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.
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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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.