Norwegian Solar debuted in 2001 — a time when cruising seemed very totally different from at the moment. Nonetheless, 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 truth, perhaps about half the scale of different mega-ships on the seas at the moment — 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 excellent in dimension.
It presents all the things you may must hold you entertained throughout sea days, however not a lot that all the things is overwhelming. And, as a result of Norwegian refurbished the ship from high to backside only a few years in the past, all the things is trendy and modern.
Need to know what precisely you’ll see and expertise inside this ship? Right here’s all the things you’ll be able to count on on a Norwegian Solar cruise.
Norwegian Solar Stats
As talked about, Norwegian Solar isn’t that giant and is, in truth, 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 toes
- Visitor capability: 1,936 (double occupancy)
- Crew capability: 906
Building 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 Pleasure of Aloha.
Technically, the present Costa Cruises Costa Victoria ship was additionally a part of this class, however, in the interim, 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 primary eating rooms, pool space, spa and on line casino), and likewise added three new venues to the ship’s lineup, together with Los Lobos Cantina, Bliss Extremely Lounge and Spinnaker Lounge.
In the event you’re a frequent Norwegian Cruise Line cruiser, then you definately’re already aware of these favourite and basic Norwegian venues.
One of the crucial attention-grabbing components 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 injury. The ship shortened that individual 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 cut 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 all the staterooms characteristic a little bit of a contemporary improve, although don’t count on, 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, count on a modest sleeping space and toilet, 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 may discover in a brand new, finances resort.
Oceanview Stateroom
The oceanview staterooms provide a really comparable aesthetic, with matching decor. Nonetheless, you get far more area within the oceanview staterooms than what you’ll discover within the inside staterooms.
Anticipate a small bar space and leisure heart, with additional ground area 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 somewhat 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 e-book a balcony stateroom. These staterooms provide the identical decor selections, with the off-white partitions, and blue and grey colour palette.
Nonetheless, the general area is bigger and the outside wall is almost totally home windows, with a glass door main out to your balcony. The balconies characteristic two deck chairs, a small desk and glass railings so you’ll be able to see the ocean from almost each angle.
Suites
Suites are additional damaged down into extra choices. There are mini suites that provide about 100 extra sq. toes than what you’ll discover in a balcony stateroom. The mini suites do provide their very own balconies, sleeping area for 4 and bigger loos with tubs (which could come in useful for touring households).
Different suite choices embody penthouse suites, membership balcony suites and proprietor’s suites. Your largest choice general can be an proprietor’s suite, with greater than 800 sq. toes, separate dwelling areas and soaking tubs. Suite friends get pleasure from additional facilities, comparable 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 colour palettes, for an general extra elegant really feel.
Eating places
Norwegian Solar’s eating places are cut up into complementary and for-a-fee choices. Even when you determine that you simply don’t need to splurge on the for-a-fee eating choices, you’ll nonetheless have loads of eating places to get pleasure from throughout your cruise.
Complimentary eating places the place you’ll be able to dine without spending a dime, embody…
- The 4 Seasons Predominant Eating Room, serving modern delicacies in a big, elegant area
- The Seven Seas Predominant 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 Outdoor, for poolside buffet service and grilled gadgets
- Topsiders Bar & Grill, for extra poolside eats
Do word that you can also reap the benefits of room service on a complimentary foundation, with just a few caveats. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night fare are all obtainable without spending a dime, aside from a $9.95 room service payment and a 20% gravity and beverage payment (so, not precisely free, however almost!).
The service payment is waived for continental breakfast till 10 a.m. The payment can also be waived when you’re staying in a set that features butler service as a part of your cruising package deal.
In the event 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’ll be able to snag a drink and presumably some leisure. Try…
- The Atrium Cafe & Bar, for bar-style drinks, but additionally espresso and sweets, in case you desire a cookie along with your cocktail otherwise you’re touring with somebody who desires to skip the booze for caffeine
- Bliss Extremely Lounge, for a shiny and bumping spot to get pleasure from 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, when 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 just a few 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’ll be able to possible 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, you need 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.
Reveals 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.
Therapies on the spa
If loud music isn’t your thought of a calming time, you’ll be able to skip the theater and, as an alternative, go to the spa. The Mandara Spa & Salon presents a stunning area with huge 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 area can match almost 300 cruisers and may have you feeling as when you’re at your favourite on line casino in Vegas or one other comparable vacation spot.
Two swimming pools and 4 scorching tubs
The ship options two swimming pools in the primary pool space and 4 scorching 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 predominant 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 wish 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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Children Venues
Whilst you’re having fun with the spa and on line casino, the children 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 mother and father should attend these actions alongside their kids. No drop-offs are allowed for teenagers ages 6 months to 2 years previous.
A teen area 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, comparable to video video games.
Norwegian Solar Cruises
Able to see all the 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 injury. The ship shortened that individual 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 toes, which permits for a visitor capability of 1,936 (at double occupancy) and a crew capability of 906 crew members.
