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I stayed in a $2,850-per-person balcony cabin on Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship. Here’s what it’s like.

If you have $2,850 to spend, you could buy a Prada Re-Edition Saffiano purse, a 16-inch MacBook Pro, or an Hermès Bearn mini wallet.

Or, if you prefer spending your money on experiences rather than products, you could book yourself a balcony cabin on Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, the 3,565-guest Norwegian Luna.

Norwegian Luna, the sister vessel of its predecessor, Norwegian Aqua, is outfitted with family-fun amenities like a hybrid rollercoaster-waterslide and a high-tech mini-golf course, as well as grown-up-friendly spaces like an outdoor adults-only lounge and a wine bar.

But at the end of the day, when you need a break from all these activities, your stateroom will be the most important space on board.

For me, that was an aft balcony cabin on the 10th deck, which Norwegian assigned me for the new vessel’s complimentary three-night non-revenue test cruise in late March.

Balcony cabins can be $2,000 more expensive (per person) than the cheapest inside cabins.

Norwegian Luna has a variety of cabins.

Brittany Chang

At the time of writing, the least-expensive inside cabins for Norwegian Luna’s 2026 itineraries start at about $850 per person for a seven-day cruise from Miami to Harvest Caye (the company’s private Belize island); Cozumel, Mexico; and Roatán, Honduras.

On the same itinerary, a balcony cabin starts at $2,850 per person, or about $410 per person per day.

As with any cruise, these costs include meals at onboard restaurants, several amenities, and the opportunity to visit multiple destinations in one voyage.

The balcony felt private and big enough for the basics, but mine wasn’t always quiet.


View of balcony doors in room on Norwegian Luna

The peacefulness of your balcony area may depend on where your cabin is.

Brittany Chang

Balcony cabins range from 231 to 358 square feet, according to Norwegian.

The outdoor area, separated from the room by heavy glass doors, ranges from about 45 to 69 square feet, providing just enough room for two chairs and a small side table, although not much else.

It’s not the most spacious balcony, but it’s great for a morning coffee or a seated afternoon read.

However, depending on where your cabin is located, you shouldn’t expect a quiet atmosphere. My stateroom, 10234, had expansive ocean views but was perched above Ocean Boulevard, the ship’s outdoor wrap-around walkway and lounge.

When I left my sliding door open, I could hear the loud chatter and conversations from the people below.

In terms of the cabin itself, a queen bed is the star of the space.


View of bed, baclony door  in room on Norwegian Luna

The queen bed sits just beyond the glass sliding doors.

Brittany Chang

Past the sliding glass doors, you’ll find a queen bed.

The bed — flanked by nightstands with lights and outlets — is perched across from the television screen, which is preset with a handful of paid and complimentary movies, shows, and television stations (the latter is mostly news channels and Norwegian programming).

If you need to sleep more than two people, you can book a family balcony cabin with a pull-out sofa bed.


Couch with side table with lamp in room on Norwegian Luna

The couch is comfortable, too.

Brittany Chang

Traveling with more than two people? Some of the balcony cabins also have a pull-out sofa bed that can sleep an additional two travelers.

The lounge seating is located next to the bed, separated only by the nightstand. Despite being multipurpose, the sofa is firm with just enough give to feel comfortable.

The sofa is across from the desk area.


Desk/vanity area with tissue box, phone in room on Norwegian Luna

The desk area has lots of lighting and a mirror for those who want to get ready there.

Brittany Chang

There’s no coffee table, but there is a desk with a small backless seat and wall-mounted shelves for additional storage.

For remote workers, there are plenty of outlets and countertop space for a laptop. For vacationers, this desk doubles as a great vanity with a light-up mirror.

It also hides the mini-refrigerator, although you’ll have to pay extra for the drinks inside.

For additional storage, turn to the closets.


Mirrored closet doors with hangers visible inside

I found a few hangers in the closet area.

Brittany Chang

The storage section has two units: a large closet with sliding doors and automatic lights, and a smaller section with vertical space for hanging long dresses and suits.

Both halves have pull-down shelves for storing luggage and bags. If you want to put away smaller clothing items, use the larger closet, which has plenty of built-in shelves and hangers (it’s also where you’ll find the room’s safe).

The adjacent wall has a staggered row of hooks, perfect for hanging grab-and-go essentials like jackets and bags.

The closet is across from the bathroom, which features a large shower.


Bathroomwith large sink, shelving  in room on Norwegian Luna

The bathroom felt like most others I’ve seen on cruises.

Brittany Chang

A narrow walkway separates the closet from the bathroom, which has all the core basics. Expect traditional cruise bathroom amenities: a toilet, a large sink, shelves, drawers, and a shower.

I’ve been in plenty of cramped cruise cabin bathrooms, where a scalp scrub comes with a few elbows to the wall. That wasn’t the case here.

Surprisingly, I had no issue with this shower: It was wide and spacious (for my 5-foot, 4-inch frame), with a retractable pull-out drying line to hang post-pool swimwear.

