[image]
[title]It has 17 restaurants, six pools, five areas for kids and teens, a water roller coaster, a theater, and much more. It’s not a city, it’s not a large all-inclusive hotel—it’s the newest cruise ship in the world. At 321 meters long, it’s equivalent to three soccer fields end to end and is longer than New York’s Chrysler Building.
We boarded in Miami for the inaugural sailing of the new Norwegian Luna to experience a luxury trip designed for all ages at a truly accessible price. This cruise aims to break many myths and create a new kind of vacation experience—not only on board but also at its idyllic ports, such as its private island in the Bahamas with beach service, pools, and included dining.
There are many prejudices about cruises: that they’re only for older people, that they’re designed just for families, that they’re boring. I used to think that too—until I boarded one of the newest ships in the world with a friend and ended up having multiple vacations in one.
The Norwegian Luna is very different from other cruises I’ve experienced. In addition to being brand new and in impeccable condition, it features a sophisticated, high-end design from the line’s Prima Plus category. Across its 20 decks, it offers everything you could want on a trip. Despite having capacity for 3,500 passengers, it never feels crowded: the ship was designed to distribute guests across different spaces and simultaneous activities.
What a day on board the Norwegian Luna is like
For those who still think a cruise means being stuck doing nothing, the reality is that there’s so much to do on the Norwegian Luna that it’s hard to choose. The real challenge isn’t boredom—it’s deciding how to make the most of every hour and finishing the trip having experienced each space. In three days on board, I didn’t have time to do everything or eat at every restaurant.
The day can start at Surfside Café & Grill, the ship’s large buffet, with a wide variety of options that also cater to all dietary restrictions (if you eat here, don’t miss the pizzas from the only wood-fired oven on a cruise ship). Then you can enjoy the nearby pools and the Waves Pool Bar, or walk around the ship to explore its hot tubs and infinity pools.
If you’re looking for adrenaline, the Aqua Slidecoaster doesn’t disappoint: it’s the world’s first hybrid between a roller coaster and a waterslide, with a magnetic system that winds across three decks on the outside of the ship and reaches speeds of 50 km/h. It exists only on the Norwegian Luna and its sister ship, the Norwegian Aqua.
For lunch, the Indulge Food Hall is ideal: a premium food court where you order from your table via a tablet. There’s Indian, Spanish, and Mexican cuisine, among others, and all dishes are included in the cruise fare. The afternoon can be spent at Luna Midway, an outdoor amusement-style space; Moon Climber, a multi-level obstacle course; Glow Court, a sports court with an interactive LED floor; or Luna Game Zone, an impressive arcade with video games and virtual reality.
After all that activity, a great option is to relax at the Mandara Spa, with steam, dry, salt, and ice saunas, heated pools, and treatments—right next to the ocean-view gym.
The ship also has duty-free shops where you can find jewelry, perfumes, clothing, accessories, and beverages—often at better prices than on land.
The ideal after-hours plan is at the Vibe Beach Club, an adults-only outdoor space on deck with infinity pools and a bar (if you have the drinks package).
For dinner, one of the included options is The Commodore Room, featuring gourmet dishes and attentive service. The night can end with karaoke at Syd Norman’s Pour House and then one of the shows at the Luna Theater, where depending on the day you can enjoy a dazzling Elton John-style Broadway musical, an Eagles tribute, or the innovative HIKO show, which blends technology and acrobatics. On some nights, after the show, the theater turns into a nightclub, or parties are held on deck around the pool.
Restaurants and bars: what’s included and what’s not
Each day can feel completely different from the last. When it comes to food, the ship offers 17 options, six of which are included, while the rest are specialty restaurants: modern Italian at Onda by Scarpetta, authentic Thai at Sukhothai, classic French at Le Bistro, and an American steakhouse at Cagney’s, among others.
There are also 18 bars and lounges featuring live music (duos, saxophonists, and bands), interactive games, and dance or cooking classes, with a program that changes daily so no two days are the same.
An important note for those booking from Argentina: included beverages in the base fare are water, lemonade, fruit-infused waters, and a wide variety of tea and coffee. Alcoholic drinks, mocktails, sodas, and specialty coffees cost extra, so you can either pay per drink or purchase a drinks package.
Cabins: options for every budget
The cabins are more spacious than you might expect on a ship: they include a full bathroom, desk, and good storage space. Many also have a large sofa. Options range from interior cabins to ocean-view and balcony cabins.
For those looking to take the experience to another level, The Haven offers a private area with exclusive suites, including two-level duplexes with three bedrooms. Guests have access to a private restaurant, bar, and lounge, 24-hour butler service, dedicated concierge, and their own infinity pool. In practice, it’s a luxury hotel within the cruise.
Traveling with kids: what’s available
If you’re traveling as a family, the ship offers options for all ages. In addition to the Kids’ Aqua Park, children aged 3 and up can stay at the kids’ club, and there’s also a dedicated teen lounge. Plus, all the previously mentioned games and activities are available to them.
Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas
Some Norwegian Luna itineraries include a stop at Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas. Once ashore, you can access both a buffet and the Great Life Lagoon: pools with two swim-up bars, loungers, and family-friendly water play areas. For a more exclusive experience, the Vibe Shore Club offers a bar, premium seating, cabanas, and a private beach—adults-only and at an extra cost.
Optional excursions on the island include snorkeling in an underwater sculpture garden, kayaking in calm waters, WaveRunner tours around the Berry Islands, and a zipline 35 meters above the water. In the coming months, the Great Tides water park will open, featuring 19 slides and the area’s first cliff jumps.
Itineraries and prices
The Norwegian Luna sails from Miami year-round, with itineraries ranging from two to seven days. Shorter trips explore the Bahamas, while seven-day itineraries include stops in Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and Great Stirrup Cay. Starting in November, the ship will also offer Western Caribbean routes with stops in Roatán, Cozumel, and Harvest Caye.
There are also departures from New York with four- to seven-day itineraries to Bermuda, including overnight stays at the Royal Naval Dockyard.
Prices start at $412 per person for shorter itineraries, with everything included except certain restaurants, beverages, spa treatments, and other extras that aren’t necessary to enjoy the cruise experience.
On this cruise, I sampled different cuisines without worrying about cost, enjoyed a wide range of entertainment options, relaxed at the spa, and watched shows that rival Broadway. I came back refreshed, with the feeling of having visited many places—when in reality, I had only been in one: the Norwegian Luna.
