Sailing the Caribbean with NCL Luna: Honest Thoughts from Departure to Great Stirrup Cay

There’s something exciting about cruise day — the anticipation, the travel experience, and finally stepping aboard for a week at sea. Recently, I set sail aboard the Norwegian Luna, and while the trip included beautiful ports, relaxing spaces, and reliable internet, there were also a few surprises along the way.

Here’s an honest look at the experience from parking lot to private island.

Starting the Journey: Parking & Brightline

The trip began at Walley Park, and unfortunately, this was one of the more frustrating parts of the experience. Signage was minimal, making it difficult to know where to meet the shuttle or when it would arrive. After calling the main contact number, staff said they would notify the shuttle driver that we were waiting. Even then, it took about 30 minutes before we were finally picked up — and one shuttle even drove past without stopping.

Once arriving at the Brightline station, things improved considerably. The premium lounge was comfortable and convenient, especially with restrooms located directly beside the lounge area. Seating does become limited closer to boarding time, and once boarding begins, it feels very similar to airport travel. Passengers crowd the gates quickly, and the boarding area can become congested as everyone heads downstairs via elevator or escalator.

Overnight Stay at the Moxy Hotel

Before embarkation, we stayed at the Moxy Hotels. The hotel had a modern boutique feel, though it leaned more “sterile” than cozy. The room itself was comfortable, especially the bed, but the atmosphere lacked that warm, relaxing feeling many travelers hope for before cruise day.

One downside was the noise level. Our room overlooked the restaurant and bar area, which remained loud until nearly midnight. Light sleepers may want to request a quieter room location.

Embarkation Day: Organized Chaos

Embarkation day started early with a scheduled 10:30 AM check-in. We arrived around 8:45 AM, and doors opened at 9. The outside lines weren’t terrible initially, but signage was confusing. Arriving guests and departing guests were mixed together, separated only by stanchions with little direction about where lines actually began.

Security officially opened around 9:30 AM. Facial recognition stations were visible, but during our process they were never used. Instead, passports were scanned and photos were manually confirmed at check-in.

Once inside, guests waited in a holding area until boarding began by priority status and group numbers. Thankfully, once boarding actually started, the process moved very quickly.

One question many cruisers debate: Do you prefer boarding as early as possible, or waiting until the initial rush dies down?

Food, Drinks & Gratuity Surprises

One thing worth noting for travelers considering a non-alcoholic beverage package: there are still additional charges while the ship remains in U.S. waters. Initially, it appeared these were gratuities, but they were actually Florida state taxes charged by the ounce. Once the ship entered international waters, those charges disappeared entirely.

A few observations:

• Self-service soda machines actually cost more than ordering from a server.

• Some bars did not apply additional charges once outside U.S. waters.

• Taxes stopped completely after reaching international waters.

Lunch at Indulge Food Hall was decent overall. The BBQ sandwich was enjoyable, and the ordering system was unique — guests order directly from tabletop screens, and the food is delivered to the table in smaller portions, giving it a more European dining feel.

Meanwhile, Surfside Café (the buffet) felt noticeably smaller than buffets on other cruise ships, with limited seating during busy times. Additional seating is available nearby in Palomar and Sukhothai, which helps relieve some congestion.

Favorite Spot on the Ship: The Observation Lounge

One standout area aboard the Luna was the observation lounge at the front of the ship. Quiet, relaxing, and filled with incredible ocean views, it quickly became one of the best places onboard to unwind.

The lounge also offers:

• Light snacks

• Desserts and cookies

• Small sandwiches

• Beverage service

For travelers looking to escape crowds, this was one of the ship’s hidden gems.

Internet at Sea: Surprisingly Excellent

Cruise internet has come a long way, and the unlimited streaming package aboard the Luna was impressively consistent.

Internet Speeds Tested

• In Port: 35 Mbps download / 6 Mbps upload

• At Sea: 25 Mbps download / 7.6 Mbps upload

Performance remained steady throughout the cruise regardless of ship location.

Another nice feature: one package can be used across multiple devices, just not simultaneously. Logging out of one device and into another worked seamlessly. Travelers needing multiple devices active at the same time will still need to purchase an additional package.

Ship Layout: A Mixed Experience

One noticeable design choice aboard the Luna is the placement of the casino directly adjacent to the atrium. While likely intentional from a business perspective, it does create crowding during atrium events like game shows and entertainment activities.

Compared to older ships like the Norwegian Escape, the layout felt less open and functional overall.

Port Highlights

Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata offered one of the most welcoming port areas of the trip. Beautiful landscaping, tropical plants, and shaded walkways made the area feel inviting immediately upon arrival.

In addition to the standard souvenir shops, the port also includes:

• A large swimming pool

• Lazy river

• Relaxation areas

While there is an additional charge for some amenities, it can easily become a full-day experience without ever leaving the port.

St. Thomas

Saint Thomas remains beautiful, though the immediate port shopping area hasn’t changed much in years. Most of the island’s best experiences require excursions or transportation to beaches and scenic areas.

One convenient nearby attraction is the gondola ride located within walking distance of the port, offering panoramic views from the mountaintop.

Tortola

Tortola felt far quieter than the other ports. The immediate port area is small, many shops were still closed early in the morning, and there wasn’t much activity compared to other destinations.

In fact, many passengers appeared to stay onboard that day, making the ship’s pools unusually busy.

Great Stirrup Cay

Great Stirrup Cay delivered some of the most beautiful scenery of the cruise. Because the dock is still under construction, guests currently tender to the island.

Several areas remain under development, including a new water park expected to open in late summer 2026.

The island itself offers:

• Crystal-clear water

• A beautiful lagoon

• Large pool areas

• Plenty of lounge chairs

• Zipline attractions

One challenge for non-drinkers was the limited beverage access near the pool area. While swim-up bars were plentiful, finding complimentary water or soda required a longer walk back toward the food area.

Another issue was the lack of trash cans near seating areas, which unfortunately led to aggressive seagulls swarming unattended food quickly.

Entertainment Review

One evening featured a “Tribute to the Eagles” performance. Instrumentally, the show was excellent — especially the lead guitar work. Vocally, the performance was solid though not exact to the original band, with some liberties taken musically and lyrically. Still, it was an enjoyable evening overall for classic rock fans.

Final Thoughts

The Norwegian Cruise Line Luna offers a modern cruising experience with strong internet service, beautiful observation spaces, and several enjoyable ports of call. While there were definitely areas that could improve — especially embarkation signage, buffet seating, and some ship layout choices — the cruise still delivered memorable experiences and relaxing moments throughout the Caribbean.

For travelers considering this itinerary, the key takeaway is simple: manage expectations, plan ahead for embarkation day, and make time to enjoy the quieter spaces onboard. Those hidden moments often become the best part of the trip.