We sail Norwegian Spirit in New Zealand – Here’s our honest review

Norwegian Spirit is quietly breaking new ground with her itineraries in Australia and NZ.

The mid-sized ship’s New Zealand journeys are sailing to new ports.

And after her huge renovation, she is making new friends for Norwegian in the mature cruiser market.

Norwegian Spirit is quietly pioneering its own style of cruising. Curated for adults instead of “adults only”. Crafted for calm. And “premium without pretension.”

The messaging is clear. “Enjoy quieter decks, upscale dining and an intimate onboard atmosphere ideal for couples, solo travellers, and those craving pure serenity at sea.” And it is hitting its mark.

We are on board the Norwegian Spirit, calmly crafting our way through New Zealand Ports and on to Melbourne, Tassie and Sydney. She’s full. A sign at Guest Relations tells you not to bother trying to upgrade your suite. There aren’t any left.

Norwegian’s newer ships, like the Aqua Class, are very much for kids and families, featuring fabulous water parks. Some even have go-kart racing.  

But here on the Spirit, we’re playing shuffleboard, taking turns in the trivia sessions and listening to an Elton John cover band.

But at 28 years young, Norwegian Spirit is quietly proving that age is no barrier to relevance or trend setting. There is no doubt that what she’s got is in demand.

A lot of what’s on offer is about shore excursions and seeing the country you are sailing in. We pass through Mount Maunganui, in Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier and Wellington. The ship goes on to Timaru, Melbourne, Burnie, Eden and Sydney.

Each morning the guests are of on another adventure. They range in price from US$49 to US$280. But there is no shortage of takers.

Despite her age, this mid-sized ship delivers a cruising experience that feels contemporary and relaxed.

The ship had a huge renovation six years ago, at a cost of $150 million. All the suites were refitted and a huge range of new food options added. The change was dramatic.

Spirit still looks fresh, modern and purpose-built for today’s traveller.

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Not a refit, a transformation

The scale of the refurbishment was one of the largest ever undertaken by Norwegian Cruise Line. Following a 43-day dry dock in Marseille, the ship emerged almost entirely renewed.

The project delivered 14 new venues, fully redesigned staterooms, upgraded public spaces and a new exterior hull design that instantly modernised the ship’s appearance.

Clean lines, contemporary finishes and redesigned spaces replace the darker, more traditional interiors that once defined ships of this era. The result is a vessel that feels lighter, more open and far more in tune with modern cruising expectations.

But, as befits a vessel which attracts mature couples from Australia, New Zealand and the US, the cruise experience is steeped in tradition. And that’s just the way its guests like it.

Norwegian’s sailings tend to be slightly longer, and offer an “open jawed” feature, allowing guests to join in one city and leave at another instead of the usual round trip. And there are more shore excursions.

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Dining is a strong point

Dining is a strong point onboard Norwegian Spirit, with new and refreshed venues catering to a broad range of tastes.

Added during the renovations, Taste is an extra main dining room that complements the ship’s existing venues. It offers a relaxed yet refined atmosphere, ideal for passengers who enjoy traditional dining without formality. Menus rotate regularly, providing variety across longer itineraries such as this trans-Tasman voyage.

The Local Bar & Grill brings a pub-style concept to the ship, serving comfort favourites like burgers, wings and casual bites well into the evening. It’s a popular spot post-shore excursion or late at night, and its informal vibe suits Spirit’s laid-back personality.

We watch the Australian Open tennis on a big screen, for instance, along with a barman who occasionally breaks off to mix a cocktail or two.

The Garden Café, the ship’s all-day buffet, was also remade to be more intuitive than older buffet designs. And there is plenty on offer, from Australian and American favourites to Indian specialties.

For evenings, Bliss Ultra Lounge delivers a nightclub atmosphere, while the Spinnaker Lounge, our favourite right at the bows, features bands and karaoke – and even a Humidor Cigar Lounge.

It’s the best place to be as the ship leaves port, offering sweeping views.

Also new, Onda by Scarpetta offersw fine Italian with a contemporary twist. The restaurant’s venue on deck 11 offers gorgeous outdoor dining with views.

