The Best Fitness Areas on Norwegian Cruise Line Ships

Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway offer rock-climbing walls. Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line.

By John Roberts 

Freestyle cruising means you can enjoy your vacation the way you want. On your own schedule. 

If you're like me, that schedule is going to include a daily workout or at least some physical activity to let you know you properly enjoyed a complete day. Norwegian Cruise Line offers freestyle "Cruise like a Norwegian" sailings that its legions of fanatics enjoy so much. And Norwegian Cruise Line includes a range of cool fitness options onboard its ships -- especially its newest vessels. 

Let's check out the best fitness areas on NCL's cruise ships. 

Rocks and ropes -- Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway feature rock-climbing walls and ropes courses at the top of the ships. These activities can be as challenging as you like as you race an opponent for the best time up the wall or attempt more difficult routes to the top. The ropes course features multiple ways to make your way around from platform to platform in a circuit that includes a stop to walk the plank off the side of the ship -- you get an amazing view from a dizzying height (harnessed, of course). The course also includes a zipline. This is a fantastic and fun way to work on your grip, arm strength, balance and coordination. 

On Norwegian Escape -- When Norwegian's largest cruise ship debuts in November, it will feature the largest ropes course at sea, a three-story multiplex of challenges. The course will have two planks and five "Sky Rails," which are zip tracks that allow you to soar through the air. Also, Norwegian Escape's "Aqua Park" will be the largest at sea and includes an Aqua Racer slide. 

The Flywheel studio on Norwegian Breakaway. Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line.

The gyms -- Norwegian Cruise Line ships offer fitness centers and classes. Equipment includes treadmills, ellipticals, steppers, medicine balls and fit balls, and free weights. The free-weight workout spaces are smallish compared with many other lines even on the newest and largest ships. But the NCL ships feature large cardio centers in the Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway fitness centers. Ships in the fleet also feature Zumba classes (except Norwegian Sky), boot camps and other training. Breakaway and Getaway also feature Flywheel spinning classes. Ships also offer running tracks, of course, but we found them to be small and often too crowded to run on without a hassle. You also can play basketball and other sports on the sports courts, which I like for the views and breezes you get while working up a sweat at the very top of the ship.

Kicking and punching -- You can train like the Rockettes on Norwegian Breakaway. You might not kick as high as the legendary dancers, but you'll learn their muscle stretching and strengthening techniques while getting your kicks. These fitness classes are led by Norwegian Cruise Line's specially trained instructors or, on select Norwegian Breakaway cruises, by two Rockettes dancers themselves.  

Prefer punching to kicking? Or both, maybe? Try Norwegian Fight Klub (fee), available on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway. The classes are designed based on traditional boxing training. It's a nonstop, high-intensity workout that can help you master jabbing, punching, ducking, knee strikes and kicks. This one will leave you dripping sweat. 

Related stories: 

Best Fitness Areas on Carnival Cruise Ships   
Best Fitness Areas on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships   
Best Fitness Areas on Celebrity Cruises Ships   
Best Fitness Areas on Princess Cruises Ships

Thanks for reading. 

Travel fit! 

JR