My Personal Experience Onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Brand-New Ship the Luna: Q&A Edition

In March 2026, one of our Boscov’s Travel employees went on an inaugural cruise onboard the brand-new Norwegian Luna! Read her incredible experience below:

Norwegian Luna

Q: With Norwegian Luna being the newest Prima Plus class ship, was this your first time sailing with NCL or have you experienced their other classes? – A: This was not my first time cruising with Norwegian. My NCL journey actually started about 12 years ago when I sailed to the Bahamas on the Norwegian Breakaway with my husband’s extended family—a group ranging from an 11-month-old to 65+. More recently, in April 2025, I enjoyed a two-night preview of the Norwegian Aqua (the Luna’s sister ship), where the ship stayed docked for the event.

 Q: Where did you sail from and where did you go? – A: We sailed from Miami, Florida to Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas. On my last cruise, we actually had to skip this stop because rough seas made tendering impossible. This time, however, we finally got to experience the island thanks to the new pier—no more tendering required!

Balcony Stateroom

Balcony Stateroom

Balcony Stateroom

Q: The Luna features some upgraded stateroom designs, which category did you stay in and how was the space? – A: We stayed in a forward-facing balcony cabin and it was very spacious and well equipped. There is nice space under the bed to store your luggage and three closets (two with sliding doors and one open) to store your clothing and personal belongings. Truthfully, the bed was the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in.

Q: What did you love most about the ship? – A: I absolutely loved the decor and layout of the ship. In my opinion, the Prima Plus class is the perfect size—neither too big nor too small. Because this series was built in Italy, you can see many luxurious touches in the finishes. The dining experiences were equally impressive; the food was truly phenomenal.

Q: If you had to describe the “personality” of the Luna in just three words, what would they be? – A: Glamorous, Playful and Immersive.

Norwegian Luna Hull Art: “La Luna

Q: The hull art is stunning! Did you learn anything about the artist, ELLE, or the meaning behind the “La Luna” mural on the bow? – A: The story behind the Norwegian Luna’s hull art is fascinating. NCL commissioned world-renowned street artist ELLE to create the bow mural, titled “La Luna.” She designed the piece to represent the magnetic pull of the moon—a symbol of curiosity, emotion, and adventure. By blending dreamlike imagery with flowing cosmic shapes, the art perfectly captures the romance of the sea. If you look closely, you’ll even find intricate constellations woven into the design, serving as a beautiful tribute to the wonder of a starlit night at sea.

Hasuki

Q: Which restaurant on the Luna is a “must-visit” for future cruisers? – A: I especially loved the atmosphere at Hasuki—and the food was incredibly fresh and flavorful, too. The chef provides such fun, playful entertainment, all while preparing your dinner right before your eyes.

 Indulge Food Hall

Q: The Luna introduced new dining concepts like Sukhothai (Thai) and the Indulge Food Hall. Did you get a chance to try these new additions? – A: I was able to experience the Indulge Food Hall. Personally, the logistics of getting your food aren’t my favorite, but I loved the idea of trying dishes from different parts of the world. The food really was great.

Vibe Beach Club

Q: From the Observation Lounge to the Metropolitan Bar, where was your favorite spot to grab a signature cocktail? – A: My favorite spot for a cocktail was the Vibe Beach Club. Imagine an adults-only outdoor oasis with comfortable loungers and the sun on your face—add a Mango Meltdown in your hand, and you have the perfect, relaxing atmosphere.

Aqua Slidecoaster

Q: Let’s talk thrills! Did you brave the new Aqua Slidecoaster or The Drop dry-slide? – A: ’m always up for a little thrill, so I absolutely tried the Aqua Slidecoaster and The Drop. On the Luna, the Aqua Slidecoaster felt faster through the tunnels than the one on the Aqua, which I thought was a nice update. The Drop was also super fun—I love it when adults can feel like kids again!

ELTON: A Celebration of Elton John™

Q: Between the Broadway-style theater and the interactive venues, what was your absolute favorite entertainment experience? – A: The high-energy Elton John tribute was my favorite entertainment experience, with the Eagles tribute coming in a close second. It was really neat to see how they incorporated real footage of Elton into the show; the talent of the performers was truly exceptional.

Tee Time

Q: Was there a specific “Luna Exclusive” feature or technology you’ve never seen on any other ship before? – A: Although I didn’t get to try it myself, the Swirl Wine Bar offers a virtual reality wine tour that several people onboard raved about. I also really enjoyed the interactive mini-golf course, Tee Time, which uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) golf balls to automatically track your strokes. Another cool find: some of the bars, like the Whiskey Bar, are experimenting with ‘clear cocktails.’ They use the exact flavors of traditional drinks—so your Bloody Mary tastes authentic, but looks crystal clear!

 Q: Is there any “insider secret” about the ship that passengers might miss if they don’t know where to look? – A: I really appreciated the water bottle filling stations in the buffet—the water is actually chilled and refreshing. They’ve also upgraded the traditional buffet pizza with a wood-fire oven, which makes a huge difference in quality. One quick insider tip: the bathroom waste cans are tucked inside the cabinet doors to save space, so don’t be confused if you don’t see one on the floor!

Great Stirrup Cay Pier

Q: You mentioned you visited Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island. How has the island experience evolved with the new pier and amenities? – A: Being able to walk straight onto the island without tendering is a huge upgrade for Great Stirrup Cay, making the transition on and off the ship a total breeze. My favorite spot was the 28,000-square-foot heated pool, which features a swim-up bar and plenty of room to either swim or lounge the day away.

