norwegian cruise escape rooms

• Enable Accessibility

• 00800 0310 21 21 1-855-577-9489 1-877-288-3037 1-877-288-3037 1-877-474-2969
• | NCL Travel Blog">11-Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog
• | Norwegian Cruise Line">14-Day Authentic Alaska - Northbound Cruise Tour | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line">14-Day Authentic Alaska - Southbound Cruise Tour | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | Norwegian Cruise Line">20-Day Transpacific from Tokyo (Yokohama) & Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | NCL Travel Blog">11 Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog
• View All Results
• Preferences
• Latitudes Rewards
• Special Offers
• Personalised Recommendations
• Make reservations before you cruise
• 1 (current)

* Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings.

Cruise Ship Details

Norwegian Escape

• DESTINATIONS
• Mediterranean
• Transatlantic
• Extraordinary Journeys
• Greek Isles
• What’s On Board?

{{selectedMeta.name}}

{{submeta.name}}.

• Accommodates: {{submeta.occupancy}}
• Total Approx. Size:
• Balcony Size:

DECK(S) {{getDeckNumbersForSubMeta(submeta).join(", ")}}

LOCATION {{getLocationsForSubMeta(submeta)}}

0"> {{selectedDeckPlan.name}} - Staterooms

• Accommodates {{submeta.occupancy}}
• Total Approx. Size {{submeta.approximateSize}} sq. ft
• Balcony Size {{submeta.balconySize}} sq. ft.
• Deck {{getDecksFromStateroomCategories(submeta.stateroomCategories).join(', ')}}
• Location {{getLocationsForSubMeta(submeta)}}
• Comment {{getCommentsFromSubMeta(submeta).join('. ')}}

{{selectedDeckPlan.name}} - Public Rooms

• Accommodates {{(publicRoom.accommodationLimit == null || publicRoom.accommodationLimit == '') ? '-' : publicRoom.accommodationLimit}}

Cuisine {{publicRoom.cuisine}}

• Price per Guest {{getPricePerGuestForPublicRoom(publicRoom)}}

{{selectedOnBoardCategory.title}}

{{publicroom.displaytitle}}.

• Price Per Person: {{getPricePerGuestForPublicRoom(publicRoom)}}

Accommodates {{publicRoom.accommodationLimit}}

Duration {{publicRoom.duration}}

DECK {{publicRoom.deckNumber.split(',').join(', ')}}

• CruiseMapper

Norwegian Escape cabins and suites

Norwegian escape staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

Norwegian Escape cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Norwegian Cruise Line en-suite amenities and services.

The Norwegian Escape cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

The Haven Deluxe Owners Suite

Layout (floor plan), the haven owners suite, the haven 2-bedroom family villa, the haven courtyard penthouse suite, the haven penthouse suite, the haven spa suite, club balcony mini-suite.

In 2020, NCL recategorized fleetwide the Mini-Suite cabin category, renaming it to "Club Balcony Suite" and adding free perks. The change didn't affect the staterooms' deck locations or cabin numbers.

NCL's Club Balcony Suite's new (bonus) amenities include pre-booking onboard dining and entertainment 125 days prior departure, room service (food-beverage delivery twice per cruise), free laundry service (1x bag) and pressing service (once per cruise), Welcome Aboard gift (1x bottle of sparkling wine).

On Norwegian Escape, the Club Balcony Suite category was introduced on October 11.

Balcony Cabin

Oceanview cabin, interior cabin.

Handicap (wheelchair-accessible) inside staterooms size is 225 ft2 / 21 m2.

Studio Interior Single Cabin

Each Studio is fitted with a full-size bed (sized 54x74 inches / 140-190 cm), wardrobe, drawers, mirrored vanity table with chair, en suite bathroom (glass door, window, WC-toilet, shower, washbasin), a small window (looking to the corridor).

NCL's Studio cabins are designed for solo travelers. No single supplement is required for category T1.

Studio passengers enjoy exclusive access to the Studio Lounge (indoor relaxation and dining venue).

Norwegian Escape cabins review

On the Breakaway-Plus class NCL Escape ship:

• The total number of The Haven suites is almost doubled in comparison to the Breakaway-class ships – 95 Suite accommodations, including 2 more Owner’s Suites (each with 2 balconies and floor-ceiling windows).
• The Haven Spa suites’ location is close to the Thermal Suite (complimentary) and the Fitness Center.
• An expanded Studio area (complex of single-occupancy cabins for solo travelers, keycard access only) – 82 in total, compared to the 59 on the Breakaway-class ships. The Studio area has its own exclusive lounge.
• The list of family cruise accommodations includes 40 mini-suites (near Splash Academy location), 172 family balcony rooms (near kids’ facilities), 48 Oceanviews and some Inside family cabins (with an additional Pullman bed).

