Norwegian Sun

The Oasis Pool deck has two large pools with hot tubs under an awning in the middle and loungers in the sun and shade all around. Topsiders, the main pool bar, stretches the full width of the ship, facing a stage for live music and deck parties. One level up are Champs Bar, a netted sports court, shuffleboard, a golf net and ping pong, plus a forward sun deck and a kids' pool with its own hot tub.

Norwegian Sun has two complimentary main dining rooms on Deck 5, both serving dinner every night from menus that change daily. Four Seasons sits mid-ship with tables for two up to eight and a big table in the middle. Seven Seas, at the very back of the ship, has windows on three sides wrapping about 270 degrees, and also serves breakfast every day and lunch on sea days. Danny says the food keeps getting better.

La Cucina is Norwegian's Italian specialty restaurant, set in a long, narrow room on the starboard side of Deck 5 between the two main dining rooms. Booths line one side and tables sit along the windows. The menu runs from antipasti and a large salumi plate through fresh pastas, meat, chicken and fish, along with pizzas, and it finishes with Italian desserts. It's an easy pick for families and anyone who loves a relaxed Italian dinner.

The Garden Cafe is the casual buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with salad bars on both sides, hot entrees, Indian dishes, a made-to-order pasta station, charcuterie, a dessert station and soft-serve ice cream. Out back, The Great Outdoors adds its own grill with burgers, hot dogs and fries, two drink stations and a full bar. Its big shaded aft terrace is one of Danny's favorite features of the ship.

The Mandara Spa offers massages, facials, Medi-Spa treatments and body wraps, with solo and couples treatment rooms. Guests booked for a treatment can use the separate steam rooms and saunas for men and women, plus a relaxation room before or after. The full-service salon handles hair, manicures and pedicures and has a barbershop for shaves. Next door, the Pulse Fitness Center has ocean-view cardio machines, weights and a class studio.

Deck 12 is home to most of the specialty restaurants, with one check-in desk for all of them. Cagney's Steakhouse is one of Norwegian's original specialty restaurants and is often among the most popular on board, serving classic starters, premium steaks, sides and desserts. Next door, Los Lobos serves Mexican favorites with mezcal, tequila and margaritas at the bar, bright decor and seating that wraps toward views off the back of the ship.

Teppanyaki has four grill tables where chefs cook fried rice with seafood, steak, chicken or vegetarian options right in front of guests, so dinner comes with a show and maybe some flying shrimp. Seats wrap around each table, so it works for a family, a group or meeting new friends. The sushi bar sits right next door, with counter seats facing the chef plus tables along the side for rolls, sushi and sashimi.

The Spinnaker Lounge sits at the very top and front of the ship, with a wraparound bar and lounge seating facing 270 degrees of windows. In the evening a live band takes the stage and the dance floor fills up, so it works for music, dancing and time with family. During the day it is usually quiet, with plenty of light, and makes a calm spot to read or watch the scenery go by.