Type A personalities beware!  If you are the regimented type wanting silver spoon service, “freestyling” may be too casual for you.  What is “freestyling?”  Freestyle cruising is what Norwegian Cruise Line is offering as a way of re-inventing the wheel.  As one past cruiser said, “NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) is trying to be all things to all people.”  That can be a very thin tightrope to walk.  Many long time passengers of NCL have found they like the new style of “do your own thing.”  While in the majority of positive reviews toward “freestyling,” some cruisers say, “too lax!”  Isn’t that the American way?  Elvis sang, “I did it my way.”   Secretly, we all want life our own way.  So why the stress over “freestyling?” http://cruisemates.com/articles/reviews/ncl

Norwegian Cruise Lines has been one company who has survived many financial and strategic changes.  Known for lower cost cruises, this company has ventured out to include voyages to the New England and Canadian areas, frequent sails to Alaska, Hawaii, and Bermuda.   After 9/11 another great initiative from NCL was to offer the Norwegian Dawn to New York for frequent Bahamas/Florida cruises.  These itineraries include port calls to Port Canaveral and Miami Florida, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas, and Florida Golf at premier courses.  Besides the Bahamas/Florida initiative, “NCL America” was birthed, which incorporates Hawaii as a major destination.  “Freestyle” cruises are the backbone of NCL’s new re-invention. 

What is a “freestyle” cruise?  You choose where to dine, when to dine, and with whom, while freely choosing to dress “resort casual” (slacks, pants, and collared shirts for men, slacks, shirts, dresses, and skirts for women).  Feel free to dress formal if you choose.  It’s all about choices.  Now, where have I heard that before?  NCL restaurants open for dinner from 5:30 pm through midnight with seating available until 10:00 pm.  This could mean waiting in line until you gather the expertise to know when the crowd has thinned out.  Again, for type A’s, there are restaurants where reservations can be made, you can choose to eat at the same table each night, at the same time, and be served by the same waiter staff knowing the Maitre’ d will learn your name and attend to your desires.  Repeat – the choice is yours!  You must know some restaurants charge cover fees or surcharges while the “main dining” rooms do not.  Many people enjoy having choices like these and don’t mind paying the additional fees.  While other cruise lines do not offer this experience, those who have never sailed on NCL, especially Norwegian Dawn, may find this type of informality just too disturbing.

NCL has done a good job of trying to find a happy medium for those who cruise.  Unless you are a die-hard type A, a cruise on the Norwegian Dawn might be a suitable alternative to those formal attire nights!  I’d go for “freestyling.”  No more spiked heels or formal dresses to stiff to move in and breathe, nor watching neckties dangle in the gravy.  Just how much fun will it be?  Lots!!! 

Shore excursions are still the same. http://www.ncl.com/shorex/index.htm#  Purchase your excursion ahead of time or at the ship’s reservation desk, or spend your time freely roaming about the port on your own.  The kid’s program still offers programs to keep little ones busy and happy, which in turn makes momma happy, and remember if she is happy “everybody is happy!”  The interesting side to the kid’s program is a beeper system where mom or dad is beeped to come and change a diaper.   Fitness programs abound on the NCL ships.  Courts are available for volleyball, basketball, and tracks for jogging are available.  Entertainment is considered a good.

Norwegian Cruise Line www.ncl.com  has since converted Norwegian Wind, Norwegian Dream, Norwegian Majesty, Norwegian Sea and Norwegian Crown to the “freestyle” program.  Adding additional dining options helped make this transition.  Whether you’re a traditionalist or non-conformist, NCL cruises has the ability to cater to your personality type and style.  Happy Traveling!

(Photos courtesy of Google Images, Stock.xchange.com, and Norwegian Cruise Line)