Follows the review of Norwegian Escape staterooms as amenities, furniture and included (complimentary) services:

All staterooms as amenities feature sleeping area with standard twin/single beds (convertible to Queen-size double bed, with leather headboard and above-bed, lighted recess), en-suite bathroom (WC-toilet, sink, shower stall, bath products, hairdryer), lounge/sitting area (full-size wardrobe, vanity area, ample storage space), smart HDTV (26-inch, infotainment system, with recessed under TV nook), electronic safe box and life jackets (in the closet), mini-refrigerator, direct-dial phone, writing desk with 4 power outlets (2 American, 2 European), individual air-conditioning, keycard access (lighting control). Cabin bathrooms with sink (storage space underneath), glass-door shower, shower dispensers, luxury bath products (Elemis in Haven and Spa rooms).

The highest grades NCL Escape accommodations are in The Haven Suite categories. Haven Suite passengers enjoy exclusive lounge access. This is the Courtyard outdoor relaxation complex, which has its own swimming pool/whirlpool, sundeck/sunbathing area, private fitness center, valet service. Bonus perks for Suite guests are: keycard cabin access, welcome gifts (Champagne, fruits, flowers), in-room dining (full breakfast menu, evening treats), pillow menu, luxury mattresses, deluxe bedding, plush slippers, terry towels, 24-hour personal butler and concierge service (luggage unpacking), large TVs (with DVD players), coffee machines, refrigerator, priority services (check-in, debarkation, tender boat boarding, dining reservations), complimentary specialty restaurant dining (breakfast and lunch).

• H2 and H3 Owner Suites have a separate living room, dining area, large dressing area, bathroom (separate shower, bathtub, WC, 2 sinks vanity area), 1/2 guest bathroom, floor-ceiling windows, wraparound balcony (H2 Deluxe), master bedroom (king bed).
• H4 Family Villas (2-Bedroom Suites) have a separate living room (with dining area and single sofa bed), luxury bathroom (separate shower, bathtub, WC, 2 sinks vanity area).
• H5 Courtyard Penthouses have lounge/living area (single sofa bed), bathroom (shower/bathtub, 2 sinks vanity area, WC).
• H6 Penthouse Suites (aft location) feature large window views in the bathroom, which overlooks the veranda.
• H7 Penthouse Suites (forward location) feature porthole window views in the bedroom, which overlooks the ship’s bow.
• H8-H9 Spa Suites feature soothing decor, floor-ceiling windows, bathroom with whirlpool, separate bathroom (2-sinks vanity, WC, waterfall shower with water jets), location close to the Mandara Spa & Fitness Center, unlimited Thermal Spa Suite access (complimentary).

Mini-Suites and Balcony cabins have queen beds (convertible), sofa beds, double sinks (2-faucet, under sink storage).

Family Oceanview cabins for up to 5 passengers are 220 ft2 / 20 m2 in size.

NCL Escape Studio cabins (for singles) have a full-size bed, bathroom (separate WC/sink and shower, corridor window view, key-card access to the exclusive Studio complex (single cabins guests only area).

Since May 2015, the Norwegian Cruise Line charges US$7,95 for room service dining. This is an extra service charge implemented fleetwide (including on the NCL Escape ship). Passengers exempted from the new (uncommon for the industry) room service fee are only the occupants of “The Haven” suites. Still, as an exception, all passengers can order (for free) their room-service morning coffee and Continental Breakfast. After implementing the new service charge, NCL upgraded the room service menu, adding more hot food items for Breakfast and a wider food & drinks selection (available for ordering 24 hours a day).

Handicap/wheelchair-accessible cabins

• The NCL Escape ship’s gangways are all wide enough for most types of wheelchairs and disability scooters.
• For Norwegian Cruise Line passengers with disabilities, there are a total of 47 accessible cabins, all of which with wider doors, roll-in shower, grab bars, lower sinks and closet rods, raised toilets, amplified phones, captioned TVs.
• All public restrooms on the ship have stalls and automatic door systems. All decks provide elevator access. All onboard dining venues, bars and lounges offer wheelchair access/seating.

Follows the complete list of the Escape cruise ship cabins for disabled passengers.

• H5-Courtyard Penthouses (rooms 17126, 18126)
• H7-Penthouse (room 13106)
• M1-MC-Mini-Suites (rooms 10290, 10318, 10890, 10918)
• B1-BD-BF-Balcony (rooms 9924, 10286, 10886, 11918, 12282, 12286, 12882, 12882, 12912, 13912, 14278, 14282, 14878, 14882, 14906, 15886)
• O2-OB Oceanview (rooms 5106, 5108, 5138, 5140, 5706, 5708, 5738, 5740), with room sizes of handicap categories OA (320 ft2 / 30) and O1 (545 ft2 / 51 m2).
• I2-IA-IB-IC-Interior (rooms 5106, 5108, 5138, 5140, 5706, 5708, 5738, 5740). Inside handicap rooms size is 225 ft2 / 21 m2.

