Norwegian Cruise Line is bringing adult-centric itineraries Down Under for summer.

Norwegian Spirit is 28 years old, making it the most ‘mature’ ship to homeport in Australia. But does the age of a cruise ship really matter? Or, for that matter, the cruisers?

I used to say absolutely, but now I am not so sure.

I am starting to wonder if ships are like wine and people. As long as they are well cared for, routinely attended to and refurbed like Norwegian Spirit was in 2020, they age beautifully.

And it is often only an educated (experienced) few who can truly appreciate the depth and beauty of the ageing process.

To travel with kids, or not?

Ask my cruise-crazy kids, and they are unequivocally in pursuit of the latest and greatest. It’s the exuberance of youth. Their dopamine-hungry brains need to be constantly stimulated by every conceivable activity; dodgem cars, basketball court, electronic game consoles, wave pool, rock climbing wall, indoor sky-diving, go-karts, laser tag, water slides…the list goes on.

And then there is the food aspect: 24-hour pizza, ice cream on tap, a buffet of sugar as far as the eye can. My youngest once had six soft serves on a single day (world’s worst Dad, here).

And the final ingredient, a gang of similarly sugar and dopa-crazed maniacs (I mean friends) to go plundering and pillaging with, trying their best to evade the attention of security.

We (my wife and I) insist on one meal together as a family every two days. Reasonable right?  But even that’s exhausting as they agitate incessantly to finish the meal so they can return to their gang of new friends.

And when the cruise ends and we return home to normal life, they are over-stimulated, over-tired, joyous (hardly) humans to be around. The come-down is a good three days. No wonder once a year with the kids is enough for us.

Is Norwegian Spirit adult-friendly?

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has opted for the complete opposite with Norwegian Spirit. Taking a 28-year-old ship and spending $100m US on a complete refurb, they have delivered an almost new ship without the mania of marauding kids.

It is not adults-only – kids are welcome to sail  – but they are not the centre of attention, nor are they directly catered for. So there’s no kids’ club.

NCL call it adult-friendly. I call it adult, relaxed, and easy. This is calm and comfortable cruising with some more elevated options.

What we loved on board Norwegian Spirit

The refurb brought 14 new venues to Norwegian Spirit. But before we delve into the specifics, it is worth looking at the totality.

Norwegian Spirit carries fewer than 2000 passengers with more than 14 dining options and 9 bars and lounges. That’s a lot of choice and room, particularly when there are few kids to compete with.

And now for an overview of our favourites.

Onda by Scarpetta

The most elevated space on Norwegian Spirit, this intimate specialty dining restaurant is the signature Mediterranean meal across the NCL fleet; it is by far the most sophisticated restaurant experience onboard..

The Local

My go-to lunch spot for the Reubens (yes, I rate it up there with Katz’s Deli in NYC). On Norwegian Spirit is a simple space off the main Atrium on deck seven. It is a little small and simple, but it is still serviceable, and I will forgive a lot for that Rubens.

Magnums Champagne & Wine Bar

You had me at Champagne. Magnums is on deck eight, at the main bar of the old fashioned Atrium. Perched at the bar for a pre or post-dinner glass of bubbles, this is the relaxed yet elegant atmosphere Aussies love.

Spice H20

Spice H20 (deck 10) is one of the ultimate stops for sun worshippers and lounge lizards. The aft pool and bar is surrounded by tiered seating and loungers, creating an amphitheatre that spans two deck and connects easily to the Garden Cafe (deck 12).

Add two plunge pools perched on the aft corners and the gorgeous wake views, and this is the ideal sunset hang. The lounge area transforms into a cocktail lounge and open-air nightclub at night.

Spinnaker Lounge

The indoor bow lounge is another of those discreet, calm spaces for books, cards, tea and coffee. In a sign of some people forgetting they were not at home (that’s how laid-back Norwegian Spirit is), some of our Aussie cruisers took relaxing to new levels with bare feet perched on the balustrades.

Mandara Spa

You can be old, but investing in a sizable modern spa reiterates that age is only a number. Mandara Spa has added a thermal suite with an extensive steam room, sauna and shower experience, as well as luxuriously warm heated-tile loungers that are positioned to enjoy the endless ocean vistas.

Norwegian Spirit rooms

The room size is unchangeable so the only place where one might notice an older sensibility is in the stateroom size.

The rooms are a little smaller perhaps the latest ships. It is barely noticeable and doesn’t impact the experience particularly as the furniture and fittings are all outstanding, the bathroom design smart and spacious.

Norwegian Cruise Line in Australia

NCL is getting serious about its Australian customers. Not only has it invested the $100m to keep Norwegian Spirit at the premium end of the market, but the company is changing up itineraries locally, and pricing globally.

Norwegian Spirit Australian sailings

From 2027, Norwegian Spirit will introduce a lot more shorter sailings designed for the local market.

In previous seasons, they were focused on Trans-Tasman ‘Open Jaw’ (embark Sydney, disembark Auckland) sailings that suited the inbound international market, to whom arriving in Sydney and departing from Auckland is a plus.

While NCL have maintained some of these itineraries, it has inserted many shorter four-day taster cruises, South Pacific cruises and domestic-only cruises. And they’re all round-trip from Sydney.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s new pricing

Famous for their Free at Sea value added pricing (where wifi, specialty dining, drinks packages and other benefits were included), NCL have now introduced a more basic (and cheaper!) fare without any of these inclusions.

This makes it a more apples-to-apples comparison to cruise competitors.