Norwegian Solar debuted in 2001 — a time when cruising appeared very completely different from immediately. Nevertheless, regardless of this ship’s age, it’s benefited from substantial renovations over its life.
These renovations have introduced the ship as much as the trendy period and make it interesting to even the pickiest present cruisers, together with those that weren’t even born when the ship made its first look.
Certain, this ship is probably not the biggest at your favourite cruise port and, in actual fact, possibly about half the scale of different mega-ships on the seas immediately — however that’s a profit.
For a lot of new cruisers, particularly those that don’t want all these frilly, fancy facilities like VR gaming facilities or rock-climbing partitions, or browsing simulators, the ship is good in measurement.
It presents every little thing you would possibly have to maintain you entertained throughout sea days, however not a lot that every little thing is overwhelming. And, as a result of Norwegian refurbished the ship from high to backside only a few years in the past, every little thing is trendy and modern.
Wish to know what precisely you’ll see and expertise inside this ship? Right here’s every little thing you possibly can anticipate on a Norwegian Solar cruise.
Norwegian Solar Stats
As talked about, Norwegian Solar isn’t that enormous and is, in actual fact, even smaller than its sister ship, Norwegian Star. In comparison with most ships, it’s on the modest facet.
- Gross Tonnage: 78,309
- Size: 848 ft
- Visitor capability: 1,936 (double occupancy)
- Crew capability: 906
Development and Historical past
Norwegian Solar first sailed the excessive seas in 2001, when Norwegian Cruise Line debuted this Solar-class ship together with its sister ship Norwegian Star in a joint Miami christening ceremony. The ship was constructed by Lloyd Werft in Germany.
The Norwegian Solar cruise ship is the final member of the cruise line’s Solar class, which additionally contains Norwegian Star and Norwegian Sky, which debuted in 1999 earlier than being rebranded as Satisfaction of Aloha.
Technically, the present Costa Cruises Costa Victoria ship was additionally a part of this class, however, in the intervening time, Norwegian Cruise Line solely considers Norwegian Solar and Norwegian Sky as Solar-class ships.
Most just lately, Norwegian Solar underwent expansive refurbishments, in 2018, as a part of the Norwegian Edge refurbishment program.
The three-week course of gave new life to all staterooms and public areas (together with the principle eating rooms, pool space, spa and on line casino), and in addition added three new venues to the ship’s lineup, together with Los Lobos Cantina, Bliss Extremely Lounge and Spinnaker Lounge.
Should you’re a frequent Norwegian Cruise Line cruiser, then you definitely’re already acquainted with these favourite and basic Norwegian venues.
Probably the most attention-grabbing parts in Norwegian Solar’s historical past is an incident that occurred in June 2022. The ship was crusing alongside the Alaskan coast when it collided with an iceberg off the Hubbard Glacier.
Fortunately, the collision didn’t trigger any substantial harm. The ship shortened that specific itinerary, after which, as soon as the ship was docked, it underwent two weeks of repairs earlier than resuming service.
Staterooms and Suites
Norwegian Solar staterooms and suites are break up into the next classes:
- Inside staterooms
- Ocean-view staterooms
- Balcony staterooms
- Mini suites
- Proprietor’s suites
- Penthouse suites
- Membership balcony suites
You’ll discover that the entire staterooms function a little bit of a contemporary improve, although don’t anticipate, particularly within the extra economically pleasant choices, something over-the-top luxurious. Whereas Norwegian Cruise Line did replace its lodging, it’s very uncommon {that a} cruise ship’s refurbishment can match the brand new luxurious of a contemporary mega-ship.
Inside Stateroom
Within the inside staterooms, anticipate a modest sleeping space and loo, plus a small sitting space and TV. Whereas the partitions are nonetheless a bit dated with an off-white hue and wooden paneling, the extra trendy blue and grey tones discovered all through the bedding, seating space and art work give the areas an improve. Assume an analogous expertise to what you would possibly discover in a brand new, funds lodge.
