The NCL Vibe Beach Club: All you need to know about this exclusive cruise ship space

If you've ever wanted your own serene place in the sun on a Norwegian Cruise Line sailing, you're in luck. Vibe Beach Club, NCL's exclusive sundeck, offers a peaceful oasis amid the daily hustle and bustle of ship life.

You'll pay for the privilege of lounging here, but your entry fee comes with a few decent perks that I'll outline here. Find out all you need to know about this kids-free area, found only on some vessels.

What is the Norwegian Vibe Beach Club?

Vibe Beach Club, Norwegian's exclusive pay-to-enter, adults-only sundeck, is a relaxing space for anyone 18 or older who enjoys working on their tan.

Layouts vary from ship to ship, but passengers who purchase passes will have access to amenities like a full-service bar, sun loungers, padded clamshell-style daybeds (first come, first served), private cabanas (for an additional rental fee), chilled towels, food-and-beverage service, fresh fruit skewers and water spritzers.

Although Vibe locations don't have pools, they do have hot tubs; ships in the line's Prima Class are outfitted with infinity-style tubs. The Vibe Beach Club on Norwegian Aqua also has been expanded and offers more lounge seating.

Vibe's top-deck alfresco location allows for fantastic ocean views — especially on ships where the area features a two-deck layout.

Space is limited, but because Vibe is outdoors, its popularity depends on the sailing region. If your ship is Alaska-bound, fewer people will be clamoring for the available spots. If you're booked on a Caribbean sailing, however, you'll want to reserve in advance or as soon as you board your ship if you don't want to miss out.

Hours vary by sailing, and food, drink and bar service are dependent on the weather.

NCL Vibe Beach Club price

The cost of the NCL Vibe Beach Club varies depending on the ship and the cruise length. You can purchase passes on select ships sailing from two to more than 10 nights. For example, a pass that covers an entire cruise starts from $149 per person for a two-night cruise and $249 per person for a seven-night sailing but could cost more on your vacation.

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Day passes can be purchased on board for $99 per person based on availability.

Cabanas can be rented for more space and privacy, with prices for a seven-night sailing beginning at $599. These rates also vary by ship and itinerary length. Cabana rentals are limited to one per cabin and include access to Vibe Beach Club for the first and second passengers on the reservation. Day passes are not available; cabanas must be rented for the duration of your cruise.

Note that these prices were accurate at the time of publication; they're subject to change without notice.

Related: Are cruises all-inclusive? What's actually included in your cruise fare

Is NCL Vibe Beach Club worth it?

The answer is completely subjective. Paying hundreds of dollars for sunbathing space when lounge chairs are free elsewhere on the ship might not sound appealing to some cruisers.

If you're desperate for a quiet place without children where you can catch some rays and not have to fight for a deck chair or wait in line at the pool bar for a drink, it's probably worth the price for you to get a pass for your cruise.

If you're on a tight budget, treating yourself to a $99 one-day pass might be the better option. These passes can only be purchased on board and tend to sell out quickly, especially on warm-weather itineraries, so make sure you snag one right away. (Full-sailing passes can be purchased online before your cruise or once on board at guest services.)

Here's when you'll probably want to reconsider Vibe Beach Club altogether: You're someone who sunburns easily and prefers shaded outdoor spaces; you're traveling with children who won't necessarily want to spend every sea day in the kids club; or you're in need of easy access to a pool or food options, which aren't readily available at Vibe.

Related: 7 extra-charge items on cruise ships that are worth the cost (and 7 that aren't)

Which NCL ships have Vibe Beach Club?

You'll find Vibe on nine ships in the Norwegian fleet:

• Norwegian Bliss
• Norwegian Breakaway
• Norwegian Encore
• Norwegian Escape
• Norwegian Getaway
• Norwegian Joy
• Norwegian Prima
• Norwegian Viva
• Norwegian Aqua

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