Norwegian Crown Cruise Ship

The ship has the feel of an intimate first class hotel, elegant but comfortable and casual, with glittering accents, but by no means glitzy.


Cabins

Four new suites on the Penthouse deck are being added as well as nine new inside passenger staterooms. It is clear from the huge amount of closet space in even the smallest cabins that Norwegian Crown was built with longer cruises in mind. Cabins are a roomy minimum of 165 square feet. Many outside cabins have portholes rather than windows, and 50 cabins (8005-8055) have views obstructed by lifeboats. Standard cabin amenities include safes, direct dial phones, piped-in music and satellite TV. Superior deluxe suites feature bay windows with electrically controlled sunshades, marble baths with whirlpool tubs, robes and sitting areas. Deluxe Penthouse and Penthouse Suites have balconies and VCR's as well. 319 staterooms (78%) are outside; 4 staterooms have handicapped facilities, and 232 (45%) are triples or quads.

Dining

NCL has added its popular signature alternative restaurant, Le Bistro. The restaurant seats 70 guests and is decorated in coral, green and gold colors. NCL also added The Pasta Cafe and an Asian themed restaurant, Chopsticks. The Pasta Cafe seats 40 and has been decorated with modern Italian influences with cobalt blue and cherry wood accents. A blue granite top has been added on the bar where Norwegian Crown guests can sit and watch the chef prepare traditional Italian cuisine.

The Seven Continents Dining Room continues the stained glass and metallic accents of the rest of the ship in its ceiling treatments. Though these design attributes create an ambiance of bold elegance, the acoustics in the room are compromised. Sound levels are high and conversations across larger tables are difficult. Service is excellent, and the quality of the food is good, though we found, that, with the exception of the excellent desserts, recipes, preparation and presentation were a bit lackluster.

Lunch and breakfast buffets are served in the airy, well-laid-out Yacht Club indoor/outdoor restaurant. Waiters stand by to assist diners with their trays.

Entertainment

Norwegian Crown's popular Top of the Crown Lounge features striking enhancements including a new bar topped with blue-pearl granite. The stools, tables and chairs have been removed to create an open space. Pull-up cocktail tables are attached to a railing that encircles the room and light beach wood accents put the last touches on the transformation.

The Monte Carlo Court Casino received a complete renovation adding glass walls around the perimeter, new upholstery and carpets in rich maroon and gold. The casino is small for a one-thousand-passenger ship, having a handful of slots, blackjack and Caribbean Stud tables, and a single roulette table. There is no dice table.

Norwegian Crown's single-level show lounge, the Stardust Lounge, is an intimate, functional room with excellent sightlines from all sides of the elevated orchestra platform and floor level dancefloor/state. The floor is steeply raked, giving excellent views over patrons in front of the viewer. The entertainment program is standard cruise ship fare: a handful of production shows, a magic act, comic, singer, etc. Also featured is a lounge pianist and an instrumental combo.

Fitness & Recreation

The Lido Bar has been expanded to include the original outside area. Expansive solarium windows with high-tech stainless steel support systems make for an airy but modern space. The teak deck has been restored and large, plush chairs are perfect for lounging. There is ample sunning area spread among the top five decks, and there never seemed to be a shortage of lounge chairs. The main pool is on Odyssey Deck (Deck 7), with an additional inside pool in the spa/fitness area on Indoor Pool Deck (Deck 2), which also sports a pair of whirlpools. Two additional Jacuzzis adjoining a lovely gazebo bar can be found in our favorite sunning and relaxation area was found on Penthouse Deck (Deck 10) aft. Joggers can circumnavigate the ship on Odyssey Deck (Deck 7). Though there are no firm rules regarding hours of use, signs all along the deck request consideration for fellow passengers.

NCL is completely rebuilding the ship's Mandara Spa, Beauty Salon and Fitness Center. Aqua, mint green and creamy white colors set the tone for a serene experience. Mosaic tiles of the same colors and lightwood accents adorn the walls. Guests can work out in separate aerobic and weight rooms plus enjoy an array of fitness equipment. The spa has nine treatment rooms while the salon features four stations all facing an expanse of floor to ceiling windows.

Public Areas

Though Norwegian Crown's heart is its reception area on Marina Deck (Deck 6), we found passengers tended to gravitate to Monte Carlo Court, adjoining the casino one deck higher on Odyssey Deck. Though I generally find casino bars off-putting, prone to excess smoke and noise, this was an exception, with a central octagonal bar surrounded on all sides by comfortable tables and booths. The area is brightened by large picture windows, and a recessed ceiling with translucent lighted inverted pyramids both casting reflections in the rooms glass and copper accents. Copper, glass and brass are design elements which continue consistently throughout all public rooms in the ship, as does the overall upholstery and carpeting color scheme of dusky roses and mauves. Top of the Crown, the 360 degree forward observation lounge doubles as the disco after midnight. A signature public facility is the Net.Center, a fully functional Internet cafe with 24-hour access to most Email services (including AOL) and the Web itself.

There are no self-service laundry facilities.

Kids

A new teen and children's center is being added. The new dynamic teen center features bold colors such as metallic purples, greens and oranges. A dance floor with state-of-the-art sound and light system, juice bar and large, multi-colored banquettes for comfortable corners is perfect for this age group. A video arcade separates the teen center from the children's center, which will feature a space splashed with primary colors. Kid's Crew participants will enjoy an arts & crafts center, a theater featuring a plasma screen with beanbags for comfortable viewing, and a computer corner.

NCL offers group sitting for ages 2-12 for a nominal fee with the Kid's Crew counselors. In addition to regular sitting hours of 10 pm - 1 am, group sitting is available in port from 9 am - 5 pm. Private babysitting is not available.

Expert Norwegian Crown reviews are edited by Michelle, and provided by Ian and Cruise Critic.com, an award-winning cruise community. This objective information can help you choose just the right ship for your next cruise vacation.

Check Dates & Prices for cruises to Bermuda, Western Caribbean, and South America.

Norwegian Crown cruise reviews