Norwegian Cruise Line passengers share crucial cruise insight
No matter which cruise line you’re planning to sail, you’ll want to consider this before deciding on an itinerary.
The cruising community loves to compare various cruise lines and the experiences they offer at sea.
On Reddit, communities devoted to cruises and cruise lines are full of discussions on common cruise topics like how one line compares to another, or which cruise ships passengers like the best within a cruise line’s fleet.
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Something that’s less frequently discussed, however, is how the cruising experience differs from one region to another.
Sure, cruisers will often compare popular Caribbean ports of call, but it’s not as common to see discussions about how the overall experience of cruising to bucket-list destinations like Alaska and the Mediterranean differs from visiting the Caribbean — the largest and most well-known cruise region.
In some cases, where you choose to sail can actually have a bigger impact on your cruise experience than the cruise line or ship you choose, so it’s an important thing to consider before booking any cruise.
A recent discussion about the Alaska cruise experience in the Norwegian Cruise Line community on Reddit highlighted this point.
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How does the vibe on Alaska cruises compare to Caribbean cruises?
“Do Alaskan cruises have the same party vibe that Caribbean cruises do?” peatmoss71 asked in the Reddit community. “I’m going to see Alaska; most in my travel party enjoy going to bars rather than sightsee[ing]. I’m looking forward to a lot of solo time.”
A number of passionate cruisers who have sailed in Alaska responded with helpful insights to give peatmoss71 an idea of what kind of vibe to expect on an Alaska cruise.
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“We just got off of an Alaska cruise. There are party spots on the ship, but it is way too cold to use the pool deck and outside amenities like you may be used to on a Caribbean cruise,” Trick-Wishbone1900 replied. “There are certainly places to dance and party, but it won't be much like you are used to in warmer cruises at all.”
Other cruisers pointed out that Alaska cruises are best suited to sightseeing and port activities.
“While you'll still find people who want to embrace the party vibe, it's a far more subdued and relaxed type of cruise,” wanderingstorm added. “Alaska cruises in my opinion are really meant to be about enjoying the scenery and natural beauty of the area.”
Alaska cruises attract an older crowd
Cruisers also noted that the passenger demographic on Alaska cruises tends to skew older than the average Caribbean cruise.
“I'm currently on the NCL Bliss en route to Alaska. Definitely not the same party vibe as the Caribbean. I would say that the average age onboard is about 65 or 70,” Live-Conclusion7371 shared.
A few passengers pointed out, though, that you’ll typically see more families on board Alaska cruises in the summer once school is out.
Although Norwegian Cruise Line’s Alaska cruises tend to skew older in average passenger age, its Alaska fleet is young. This year, Norwegian boasts the youngest fleet sailing to Alaska, including three recently renovated Breakaway-Plus class ships — Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore, and Norwegian Joy — which were custom-built to cruise through Alaska.
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Equipped with observation lounges and expansive outdoor promenades, these ships are designed to maximize the scenic views and enhance passengers’ connection to the sea. Recent ship refreshes also added new venues like Norwegian Bliss’ Horizon Park, a gathering space with lawn-style games and loungers to enjoy prime views of The Last Frontier.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Alaska cruise season runs through October and features a total of five ships cruising in the region this summer. Norwegian sails from departure ports in both the U.S. and Canada including Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Destinations featured on Norwegian’s Alaska cruise itineraries include Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka, and Icy Strait Point, which is home to the largest Native Tlingit village in the state as well as abundant wildlife.
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