I Sent My Mom on a Bahamas Cruise Aboard NCL’s Newest Ship…Here’s How It Went

While Norwegian is notoriously family friendly, my mom suggests, “Bring anyone who wants to relax and have fun.” In this case, she brought one of her friends for a gal’s trip featuring a “very relaxed atmosphere.”

“The buffet was the usual cruise fare featuring quality, varied choices. The restaurants had a wide variety of options as well. The Mexican restaurant Los Lobos was great, and a specialist in making guacamole came and prepared it right at our table. It was so yummy! Even though I don’t normally eat Mexican, I went with the rest of the group we met onboard, and it ended up being a great choice. The Luna also has the ‘Indulge Food Hall’ with different types of food from all over the world.”

As any cruisegoer knows, “There is no shortage of food venues,” but my mom recommends stopping by two specialty restaurants in particular: Cagney's Steakhouse and Nama Sushi.

“The cabin beds were spectacularly comfy, from the mattresses to the pillows to the comforters. Having a balcony was a very nice addition—and very relaxing!”

As a frequent cruiser, my mom has run into some room issues before, specifically there not being enough plugs for all of her devices and beauty tools. Fortunately, this wasn’t an issue on the Luna. “With the new ship, we no longer had the issue with minimal plugs in the cabin as we've run into on other ships.” It’s the little things, folks.

“They have an exclusive Vibe Beach Club—you need to reserve and get a pass—but it’s adults only! Then, for special VIPs, there is the Haven, which features its own sunbathing areas, etc.”

For the more adventurous (which is clearly not my mother), she said, “I hear the Aqua SlideCoaster is great—it’s a combination of a water slide and roller coaster all in one. I didn't venture it, but a 70-something-year-old passenger said it was fabulous!”

For those looking for some pool fun, there’s “the usual craziness at the pool like the ‘muscle man’ type of competition—it’s all in good fun. The live bands and poolside entertainment were also really enjoyable. The main pool area is large and has room for those wanting to cool off in the shade, drink in hand.”

And for the more relaxation-inclined, she says there are “nice pools and cabanas for getting some relaxation and shade. The outdoor infinity pool at the aft of the ship was lovely too.”

Speaking of relaxation, she recommends a visit to the Mandara Spa. “I did enjoy a wonderful hot stone massage at the spa—it’s certainly worth the splurge. And I loved the area adjacent to the spa with a spacious indoor pool.”

And then came my mom’s favorite part of the cruise: the entertainment.

“Rocket Man: A Celebration of Elton John was, I'm pretty sure, the best show I've seen on any cruise (and I love to cruise).” We know, Mom.

“The blend of his music at some points with his actual vocals was seamless and the show was a huge hit. It got a standing ovation by the packed audience (I was standing as they were out of seats, but it was totally worth it!).”

“And speaking of the Luna Theater, the seats actually can be removed in record time to reveal a versatile area that can be used for a big party or dancing, etc. What a great idea and use of space!”

Of course, because my mom was getting the VIP treatment this time around, she got a sneak peek backstage.

“I was privileged to be part of a group that had an NCL first: a complete behind-the-scenes look at the stage, the computers that run all of the lighting and sound, the dressing rooms…we toured everything from the ‘garage’ where they store extra set pieces to the catwalk up on top of the stage (Spoiler: Employees up there have to wear a safety helmet and are tethered so they can't get hurt if they fall).” 

What really makes the shows stand out is the attention to detail. “All of the costumes are made by NCL staff and every feather, bead and stitch is done at NCL. There is a staff member who handles the dozens and dozens of wigs and ensures all of the costume changes are ready as performers run on and off of the stage. Speaking of the stage, part of it can be electronically lowered with performers on it.”   

“We stopped at NCL's private island, Great Stirrup Cay, which is being expanded, and, though we thought it was great, it will be even better when they complete the full dock so they'll no longer need the tender system. This will allow passengers to walk right off of the ship at their private island.”

“Also, the expansion of the amenities on the island looks promising. The beach is a lovely place to relax and swim, and the new slides will be a hit!” She’s, of course, referring to the all-new Great Tides Waterpark.

“I've sailed with NCL a number of times, and I have never been disappointed. This ship is large, but not too large that it’s overwhelming or impersonal. Even though it can host more than 3,000 passengers, it is a comfortable size to see and enjoy everything without overcrowding.”

As I mentioned before, her overall review of the Luna? “NCL never disappoints!”