Oceanview Stateroom
The oceanview staterooms provide a really comparable aesthetic, with matching decor. Nevertheless, you get rather more house within the oceanview staterooms than what you’ll discover within the inside staterooms.
Anticipate a small bar space and leisure heart, with further flooring house across the sitting space. Sadly, the ocean views aren’t that spectacular. They’re principally restricted to a small window close to the sitting space, and the home windows are relatively excessive up on the wall.
Balcony Stateroom
For an expertise nearest to what you’ll discover on a contemporary, newer cruise ship, you’ll need to guide a balcony stateroom. These staterooms provide the identical decor selections, with the off-white partitions, and blue and grey coloration palette.
Nevertheless, the general house is bigger and the outside wall is sort of completely home windows, with a glass door main out to your balcony. The balconies function two deck chairs, a small desk and glass railings so you possibly can see the ocean from almost each angle.
Suites
Suites are additional damaged down into extra choices. There are mini suites that supply about 100 extra sq. ft than what you’ll discover in a balcony stateroom. The mini suites do provide their very own balconies, sleeping house for 4 and bigger loos with tubs (which could turn out to be useful for touring households).
Different suite choices embody penthouse suites, membership balcony suites and proprietor’s suites. Your largest choice general could be an proprietor’s suite, with greater than 800 sq. ft, separate dwelling areas and soaking tubs. Suite company take pleasure in further facilities, equivalent to butler service.
Learn Additionally: Norwegian Cruise Line Haven – What You Have to Know
The suite decor is extra trendy than the final stateroom decor. You’ll nonetheless discover the off-white partitions, shiny wooden paneling and may lights, however you’ll additionally get darker, brown, grey and gold coloration palettes, for an general extra elegant really feel.
Eating places
Norwegian Solar’s eating places are break up into complementary and for-a-fee choices. Even in case you resolve that you simply don’t need to splurge on the for-a-fee eating choices, you’ll nonetheless have loads of eating places to take pleasure in throughout your cruise.
Complimentary eating places the place you possibly can dine without spending a dime, embody…
- The 4 Seasons Fundamental Eating Room, serving up to date delicacies in a big, elegant house
- The Seven Seas Fundamental Eating Room, providing conventional cruising fare
- The Sports activities Bar, for pub fare, beer and cocktails and sports activities on the TV
- The Backyard Cafe, to your typical cruise ship buffet expertise
- The Nice Open air, for poolside buffet service and grilled gadgets
- Topsiders Bar & Grill, for extra poolside eats
Do word that you can also benefit from room service on a complimentary foundation, with a couple of caveats. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night fare are all out there without spending a dime, apart from a $9.95 room service charge and a 20% gravity and beverage charge (so, not precisely free, however almost!).
The service charge is waived for continental breakfast till 10 a.m. The charge can be waived in case you’re staying in a set that features butler service as a part of your cruising package deal.
Should you do need to splurge on some for-a-fee eating, your restaurant choices will embody…
- Los Lobos Cantina, a Mexican restaurant serving all of your conventional favorites
- Moderno Churrascaria, a Brazilian eatery with a 43-item salad bar and 12 meat choices
- La Cucina, for Italian eats in a family-friendly setting
- The Atrium Cafe, for candy treats and occasional choices within the coronary heart of the ship
- Cagney’s Steakhouse, for steakhouse-style menus
- Le Bistro, for French delicacies and an upscale eating expertise
- The Sushi Bar, serving — what else? — sushi
- Teppanyaki, the cruise ship’s Japanese restaurant with a facet of leisure
Bars and Lounges
Norwegian Solar additionally presents a wide range of bars and lounges the place you possibly can snag a drink and presumably some leisure. Take a look at…
- The Atrium Cafe & Bar, for bar-style drinks, but additionally espresso and sweets, in case you need a cookie along with your cocktail otherwise you’re touring with somebody who needs to skip the booze for caffeine
- Bliss Extremely Lounge, for a brilliant and bumping spot to take pleasure in music and drinks
- Champs Bar, for drinks close to the ship’s out of doors sports activities areas and health heart
- Los Lobos Cantina, for margaritas alongside your Mexican eats (or simply margaritas, in case you’re not hungry but!)
