Norwegian Cruise Line

I’ve sailed with Norwegian several times, but this will likely be my last unless they fix this huge mistake. Norwegian recently removed the internal messaging feature from their app the one tool that made it easy for families and groups to coordinate on the ship without paying extra. This was how parents kept track of kids, how multi-generational families met up for meals, and how friends planned activities together. Now, if you want to send a simple “meet me at the pool” message, you’re forced to buy their overpriced Wi-Fi packages. This is not just an inconvenience; it’s a serious liability for families. Ships are large and busy, and being unable to quickly contact each other without spending extra money is unacceptable. Emergencies happen. Plans change. The messaging feature was a basic, common-sense tool removing it is a blatant cash grab at the expense of passenger safety and enjoyment. Norwegian, if you’re listening, bring the free messaging back. You’ve taken something that made cruising easier, safer, and more enjoyable for families, and replaced it with a paywall. This decision shows zero consideration for your guests’ needs.

I recently used the Norwegian Cruise Line app during my cruise and was disappointed with its performance when relying on regular cellular data instead of the ship’s paid WiFi. Unfortunately, the app consistently displayed generic error messages across all key features, such as viewing the Freestyle Daily newsletter, checking booked excursions and dining reservations, or attempting to make new bookings. This made the app essentially unusable for planning or staying informed while onboard. I noticed that some users have given positive ratings, which suggests it may function well for those connected to NCL’s WiFi. However, for cruisers like myself who prefer to unplug from onboard internet (or those that want to avoid the additional costs), the app provides little to no value. It would be a significant improvement if the app could support offline access or basic functionality via cellular data, perhaps by allowing users to download cruise-specific information in advance or at embarkation. Additionally, I appreciated the app’s clean interface when it did load general information pre-cruise, but the lack of an in-app feedback feature meant I had to seek out external channels to share this experience. Incorporating a simple way to submit suggestions directly within the app could help NCL gather valuable insights and enhance the user experience for everyone. Overall, with some targeted updates, this could become a much more reliable tool for all passengers.

(Posting this review for experiences Jan/Feb 2025 for cruise sailing dates summer 2025) Our group of four has spent numerous hours trying to book excursions through the app and also the website. We have reviewed, selected, added excursions to our cart and when we attempt to purchase, we get a message that an error has occurred, and our cart has emptied by the system. So we spend more time searching for the excursion we wish to purchase. Try to add them each back to the cart and get an error, “Whoops, an error has occurred. Please try again later” or “No longer available”. We have tried to chat with representatives who tell us, “You will need to call the booking office”, but the office is unavailable. We have tried to purchase excursions at all hours of the day; hours that would be considered regular business hours, very late evening, moments after midnight, and at every hour through the night from 1:00am-7:00am. There has been NO EASE as the title of this app states and there website is no better. We have been trying to accept the glitches happen and mentally “chant“ affirmations to ourselves that we are going to have a great time. We have spent years saving for and now have spent several thousand dollars on this dream cruise but it might be our first and last time on Norwegian. We have sailed with two other cruise lines and never had a single problem with either. We are so frustrated and disappointed with Norwegian.