Pool at Great Stirrup Cay

Q: We know there’s a new tram system on the island. How easy was it to get around to places like Silver Cove or the Vibe Shore Club? – A: The tram is a great addition for getting around the island. From the welcome center, you can hop on a tram that takes you to several key locations. It’s worth noting that to reach Silver Cove or Vibe Shore Club, you currently need to transfer to a second tram. After a full day onshore, using the tram to avoid the steep incline of the bridge on the way back is a total lifesaver!

 Q: Is there anything else we did not discuss that you would like to mention? – A: Based on feedback from previous Prima-class ships, NCL made some brilliant design updates to the Norwegian Luna. They added a new exterior staircase that connects the pool deck to the top decks—a smart move that means you no longer have to cut through the buffet. They also increased the number of interior staircases to improve guest flow and accessibility. Best of all, the beloved ‘fish’ are back on the stateroom hallway carpets to help you easily find which direction is forward!

Norwegian Luna Inaugural Sailing Welcome Sign

Q: Would you sail on the Luna again? – A: Yes! I have always been a fan of the Norwegian Cruise Line brand. They consistently provide an excellent cruise vacation and a fantastic overall value.

Does this incredible experience incline you to sail on the Norwegian Luna? Your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor is ready to assist you in planning whenever you’re ready! Contact your local Boscov’s Travel or call 800-755-8020 or visit https://www.boscovstravel.com/cruises/norwegian/index.html to learn more.

 

Royal Caribbean Sails into the Future with New Technology and Guest Experiences

The following post is written by Kristin from the Boscov’s Travel Marketing Department. She recently attended an event hosted by Royal Caribbean Cruises where they announced enhancements for future travel and what cruisers can expect in the years to come.

(Photo by Diane Bondareff/ Invision for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd./AP Images)

During a presentation at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on November 9, Royal Caribbean’s Chairman and CEO Richard Fain introduced what Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited, parent company of Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara, envisions as the future of cruising by offering guests more interactive and seamless experiences both before they leave home, as they board the ship, and then as they enjoy their vacation on board.

Your phone will power your vacation all from the Sea Beyond app
With the Royal Caribbean Sea Beyond app, which debuted this past August on the Allure of the Seas, and is expected to be rolled out to 30% of RCL’s fleet by the end of 2018, you’ll be in control of your cruise experience from planning excursions, to making dinner reservations, to dimming the lights in your cabin. Royal envisions unlimited possibilities with the app, such as once you load your booking information, you can take a selfie, attach a payment method and start crafting your cruise experience, such as seeing 360 degree views of possible shore excursions. Once on board, use the app for practical purposes, such as tracking your luggage’s delivery to your room, or unlocking your door. Best part of all—the app even allows you to order drinks directly to your lounger, no matter where you are on board!
The app will also power more hi-tech encounters, allowing you to experience the ship like never before, such as discovering hidden games, information and experiences simply by pointing the camera on your app at designated spots. Posters will become games once the app is pointed towards it, and pieces of art will unfold to reveal hidden surprises.
If you don’t have a smartphone or if you’re looking for a more “disconnected” experience on your cruise vacation, don’t worry. Royal Caribbean will allow passengers traditional methods and services for making the most of your trip, allowing you to leave your chargers and phone at home or in your cabin.

Driverless cars will shuttle you to the ship in the future

Directly out of your favorite futuristic movie, Royal eventually plans on autonomous vehicles to shuttle you from parking to the ship.

Once in the terminal, facial recognition technology makes the check in process easy and efficient reducing your wait time in line, allowing you to get to the fun faster and enjoy more of your well-earned vacation time. Speaking of terminals, expect a beautiful new terminal from Royal Caribbean in Miami in fall of 2018.

Robots will shake (or stir) things up at sea
Royal envisions their bionic robotic bartender arms can do more than just stir your favorite cocktail! Already outfitted in the popular Bionic Bars on the

Harmony, Quantum, Anthem and Ovation of the Seas, the bionic arms, which craft and deliver cocktails to guests, brought an entertaining mix of visual movement synched with lights and music. Royal envisions that their robotic arms could be harnessed in the future for entertainment and more aboard your favorite ship.

Floating on bubbles will deliver a smoother and more efficient cruise experience

A view of a virtual Royal Caribbean ship sails on hulls coated with precisely sized micro bubbles to improve fuel efficiency and reduce propeller noise.(Photo by Diane Bondareff/ Invision for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd./AP Images)

With a focus on energy-efficient solutions to minimize environmental impact, Royal also highlighted their new fuel cell technology and “air lubrication system.” According to their website, fuel cells reduce ship emissions with minimal negative effects on the environment while the air lubrication system coats the bottom of the ship with microscopic bubbles leading to less resistance with the current.

In the future, technology will create the perfect environment inside your cabin
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity’s vision of a future cabin comes complete with a digital sky, floor and artwork, bringing guests closer to nature. Stuck in an inside cabin? Turn on the channel showing the weather outside and local scenery. Weather a little less than stellar in your balcony cabin? Switch to the channel with the rainforest or switch back to the sunny weather from yesterday. Ready to mix it up? Fall asleep to the pitter patter of rainfall on lush leaves in the rainforest.

It’s impressive to see where the cruise industry is headed. By the end of the experience, it became evident that Royal wants to deliver an experience allowing each guest more time to relax. The company will begin rolling out these features this year and guests will experience increased integration with technology fleet wide by 2019.
To check out more details from the event, please visit: http://www.rclcorporate.com/rcl-seabeyond/

If you’re ready to start planning your next cruise, email [email protected] or call 800-755-8020.

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