But importantly, old favourites like Cagneys steakhouse continue to present fablous meats, lobster and crab cakes. The apple pie and ice cream is so comforting it will take you back to your mother’s table.

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Wellness take centre stage

But one of the most noticeable upgrades is the expanded Mandara Spa, which has doubled in size. It features a thermal suite, relaxation areas and treatment rooms that rival those found on much newer ships.

The adjacent Pulse Fitness Centre is huge, with modern equipment and floor-to-ceiling windows that make morning workouts far more appealing. For guests prioritising wellness, Norwegian Spirit is punching above her weight.

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More state in your stateroom

Every stateroom onboard Norwegian Spirit was renovated as part of the refit, and it shows. Cabins feel contemporary and functional, with new furnishings, improved storage and subtle design updates that maximise space.

We’re in suite 11660, which is just 18 sq metres. It’s apparently described as a family balcony stateroom, though no family I’ve met would fit in this space.

But it cleverly swallows up the luggage, stows the clothes and functions amazingly well.

While Spirit does not offer the sprawling suite complexes found on today’s mega-liners, her accommodation is comfortable and well thought out. The refurbishment ensures that even entry-level cabins feel current.

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Into the night…

Norwegian Spirit is definitely a lady of the night. Public areas have been redesigned to encourage socialising without crowding. The adults-only Spice H2O  – given there are no kids, calling it adults only seems superfluous – turns into a lively cocktail lounge and nightclub after dark.

The Social Comedy & Night Club delivers cover bands, stand-up performances and late-night shows. While the ship doesn’t aim to compete with Broadway-scale productions – on our cruise, a New Zealand act called The Fantastic Mr Penguin was struggling to find its feet – its entertainment offering feels somehow appropriate.

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Scenic itineraries and new for 2026/27

On this New Zealand to Australia sailing, Norwegian Spirit proves why mid-sized ships still matter. With ports such as Gisborne, Timaru, Burnie and Eden on the itinerary, Spirit’s scale allows for smoother port access and a more intimate onboard experience.

Sea days between New Zealand and Australia highlight the ship’s strengths: comfortable lounges, well-spaced decks and a calm onboard flow that never feels overwhelming. This is cruising at a measured pace — ideal for travellers who value destinations, comfort and atmosphere over sheer onboard spectacle.

Norwegian Spirit sails longer, destination-focused voyages, including 17, 20 and 28-day itineraries.

She has 11 itineraries through April 2026, ranging from 11 to 19 days between Sydney and Auckland, including New Zealand’s dramatic fjords to overnight stays in cultural capitals like Melbourne and Auckland.

The season also includes Kangaroo Island, Bay of Islands, and Napier, with an average port stay of 10 hours across the season.

After April, she will move to the South Pacific for a series of 14 island itineraries departing from Sydney, Lautoka, Honolulu or Papeete.

Ben Angell, Vice President and Managing Director, NCL Asia-Pacific, says: “In response to guest feedback, we’re expanding our local footprint with more curated opportunities for Australians and New Zealanders to explore their own backyard. At a time when local cruise options are narrowing, NCL is proud to offer greater choice – giving both loyal guests and newcomers more flexibility in how, when, and where they cruise.”

During the summer of 2026/27, Norwegian Spirit will introduce four new 14-day sailings, including nine departures from Sydney, the biggest line up for Norwegian.

The first ever four-nighter to Tasmania introduces the “long weekend” concept which is attracting so many new-to-cruise guests.

During Christmas and New Year 2027, Spirit will include two curated itineraries featuring overnight calls in both Melbourne and Adelaide.

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Verdict

Norwegian Spirit is a compelling reminder that reinvention matters more than age. She has a lot of competition for the premium market, but she is more than able to meet it.

Thanks to her massive refurbishment, she offers a modern, comfortable and well-balanced cruising experience that feels perfectly suited to longer itineraries and culturally rich destinations.

Right now, a New Zealand to Australia cruise can start at $4,789 pp, including free at sea bonusses including unlimited premium beverages, dining package, excursion credits and Wi-Fi package. See the website here.

Read our full ship details here.