MANILA, Philippines – Going on a cruise wasn’t really on my vacation radar.
The idea of being at sea for weeks — paired with a tendency for motion sickness and a small, irrational fear of disaster movies — wasn’t something I was 100% on board with (the hefty price tag included).
But my recent sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) changed my entire perception.
After 11 days on board, I think I get it now — the appeal, allure, and addictiveness of hopping on a cruise and letting it take you around the world (well, in our case, Asia), in the comforts of understated luxury.
All aboard the Norwegian Spirit! NCL’s mid-sized, recently renovated vessel that took us and thousands of other guests from Seoul to Jeju Island, then Fukuoka, Beppu, Hiroshima, Kochi, Himeji, Wakayama, Shimizu, Nagoya, and finally, Tokyo — all in 11 days.
The unique selling proposition of a cruise is that every day is a new stop — falling asleep and waking up to the sight of a brand-new port terminal and city hours later is an experience that Type B travelers (like me) would appreciate; it’s basically like a moving hotel, with seaviews for days.
In our case, disembarkation time was at 8-9 am most of the time, and we had half a day to spend in the city until our call time back to the ship (usually 4-5 pm), which was usually before dusk. My worst fear is getting left behind by the ship, so we always made it a point to be back at the port an hour before.
But for those who wished to stay on the ship, understandable — there was so much to do, it could even be overwhelming at times! I had moments where I wanted to split my body in half, exploring the city of Nagoya while being able to crush the Japanese cuisine trivia game on the ship.
Just the idea that there was a whole new city to explore outside every day — but also plenty to do onboard — was so novel and exciting to me.
Ports of call, check-ins, and what to expect
For our 11-day Asia cruise, the port of entry was in Seoul, South Korea. We flew in a day earlier and took a taxi from our hotel in Hongdae to the Incheon Cruise Terminal the next day (we chose a 1 pm check-in slot via NCL’s check-in registration email).
Check-in was surprisingly smooth and even quicker than at the airport — we handed over our luggage to the crew, tagged with the pre-printed labels NCL had emailed us a few days prior.
We went through the standard passport and visa checks, got our cruise cards, and headed straight into the gangway conveniently linked to the ship, greeted by hot or cold towels (depending on the weather — such a thoughtful touch) and warm smiles from the NCL crew.
Our check-in bags were magically delivered outside our stateroom door later that afternoon.
Each guest is issued a cruise card — your lifeline on board. It served as our room key, wallet, and ID. Mine was linked to my credit card, which covered any purchases beyond my onboard credits. We needed to scan it every time we entered or left the ship, and to dine, shop, or enter our stateroom.
Another helpful feature from NCL is the daily flyers and brochures slipped under your door each afternoon, detailing the next day’s schedule — ship events, dock times, promos, sales, dining specials, and entertainment shows.
NCL provides free shuttle buses in most ports, making it easy to get from the terminal to the nearest city center or station and back. It’s a thoughtful perk that takes the guesswork out of getting around, though we often chose to walk or find our way via taxi and/or train, especially when shuttle lines got long. We always brought our passports and NCL cards with us, as each port has its own immigration process going in and out.
They also offer curated shore excursions, from half-day heritage walks to cultural activities. We opted to explore on our own, since the pre-arranged tours were a bit pricey at around $150 to $200 per head, and didn’t want to feel confined to a time. But for those who want stress-free, guided experiences, the pre-arranged tours are a convenient option.
Holy ship! Things to do, places to visit onboard
The Norwegian Spirit may be called a “modest-sized” ship by NCL standards, but for us first-timers, it was massive and impressive. Boredom wasn’t an option; there was just so much to do (or not do!) around the ship.
NCL — founded in 1966 as Norwegian Caribbean Line and rebranded in 1987 — pioneered the “Freestyle Cruising” concept in 2000. Unlike traditional cruise lines with fixed dining schedules, assigned seating, and formal dress codes, NCL is all about freedom, flexibility, and casual fun. You can eat when and where you want, dress comfortably, and choose how to spend your time, whether you’re a laid-back, lively, or family-oriented traveler.
