It's official — you've just booked your first cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line. Congratulations! Before you pack your bags and hit the seas, there are a few things you should know about your upcoming experience. Here's just a little of what you can expect during your first cruise with Norwegian.

First Day Check-In

We've designed the check-in process to go as smoothly as possible. As soon as you make it to the cruise port, porters will help you check your bags. Just remember that Norwegian has a limit of two checked bags per person, so pack light. Then, you'll head to the terminal and go through a security process that's similar to an airport. Always remember to check in online, as it greatly accelerates the time you have to wait. To make the boarding process easier on Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Sky use the Cruise Norwegian app for online check-in. Always have your travel documents, personal identification, and confirmation printout to present to the check-in agent.

You'll be assigned your stateroom key, and then all you have to do is step onboard. Once everyone is safely boarded, all passengers will participate in the muster drill. A muster drill is a mandatory safety procedure in which the crew will inform you of what to do in the event of an emergency. The process takes just a few minutes, and you can go right back to enjoying Norwegian's countless amenities once you're finished.

Easy Billing Options

Ok, you've made it on board and are enjoying everything Norwegian has to offer. But what if you want to splurge on something that's not part of your all-inclusive package? That's not a problem, thanks to Norwegian Cruise Line's easy billing options.

On the first day of your cruise, all you have to do is link a payment option to your onboard account. This could be a credit card, cash, or traveler's check. If paying by cash or traveler's check, you'll just need to put a deposit down first. After you spend the deposit, you'll be unable to charge more to your account until you top off again. This makes it easy to buy drinks, a la carte meals, or items from the gift shop.

Laid-Back Dining Atmosphere

On some cruise lines, you need to follow a strict dress code and eat only at designated times. Norwegian Cruise Line is not one of those. When you're cruising with Norwegian, you'll benefit from our freestyle cruising mindset, which lets you take better control of your journey. 

Don't feel like arranging your day around your pre-assigned dinner time? You won't have to, as we don't enforce any sort of dining curfew. Drop by whenever you're hungry and sit wherever you'd like. Our ships offer up to three main dining rooms, numerous buffets, specialty dining options, as well as in-room dining to appease even the pickiest of eaters. Best of all, you never have to dress up just to eat. If you're still in your swimsuit and shorts after a long day on the beach, you'll fit in just fine. And there’s more; coffee and desserts are available at Starbucks and Coco’s on Norwegian Bliss, plus many other ships have their own specialty shops.

Award-Winning Entertainment

Our freestyle cruising goes far beyond the dining room. We work to provide you with a freestyle entertainment experience as well by offering numerous attractions for the entire family. You'll never run out of fun things to try, including our pools with water slides, sports courts, or Wii console playable on two-story screens. Our favorite entertainment option? Throwing a strike on some of the sea's only bowling alleys. Basically, if it's something fun you like to do on land, we do our best to provide that option to you while cruising on the sea.

With freestyle cruising, you'll also have access to a number of world-class live entertainment acts, including Broadway shows, like Rock of Ages, and performances by Cirque du Soleil. Let the live music ease you into relaxation or pump you up for a night of fun. The choice is yours, and we provide as many options as possible to meet your entertainment needs.

Amenities for Days

Of course, Norwegian Cruise Line's entertainment isn't the only thing you'll get to do on the ship. There are a number of other freestyle amenities that let you take control of how you spend your time on the seas. 

Hop over to one of the 22 different bars and lounges offered on each ship, including a nightclub where you can show off your favorite dance moves. To maximize your fun, add on the Free Unlimited Open Bar option to keep the drinks rolling without emptying your pockets. If you're feeling lucky, stop by the award-winning casino to play table games, slots, and more.

If you stay up late the night before, ease into the next morning with a trip to the spa, which was rated the World's Best Cruise Spa by the World Spa Awards. Unwind your mind and body and slip into serenity with acupuncture, massages, facials, and more. When you're done, feel free to browse the numerous duty-free stores on board to grab some souvenirs for your friends at home.

The Best Time of Your Life

Let's be real — with the freestyle mindset that lets you take control of your cruise experience, how could a Norwegian cruise be anything but the best time of your life? In fact, it's going to be so great, that you might not want to leave the ship once you get to your destination. Don't worry, though — your ship will be waiting for you when you get back from your shore excursions.

Are you excited yet for cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line? You should be. Start counting down the days and your trip will be here before you know it.