according to some, while others like the new format) and now takes place on the main stage for limited classical performances, our sailing would be the last one on the Noordam with the original format. I loved listening to beautiful, calming classical music in a small, intimate venue. RIP Lincoln Center Stage (You can go HERE to read about a group of cruisers who is very happy to see it go.).

Rolling Stone Lounge

While I grieved not having BB King’s Blues Club onboard (and was sad to hear the HAL ship we’re sailing on next will replace BB King’s with Rolling Stone), I could only stay sad for so long, because the lead singer of the Rolling Stone’s band was fabulous! Like, what is he doing on a cruise ship and not winning American Idol fabulous. Hopefully you’ll get the chance to hear him before he gets a recording deal and finds out what happens when you break a cruise contract.

I love catching a flick in the main theater on sea days and enjoyed the selection of movies offered on the Noordam. They weren’t all typical American box office hits you can now stream on approximately 45 different apps. No, they were thought provoking films from the countries we visited (Australia and New Zealand). And there was complimentary popcorn! And drink service!

Seven Worlds One Planet

A partnership with BBC Earth provides Holland America cruisers with theater screenings of BBC Earth programming as well as magnificent concert events that combine live orchestra music with dramatic footage from BBC Earth. On the Noordam, we were treated to Seven Worlds, One Planet accompanied by the Lincoln Center Stage performers. The film featured spectacular wildlife footage from each of the seven continents.

What I Didn’t Love about ms Noordam

In the spirit of an honest and balanced review, here are a few things I didn’t love about the Noordam…

Enrichment and Entertainment

While I’ve highlighted some of the entertainment I loved on the Noordam and it may sound like a lot, keep in mind that we were onboard for 16 days. And the entertainment offerings overall were a giant leap backward for mankind, I mean Holland America. The nightly entertainment in the main theater varied from okay production shows from the Step One Dance Company (six singers and dancers with a multi-media backdrop and no live musicians) to a truly awful comedian who was the talk of the ship that evening and the following day (and not in a good way). No offense to Carnival (a line I still sail from time to time), but it was Carnival-style entertainment (which many people love, but that has a different target demographic) on Holland America.

I was most disappointed that there was no naturalist onboard. New Zealand was a bucket list itinerary for us and much of the attraction was the unique wildlife, geology, and plant life of the area. But we had no naturalist to educate us on what we were seeing. It was hugely disappointing.

There was also no enrichment onboard. No interesting lectures presented by experts in a particular field or local cultural ambassadors. Nothing. Just typical cruise activities offered by the entertainment staff (some of which my son enjoyed, but most of which I’ve tired of after so many cruises – I mean how many times can I make an origami frog that looks like it got run over by a truck?).

No BB King’s Blues Club

We were also disappointed that the Noordam didn’t feature the BB King Blues Club – one of our favorite venues on Holland America ships. Even my 10 year-old loves it, no dragging, kicking, or screaming required.

But let’s not end on a sour note, because overall this cruise on the Noordam was our sweetest yet (I mean, didn’t you read about the ice cream…and crepes…and bread pudding…and giant frozen cocktails)! Between the itinerary, our signature suite, the food and drinks, the size and layout of the ship, the wide wraparound promenade deck, the pool and ice cream and kids club that meant I only saw my kid for 10 minutes total over 16 days, and the amazing crew, this cruise will be hard to top. But I’ll try. Lord knows, I’ll keep trying! And with that…

Class Dismissed!

Homework (10 points): Have you sailed on the Noordam? Share your experience to the comments. Or if you’re booked on the Noordam (lucky!) ask any questions you have or share what you’re most looking forward to.

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Prof, thanks for the tour of the Noordam, I am on Pacific Coast May 2-7. First time on this ship. Its gorgeous. Now when Im onboard and can look at all the things and say Hey this is what the Professor showed me. Great Job.

I hope you love the Noordam as much as I did! Have the best cruise!

Best cruise ever! Great review

We were on the same cruise. Loved the staff & the Captain- you must wear the masks ❤️ I can still hear him I had bread & butter pudding in MDR for breakfast 👌 We were very happy with breakfast room service and choice was great being included. Yes entertainment needs looking at but maybe it was getting local content? Would love to cruise on Noordam again

Thanks so much!! Looking forward to our trip in Alaska starting 28 May!

Holland America does Alaska so very well. Have an incredible cruise!!!

Thanks for your review. We are scheduled on the Noordam on 2/11/23 leaving Sydney for 14 days. So far we have not been happy with Holland America’s customer service associated with flight department. After reading your review sounds like a great experience once you get there and are on the ship.

Ugh, I’m sorry you haven’t had a good experience with customer service – that can be so frustrating! I’m hopeful your experience onboard will be much better! Wishing you the absolute best cruise!

hi, loved reading your reviews. My wife and I are going on the Noordam from San Diego to Sydney for 34 nights going through the South Pacific. Have you done this journey or seen any reviews about it. All the reviews for this vessel seem to be around Aust./NZ or Alaska. Grateful for the info you have given it has helped us a lot

I haven’t done it, but my in-laws did it last year on the Noordam and LOVED it! It was, by far, their best cruise ever (and they have cruised extensively). I hope you enjoy it as much as they did!

We also were on the same Christmas – New year Eve cruise. Christmas day was such a big let down. In the main dinning room it was a very basic brunch and dinner was nothing special. In fact the main dinning room meals were the worst we have encounter on our many cruises. We opted to eat at the buffet most nights after such poor meals in main dinning . I felt the buffet had a higher standard and was very pleased with the food. Entertainment was a let down especially the man trying to do comdey. The crew were lovely. Once we arrived in New Zealand apart from one morning of drizzle the weather was perfect. We had 3 Speciality dinning nights which were delightful, one of which I have to say would be up there with my all-time favorite. Noordam could have done better but we still managed to enjoy the cruise.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience – it’s always interesting to hear from others on the same sailing!

Such a wonderful and entertaining review from someone who is obviously fun-loving and witty! We had a 14-nighter back in December on the Statendam and love Holland America. We now have an 11-nighter Caribbean on the Rotterdam next month, a 14-nighter Alaskan on the Noordam in September, and a 14-nighter Caribbean on the Statendam in Feb 2024. Very impressed by HAL and looking forward to our first Alaskan cruise! Your review has gotten us even more excited, as we were a bit skeptical of the older and smaller Noordam that we have yet to experience. Thanks much for your kindness in providing the review in such great detail. 🙏

Wow, you have some incredible itineraries planned! I’m envious! I hope you love Alaska. I’ve cruised there dozens of times and my 14-nighter on HAL remains my all-time favorite. HAL does Alaska so very well. Enjoy every second!