All these staterooms feature wider entry doors and locations close to the ship’s lifts.

Norwegian Escape cabin and suite plans are property of Norwegian Cruise Line . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

Norwegian Escape Decks and Cabins

• Click here for ALL
• Solo Studio
• Family Oceanview
• The Haven Suite
• Haven Forward Penthouse
• The Haven Penthouse
• The Haven Courtyard Penthouse
• The Haven 2-Bedroom Family Villa
• The Haven Owner Suite
• The Haven Deluxe Owners Suite
• Ship info and tracking
• Cabins Check

Built in 2015, the Norwegian Escape cruise ship weighs 165K tons and has 2174 staterooms for up to 5218 passengers served by 1731 crew . There are 20 passenger decks, 12 with cabins. You can expect a space ratio of 32 gross tons per passenger on this ship. On this page are the current deck plans for Norwegian Escape showing deck plan layouts, public venues and all the types of cabins including pictures and videos.

Norwegian Escape

Last Drydock: Oct 2022

LIVE SHIP TRACKING

STATEROOM CABINS COMPLETE LIST BELOW

THE HAVEN DELUXE OWNERS SUITE

Floor Diagram The Haven Deluxe Owners Suite

Sleeps up to: 6 4 Cabins Cabin: 900 sqft (85 m 2 ) Balcony: 190 sqft (18 m 2 )

Click for    

More Info [+/-]

Deck locations, stateroom cabin features, stateroom cabin perks, more diagrams of this cabin type.

THE HAVEN OWNER SUITE

Floor Diagram The Haven Owner Suite

Sleeps up to: 4 4 Cabins Cabin: 473 sqft (44 m 2 ) Balcony: 99 sqft (9 m 2 )

THE HAVEN 2-BEDROOM FAMILY VILLA

Floor Diagram The Haven 2-Bedroom Family Villa

Sleeps up to: 6 25 Cabins Cabin: 516 sqft (48 m 2 ) Balcony: 43 sqft (4 m 2 )

THE HAVEN COURTYARD PENTHOUSE

Floor Diagram The Haven Courtyard Penthouse

Sleeps up to: 3 22 Cabins Cabin: 280 sqft (26 m 2 ) Balcony: 43 sqft (4 m 2 )

 Accessible Info [+/-]

The haven penthouse.

Floor Diagram Category H6 Penthouse

Sleeps up to: 4 14 Cabins Cabin: 420 sqft (39 m 2 ) Balcony: 75 sqft (7 m 2 )

HAVEN FORWARD PENTHOUSE

Floor Diagram Haven Penthouse Forward

Sleeps up to: 4 12 Cabins Cabin: 387 sqft (36 m 2 ) Balcony: 33 sqft (3 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

Important Size Information

The haven suite.

Floor Diagram The Haven Suite

Sleeps up to: 4 14 Cabins Cabin: 280 sqft (26 m 2 ) Balcony: 66 sqft (6 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

Floor Diagram Mini-Suite

Sleeps up to: 4 308 Cabins Cabin: 204 sqft (19 m 2 ) Balcony: 44 sqft (4 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

Floor Diagram Category BA Balcony

Sleeps up to: 4 1168 Cabins Cabin: 172 sqft (16 m 2 ) Balcony: 44 sqft (4 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

Floor Diagram Oceanview

Sleeps up to: 5 66 Cabins Cabin: 161 sqft (15 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

FAMILY OCEANVIEW

Floor Diagram Family Oceanview

Sleeps up to: 5 48 Cabins Cabin: 218 sqft (20 m 2 )

Floor Diagram Interior

Sleeps up to: 4 407 Cabins Cabin: 129 sqft (12 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

SOLO STUDIO

Floor Diagram Studio

Sleeps up to: 1 82 Cabins Cabin: 100 sqft (9 m 2 )

Norwegian Escape Deck Page Menu

Click deck pictures to go to individual cruise deck plan pages where you can see all the public areas, venues and stateroom cabins categories for each deck.

Norwegian Escape Quick Stats

Big picture norwegian escape decks.

Opens in new window (warning: large file)

Norwegian Escape Links

• PDF of all the decks
• PDF (choose your own decks)
• Norwegian Escape DECK DRAG
• Norwegian Escape Cabin Check
• POCKET GUIDE

CRUISEDECKPLANS.COM Use the input buttons above to go to the main page for a Cruise Ship or Cruise Line.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Ship - The Haven Suites and Amenities

Norwegian Cruise Line 

The Haven on the Norwegian Escape cruise ship is a private key-card-access enclave for those guests staying in one of The Haven suites. Located on decks 17 and 18 forward, The Haven features the ship's most luxurious accommodations, along with a dedicated restaurant, courtyard, bar, concierge, sun deck, and 24-hour butler service.