- Spinnaker Lounge, for nightly leisure and dancing
- The Sports activities Bar, for beer and different drinks as you watch the large recreation
- The Solar On line casino Bar, for a couple of drinks alongside along with your favourite playing video games
- The Champagne Bar, for Champagne, clearly, but additionally small bites like caviar and foie gras
- Windjammer Bar for martinis, piano units and different nightly leisure
- The Topsiders Bar, for beach-y drinks close to the pool
As you possibly can doubtless inform, you’ll by no means go thirsty aboard Norwegian Solar!
Actions and Leisure
Whereas clearly nice staterooms, eating and the variety of watering holes could make or break a cruising expertise, it’s important to have extra to do throughout your cruise than simply eat and drink. To maintain you busy the remainder of the time, listed below are Norwegian Solar’s high actions and leisure choices.
Exhibits within the theater
The cruise ship boasts a two-deck theater that gives your commonplace cruise ship big-theater fare. Assume tribute bands and choreographed dance performances. Tickets are complimentary.
Remedies on the spa
If loud music isn’t your thought of a soothing time, you possibly can skip the theater and, as an alternative, go to the spa. The Mandara Spa & Salon presents a beautiful house with vast ocean views and all of your favourite typical spa remedies.
Playing within the on line casino
The ship’s on line casino options all of your favourite slots and desk video games. The large house can match almost 300 cruisers and could have you feeling as in case you’re at your favourite on line casino in Vegas or one other comparable vacation spot.
Two swimming pools and 4 sizzling tubs
The ship options two swimming pools in the principle pool space and 4 sizzling tubs, in addition to a big number of solar loungers each across the pool and on an higher deck overlooking the pool.
Along with the 2 foremost swimming pools, there’s additionally a youngsters pool on Deck 12 that’s designed with toddler-age youngsters in thoughts.
The sports activities courtroom
There’s additionally a sports activities courtroom on Deck 12 with actions like shuffleboard, desk tennis, basketball and volleyball, in case you’d prefer to problem your fellow cruisers to a pleasant competitors otherwise you need to work up a sweat with out hitting the on-board fitness center.
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Youngsters Venues
When you’re having fun with the spa and on line casino, the youngsters want one thing to do, proper? They’ll discover loads of enjoyable on the ship’s number of youngsters’ venues.
Splash Academy is the place for the smallest cruisers to go, with actions deliberate for kids ages 3 to 12 (kids are divided into three teams relying on age).
There are additionally actions for youthful kids, below 3, however dad and mom should attend these actions alongside their kids. No drop-offs are allowed for youths ages 6 months to 2 years outdated.
A teen house is obtainable within the Entourage teen heart, for cruisers ages 13 to 17. The middle presents numerous programming, but additionally loads of facilities which can be going to attraction to youngsters of that age, equivalent to video video games.
Norwegian Solar Cruises
Able to see the entire above for your self? Hop on an upcoming Norwegian Solar cruise!
Norwegian Solar FAQ
Sure! In June 2022, the ship was crusing alongside the Alaskan coast when it collided with an iceberg off the Hubbard Glacier. Fortunately, the collision didn’t trigger any substantial harm. The ship shortened that specific itinerary after which, as soon as the ship was docked, it underwent two weeks of repairs earlier than resuming service.
Norwegian Solar first sailed the excessive seas in 2001, when Norwegian Cruise Line debuted this Solar-class ship together with its sister ship Norwegian Star in a joint Miami christening ceremony.
Norwegian Solar measures in at a weight of 78,309 GT and a size of 848 ft, which permits for a visitor capability of 1,936 (at double occupancy) and a crew capability of 906 crew members.