Thanks, and will do! We love HAL and this Alaska trip is a small bucket list item for us. I went to Alaska a few times during my military career but was stationed on the East Coast so I rarely went that way. When I did, it wasn’t for vacation 😂. My wife has never been and is excited to finally see it. Thanks for your kind response and for all of your helpful info! Best, D

Brilliant review, thank you. We are due to sail from Sydney on 11th March (we are English so March 11th to you). First HAL cruise and first time down. My wife is fretting about what kind of daytime clothes to pack (usual evening glad rags ). As more into their autumn ( fall to you!) it will be a little cooler than your review cruise, but any advice would be helpful.

We’re booked on an Alaskan cruise in June on the Noordam. What’s the dress code for dinner? Any dress up nights? Thanks!!

I recently (Saturday) disembarked the Noordam in Sydney after a 14-day New Zealand / Australia cruise. I have done 15 river cruises but this was my first ocean cruise. I found the daily program repetitive and boring. Instead of just allowing designated time to play mahjong, why not have classes to learn to play mahjong? I agree, the comedian was terrible. I mainly ate in the Lido and was disappointed on several levels – the hot food was never hot but lukewarm at best; the food on offer never changed. The meal I had at the Pinnacles was the best I had onboard. River cruises always offer enrichment programs. This was a glaring omission by HAL on the Noordam. On the plus side, I did have the best facial I have ever had. I was pleased with the size of my stateroom but annoyed by the lack of power points around the ship. I must have a poor sense of direction because I never found my way back to my cabin without help. To finish on a positive note, I found the cruise incredibly relaxing.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us, Joanna! It’s always so interesting to hear from others who have sailed on the same ship! I’m glad you found the cruise relaxing even if it wasn’t perfect.

My sister and I will be leaving Canada to fly to San Diego and board the Noordam for a 35-day cruise to the South Pacific. I had just returned from a cruise from Vancouver to San Diego and on the Konigsdam in November 2022 and found the music in the BB Kings Blues lounge utterly fantastic. We danced away the nights as we sailed. My concern that you have addressed is music to dance to. We are not into Rock and Roll but loved the Black musicians and singers on Koningsdam in November. I wonder if anyone could top that. Any ideas on if there is any good music on our 35 days sailing voyage? Thank you

Currently on board Noordam day 12 of a 14 day cruise. I feel fortunate that I am disembarking in Sydney and not staying for the repositioning cruise to Vancouver ( about 1100 passengers are continuing on). It really is like Groundhog Day with the daily activities extending to Origami and at least different forms of trivia. There is no production show in the theatre and the remaining music venues seem too small. There is just not a lot happening; no wow factor. The menu in the main dining room is both repetitious and small compared with a previous HAL cruise ( and there is a surcharge for lobster, premium steak). The Lido market ( buffet) is closed for quite a few times throughout the day and on some days closes as 10.30. Personally I think there should be always be food available from about 6am ( continental breakfast); cakes, pastries available near the beverage station between breakfast and lunch and between lunch and dinner and after dinner with other late night snacks. Staff and service are great but the entertainment and activities are lacking.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. It sounds like the issues with entertainment and activities have continued since my sailing in December/January. That’s really too bad. Hopefully they’ll pay attention to feedback from guests and step it up!

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About Prof. Cruise

Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. With a concentration in cruising.  Home port: Seattle.  Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human.  Lover of books and dessert.  Fancies herself a bit of a comedian – you’ve been warned.

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Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

A cruise vacation to Alaska is a profound adventure. The spectacular natural beauty, rugged wilderness, massive glaciers and endless opportunities for wildlife viewing make a trip to the 49th state a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many travelers. As an added bonus, cruise ships can reach remote parts of the state, including Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve: one of the most significant (and picturesque) marine and wildlife sanctuaries in the world.

With the ever-growing popularity of the destination and an extended cruising season (some lines now travel to Alaska between April and October), more ships are heading north to the shores of The Great Land. With these expanded itineraries, there's more than ever to think about when booking your Alaska cruise.

To assist in your decision-making process, U.S. News listed the top cruise lines to consider across five categories, including the best options for families , luxury-seekers and adventurers. U.S. News consulted data provided by Cruiseline.com and the results of our 2024 Best Cruise Lines rankings to help develop this list of the top cruise lines sailing to Alaska.

• Best Overall: Holland America Line; Princess Cruises
• Best for Families: Norwegian Cruise Line; Royal Caribbean International

Best for Couples: Celebrity Cruises

• Best Luxury: Regent Seven Seas Cruises; Silversea Cruises

Best Small-Ship Expedition Line: UnCruise Adventures

Find your perfect cruise

Best Overall: Holland America Line and Princess Cruises

Holland america line.

Courtesy of Holland America Line

Alaska cruise ships: Eurodam , Koningsdam , Nieuw Amsterdam , Noordam , Westerdam , Zaandam Departure cities (cruises and cruisetours): Anchorage , Fairbanks and Whittier, Alaska; Seattle; Vancouver, British Columbia Starting from: $379 per person for seven-night Alaska Inside Passage cruise on May 1, 2024, or Sept. 22, 2024. Round-trip from Vancouver.

Holland America Line has been cruising Alaska's pristine glacial waters for more than 75 years – longer than any other cruise line. On top of that, the line features more voyages to Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve than its competitors. Seven-night round-trip sailings depart from either Seattle or Vancouver, while cruisetours – Holland America Line 's sea- and land-based packages – leave from several cities and extend each trip to nine to 18 days.

If this will be your first visit to Alaska, consider booking the comprehensive 14-day Yukon + Denali cruisetour. This Alaska adventure includes a voyage aboard Koningsdam, plus a three-night stay at Holland America's exclusive lodge in Denali National Park, where you'll have the opportunity to see Alaska's big five: moose, caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep and wolves – and book bucket list activities like flightseeing over Denali. If it's a picture-perfect day, your pilot might even be able to land on the tallest mountain in North America, also known as "The Great One." Other excursions include meeting dog mushers from the Iditarod, landing on the Yanert Glacier, heli-hiking or embarking on a covered wagon adventure on the Alaska tundra. The Yukon Territory portion of this trip is exclusive to Holland America; while there, visit the mining town of Dawson City and learn about Northern Canada's Klondike Gold Rush of August 1896.

