Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) revolutionized cruising with Freestyle Cruising - eliminating set dining times, assigned tables, and formal dress codes. With 19 ships ranging from intimate 2,000-passenger vessels to the innovative 3,200-passenger Prima-class, Norwegian offers maximum flexibility, extensive dining options, and their signature Free at Sea perks program.
For Essex County travelers, Norwegian Breakaway sails from Manhattan (35 minutes from Newark) offering Bermuda and Canada/New England cruises. We also arrange fly-cruise packages from Newark Airport to Norwegian ships in Miami, the Caribbean, and worldwide destinations with bundled savings.
Prima Class: Newest Innovation
Norwegian Viva
Launched: 2023 • Size: 142,500 tons
Passengers: 3,219
Newest Prima-class, The Concourse outdoor promenade, Ocean Boulevard, Infinity Beach
Norwegian Prima
Launched: 2022 • Size: 142,500 tons
Passengers: 3,215
First Prima-class, largest 3-story racetrack, Infinity Beach, The Haven luxury enclave
Breakaway Class: East Coast Favorites
Norwegian Escape
Year: 2015
Capacity: 4,266
Largest ropes course at sea, The Haven, Food Republic dining complex, Snow Room spa
Norwegian Getaway
Year: 2014
Capacity: 3,963
Miami year-round, spectacular hull art, Illusionarium dinner theater
Norwegian Breakaway
Year: 2013
Capacity: 3,963
NYC homeport, Waterfront boardwalk, Ice Bar, Broadway shows
What is Freestyle Cruising?
No Set Dining Times
Eat when you want, where you want. No assigned tables, no rigid schedules. Choose from 15+ restaurants.
Casual Dress Code
No formal nights required. Resort casual throughout the ship (though specialty dining suggests smart casual).
Entertainment Variety
Broadway shows, live music venues, comedy clubs, casinos - all included in your fare.
Free at Sea
Choose 5 free perks: beverage package, specialty dining, shore excursions, WiFi, or friends/family sail free.
Free at Sea: Choose Your Perks
Best Value: Balcony cabins get 3 free perks, Mini-Suites+ get 5 free perks. Open Bar perk saves most money (up to $966 per person on 7-day cruise).
Free Open Bar
Up to $138/day value
Unlimited cocktails, beer, wine, spirits, sodas, juices
Specialty Dining
Up to $200 value
3+ meals at premium restaurants (Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro French, Teppanyaki)
Shore Excursions
Up to $100/port
Credit toward tours and activities at each destination
WiFi Package
Up to $180 value
150-300 minutes internet access for entire cruise
3rd/4th Guests Free
Varies
Friends & family in same cabin sail free (taxes/fees apply)
Dining: 15+ Restaurant Choices
- •Complimentary: 3 Main Dining Rooms, buffet, casual cafes, room service
- •Cagney's Steakhouse - Premium cuts, classic sides ($45-55 per person)
- •Le Bistro French - Five-course French fine dining ($35 per person)
- •Teppanyaki - Japanese hibachi experience ($35 per person)
- •Ocean Blue - Seafood specialist by Geoffrey Zakarian ($49 per person)
- •Food Republic - Pan-Asian with 8 cuisines ($25 per person)
- •Los Lobos - Modern Mexican by Jose Garces ($25 per person)
The Haven: Luxury Ship-Within-a-Ship
Ultimate Norwegian Experience: Private keycard-access complex exclusively for Haven suite guests with dedicated restaurant, sundeck, pool, butler service, and concierge.
Essex County Traveler Tips
Norwegian Breakaway sails from Manhattan - 35 minutes from Newark, easy parking at Manhattan Cruise Terminal
Free at Sea beverage package is the best perk for most cruisers - pays for itself after 3-4 drinks per day
Book balcony or higher to get more Free at Sea perks (3-5 vs 2 for inside cabins)
The Haven is worth considering for special occasions - butler service and exclusive areas justify premium pricing
Specialty dining reservations fill up - book your favorites immediately after booking cruise
Solo travelers: Norwegian Studios are the only true solo cabins at sea (no single supplement)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Freestyle Cruising on Norwegian Cruise Line?
Freestyle Cruising is Norwegian's signature concept offering maximum flexibility. Unlike traditional cruising, there are no set dining times or assigned tables - eat whenever you want at 15+ restaurants. No formal nights or strict dress codes (resort casual works everywhere). Entertainment, activities, and shore excursions operate on your schedule. The philosophy: your cruise vacation should adapt to you, not the other way around. This casual, flexible approach appeals to modern travelers who prefer spontaneity over rigid schedules.
How does Norwegian's Free at Sea work?
Free at Sea allows guests to choose up to 5 complimentary perks based on cabin category. Options include: (1) Free Open Bar - unlimited drinks worth $138/day, (2) Specialty Dining - 3+ meals at premium restaurants, (3) Shore Excursion credits - $50-100 per port, (4) WiFi package - 150-300 minutes, (5) Friends & Family Free - 3rd/4th guests in same cabin. The number of free perks depends on cabin type: Studios/Inside/Oceanview get 2 perks, Balcony gets 3 perks, Mini-Suite+ gets 5 perks. Book early for best perk selection.
Which Norwegian ships sail from New York area?
Norwegian Breakaway is homeported in Manhattan at the New York Cruise Terminal (Pier 88, Hell's Kitchen) from spring through fall, offering Bermuda cruises and Canada/New England sailings. This is convenient for Essex County travelers - 30-40 minutes to Manhattan pier. No Norwegian ships currently homeport at Cape Liberty (Bayonne), but we can arrange fly-cruise packages from Newark Airport to Norwegian's ships departing Miami, Port Canaveral, and other ports with excellent bundled pricing.
What's The Haven on Norwegian ships?
The Haven is Norwegian's exclusive ship-within-a-ship luxury complex available on most ships. It's a private keycard-access area on the top decks featuring: dedicated Haven Restaurant with butler service, private sundeck with pool/hot tubs, concierge desk, exclusive lounge. Haven suite guests enjoy priority everything (boarding, dining reservations, disembarkation), butler service 24/7, complimentary specialty dining and premium beverages. Suites range from 2-bedroom family suites to lavish Owner's Suites with private balconies and outdoor hot tubs. Pricing: $3,500-15,000 per person for 7-day Caribbean.
How does Norwegian compare to Carnival and Royal Caribbean?
Norwegian: Most flexible (Freestyle Cruising, no dress codes), Free at Sea perks make it excellent value, smaller ships feel less crowded, extensive specialty dining. Carnival: Most affordable base fares, Fun Ship casual vibe, best for families with kids, Guy Fieri burgers. Royal Caribbean: Largest ships with most activities, innovation leaders (North Star, BOLT coaster), best for variety seekers. For Essex County: Norwegian Breakaway from Manhattan (40 min), Royal Caribbean Anthem from Cape Liberty (20 min), Carnival Venezia from Cape Liberty (20 min). We help match you to the right line based on priorities.
Ready to Experience Freestyle Cruising?
Expert guidance • Free at Sea perks • Best rates • Essex County specialists