We Gave Norwegian Cruise Line Another Chance – Still Worth it in 2025?

We’ve cruised over 100 times, including plenty of voyages with NCL — once one of our favourites. But since the pandemic, things have definitely gone downhill.

So, we decided to give them one more shot. Was it worth it? Should you sail with them in 2025? We’re answering those burning questions today. Plus, we’re sharing the incredible experiences we had exploring a new Japanese port and the vibrant city of Seoul, South Korea. We are so excited to visit yet another new amazing country, so what are you waiting for let’s do this!

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00:00 – Introduction: Why We Gave Norwegian Cruise Line Another Chance
01:20 – Trying Norwegian’s Room Service Breakfast
07:15 – Exploring Sasebo, Japan: Hidden Gems & Cruise Tips
14:13 – Norwegian Cruise Line Buffet Dinner Tour
17:34 – Is the New ‘More at Sea’ Package a Good Deal?
20:15 – Exploring Seoul, South Korea: Our Shore Excursion Highlights
35:18 – Silk Restaurant Review: Once Free, Now an Extra Charge – Is It Worth Paying For?
43:15 – Our Honest Thoughts on the Food
44:16 – Final Verdict: Should You Cruise with Norwegian in 2025?

22 Comments

  1. It’s great to see honest reviews that help others make the right choice. Thanks for sharing your real experience!
    And I am ADAM Travel Explore.

  2. We love NCL and almost exclusively sail with them. But we book the Haven so I imagine that our experience is much different than those who do not stay in the Haven.

  3. Thank you, Ben & David, for the detailed recommendations regarding excursions and the honest reviews. Cruises are wonderful but the word is out! So many people, all around the world, are cruising that it has gotten to be expensive. So, we really do need to do our homework and research the cruise line, the ship, the excursions, the itineraries and THE FOOD! I’m a lousy cook, I can eat bad food at home!🤣

  4. Many cruise lines not just Norwegian I've found that many of the buffet cakes LOOK great but just don't have the flavour to back it up…. WHY?!?! (it shouldn't be rocket science)

  5. Were the other cruise guest misbehaving at the buffet like they were on your previous Asia cruise? Tasting the food right at the buffet for example? I hesitate to cruise in Asia if that is a common occurance.

  6. Entertainment — the broadway-type shows — are a shadow of what they were. Disembarkation remains a mess.

  7. I can say why they gave NCL a chance to mention how great they are. They had „VIP“ standing on their room key card, where the latitudes level is displayed normally. Says it all or? This is an paid ad… @ben&david…you should be ashame.

    No normal guest, who pays for the room gets VIP on the room key card.

  8. What's with the Starbucks bag in the background? Do they have Starbucks in Japan? If so, does it taste the same?

  9. Hi guys, we came off the Spirit a few weeks and we loved it! We didn't get any upselling at all and had no problem with our drinks. They even went to different bars if they didn't have what I asked for. It was our first cruise and we will definitely be on the Spirit again 😃

  10. it REALLY irritates me when cruise ships say there is an upcharge of X amount + X percent gratuities…the gratuities in those cases are not optional so why dont they just include them in the price of the upcharge?! WTH?!?!?!

  11. I'm no expert but the constant upselling, poor upkeep of the ships, and taking away of things that used to be included like restaurants on top of the downgrade of entertainment all scream "company going broke" to me.

  12. Your sincerity is the primary reason after your wonderful personalities that keeps me watching your channel. Thank you so much!