If you have a strict shower routine, be sure to pack your own toiletries.


Shampoo and soap dispensers in shower

The shower is surprisingly spacious.

Brittany Chang

The bathroom comes with wall-mounted hand soap, body wash, and two-in-one shampoo and conditioner — no body lotion, separate hair conditioner, or dental hygiene products.

As far as two-in-one products go, the joint shampoo and conditioner was fine. Did it leave my hair feeling as smooth as a traditional hair conditioner? No. Did it help with some detangling? Yes.

That said, most mass-market cruise lines don’t provide hair conditioner, anyway, and it’s easy enough to pack your own.

In terms of room decor, the space is very simple.


backlit headboard in room on Norwegian Luna

The room felt pretty simple.

Brittany Chang

The cabin is outfitted with ambient lights that surround the accent wall, modern bedside light fixtures that add a warm glow, and two simple decorative sofa pillows.

Generally, the space’s design is inoffensive, basic, and light, creating a clean, bright ambiance. Expect neutral hues of browns and blues, much like the rest of the ship.

Overall, Luna’s stateroom plays it safe with the minimal decor and comfortable amenities, but that’s not a bad thing.


View of vanity area, couch, doorway in room on Norwegian Luna

Ultimately, this room is worth the cost if you want a private outdoor space and a calm, simple cabin.

Brittany Chang

Is a balcony worth the additional $2,000-per-person cost? If your priority is having access to a private, open-air space with ocean views, then yes.

It’s comparable in size to most mass-market balcony cabins — and it wasn’t as gaudy as Norwegian Prima’s balcony stateroom, thanks in part to the more simplistic wall decor on Luna.

It’s the perfect peaceful retreat from the rest of the ship, so long as you remember to pack your own body lotion and select a cabin overlooking a quieter space.




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Amanda Goh

The newest villain in ‘Toy Story’ isn’t a toy — it’s screen time

When “Toy Story” premiered in 1995, the enemy was plastic. In its latest chapter, it’s pixels.

More than 30 years after Woody worried about being replaced by Buzz Lightyear, the franchise is ready to take on a bigger threat: the screen.

The official trailer for “Toy Story 5” was released on Thursday and shows the toys vying for Bonnie’s attention against a frog-themed tablet named Lilypad. Bonnie is the young girl to whom Andy gave his toys when he left for college at the end of “Toy Story 3.”

In the clip, Bonnie receives the device in a package and is almost instantly absorbed, scrolling and tapping with a glazed look as her analog toys watch from the sidelines.

It all builds to a face-off between Jessie the cowgirl doll and Lilypad. Jessie says, “You’re not even listening to me,” only for the tablet to coolly reply, “I’m always listening.”

Jessie, voiced by Joan Cusack, has been in charge since Woody left at the end of “Toy Story 4.” Now, as Bonnie’s attention drifts elsewhere, the gang brings their old — and now balding — leader back.

“I don’t know, Jessie,” Woody says in the trailer. “Toys are for play, but tech is for everything.”

The film is set to be released on June 19, with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen returning to voice Woody and Buzz, respectively.

The storyline taps into a broader debate playing out in real life, as parents and experts wrestle with how screens are reshaping childhood.

Too much screentime has been linked to delays in social skills development, as well as problems with attention and behavior. Those concerns have prompted some governments to move toward banning social media use for children under 16.

The last installment in the Pixar franchise, “Toy Story 4,” was released in 2019. It surpassed $1 billion at the global box office and won an Oscar for best animated feature.




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Meet-the-newest-generation-of-the-Kennedy-family-Americas-most.jpeg

Meet the newest generation of the Kennedy family, America’s most famous political dynasty

Schlossberg, 32, is the youngest son of Caroline Kennedy, the former US ambassador to Japan and the only surviving child of John F. Kennedy, and Edwin Schlossberg, a designer and author.

In November, he announced would be campaigning for a congressional seat in New York City’s 12th district.

“I’m not running because I have all the answers to our problems,” he said in a video announcing his candidacy. “I’m running because the people of New York 12 do. I want to listen to your struggles, hear your stories, amplify your voice, go to Washington, and execute on your behalf.”

He was born in New York City and graduated from The Collegiate School, an all-boys private school in Manhattan, the New York Post reported. He later attended Yale University as an undergrad, and he graduated from Harvard in 2022. In 2023, Schlossberg told People he had passed the New York State Bar exam.

Schlossberg makes frequent media appearances and has written for publications, with op-eds in The New York Times and The Washington Post.

“I’m inspired by my family’s legacy of public service,” Schlossberg said in his first live television interview on “Today” in 2017. “It’s something that I’m very proud of.”

However, Schlossberg has been criticized in recent years for his out-there videos on social media, with even some family members criticizing his “trolling,” particularly of his cousin Robert F. Kennedy, online, The New York Post reported.

“I hope he gets the help he needs,” Kennedy’s daughter, Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, told The Post in February.




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