Dining is one of the strongest reasons to book Norwegian Cruise Line. The line’s Freestyle Dining format removes fixed times and assigned tables, letting guests graze across multiple venues each evening. This guide covers what the experience is actually like.
If you’ve been thinking of booking a Norwegian Cruise Line holiday you may have seen the term “Freestyle Cruising” pop up quite a bit, but what exactly does that mean when it comes to dining on your next cruise? Quite simply NCL’s ethos is that you should be able to experience your cruise holiday just the way you want, with no timetables or set dining times, giving you the flexibility to enjoy your evenings however you like. This freedom means you’ll be able to try out the plethora of restaurants available to you at whichever time suits you best.
NCL Complimentary Dining
“Is food included on my cruise?” is a question we get asked a lot by first-time cruisers, and this is one question that is always very easy to answer. Quite simply, yes, all your meals on a cruise and more are included as part of your cruise fare, and this is no different with Norwegian Cruise Line. On all NCL ships you’ll find up to three Main Dining Rooms, as well as a Buffet restaurant and a variety of casual eateries. These will all be included in the price you pay for your holiday.
Main Dining Rooms
You’ll find up to three Main Dining Rooms onboard an NCL ship. If you’re looking to dress up and enjoy some fine dining this is the place to come. The menus are great, with a variety of choices, you’ll find some staple favourites as well as daily rotating specials. Many people don’t realise that the main dining rooms are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so why not skip the buffet one morning and start your day in style.
Bustling Buffets
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as pretty much every other hour of the day, you won’t be disappointed by the quality, quantity and variety of dishes available in the buffet restaurant. From hand-carved meats, made-to-order pasta and creamy curries, you’ll find something to please everyone in NCL’s buffets. Don’t forget to stop by the soft-serve ice cream station on your way out!
24 Hour Eateries
There’s no chance of going hungry onboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, if you’re craving a midnight snack head straight for The Local Pub & Grill (or O’Sheehan’s as it is called on some older NCL ships) where you can get comfort food served to you pretty much 24 hours a day! Here you’ll find popular pub grub such as fish & chips, burgers and even a classic cheesy Reuben sandwich.
NCL Speciality Dining
If you’ve taken advantage of Norwegian Cruise Line’s More at Sea promotion you’ll likely have realised that you have a speciality dining package included in your cruise, but what exactly is “speciality dining”? As well as the complimentary dining venues we’ve already discussed, NCL ships feature a number of speciality dining restaurants available at a supplement, these will either be Á la carte restaurants or restaurants with a cover charge. Of course, if you already have a speciality dining package you’ll be able to dine here without the need to pay the cover charge. From seafood to sushi, teppanyaki to tapas, there is a huge variety of cuisines for you to choose from.
Which Speciality Dining restaurants should I try on my next cruise?
Le Bistro
If you’re looking to recreate that quintessential Parisian bistro experience, with crisp white linens and flawless service then look no further than Le Bistro. Enjoy NCL’s contemporary take on classic French cuisine with dishes such as escargots à la Bourguignonne and coq au vin.
Cagney’s Steakhouse
You’ll find a Cagney’s American Steakhouse restaurant on every single NCL ship and it doesn’t take long to realise why. Serving up mouth-watering choice cuts of Angus Beef such as a traditional T-bone or tender Prime Rib, whichever steak you choose make sure to order the Parmesan truffle fries, you’ll thank us later!
Moderno Churrascaria
Let yourself be transported to South America at Moderno Churrascaria, NCL’s authentic Brazilian steakhouse which has become a favourite throughout the fleet. Make sure not to fill up on the inviting salad bar as a delicious selection of slow-roasted meats including beef, pork, lamb and chicken await, all carved tableside.
La Cucina
With large tables and a vibrant atmosphere, this Italian restaurant is the perfect venue for dinner with the whole family or a group of friends. Enjoy classic Italian pasta, pizza and mains such as Osso Buco alla Milanese. Just make sure to save room for dessert, you can’t leave without tasting the tiramisu!
Teppanyaki
An evening at Teppanyaki, NCL’s authentic Japanese Hibachi restaurant, isn’t just about the incredible food, the show-stopping chefs are the real stars of the show. Sit around a shared table as these masters slice, chop and cook steak, seafood and chicken on a large steel grill right before your eyes.
Ocean Blue
A relatively new addition to the latest NCL ships, Ocean Blue serves up the finest seafood in a sumptuous setting. Take a seat indoors, or dine al fresco on The Waterfront, and enjoy an array of fresh fish dishes. Make sure to try the pan-seared scallops served with caramelised pork belly, absolutely divine!
New Addition – Onda by Scarpetta
If you’re setting sail on NCL’s newest ship, Norwegian Encore, you’re in for a treat! Onda by Scarpetta is NCL’s latest speciality restaurant, created in partnership with LDV Hospitality who successfully run restaurants in New York, The Hamptons, Miami, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Newport and London. Here you’ll be able to experience modern Italian cuisine, “Onda” is the Italian word for wave, so expect to sample a selection of raw and cooked seafood, as well as delicious in-house-made pasta, served using fresh seasonal ingredients. If you translate “scarpetta” you’ll probably find it means little shoe, don’t worry the restaurant has nothing to do with footwear, the name actually comes from the Italian term “fare la scarpetta”. As you’re savouring the last few forkfuls of Scarpetta’s famous Spaghetti Tomato and Basil you’ll grab a piece of rustic bread to mop up the last of the delicious sauces left on your plate, this is what Italian’s call “fare la scarpetta”, it’s the ultimate sign to say you really enjoyed your meal.
Discover more Norwegian Cruise Line Dining
Browse our full range of Norwegian Cruise Line sailings or call our specialists on 020 7947 0270.
By Josh Harris. Last updated: 20 May 2026.