Another highlight of sailing Alaska with Holland America is the Alaska Up Close program, which immerses guests in an array of expert-led lectures and excursions on board and shore. When it comes to dining , Holland America is the only cruise line to achieve the Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification, which means cruisers will enjoy certified sustainable wild Alaska seafood on board (think: Alaskan king crab legs and fresh salmon). You may also have access to culinary excursions in partnership with Food & Wine magazine, as well as special offerings like Alaska salmon bakes.

Cruisers should also consider one of the Holland America's new itineraries for 2024: the 28-night Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice voyage aboard Westerdam, round-trip from Seattle. This sailing, which departs on June 9, 2024, features highlights like crossing the Arctic Circle; celebrating the summer solstice in Nome, Alaska; and watching Kodiak bears – the largest bears in the world – on Kodiak Island.

Insider tip: Sample Holland America Line's famous Dutch pea soup while glacier viewing on the outside decks. The crew passes around mugs of the warm soup in this Holland America tradition that gives a nod to the line's heritage – and keeps guests warm on chilly summer days in Alaska.

Princess Cruises

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Alaska cruise ships: Grand Princess , Sapphire Princess , Royal Princess , Ruby Princess , Majestic Princess , Discovery Princess , Crown Princess Departure cities (cruises and cruisetours): Seattle; Anchorage, Alaska; Vancouver, British Columbia; San Francisco ; Fairbanks, Alaska Starting from: $398 per person for seven-night cruise from Anchorage (Whittier, Alaska) to Vancouver on May 18, 2024

Princess Cruises has a long history in Alaska, boasting more than 50 years of sailing to the Great Land. Cruise itineraries last between seven and 14 nights, and many visit the Inside Passage. Princess Cruises also owns and operates five wilderness lodges for guests of its cruisetours, plus exclusive "Direct to the Wilderness" rail service to those properties. The line's wide selection of cruisetours includes independent adventures and off-the-beaten-path destinations, like Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, the largest national park in the U.S. For travelers seeking the highest level of service and the most time on land, the Connoisseur cruisetour is a good option, including up to 10 nights ashore following the seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise. The Connoisseur trip is hosted by a tour director and includes select sightseeing outings and most meals in the fare.

Princess' special programming, North to Alaska, offers guests unique insights into the history and culture of the region with visits from local Alaskans, photography sessions, demonstrations on lumberjacking and excursions like Cook My Catch, where guests will go fishing (with a guide), then bring their fish back for chefs to prepare for dinner at one of the designated Princess lodges.

There are two new Princess cruisetours to consider for 2024. The 15-night National Parks Tour includes a seven-day cruise, visits to five national parks, scenic rail travel and a total of eight evenings across four Princess wilderness lodges. Meanwhile, the Katmai National Park Tour is a nine-day adventure that takes guests to the famed Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park & Preserve to see bears feasting on wild salmon in Alaska's wilderness.

Insider tip: While visiting Denali National Park, be sure to check out the Princess Treehouse at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. Built by Pete Nelson of Animal Planet's "Treehouse Masters," the treehouse offers a different perspective of Denali and features "Sappy Hour" and other fun activities.  

Best for Families: Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International

Norwegian cruise line.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Alaska cruise ships: Norwegian Encore , Norwegian Bliss , Norwegian Jewel , Norwegian Sun , Norwegian Spirit Departure cities (cruises and cruisetours): Seattle ; Vancouver, British Columbia; Seward, Alaska Starting from: $349 per person for seven-night sailing between Seward and Vancouver (itineraries visit Hubbard Glacier and Skagway, or Glacier Bay, Skagway and Juneau). Available on Norwegian Jewel in April, May and June 2024.

Norwegian Cruise Line has one of the longest seasons in Alaska, extending from April through October. The line operates two of its larger ships in Alaska: Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore. These ships feature a plethora of onboard activities to keep kids and adults entertained, like racetracks, laser tag, mini-golf, complimentary kids and teen clubs, video arcades, themed parties, live performances and more. Families will also enjoy entertainment by Nickelodeon, character breakfasts, salmon bakes and sessions with a park ranger who comes on board to narrate the Glacier Bay passage. You'll find many spacious room options on board perfectly suited to larger families – especially in The Haven, the line's exclusive ship-within-a-ship concept. In addition, Norwegian Cruise Line offers select cruise deals where third and fourth guests sail free .

There are two new Alaska shore excursions for 2024: the Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle & Trek and the Fly-In Norris Glacier Hike and Packraft. The first outing takes place in Juneau , where you'll paddle a 12-person canoe across Mendenhall Lake to reach the towering glacier. Prepare to be surrounded by the spectacular setting of Tongass National Park, a 400-foot waterfall and an Arctic tern nesting ground. The second excursion, also in Juneau, takes participants on a flight into the Alaska wilderness via floatplane; you'll then paddle across a pristine glacial lake and hike the surface of Norris Glacier. Unforgettable sights along the way include densely forested mountains; the mouth of the Taku Inlet, a waterway that offers access to Juneau Icefield; and plenty of wildlife, including sea lions and bald eagles.

Also new for 2024 is the option to take the Denali Talkeetna Explorer tour after your cruise. (This cruisetour previously only took place prior to the voyage.) The 13-day sea and land package, Denali Talkeetna Explorer – Northbound Cruisetour, is available on three dates in 2024 in combination with a Norwegian Jewel sailing. The package includes a seven-night cruise; a total of six nights in Fairbanks, Denali and Talkeetna; a stop at the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline; a riverboat cruise in Fairbanks; a visit to an Iditarod dog musher's kennel; a deluxe glass-domed Alaska Railroad journey between Fairbanks and Denali; and more. You'll also have free time to book optional shore excursions like whitewater rafting, park tours, helicopter flightseeing and other outdoor adventures.

Insider tip: If you're sailing on Norwegian Bliss or Norwegian Encore, be sure to grab a front-row seat in the Observation Lounge when sailing in Glacier Bay Park & Preserve. This expansive space on Deck 15 at the bow of the ship offers breathtaking panoramic views from the comfort of inside the ship. 

