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Claudia Looi

Hooked On Sailing the High Seas With Norwegian Cruise Line

By Claudia Looi

26 Nov
I never thought I would love cruising. Our first short voyage five years ago to the Bahamas was all about shows and meeting Disney characters. The second cruise with Norwegian Star last year was all about the destinations and taking a leap of faith to go further (not just Bahamas) and we were not hooked on sailing the high seas yet.

The last cruise with Norwegian Sun had us…

Take a look at the photos from my iPhone:

My favorite views:
From our balcony:
Breakfast view:
Once a non-cruiser now I’ve planned to cruise every year to relax, write, enjoy, see the world and connect with my husband and teens in a deeper way each year. It is like a reconnecting time where we unplug from everything and just enjoy the time together eating, being served by great servers from around the world, take short excursions to places we may never fly to and enjoy all the facilities that the floating resort offers.

In fact we purchased a $250 credit voucher for our next cruise with Norwegian Breakaway.

Here are three reasons why we will be cruising with Norwegian Cruise and why Norwegian Breakaway is in our list:

One: Freestyle cruising
We like the flexibility and freedom of when, who, what, where we eat and schedule our activities. Norwegian Cruise Line Freestyle Cruising allows guests the freedom and flexibility to choose where to dine, when to dine and whom we dine with. Some days we dined without the teens and invited our new friends on board to dine with us.

If we feel like having sushi we could do it right away if there are seats available. Norwegian Cruise Line did not schedule our meals or shows everyday. We are in control and that’s how we like it when on vacation. We have been to another cruise where we had to sit near the same family and eat at the same time every night. Imagine sitting in an airplane with the same passengers on the same row everyday for 5 or 7 days! That’s how it felt when we were in a cruise with assigned seats and time for dinner.

Most of the time you can dress up however you like for dinner. Most teens hate to dress up just for an hour’s meal. One way to stop argument and to avoid conflict with your teens is to find a cruise line that allows them to be who they are. Leave their suit and tie for weddings, bar mitzvahs and funerals. You can travel light because there is no need to bring a whole array of shoes to match your outfits.

Two: Top notch itinerary and service at a “budget” price
I’ve done my research on itineraries and prices available in the cruising world. Norwegian stands out with their itineraries in the Caribbean. Two of my favorite itineraries are 7 days Western Caribbean and 11 days Southern Caribbean. If you were to purchase air tickets and book the accommodation as a package for a tour of the destinations listed, you will pay at least four times more per person.

The world has over 180 nations and there is really not enough time to visit them all. One of the best ways to quickly see the world on a budget and in comfort is through cruising. Not all cruise ships and services are created equal. From our own experience we love the Norwegian staff. They provide top-notch service.

This gentleman from Honduras, David Contreras who is the Concierge with Norwegian Sun is sharp, caring and attentive. He is a great asset to Norwegian Cruise Line. He was always checking on his guests to find out if they needed anything.

  Three: Boutique hotel at sea (Norwegian Breakaway)
Bermuda is in our list ‘must-see’ places and Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship debuting next year, 2013 would be the best way to sail over there.

The resort style boutique hotel at sea can accommodate 4,000 passengers cruising from our favorite city, New York City for a 7-day cruise to Bermuda starting May 12, 2013 through October 6, 2013. I love the itinerary where you depart on a Sunday and traffic is light in Manhattan. Sail three full days at sea and dock three full days in Bermuda, just enough time to enjoy all the facilities onboard and enough time to see Bermuda.

An average tour package including airfare and accommodation to Bermuda per person is about $1400. Remember this price do not include all meals, ocean view room or round trip transportation from airport to hotel. It does add up!

Norwegian Breakaway brings new innovation to the cruising world by combining the indoors with the outdoors. Guests have the options of indoor or outdoor shopping or dining at the oceanfront boardwalk.

For more information about the building of Norwegian Breakaway, visit their blog called Building Breakaway.


Our special thanks to Norwegian Cruise Line for upgrading our accommodation and helping us understand the culture, top-notch services, luxury of Freestyle cruising "like a Norwegian". Find out more on their many itineraries and sailing options. We will be going to one of their European cruises and of course to Bermuda with Norwegian Breakaway.

Filed Under: Cruising Tagged With: cruising, norwegian breakaway, norwegian cruise line, Norwegian freestyle cruising

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