Off the bat, we could tell it was a premium cruise line that wasn’t trying too hard — not tacky, not over-the-top luxurious, but clean, classy, modern but classic, and thoughtfully designed, and with the guest experience at the center.
The ship has over 12 decks. The Atrium (Deck 7) is the main hub, home to Guest Services, reservations, Shore Excursions (curated day tours), and a Starbucks kiosk (get the Unlimited Starbucks package if you’re big on coffee).
Around the Atrium, daily activities keep things lively: trivia nights, game shows, sudoku competitions, Nintendo Switch tournaments, and live performances on the giant screen. One deck above, you’ll find Magnum’s Champagne Bar and cozy lounge chairs that overlook the Atrium.
On the same deck (Deck 8), there are specialty jewelry boutiques, a duty-free shop, and even some designer brand stores.
We found ourselves frequently returning to the Spinnaker Lounge, a panoramic space at the ship’s front with sweeping views of the ocean. During the day, it’s a chill hangout spot; at night, it transforms into a full-on event venue, hosting themed parties like glow-in-the-dark Zumba nights, line dancing, “Thriller” dance lessons, ABBA nights, game show competitions, and live band performances.
If you avail of the More at Sea package, it’s open bar at any location for guests — free-flowing cocktails, beers, wines, and spirits any time of day, across the Norwegian Spirit’s 12 bars and lounges, each with its own distinct vibes and ambiance to match.
There’s also a casino, an art gallery with auctions, a tax-free photo and souvenir shop, and a photography studio on board.
There’s also a well-equipped Pulse Fitness Center with floor-to-ceiling windows — ideal for people who want to run on the treadmill or lift weights while enjoying the view. Yoga and other wellness classes are hosted in a private studio next door.
And let’s not forget NCL’s onboard spa and salon, Mandara Spa, which offers a wide range of treatments — from massages (which were expertly done) and facials to acupuncture, pedicures, foot spas, and even non-invasive aesthetic procedures and free doctor consultations, all with serene ocean views.
What the deck
The top deck, Deck 13, is where many guests spend their afternoons. The Waves Pool is surrounded by sun-bathing loungers and a lively poolside bar, and this is also where the ship’s welcome party is held — complete with cruise staff leading group Zumba and line dances while guests join in, cocktails in hand from the outdoor Biergarten bar.
It was also our favorite place to watch the sunset as the boat slowly sailed away from the port, cool breeze whipping through our hair.
Up top, there’s also a jogging track that snakes around the ship, a basketball court, mini golf, and table tennis.
Spice H2O, a more laid-back pool area at the ship’s rear, offers sweeping sunset views and a place to chill, quite literally — it does get pretty chilly up here come evening.
Nearby is Garden Café, the all-day buffet restaurant that connects to the deck so you can eat with a breeze and a view.
And in the evenings, the Stardust Theater transforms into a Broadway-style show venue — we caught a fun magic act and dance performances.
Room with a view
We stayed at a Balcony Stateroom on Deck 10, which turned out to be just the right size for two people — although, to be honest, it was a bit of a challenge figuring out where to lay down our suitcases and the impending pile of shopping bags!
The room, however, was cozy, compact, and clean — everything we needed, and nothing we didn’t. If you have the budget to spare, I’d still recommend this over a regular inside or oceanview cabin, if not for the balcony views alone.
While we didn’t go for a suite (this is more for large groups), the private balcony made all the difference — we’d start mornings there, admiring the new port views, and end the day stargazing or listening to the waves in silence. It became a favorite spot to wind down after hours of exploring.
The bed and pillows were hotel-level comfy, and the bathroom was more spacious than I expected for a cruise cabin. Toiletries were regularly refilled, and there was a small fridge, a modest-sized closet, and a flatscreen TV that played a lineup of family-friendly movies and a channel version of NCL’s daily itineraries.
What stood out was the impeccable housekeeping. Our assigned attendant was consistent and detailed — our room was always spotless, and we’d often return to surprises like chocolate-covered strawberries, canapés, or confectioneries laid out neatly on our table.