Royal Caribbean International

Alaska cruise ships: Radiance of the Seas , Quantum of the Seas , Brilliance of the Seas , Ovation of the Seas Departure cities (cruises and cruisetours): Seward, Alaska; Vancouver, British Columbia; Seattle Starting from: $439 per person for seven-night cruise on Radiance of the Seas, Seward to Vancouver on May 24, 2024

Royal Caribbean International offers seven-night cruise-only Alaska options (some featuring the Inside Passage) and extended cruisetours (lasting nine to 13 days) with land portions before or after the voyage. Cruisetours may visit Denali National Park & Preserve, among other highlights. The line also offers select "kids sail free" itineraries, which will appeal to families.

If you want nonstop entertainment while on board, choose one of Royal Caribbean International 's two larger Quantum Class vessels: Quantum of the Seas or Ovation of the Seas. Both megaships accommodate approximately 4,900 passengers. If you prefer a smaller ship, consider booking one of the Radiance Class vessels, which hold a maximum of around 2,500 guests.

Quantum Class ships have multiple outdoor attractions that provide panoramic views of the scenery. For example, the surf simulator, FlowRider, affords views of magnificent snow-capped mountains and glaciers all around the ship. If you're adept at rock climbing, this is another chance for optimal scenic viewing – at 40 feet above the deck. Additional entertainment includes free-fall skydiving at RipCord by iFly, outdoor movie nights, live performances and musical entertainment, bumper cars, an escape room, a sports court and indoor pools for those cool Alaska summer days.

Insider tip: For more awe-inspiring vistas, take a ride on North Star. Exclusive to Royal Caribbean (on Quantum and Ovation of the Seas), the glass-enclosed capsule rises 300 feet above sea level while suspended over the ocean.

Read: The Most Affordable Alaska Cruises

Celebrity Cruises

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Alaska cruise ships: Celebrity Summit , Celebrity Edge , Celebrity Solstice Departure cities (cruises and cruisetours): Seward, Alaska; Vancouver, British Columbia; Seattle Starting from: $397 per person for seven-night voyage on Celebrity Summit, Seward to Vancouver on May 17, 2024

Adventure-seeking couples will have many options to choose from during Celebrity Cruises ' 2024 Alaska season. The line's six- and seven-night cruise-only itineraries include up-close views of the Dawes Glacier in the Endicott Arm Fjord and the Hubbard Glacier, the world's longest tidewater glacier at 76 miles long. For an in-depth exploration of Alaska's interior, Celebrity's cruisetours extend the trip to a maximum of 13 nights and feature small-town destinations like Talkeetna, Alaska – the quirky village that inspired the 1990s television show "Northern Exposure." There are also themed tours centered on wildlife viewing and national parks, as well as culinary tours highlighting the flavors of Alaska.

Couples will also find plenty of adult-focused activities and entertainment on board, no matter which vessel they choose. Each ship offers a spa, multiple bars and lounges, and an excellent selection of complimentary and specialty restaurants. Celebrity's three Alaska-bound ships carry between 2,158 guests (Celebrity Summit) and 2,908 passengers (Celebrity Edge). Celebrity Edge, the newest of the ships, offers immersive entertainment and especially beautiful public spaces – like Grand Plaza, a three-story venue at the heart of the vessel.

For extra privacy during your couples' vacation, consider splurging on a suite or villa in The Retreat. This all-inclusive space features luxurious accommodations; a private lounge; a sundeck (unavailable on Celebrity Solstice); and a private restaurant, Luminae at The Retreat. The swanky culinary venue serves dishes curated by renowned French chef Daniel Boulud. In addition, you'll have a team of attendants, butlers and concierges to indulge every whim.

Insider tip: Book your Alaska cruise on Celebrity Edge. The outward-facing design of the ship and expansive outdoor spaces, including the Magic Carpet, offer guests excellent viewing opportunities of Alaska's vast landscapes, calving glaciers and wildlife, including humpback whales in the Inside Passage and around Juneau and Sitka.

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Best Luxury: Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises

Regent seven seas cruises.

Alaska cruise ships: Seven Seas Explorer Departure cities: Vancouver, British Columbia; Seward, Alaska Starting from: $4,699 per person (all-inclusive) for seven-night cruise, Vancouver to Seward on May 1, 2024

Regent's Seven Seas Explorer will spend the 2024 season in Alaska, with the first sailing embarking from Vancouver, British Columbia, on May 1, 2024. The line offers 20 seven-night voyages and two 14-night sailings between May and September. The 746-passenger ship provides an in-depth exploration of Alaska's wilderness, thanks to the vessel's smaller size and all-balcony suites. Regent Seven Seas Cruises ' all-inclusive fares include free unlimited shore excursions (though select tours come with a fee); complimentary fine wines and spirits; dining at specialty restaurants; 24-hour room service; unlimited Wi-Fi access; prepaid gratuities; free valet laundry service; and more. Depending on the suite category, guests may also receive a pre- and post-cruise hotel stay with their voyage.

Complimentary shore excursions are available in a number of Alaska ports. In Ketchikan, sign up for the Tongass Rainforest Expedition, the Great Alaska Lumberjack Show or the Alaskan Lodge Adventure & Seafest. (Note: Some excursions in Ketchikan, such as the Alaska Fishing & Wilderness Dining option, come with an additional fee.) In Juneau, guests can take the complimentary hiking adventure through the Mendenhall Glacier National Recreation Area, home to black bears, mountain goats and other wildlife. Cruisers can also dine on wild Alaska salmon grilled over a fire at the Gold Creek Salmon Bake.

Insider tip: Take advantage of the complimentary shore excursions during your cruise. These are tours you'd normally have to pay for on a ship that's not all-inclusive – and that can add up quickly.

Silversea Cruises

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Alaska cruise ships: Silver Nova , Silver Muse , Silver Shadow Departure cities: Seward, Alaska; Vancouver, British Columbia Starting from: $3,450 per person for seven-night cruise, Vancouver to Seward on Silver Muse on Aug. 1, 2024

Debuted in August 2023, Silversea's latest addition, Silver Nova, is the newest luxury vessel sailing Alaska for the 2024 season. Silver Nova features an asymmetrical design and advanced technologies that make it Silversea Cruises ' most environmentally friendly vessel yet. With just 728 guests, spacious suites (some affording 270-degree views) and outdoor spaces showcasing The Great Land's pristine wilderness, Silver Nova is an excellent luxury option for an Alaska adventure. Silversea offers seven-night itineraries on its three Alaska ships, plus longer voyages on Silver Muse and Silver Shadow.

