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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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I stayed home while my family traveled because I needed a break. I loved my alone time.

When people asked me what I was doing for the holidays, I responded almost too giddily, “I’m spending it alone.” Their eyes narrowed, “What?”

I told them I was sending my husband and the kids to his family in Massachusetts, and I’d stay back in Pennsylvania. All. By. Myself. I wouldn’t have to answer to anyone or for anything. Not requests for snacks or one more backrub. I wouldn’t have to sit rigid, wondering if one of my three kids was creeping out of a bed that wasn’t theirs. Or defend my parenting style while my oldest yelled about how life wasn’t fair and we must all really hate him, and why should he have to listen to anyone anyway.

After a beat, every single mom (and a few dads) told me: “I’m jealous. I want to do that. How did you swing that?”

I had hit a breaking point

The decision to be alone during the holidays came slowly at first and then all at once. I’d hit a breaking point that most parents, especially moms, are all too familiar with. But the moment I toyed with the idea of staying back — in a quiet, clean, empty house — that was it. It was all I could think about.


Family at the beach

The author’s spouse was supportive of her taking time off.

Courtesy of the author



I broached the topic, gently, with my husband, who couldn’t have been more supportive and emphatic. “You should take a few days away!” But I didn’t want to be away. I wanted to be home alone. That was the key.

As the days ticked closer to The Big Departure, people asked me when Jeff and the kids were leaving. “Wednesday, but I can’t ask when, specifically,” I’d laugh.

I explained to the kids that I needed some alone time; I needed to take a break. They, who are 8, 5, and 3, were relatively unfazed. My middle, big-feeling daughter made me promise to call her every two minutes. I wanted them to know that it was OK for Mom (or Dad) to step away and be alone. It didn’t mean I loved them any less. Something, something about distance making the heart grow fonder.

Self-care is crucial

Mental health experts agree. Solitude can be a crucial form of self-care (unless it makes you truly uncomfortable to be totally alone). “When you seek out intentional solitude, and the demands on your attention and focus melt away, it allows you to have a level of awareness that can support healing and growth,” Emily Moriarty, M.Ed., a licensed professional counselor and director of clinical services at Reset Outdoors, told Business Insider.

Finally, they were off. And I didn’t know what to do with myself. Everything was weirdly quiet. Clean. Empty. I loved it. I had a couple of low-key plans over the next few days, but my goal was to savor the silence and the lack of a schedule.


Living room

The author really enjoyed her time alone.

Courtesy of the author



When 5 p.m. rolled around on the first night, I started making dinner while listening to music. I danced a little. I ate while reading a book. No one argued with me that they didn’t like what was served. Cleanup was easy. I put my dishes away. I didn’t need to sweep — I don’t spill things on the floor.

I turned my phone off; I didn’t need an alarm. No one needed to reach me, and if they did, they could wait. Dad was more than capable. I slept in. I drank coffee on the couch in front of the fire in my pajamas. I forced myself to allow things to move slowly — something I have a hard time doing with or without kids.

“Solitude doesn’t include sitting alone in an office working,” Moriarty said. “It has to be non-work, non-caregiving time.”

When it was time for the Big Holiday Meal, I thought I’d feel a little lonely. But I didn’t, and that, I realized, was because this was my choice. I knew my family was enjoying themselves with relatives they don’t often see and having a little vacation. And I knew that they’d all be home before I knew it.

I had a little mom guilt

By the end of the fourth day, the air was thick with anticipation of the kids and Jeff coming home. I felt like I couldn’t watch TV fast enough. I couldn’t sit in a quiet, empty house fast enough. I couldn’t drink enough coffee fast enough. But when I started making dinner at 5 p.m., awaiting their 8 p.m. arrival, I realized if I had to keep doing this, I might get a little… bored?

I’m sure that has more to do with the stark contrast of raising three kids, co-running a household, and having a (fairly successful) career, and four days of abrupt, near-total solitude. If I didn’t have kids at all, I’m sure I wouldn’t be bored at 7 p.m.

People have since asked me if this will be my new holiday tradition. I did like it, maybe a bit too much, but it feels wrong to indefinitely celebrate the holidays without my kith and kin. Four days weren’t enough to assuage Mom Guilt, apparently.




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