Category: Norwegian Cruise Line

The Best Fitness Areas on Norwegian Cruise Line Ships

7/7/2015

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

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What Does it Mean to Cruise Like a Norwegian?

1/21/2015

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Norwegian Cruise Line's philosophy is to let you cruise the way you decide. You pick the pace and schedule for your day because you never know when you just want to take some time to enjoy the sunset.

By John Roberts

Norwegian Cruise Line's tag beckons you to "Cruise Like a Norwegian."

I got an introduction to this "Freestyle Cruising" (another slogan from the line) experience during a nine-day voyage out of New York City in Norwegian Gem. Oh my, it was awesome to get away from the Northeast to the sunshine of the Caribbean in the middle of winter.

So, what exactly does it mean to cruise like a Norwegian?

Here is what I learned.

It's all about the comfort and flexibility. NCL is not hung up on rules, schedules and formalities inherent in the decades-old traditional industry cruise vacation.

In The Loop's sailing, for example, took place January 12 to 21 to the Caribbean and carried passengers with an average age of 49. But on a recent previous sailing on Gem, that number was 64, said the ship's hotel director, Jenny Lim.

Each cruise is different, from the average age to passengers' food tastes, meal times and entertainment.

Older passengers might call it a night a lot earlier than younger crowds, so Lim and her staff might tweak the daily entertainment program in an effort to accommodate the largest number of people. Main show times, trivia, theme parties, etc., may be adjusted as NCL crew discover the rhythm of the group onboard (Gem carries up to 2,300 or so passengers) during the first couple days. Feedback is crucial to make the freestyle philosophy work for NCL.

Most of the cruisers on Gem come from New York or the immediate surrounding area.
Lim says she loves having her ship full of New Yorkers.

"They tell you exactly what they like and also what they dislike," she says. "We don't have to prod them and find ways to get information from them."

Norwegian Cruise Line also offers "Anytime Dining." It's a long-time tradition for cruise lines to have two set meal times at their main dining rooms, something like 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Norwegian Gem offers two main dining rooms, and you simply show up any time they are open and get an available table. We found this a convenient way to go. We have often struggled with whether we should choose early dining or the late dining option on our past cruises.

Strict schedules create a conundrum for us. Maybe we just get back from a day ashore and want to clean up, unwind, hit the swimming pool or take a nap to recuperate before dinner. Or perhaps we have already indulged a bit on on a shore excursion but have the early seating and are not yet ready for a big meal.

However, a late seating sometimes can stretch your meal to 10 p.m. or later before you leave the restaurant. That is tough when you want to have time for nighttime activities before heading off to bed because you might have to rise early for the next port day. "Anytime Dining" solves these problems. You simply saunter to the restaurant of your choice when you are ready to eat. This can lead to a bit of a wait time if everyone happens to end up on your schedule, but we waited no more than five minutes for a table.

You also have the option to skip the man dining room and treat yourself to a meal at one of the for-fee specialty restaurants. (options include Asian, Italian, French, sushi a la carte, steakhouse and churrascaria). Or go for the included buffet or pub grub at O'Sheenan's Bar & Grill. O'Sheehan's was packed two different nights on our nine-day sailing because people wanted the sports bar experience while viewing the NCAA football title game and the NFL conference title games on the two-deck high big screen that the bar overlooks. How typically American. The onboard buzz was cool both nights for these big events.

"Oh, that's why the main dining room was empty," a passerby said to her husband after the couple's dinner. The Crystal Atrium and O'Sheehan's Bar & Grill were the place to be for the NFL conference championship games.

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Gem dining TV monitor

Video screens present around the ship indicate the traffic flow at Norwegian Gem's various restaurants so you can decide on the fly which venue to eat at and monitor when you might want to go if you want to keep your plans flexible.

Dress codes practically don't exist, either, on NCL ships. If you want a dress-up night, go for it. But if you want to keep it casual and pack a bit lighter for your cruise, fantastic!
The line simply asks that men not wear tank tops to the restaurants for dinner. I'm onboard with that one. I have zero fashion sense, but I know that no one wants to see that, dudes.