Silversea's all-inclusive fares include pre- and post-cruise hotel stays; complimentary nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages; in-room minibars; gourmet dining; all gratuities; at least one excursion per port; butler service in every suite; and other upscale amenities. Complimentary Alaska excursions include a scenic railway tour aboard the White Pass and Yukon Railway in Skagway, the Sea Otter & Wildlife Quest in Sitka Sound and more. You can also visit the Iditarod dogs' summer camp in Juneau. For an additional cost, Silversea offers more exclusive experiences, like a helicopter ride to Mendenhall Glacier followed by a dogsledding adventure with a team of Alaskan huskies in Juneau, or a remote fly-fishing trip in Sitka.

Insider tip: Spend some time on Deck 10; you'll enjoy unobstructed views of the spectacular scenery from the comfort of the heated pool, thanks to the asymmetrical design of the pool deck.

UnCruise Adventures

Alaska cruise ships: Wilderness Discoverer, Wilderness Legacy, Safari Endeavor, Safari Explorer, Safari Quest Departure cities: Ketchikan, Juneau, Whittier, Dutch Harbor and Sitka, Alaska; Seattle Starting from: $3,600 per person for seven-night cruise, Juneau to Ketchikan (or reverse itinerary) on Wilderness Discoverer; various dates between April and September 2024

UnCruise's expedition-style small ships call on ports and remote areas in Alaska that larger ships can't access, taking guests to locales that the line coins, "UnAlaska." The five ships operating in The Great Land accommodate between 22 passengers (Safari Quest) and 86 guests (Wilderness Legacy), and there are seven-, 12- and 14-night itineraries to choose from. You can also book optional land tours, including a Denali & Talkeetna Wilderness Rail Adventure. Expedition teams take guests on kayaking, skiffing, paddleboarding, bushwhacking, waterfall walks and hiking excursions close to the glaciers and visit secluded areas and waterway passages known for optimal wildlife viewing.

Cruise fares include group transfers to and from the ship; all meals; premium wine, beer and liquor; all nonalcoholic beverages; daily activities; wellness amenities; onboard heritage and expedition guides; and access to guest experts. You'll need to disconnect from your devices in remote areas, as there is no Wi-Fi access on UnCruise vessels.

For a once-in-a-lifetime trip, book the 14-night Alaska's Fjords & Glaciers Bay Adventure Cruise on Wilderness Discoverer, a 76-passenger ship. This voyage includes birding in the South Marble Islands, where you'll see puffins, cormorants, oystercatchers and other bird species. You can also search for brown bears in Corner Bay, bushwhack in old-growth forests, visit the town of Haines to sample local brews and spirits, and more.

UnCruise has introduced a few new cruises for 2024 with a renewed focus on The Great Land. One of these is the Kids in Nature, Wild Woolly & Wow with Glacier Bay cruise. The seven-night, family-focused voyage departs round-trip from Juneau aboard Wilderness Legacy and is available on three dates between June and July. One highlight of the voyage is exploring off-the-grid in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve's "Outback."

A second new option is the seven-night Prince William Sound Explorer with Cordova cruise. This adventure visits dozens of glaciers; the small fishing village of Cordova; the Harriman and College glacial fjords; the islands of Knight and Montague; and multiple places where you can see orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, seals, sea lions, puffins and other wildlife. The itinerary is offered round-trip from Whittier, Alaska, on Safari Explorer throughout the summer.

Insider tip: Depending on your itinerary, you may be able to hop in a skiff directly off the ship to watch bears along the shore hunt for salmon just 100 feet away. This is an Alaska experience you can only have when sailing on a small ship.

Read: The Top Cruises on Small Ships

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, traditional masted sailing ships, river ships in Europe and a small luxury expedition vessel in Antarctica. She has cruised to Alaska and visited The Great Land in the summer, fall and winter, and journeyed to remote areas by bush plane above the Arctic Circle. Pratesi covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• Alaska Cruise Packing List
• The Top Things to Do in Alaska
• The Top Northern Lights Alaska Cruises
• The Top Antarctica Cruises
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

Vacation Ideas for Every Traveler

Tags: Travel , Cruises

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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Norwegian Cruise Line food: The ultimate cruise guide to restaurants and dining on board

Norwegian Cruise Line has always been a bit of a rebel when it comes to food.

Back in 2000, the company introduced the concept of Freestyle Cruising, and with it, the idea of Freestyle Dining. Guests no longer were assigned to traditional early or late dinner seatings in the main dining rooms on Norwegian Cruise Line's ships, but rather could decide when they wanted to eat and with whom.

The cruise line also began to roll out specialty restaurants — smaller, cuisine-specific dining venues such as the French-themed Le Bistro and Cagney's Steakhouse — that passengers could reserve for an additional cover charge.

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Today, passengers will find more than three dozen dining options, including 21 that require a cover charge or feature a la carte pricing, on board NCL's 17 ships. While the cruise fare covers a number of restaurants, specialty restaurants requiring an extra charge are popular, and new specialty restaurants are introduced with each class of ship.

The onboard restaurant lineup also varies by ship, with those in the Prima, Breakaway and Breakaway Plus classes having a larger selection than the line's older, smaller ships.

How do you make sense of it all? We've compiled a rundown of all the Norwegian Cruise Line food options, from coffee and gelato shops to a la carte restaurants where the tab can easily top $150 for two. Here's what's included, what you'll pay extra for and the ships that feature each dining venue.

American Diner

Included; lunch and dinner

This 1950s-inspired diner featured on all six ships in NCL's Breakaway and Breakaway Plus classes offers quintessential midcentury comfort foods — from cheeseburgers and meatloaf to chicken pot pie and spaghetti and meatballs. Desserts include bread pudding and carrot walnut cake. The food is now all free (Norwegian made this change in early 2024), but if you want to wash it down with a milkshake, you'll need to pay up.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Escape, Getaway and Joy

Atrium Cafe

A la carte; coffee and snacks

Atrium Cafe is a coffee and cocktail bar that serves hot and cold beverages along with a selection of cookies, pastries and other snacks. Alternately, some NCL ships feature Starbucks cafes.