WiFi-wise, it was fast and powered by Starlink and available all over the ship for a packaged price, depending on how many minutes you need for the cruise.
Foodie heaven
One of the best parts of the trip? The food — unlimited, diverse, and included in our fare. Yes, it was free. The idea of ordering anything we wanted from the menu boggled our cruise-newbie minds.
NCL is known for its award-winning dining (this vessel has over 10 dining options), and even its complimentary restaurants delivered well in terms of consistent quality and variety. The Local Bar & Grill on Deck 7 — which was open 24/7 — became our go-to for late-night bites, serving wings and burgers to hot dogs and sandwiches.
Windows and Taste — two of the main dining rooms — provided sit-down meals with rotating menus in classy, chandelier-lit, white tablecloth settings.
Garden Café was the heart of it all: a buffet that changed daily depending on the theme — from Mediterranean and barbecue to Asian nights — but always had staple comfort food like crispy bacon, fries, pasta, pizza, salads, fresh bread, charcuterie, ice cream, fresh fruits, crepes, and a burger station.
There are also specialty restaurants for elevated dining experiences at an additional price — Onda by Scarpetta served refined Italian fare, Le Bistro delivered on French classics, and Cagney’s Steakhouse was as classic as steakhouses come. There was also Silk for Asian cuisine, plus a sushi bar and interactive teppanyaki tables.
Of course, there’s room service, and conveniently, tea, coffee, and water were available for free on Deck 13 almost 24/7 — a small but appreciated touch.
Final thoughts: Convert or critic?
Check-out after the 11-day journey was just as smooth as embarkation.
There were no long lines or stressful procedures — we just brought our luggage down to the gangway and walked off. Any remaining charges were automatically billed to the credit card we had linked on day one — no fuss and no waiting times.
After almost two weeks on the Norwegian Spirit, what I appreciated most was how seamless and well thought-out everything was. We barely had to call the concierge — they thought of everything ahead of time.
The definition of “world-class service” made more sense to me — maybe I’m biased because 80% of the NCL crew is Filipino, but almost everyone who served us exuded well-trained and genuine hospitality. There was attentive staff almost everywhere (but not to the point that it feels overbearing), we went, reminding us that the bulk of a great experience is fueled by the efforts of hardworking people from around the world.
The excursions per stop sometimes felt too short, but I understand now that’s the charm of cruising: you get to dip your toes in different waters, visiting multiple cities and countries in a compressed amount of time and deciding afterwards where you’d like to return. Figuratively and literally, you’re testing the waters.
Being surrounded by different cultures onboard, then waking up in Japan the next day, was a bit surreal and quite magical. You’re rocked to a different city every day, without having to think about transport, hotels, or logistics. Just pack your bags once, and let the ship do the work.
And yes, I did feel a bit of motion sickness on the first day (nothing a little medicine couldn’t fix), and again on one rainy evening when the waters got a little choppy — but I eventually got used to it. For anyone hesitant about cruises, I barely felt like we were at sea most of the time! And on the few moments I did, it wasn’t fear I felt, but awe — that something this massive and luxurious could float so steadily on water.
For first-timers like me, NCL felt like the ideal way to ease into cruise life — tourist-friendly, family-ready, and designed for all kinds of travelers. The Norwegian Spirit’s mid-sized and casual charm never felt overwhelming; if anything, it left us even more curious to see what the bigger ships have in store.
On our last day, it was sad to say goodbye to our new-found routine and home for 11 days — waking up, exploring, and coming back to a clean room, a good dinner, and a night of entertainment or rest, ending with the exciting promise of another place to discover and fall in love with tomorrow.
Safe to say, I sea the vision — and I hope I’ll be able to save up for another cruise experience in the future. – Rappler.com
Based in Miami, Florida, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) operates a fleet of 20 contemporary ships that sail to hundreds of destinations across seven continents.
Disclaimer: While the cruise was sponsored by NCL, this article remains purely editorial.