Is Explorations by Norwegian worth it? Real guest reviews

Itineraries awaken your inner explorer

From eight nights to full-year voyages, each itinerary has been carefully timed to discover destinations at their most spectacular. From Japan’s cherry blossoms and the Mediterranean before the crowds, to the Northern Lights at their peak, every sailing was designed from a blank world map, guided by a simple question: where is the best place to be, and when?

“We’re doing Rome to Athens… What we liked about it is it had quite a bit of Italy, and then Croatia, and a little bit of the Greek Islands as well. It incorporated a lot of different places,” said guests Kylie and Paul.

At every port, guests can choose from three exploration styles: active experiences like walking, cycling or kayaking, discovery experiences such as dining with a local family or learning directly from regional producers, and classic highlights that deliver the icons people want to see. The intention is simple – not just to visit a destination, but to explore it on your own terms. It’s the difference between seeing a place and truly immersing yourself in it.

“We’ve curated some real off-the-beaten-path, unique destinations, as well as some of those mainstream favourites. We want our explorers to walk away with a deep connection and understanding of where they’ve been,” explained Dr Dean Allen, Explorations Ambassador.

Guest raved about the food

Onboard Regatta, there’s no saving the ‘best’ restaurants for a special night. You’ll enjoy specialty dining and always-included beverages across a collection of thoughtfully curated restaurants, each with its own culinary identity. From an Italian restaurant with family recipes on the menu to a classic steakhouse with prime cuts, dining feels considered and flexible rather than crowded.

“We like to go out and eat a lot, a lot of degustation-type food… it’s really nice to see the two specialty restaurants… You can go to the dining room and have your meal easily without having to line up. The desserts were lovely… The entrées were outstanding… the wines were lovely,” said guests Kylie and Paul.

For longer journeys, variety is key, so the specialty restaurants change over, adding a French Bistro and Asia Fusion option. With no fixed schedules to interrupt your exploration, these refined dining experiences are available after a day onshore or between onboard activities for guests to enjoy:

“Food is amongst the best we’ve had on a cruise” – Vincent.

“Quality, quantity and variety of food was first class” – Gary.

“Fantastic quality of food and presentation” – Sharon.

“All our dining experiences were outstanding” – Jennifer.

You can’t beat small-ship service

Regatta is small enough to access ports that larger ships have to bypass, yet big in value with all the amenities a seasoned cruiser expects. A spa and gym, multiple dining venues and a martini bar are all brought to life with exceptional service.

“Regatta is small enough to feel personal but large enough to offer variety. Her size also allows us to visit smaller and more interesting ports that would not always be accessible to the very large cruise ships,” said guest Tony.

“It has been an amazing experience so far… So much packed in a great little ship,” added fellow guest Leon.

According to guests, the crew will know your name on the first day. Then, shortly after, they know your order:

“We love how the staff make you feel welcome and always greet you by your name… they make us feel like family” – Kerri.

“The staff are all exceptional! They are tremendously friendly, efficient and professional, and far exceed the standards of all other cruises I have done” – Melanie.