Available on : Norwegian Escape, Jewel, Spirit, Star and Sun

Cadillac Diner

Included; breakfast, lunch and dinner

You'll have to head to Hawaii to enjoy the barbecue pulled pork sliders, pretzel bites, Reuben sandwiches and more served up retro-style in the Cadillac Diner. This venue, with its funky black-and-white checkered floor and vinyl booths wedged between two sections of a vintage red sedan, is found exclusively on Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America. It's open 24 hours a day, and everything is complimentary except for the milkshakes.

Available on : Pride of America

Cagney's Steakhouse

A la carte; dinner

One of NCL's most popular specialty restaurants, Cagney's features a classic steakhouse menu with plenty of options for seafood lovers as well. The stars are the cuts of aged certified Angus beef (rib-eye, filet mignon, porterhouse and New York strip) with a choice of sauces and side dishes such as truffle mashed potatoes and sauteed garlic mushrooms. Other options include cedar-plank steelhead trout and double-cut Australian lamb chops. Save room for the OMG Caramel-Butterscotch Cheesecake.

Available : Fleetwide (except Norwegian Sky)

Related: The best cruise ship steakhouses and steak-serving restaurants

Chinese restaurant

Included; dinner, plus lunch on select days

If you're craving shrimp dumplings or a bowl of stir-fried noodles with beef, a number of older Norwegian Cruise Line ships feature a complimentary Chinese restaurant where you can get your fix. Names vary by ship — you'll find Bamboo on Dawn, Shanghai's on Epic, Orchid Garden on Gem, Jasmine Garden on Jade, Chin Chin on Jewel, Lotus Garden on Pearl, Silk on Spirit, Ginza on Star and East Meets West on Pride of America — but the menus are similar.

Available on : Norwegian Dawn, Epic, Gem, Jade, Jewel, Pearl, Pride of America, Spirit and Star

A la carte; snacks and treats

A cross between an ice cream parlor and a candy shop, Coco's features an array of treats — chocolates from around the world, milkshakes, crepes and more — to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss and Encore

Dolce Gelato

When it's midafternoon and the sun in the Caribbean or Mediterranean is blazing, you can head to this takeaway counter on Deck 8 for a cup or cone of irresistibly creamy gelato.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Encore, Escape and Getaway

Food Republic

A la carte; dinner and lunch on sea days

This globally inspired specialty restaurant with an Asian-Latin fusion theme remains popular almost a decade after its debut on Norwegian Escape. You'll want to order multiple dishes to share family-style from Food Republic 's menu sections: Sushi Bar (eight different rolls), Hand Helds (everything from pork belly bao buns to kanpachi wonton tacos), Sharing Is Caring (grilled shishito peppers, spicy Korean fried chicken, salt and pepper calamari and more), Noodles/Rice/Soups (shrimp pad thai to Vietnamese Pho Tai) and Sugar Pump (desserts featuring green tea, chocolate and ginger caramel).

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Encore, Escape, Joy, Prima and Viva

Garden Cafe

Sometimes, the buffet is the answer. It's perfect when you get on board the first day and need to grab a quick bite before you explore the ship or when you arrive back after a daylong shore excursion and want to refuel right away without having to change clothes. Garden Cafe offers plenty of options, including carved meats or grilled fish with assorted side dishes, a salad bar, soups, pasta, burgers and fries, and desserts. Most items are precooked and kept warm under heat lamps, so it's not the freshest option, but it's usually packed at breakfast and lunch with guests who like the all-you-can-eat portions.

Available : Fleetwide (except Norwegian Prima and Viva)

Related: Cruise ship buffet taboos: 10 things you should never do at mealtime

Cover charge; dinner

This is a slightly more elevated version of NCL's Teppanyaki restaurant. You'll be seated with other guests around a grill, and as you dine on edamame, miso soup and seaweed salad, the chef will prepare your entree (a choice of chicken, beef, seafood or teriyaki-glazed tofu or one of four combinations) with great flair. These fresh-from-the-grill proteins are served with garlic fried rice and grilled vegetables, and the dessert that follows is either a green tea cake or fruit sashimi.

Available on : Norwegian Prima and Viva

This circular, light-filled space debuted on Norwegian Prima in 2022 as a new main dining room option. It features the same daily rotating menu as the second main dining room, the Commodore Room, but what sets this venue apart is its bright-and-airy ambience, courtesy of 270-degree floor-to-ceiling windows.

Indulge Food Hall

This new casual dining concept, also introduced on Norwegian Prima, quickly became a popular alternative to the Surfside Cafe buffet (see below) for both lunch and dinner; at breakfast, it serves a similar but more limited menu as Surfside. The appeal of Indulge Food Hall is the variety — there are more than four dozen menu items from seven vendors: Tapas, The Garden, Nudls, The Latin Quarter, Q Texas Smokehouse, Seaside Rotisserie and Tamara — served in small-plate portions. You can enjoy chicken korma, pad thai, pulled pork, crispy fried okra, a mushroom tostada and bacon-wrapped medjool dates, all ordered from your table via a tablet.

Related: 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

La Cucina was Norwegian's sole Italian specialty restaurant until the launch of Onda by Scarpetta on Norwegian Encore in 2018, and the two restaurants are quite different. La Cucina is the more traditional, featuring classic Italian favorites — caprese salad, fried calamari, spaghetti carbonara, pizza, chicken cacciatore and osso buco alla Milanese — while Onda's menu focuses on more finessed modern Italian dishes.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Dawn, Epic, Escape, Gem, Getaway, Jade, Joy, Pearl, Sky, Star and Sun

Like Cagney's, NCL's French fine-dining restaurant is a longtime favorite that's featured fleetwide (it's called Jefferson's Bistro on Pride of America). Popular with couples for special occasion dinners, Le Bistro features everything from steak tartare and escargot to braised lamb shank and roasted duck breast. With its a la carte pricing, this is among the richest (and costliest) dining experiences on board, especially if accompanied by a bottle of Champagne or other French wine. Le Bistro restaurants on Norwegian Prima and Viva are especially atmospheric, with dramatic large-scale chandeliers and elegant ivory-and-blue decor.