The Haven is Norwegian Cruise Line's way of offering the level of service and amenities usually only seen on small boutique ships inside a giant, resort-style cruise ship.

Guests staying in The Haven enjoy benefits such as priority embarkation and debarkation, priority tender boarding, espresso/cappuccino machine in each suite, gourmet pillow treats delivered each evening, and luxury linens and in-suite amenities.

Ninety-five suites have access to The Haven on the Norwegian Escape . Sixty-nine of the suites are located inside The Haven, and 26 are located outside The Haven, but guests in these forward or aft-facing Penthouses can visit The Haven complex with their room key card and enjoy the same amenities as the guests staying inside.

Other cruise ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet also have a similar elite area including  The Haven on the Norwegian Breakaway  and  The Haven on the Norwegian Getaway

The Haven Courtyard

The two-story Courtyard in The Haven has a retractable roof, a swimming pool, two whirlpools, private sundeck, private spa treatment rooms, changing areas, and a sauna.

The Haven Courtyard also has some very comfortable, relaxing seating areas.

Relaxing in The Haven Courtyard

Lounges like this one look very comfortable and romantic, don't they? Some guests love to have a place to nap or read a book. 

The Haven Restaurant on the Norwegian Escape Cruise Ship

Located inside The Haven complex, The Haven Restaurant is a private, fine-dining experience for the guests staying in the 95 suites of The Haven. The Restaurant serves unique dishes and has some interesting wine selections.

Those staying in The Haven can also eat in any of the other 27 dining venues on the Norwegian Escape.

The Haven Lounges

In addition to the suites, restaurant, and courtyard, The Haven complex on the Norwegian Escape also has this nice indoor lounge for the enjoyment of the guests. Inside the lounge is The Haven Concierge desk, where guests can make dining, spa, or entertainment reservations.

Deluxe Owner's Suite in The Haven

The four Deluxe Owner's Suites on the Norwegian Escape is the cruise ship's largest and most luxurious accommodations. Measuring 1,345 square feet, these suites have a living room with a dining area, wet bar, guest bedroom with luxurious bath, separate bath, and two balconies.

Deluxe Owner's Suite Bathroom in The Haven

As one would expect, the master bathroom in the Deluxe Owner's Suite in The Haven on the Norwegian Escape cruise ship is large and luxurious, with two sinks, lots of marble, and separate tub and shower.

Haven Owner's Suite

The Norwegian Escape has four Owner's Suites in The Haven. Measuring 572 square feet, these suites have a separate bedroom with bath, living and dining area, balcony, and a half bath for guests.

Haven Owner's Suite Bedroom

The separate bedroom in The Haven Owner's Suite is nice-sized, with a king-sized bed and a large connecting bath.

Forward-Facing Penthouse With Balcony

The forward- and aft-facing Penthouses on the Norwegian Escape cruise ship are not located inside The Haven complex, but guests staying in these 451-534 square feet suites have access to all the exclusive amenities. The suites have a separate living/dining room and bedroom with bath.

Other Suites in The Haven

There are a couple other suites in The Haven, including:

Because of its location, this forward-facing Penthouse Suite on the Norwegian Escape cruise ship has a balcony located off its separate living/dining room and these slanted windows in the bedroom.

Two Bedroom Family Villa in The Haven

The Haven on the Norwegian Escape has 25 Two Bedroom Family Villas that sleep up to six guests in its two bedrooms, two bath space. These 540-square foot suites have private balconies and large floor-to-ceiling windows. The master bathroom is huge, with a luxurious shower, two vanity sinks, and an over-sized bathtub.

Norwegian Breakaway - The Haven

Norwegian Escape Cruise Ship Cabins

Norwegian Getaway - The Haven

Norwegian Breakaway Cruise Ship - Cabins and Suites

13 New Ocean Cruise Ships in 2018

Norwegian Escape Cruise Ship Profile and Photo Tour

Anthem of the Seas Cabins and Suites

Norwegian Breakaway Cruise Ship

Celebrity Solstice Cruise: Cabins and Suites

Norwegian Gem Cruise Ship Outdoor Decks and Pool Areas

Norwegian Epic Cruise Ship Cabins

Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas Cabins and Suites

About the Ship: the Silversea Silver Muse

Vantage's MS River Voyager Cruise Ship

Norwegian Epic - Cruise Ship Profile and Tour

How to Choose the Best Cabin on a Cruise Ship

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.

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

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.