You get the idea. Cruising like a Norwegian, or freestyle cruising, means you and your fellow passengers all get together aiming to have a great, relaxing vacation that works for you -- whatever that entails -- with no rules or judgments.

Does it work? We think it does pretty well. You have to know what is involved in an NCL cruise. If you come onboard expecting a formal, luxury, traditional, service-intensive experience, you will be disappointed. One thing I like with traditional cruising with set dining is how you build a rapport with wait staff and your tablemates. (Many veteran cruisers love this.) This does not happen with "Anytime Dining."

Norwegian Cruise Line knows what it is, and it works hard to please the cruiser looking for a fun, energetic vacation. We experienced a great amount of energy, with variety shows, late-night adult games, dance parties, poolside competitions, rousing dockside receptions to welcome you back after a day in port and more. The cruisers on our voyage seemed to really be having a great time, from the first-time cruisers to some who have been on Norwegian Gem up to a half-dozen times or more.

Travel happy!
JR

When you arrive back "home" to the Norwegian Gem after a day ashore, you are treated to a rousing pierside reception, complete with singing and dancing.

And when onboard, passengers love to participate in a range of activities, like poolside "sexy legs" competitions.

The crowd goes wild! Just another day of freestyle fun on Norwegian Gem.

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Norwegian Cruise Line's Snow Room; Celebrity Cruises Takes Shot with Lacrosse Team

1/7/2015

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By John Roberts

Norwegian Cruise Line's new ship, Norwegian Escape, is schedule to launch in October. The line revealed a unique feature in one of its venues: a "Snow Room."

NCL touts the health benefits of the area. Sounds a bit gimmicky to me. What do you think of this, Loopers?

Norwegian Escape's Mandara Spa experience, on two decks, will have unobstructed views of the ocean, 17 heated loungers, a hydrotherapy pool, whirlpools, steam room, dry sauna, sanarium and salt room.

Plus, "the rejuvenating cold Snow Room," a first for the line. The room, which ranges from 21 degrees to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, sends out a flurry of powdery snow throughout the day. It "offers guests a multitude of health benefits, including stimulating blood circulation in the body and strengthening the immune system."

I am seriously intrigued, as long as those heated loungers are very close by. I am cold-averse by nature, especially on my Caribbean cruise. But I also am always looking for activities that provide health benefits.

In other cruise news ...

Celebrity Cruises is really going all in with the sports-themed sailings. The line, which last year had a Philadelphia Flyers cruise and already announced a New England Patriots fan cruise and New York Rangers Legends Cruise for this year, has announced a partnership and theme cruise with the Boston Cannons.

The who?

Exactly.

You have to be a real sports nut to know that the Cannons are a Major League Lacrosse team.

Leaving no stone unturned in its aim to entice active travelers to try a cruise, the line will host a seven-night cruise to Bermuda on Celebrity Summit that sets sail August 16 from Cape Liberty in New Jersey. Joining the cruise will be Cannons players and head coach John Tucker, who will conduct an onboard clinic, meet and greets and more. Lacrosse has been one of the fastest growing sports in the United States, so it's a bold idea for Celebrity to partner with one of the league's top teams.

Carnival Cruise Line will send Carnival Miracle for a two-week drydock to get the line's Funship 2.0 upgrades. The refurbishment will take place March 7 to 21 and will outfit the ship with a RedFrog Pub, Alchemy Bar, Sports Bar, Seuss at Sea program, Hasbro Game Show and more. Absent from the list of enhancements is Carnival's popular restaurant, Guy's Burger Joint.

Travel happy!
JR

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The Best Fitness Areas on Norwegian Cruise Line Ships

What Does it Mean to Cruise Like a Norwegian?

Norwegian Cruise Line's Snow Room; Celebrity Cruises Takes Shot with Lacrosse Team

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The Best Fitness Areas on Norwegian Cruise Line Ships

What Does it Mean to Cruise Like a Norwegian?

Norwegian Cruise Line's Snow Room; Celebrity Cruises Takes Shot with ﻿Lacrosse Team

Archives

Categories

Norwegian Cruise Line's Snow Room; Celebrity Cruises Takes Shot with Lacrosse Team