Available : Fleetwide

Vibrant decor and sophisticated Mexican cuisine that goes beyond the usual Tex-Mex fare make Los Lobos an appealing option if you're sailing on one of the six ships that feature it. The guacamole, made fresh tableside, is a must. Other menu options include Mexican-style shrimp ceviche, grilled mahi-mahi tacos, nopales (cactus) salad, chicken mole enchiladas and cochinita pibil (slow-braised pork). Top it all off with a tres leches cake with coconut cream.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Dawn, Encore, Prima, Sun and Viva

Main dining room

Norwegian Cruise Line ships feature at least two main dining rooms, and sometimes even three. Names vary by ship — although the six Breakaway Class and Breakaway Plus Class ships all feature the Manhattan Room, plus Savor and Taste, and Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva have the Commodore Room and Hudson's. Menus change daily throughout the cruise and feature a selection of American and international dishes.

Moderno Churrascaria

Carnivores can devour their fill of a variety of meats the traditional Brazilian way as gauchos carve and serve cuts of beef, lamb, pork, sausage and chicken right at the table. Those who prefer to limit their meat intake can fill up instead at the salad bar, which features 43 items. White rice, black beans, sauteed mushrooms, garlic mashed potatoes, fried yucca and Brazilian cheese bread are also served as side dishes.

Available on : Norwegian Breakaway, Dawn, Epic, Escape, Getaway, Jade, Jewel, Pearl, Star and Sun

Nama Sushi & Sashimi

Another new restaurant to debut on Norwegian Prima, Nama Sushi & Sashimi doesn't veer too far from its name, serving six different sushi rolls (from yellowtail to rock shrimp), three sashimi options and a variety of appetizers, most of which feature raw fish. Even the dessert — pineapple carpaccio — is uncooked.

Ocean Blue is an elegant seafood restaurant featured on NCL's six Breakaway Class and Breakaway Plus Class ships. (It's known as Bayamo by Ocean Blue on Norwegian Escape.) Guests can savor appetizers such as crabcakes, pan-seared scallops and an ahi tuna and avocado tower, followed by steamed or grilled lobster, seafood linguini or simply grilled fish (salmon, tuna, cod or sea bass) served with a choice of sauces. All Ocean Blue restaurants are located on Deck 8 and feature indoor and outdoor seating on The Waterfront.

Onda by Scarpetta

Modern Italian cuisine is the centerpiece of Onda by Scarpetta, another of NCL's elevated specialty dining options and the sister restaurant to land-based Scarpetta. Introduced in 2019 on Norwegian Encore and more recently rolled out on the line's newest ships (plus at least one older vessel), Onda by Scarpetta indulges with antipasti starters such as burrata, short ribs and braised octopus, a half dozen pasta options (including pappardelle Bolognese and Scarpetta's famous spaghetti with tomato and basil) and finally gets around to secondis such as veal Milanese and grilled branzino. The main question will be: Do you have room for dessert?

Available on : Norwegian Encore, Prima, Spirit and Viva

O'Sheehan's Bar & Grill

Included; 24-hour dining

This lively and social pub-style eatery overlooks the buzzing three-deck Atrium on Breakaway Class ships and is also featured on seven older NCL ships. It's open 24 hours a day and serves comfort classics such as burgers, fish and chips, chicken wings, beef chili and loaded nachos.

Available on : Norwegian Breakaway, Dawn, Epic, Escape, Gem, Getaway, Jade, Jewel, Pearl and Star

One of NCL's newest dining venues, Palomar celebrates the Mediterranean with a menu featuring lots of Greek influences. Seafood dishes outnumber meat options and include tuna crudo, grilled prawns, Mediterranean sea bass with chickpeas and saffron puree, and sea scallops with prosciutto, le puy lentils, clams and pistachio pesto. Desserts include Greek yogurt sorbet with orange custard pie.

Pincho Tapas Bar

This unique Spanish-style tapas bar is found on only one ship in the Breakaway Class and fits in with the ship's overall Miami/Latin-influenced theme. Head to Pinchos if you're looking to enjoy small-plate dishes such as blue crab salad and bacon-wrapped dates, as well as chorizo, calamari, shrimp, scallops and more served a la plancha. Wash it all down with a Spanish red, a glass of sangria or a signature Matador cocktail.

Available on : Norwegian Escape

Included; casual lunch

Three Norwegian ships feature a pool grill (all with different names) that's open for lunch and late afternoon snacks. The venue serves casual fare such as burgers, hot dogs and french fries.

Available on : Norwegian Dawn, Gem and Pride of America

Q Texas Smokehouse

This barbecue eatery debuted on Norwegian Bliss in 2018, and its menu features smoked meats (pit classics like brisket, pulled pork and beef short ribs), as well as calorific sides (loaded fries, crispy fried okra, onion rings and macaroni and cheese). You can also enjoy live country music and even sweat off the excess calories by dancing (before ordering pecan pie or peach cobbler for dessert). A more limited menu is available for free as part of Indulge Food Hall on Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva — but you'll need to dance elsewhere.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Encore and Joy

Savor (and Taste)

These two restaurants on all six Breakaway Class and Breakaway Plus Class ships are essentially smaller-scale main dining rooms. They are located across from each other on Deck 6 and feature lunch and dinner menus that change daily.

Shanghai's Noodle Bar

This casual dining venue serves a selection of freshly prepared and wok-fried Asian noodle and rice dishes, from pork pot stickers and steamed vegetable dumplings to Singapore-style rice noodles and udon noodles in broth.

Available on : Norwegian Breakaway, Epic and Getaway

Included; casual pub fare

While most NCL ships, with the exception of Pride of America, have a pub-style complimentary eatery — either O'Sheehan's Bar & Grill or The Local Bar & Grill — one older outlier has Sports Bar. Like the other eateries, this venue is free and features comfort classics such as Reuben sandwiches, chicken wings and fish and chips.

Available on : Norwegian Sun

A la carte; coffee, breakfast and snacks

NCL wasn't the first cruise line to feature the well-known coffee chain (that would be Royal Caribbean), but it now has the most Starbucks cafes on board its ships. Guests can purchase frappuccinos, lattes, cold brews and many of the other coffee, tea and breakfast and pastry items that are available on land.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Epic, Gem, Getaway, Joy, Prima, Sky and Viva

Surfside Cafe & Grill

With the debut of Norwegian Prima, NCL evolved its buffet-style restaurant (known as Garden Cafe on most ships) to Surfside Cafe & Grill. The Deck 17 space is notably smaller, though, due to the fact that Prima Class ships also feature Indulge Food Hall and The Local Bar & Grill as complimentary casual dining options. The reduced size does result in some overcrowding, especially at breakfast, with overflow guests directed to find seats in the adjacent Food Republic space.

