Norwegian Luna - First Impressions Review
Ilana — Life Well Cruise (lifewellcruise.com) Sailing: 3-day Miami departure, invited by NCL — opinions her own
Ship Overview
- Class: Prima Plus (Premon class)
- Gross tonnage: ~156,000
- Capacity: ~3,500 guests (double occupancy) / 1,600 crew
- Decks: 20
- Dining venues: 17
- Bars and lounges: 18
- Pools: 3 main + 2 infinity pools (Deck 8)
- Hot tubs: 2 public + 2 in Vibe Beach Club
Itinerary included one sea day and a stop at Great Stirrup Cay, NCL's private island.
First Impressions
Ilana's pre-trip concerns — would it feel crowded, would the food deliver, would entertainment hold up — were largely put to rest on day one. Her immediate reaction on boarding: the ship felt both modern and elevated, to the point where she kept remarking to her husband that it didn't feel like the same cruise line she'd sailed before.
Cabin — Balcony Stateroom
What worked well:
- Décor struck a balance between minimalist/modern and warm — not cold or sterile
- Comfortable bed, nightstand with drawers, loveseat seating area
- Desk/vanity with small fridge
- Good closet storage overall
- Multiple electric outlets and USB outlets — a notable plus
- Beautiful bathroom with sea/shell-inspired wall design, ample storage including a drawer, and a generously sized glass-door shower
Minor notes:
- Wire-style hanging drawers at the bottom of the closet felt like a missed opportunity for standard shelving
- Shampoo and conditioner are combined into a 2-in-1 — bring your own if that matters to you
- Balcony chairs were unexpectedly comfortable for a standard cabin and got heavy use throughout the sailing
Public Spaces & Ship Design
Oceanfront (Deck 8): An outdoor deck space with comfortable cabana-style seating areas, al fresco restaurant seating, and a glass walkway. Quiet and well-designed.
Infinity Beach & Infinity Pool (Deck 8): A standout area — beautiful, uncrowded during this sailing, and positioned close enough to the water to hear ocean waves. One of Ilana's favorite spots on the ship.
Main Atrium: Described as futuristic — almost science-fiction quality — in the best way. Light, open, visually impressive.
Observation Lounge: A hidden gem. Easy to miss if you're not looking for it. Comfortable place to relax with coffee and light snacks from a small buffet.
Near Starbucks: Floor-to-ceiling windows behind the seating area — a great spot to sit and take in views.
Seating throughout: Across both interior and exterior spaces, the furniture quality stood out as some of the most comfortable Ilana has experienced on any cruise ship.
Main Pool Deck:
- Shallow ledge surrounding the main pool — upscale feel, good for pool games
- Light-colored flooring with sofa-style pool chairs and umbrellas — more modern and elevated than comparable ships
- One flag: With only one main pool, two hot tubs, and the two smaller Deck 8 infinity pools, capacity during peak sailings (school breaks, full ship) could be a concern. There's also no complimentary adults-only space like the Spice H2O found on other NCL ships.
Vibe Beach Club (adults-only, extra cost): Private bar, two large hot tubs, genuinely upscale atmosphere. Ilana is a fan and considers it worth the splurge for travelers who want a quiet, elevated outdoor space.
Food & Dining
A clear highlight of the sailing. Ilana described the variety as one of the ship's strongest assets — there was always somewhere to eat, including after late-night shows.
The Local — Open 24/7 for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and pub-style snacks; indoor and outdoor seating. Became Ilana's preferred breakfast spot for the outdoor seating.
Indulge Food Hall — Order via iPad at the table; dishes come out as ready. Cuisines available: Asian, Italian, tapas, plant-based, American, smokehouse. Seating inside and outside with overflow area nearby. Not traditional buffet-style, which won't suit everyone, but Ilana found it to be one of the ship's standouts.
- Favorites: Mediterranean goddess salad, guac and chips, tapas. Frank: gnocchi. Ethan: BBQ chicken.
Hudson's — Included main dining room. Elegant décor with floor-to-ceiling windows. Attended for a special christening menu — food and ambiance both praised.
Los Lobos (specialty — Mexican): Not Ilana's typical choice for specialty dining, but became a convert. Tableside guacamole, excellent service. Shrimp fajitas highly recommended. Will return.
Le Bistro (specialty — French): A longtime NCL favorite. Beautiful chandelier centerpiece. Dinner highlights: cream of mushroom soup, goat cheese croquette salad, filet mignon, artisanal cheese plate, chocolate marquee dessert. Started with Veuve Clicquot.
Other specialty restaurants not tried this sailing: Sukatai, Palomar, Onda by Scarpetta, Cagney's Steakhouse, Hasuki, Nama Sushi & Sashimi, Surfside Bar & Grill.
The Buffet (Lido): Smaller than on some other NCL ships — acknowledged upfront. Standard offerings covered: made-to-order omelets, fresh fruit, yogurt, pastries, cereals at breakfast; burgers and quick options at a secondary outdoor pool buffet at lunch. During busy times, overflow seating is managed by opening surrounding specialty restaurants. Ilana's take: with this many superior dining options available, the smaller buffet is a reasonable trade-off — though buffet-first travelers should know going in.
Entertainment
Elton John Tribute Show — Strong audience reception. Standout elements: live music quality, costumes, dancers, and creative use of LED screens and special effects.
Heiko — NCL original production; notable for acrobatic choreography.
Sid Norman Presents: A Tribute to the Eagles — Very popular with the audience.
Live music, comedians, and karaoke were also available throughout the ship across various venues.
Onboard Activities
Aqua Coaster — A hesitant Ilana (self-described "chicken" about heights) not only did it once but went back with her husband. The launch is genuinely startling — the ride itself is a lot of fun.
Drop Slide (Deck 18 to Deck 8) — Twists down the exterior of the ship. Ilana passed; Ethan did not.
Midway — Arcade games, mini golf, pickleball.
Splash Park — Available for young children.
Great Stirrup Cay — Private Island
A longtime favorite destination for Ilana. The dock infrastructure is a work in progress and expected to improve significantly over the coming months. Highlights:
- Tram available across the island
- Resort-style pool with swim-up bar and live music
- New food options beyond the standard buffet BBQ: food carts and food truck-style restaurants
- New Vibe Shore Club on the island
- Free at Sea drink package works on the island
Weather cut the visit short, but the overall impression was positive.
Who Is Norwegian Luna For?
Couples — The elevated, upscale-casual atmosphere works particularly well for two. Families — Aqua Coaster, drop slide, splash park, arcade, mini golf, pickleball, and varied dining give families plenty of range. Solo travelers — NCL's longstanding reputation for solo-friendly travel continues here. Entertainment seekers — Theater productions, live music, comedy, and karaoke offer genuine variety. Anyone who prioritizes outdoor spaces — The Deck 8 Oceanfront and Infinity areas are exceptional, especially for warm-weather itineraries.
Worth noting for: Traditional buffet lovers and passengers who want a complimentary adults-only pool area — both are limited compared to other NCL ships.
Final Verdict
Seven NCL sailings in, Ilana describes Norwegian Luna as a more modern, evolved version of what she's always appreciated about the cruise line — the relaxed feel is still there, but the design, food variety, and outdoor spaces feel genuinely elevated. The crew was notably experienced and cohesive for a brand-new ship. The attention to detail was consistent throughout.
"Anybody can be happy on Norwegian Luna — it really is a very good cruise ship."