All but three NCL ships feature Teppanyaki , a Benihana-style Japanese restaurant where the live-action preparation is integral to the experience. You'll be seated around a grill as your chef prepares your entree (either chicken, beef, seafood or teriyaki-glazed tofu or one of four combinations) with dramatic flair. You'll start with miso soup and seaweed salad, and all entrees are served with garlic fried rice and grilled vegetables. Dessert is either a green tea cake or fruit sashimi. Hasuki replaces Teppanyaki on Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Dawn, Encore, Epic, Escape, Gem, Getaway, Jade, Jewel, Joy, Pearl, Spirit, Star and Sun

The Bake Shop

A sugar rush is practically guaranteed at The Bake Shop, a Deck 8 confectionery selling assorted bonbons (with fillings from passion fruit to praline), cupcakes (more than a dozen options, including red velvet, chocolate-pistachio and lemon merengue) and French macarons in a dozen flavors.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore and Getaway

The Great Outdoors

Included; lunch

This outdoor casual buffet on seven Norwegian Cruise Line ships has a come-as-you-are dress code and serves burgers, hot dogs, fries and other items for guests who want to enjoy some ocean scenery with their lunch.

Available on : Norwegian Epic, Gem, Jade, Jewel, Pearl, Sky and Sun

The Haven Restaurant

Included for guests booked in The Haven; breakfast, lunch and dinner

If you book a suite in The Haven, the exclusive ship-within-a-ship enclave found on every new NCL ship since it was introduced on Norwegian Epic in 2010, you'll enjoy access to The Haven Restaurant. Open only to Haven guests, it serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menus here do not change, but there are generally enough options (a dozen appetizers and 10 entrees at dinner, for example) that you can dine here multiple times without repeating a dish or running out of interesting dishes to try.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Epic, Escape, Getaway, Joy, Prima and Viva

The Local Bar & Grill

The Local Bar & Grill is a favored hangout for sports telecasts and trivia contests, as well as a go-to for guests when anytime-hunger strikes. Like its comfort food sibling O'Sheehans's Bar & Grill, its 24-hour menu features breakfast, all-day and late-night items that include omelets, cheeseburgers, chicken wings, fish and chips and loaded nachos.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Encore, Joy, Prima, Sky, Spirit and Viva

The Raw Bar

Located adjacent to Ocean Blue, this casual option with counter seating serves oysters, clams, shellfish and crudos (salmon tartare, black sea bass ceviche and more), as well as wines by the glass and a selection of desserts.

Available on : Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway

Topsiders Bar & Grill

Included; casual pool grill with varying hours

Five older NCL ships feature Topsiders Bar & Grill, a poolside venue serving burgers, hot dogs, french fries and other takeaway items.

Available on : Norwegian Gem, Jewel, Pearl, Sky and Star

Wasabi (or Sushi)

This contemporary sushi bar — called either Wasabi or Sushi, depending on the ship — is the spot for cocktails, sake and Japanese specialties that include sesame seaweed salad, sushi and specialty rolls, nigiri, sashimi and yakitori. On Prima Class ships, you'll find Nama Sushi & Sashimi with a different menu.

Available on : Norwegian Breakaway, Dawn, Epic, Gem, Getaway, Jade, Jewel, Pearl, Spirit, Star and Sun

FAQs about NCL dining

Is norwegian cruise line's food free.

You can dine for free during your cruise at any of the complimentary dining venues on board NCL ships. There are typically four to six included dining venues per ship, several of which serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Is there a main dining room?

Yes, all NCL ships feature a main dining room — some have as many as three — and Freestyle Dining means you can choose when to dine (within the specified breakfast, lunch and dinner hours).

Do I need to make reservations?

You do not need to make reservations for the main dining rooms or casual venues like O'Sheehan's or the buffet. However, you can make reservations for the main dining rooms if you'd prefer to eat at a specific time and wish to avoid long wait times during the most popular dinner hours.

Sit-down specialty restaurants always require a reservation. The sooner you can make one, the better. You can book specialty dining online via the cruise line's website or app or by calling Norwegian reservations. You can also reserve when you get on board, but you risk that the more popular eateries will already be fully booked, especially during the peak summer and holiday periods. Walk-ins are permitted if space is available, but you'll likely need to show up early or late to snag a table.

Does Norwegian offer room service?

Yes, NCL offers 24-hour room service, but you will be charged a convenience fee of up to $9.95 per delivery, with the exception of morning coffee, continental breakfast and orders placed by guests staying in The Haven. A 20% gratuity and beverage service charge will also be added for noncomplimentary beverages and special occasion items delivered to your room.

How much does specialty dining cost?

It varies by restaurant. At venues with a la carte pricing, such as Cagney's, Ocean Blue, Onda by Scarpetta and Le Bistro, it's easy to rack up a bill of $80 per person, not including beverages. NCL's sushi restaurants are also a la carte, as is Food Republic. Two people with an average appetite can dine at both for around $50 to $60 per person, not including beverages. Other venues, such as Teppanyaki and Moderno Churrascaria, feature a set cover charge of $59 per person.

Does NCL offer specialty dining packages?

Yes and if you like a variety of cuisines and plan to dine at two or more extra-charge restaurants, purchasing a specialty dining package makes sense.

These range in price from $99 per person for a two-meal package to $469 per person for a 14-meal package. The price per meal gets lower the more meals you purchase — from $49.50 per dinner on a two-meal package to $33.50 per dinner for 14 meals. Even the four-meal package at $169 per person is a good deal at $42.25 per dinner, given the a la carte pricing greatly exceeds that (for three courses) at most specialty restaurants and eateries with cover charges are priced at $59 per person.

Also, a select number of specialty dining meals are typically included with NCL's Free at Sea booking promotion .

What about service charges?

A 20% gratuity and specialty service charge will automatically be added to the cost of your specialty dining package when you purchase it or to your onboard dining charge if you pay a la carte or a flat cover charge.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

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.