After a significant $100 million refurbishment in 2020, Norwegian Spirit has emerged as one of the most stylish ships in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet. On our recent 10-night cruise around Japan, we upgraded to one of the ship’s Penthouse Suites—a decision that transformed our entire experience.

In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the suite itself, the perks you get, and whether it’s worth upgrading from a standard balcony cabin. Spoiler: it definitely was for us.

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Watch Our Full Video Tour! See the living space, bedroom, bathroom, and balcony of our Aft-Facing Penthouse Suite on Norwegian Spirit, plus all the suite perks, personal tips, and what we really thought of this luxurious cabin.

Booking and Price

We originally planned to book a balcony cabin but noticed that for an extra $1,000 total—about $100 extra per night—we could upgrade to a Aft Facing Penthouse Suite. The total cost was just over $6,000 USD for two people for 10 nights. Given that these suites often cost upwards of $10,000 on other itineraries, it felt like a real find—particularly on less typical routes or off-season cruises in Japan.

We’ve actually scored several of these bargains over the years (like the Garden Villa deal we snagged in December 2023!).

Look for off-peak itineraries. Asia, the Middle East, and repositioning cruises often have the best deals on suites.
Book last minute if you’re flexible. These bargains usually pop up close to the sail date!

Norwegian Spirit Aft Facing Penthouse Suite Suite Review

Living Space

The suite is divided into a living space, a separate bedroom, and a spacious bathroom. As you walk in, there’s a small closet near the entrance—perfect for storing coats or items if someone’s sleeping on the living room sofa bed. A handy umbrella was also waiting for us (a thoughtful touch given Japan’s spring showers!).

The living space felt welcoming, with fresh white walls and warm wood tones. There was a four-seat dining table, a small bar area with an espresso machine and kettle, and a fridge that was empty—meaning we could fill it however we liked.

Bar area in Norwegian Spirit Penthouse Suite

The sofa doubled as a sofa bed, and there was a lounge chair, a coffee table, and a large TV. (Not a smart TV, but fine for a bit of relaxing.) We found there were plenty of power outlets—both US and European, with some right next to the bed too.

A personal note: We would have liked some softer, ambient lighting in the living area—at night, it was either bright overheads or nothing at all, which was a bit jarring when trying to wind down.

On embarkation day, a bottle of brut cava and a bottle of spring water were waiting for us—nice touches, though we never opened the cava. Personally, we’d have preferred a daily water replenishment or a carafe of filtered water, like Virgin Voyages does. Bottled water isn’t included in any drinks package onboard Norwegian Spirit—something to be aware of!

The Bedroom: Small and Intimate

Cozy bedroom in Norwegian Spirit Penthouse Suite with king-sized bed.

The bedroom itself was cozy rather than huge. We liked the snug feel, but others might find it a bit tight—especially the walkway between the closet and the bed. The plush king-sized bed was fantastic (it doesn’t split), and there were bedside power points for charging devices.

One quirk: There were no windows in the bedroom, which some might find claustrophobic. For us, though, it meant perfect pitch-black sleeping.

The Bathroom: A Standout Feature

The bathroom on the Norwegian Spirit Penthouse Suite with ocean-view bathtub.

The bathroom was genuinely impressive—actually bigger than the bedroom! It featured dual sinks with luxury L’Occitane toiletries, a massive walk-in shower with a window to the ocean, and a deep bathtub perfect for a soak while watching the wake.

One fun (and slightly embarrassing!) quirk: The mirrored windows in the shower are only mirrored during the day. At night in port, if you forget to close the blinds… well, let’s just say a few people in Kobe got more of a show than they bargained for!

Balcony and Outdoor Space

Enjoying the Aft Penthouse Suite Balcony

The balcony stretched across the ship’s aft, offering amazing views that we loved. It wasn’t as deep as some newer ships’ balconies, but it was still perfect for two of us to sit with drinks in hand, watching the sunset.

Norwegian Spirit Suite Benefits: What’s Included

Butler Service

Our butler was both discreet and proactive. He checked in regularly, offered to bring us food from any restaurant onboard (including specialty dining), and left daily snacks—like chocolate-dipped strawberries and fresh fruit.

The suite also came with a portable phone to reach the butler from anywhere on the ship—though honestly, we never really used it!

Reserved Theatre Seating

Suite guests get a reserved section in the theatre, so no stress about getting there early for seats.

Priority Boarding and Disembarkation

Suite guests receive priority boarding and can meet at Cagney’s for escorted disembarkation. On this quiet Japan cruise, we didn’t use it much, but in busier ports, this would be a huge time saver.

Breakfast and Lunch at Cagney’s Steakhouse

One of our favorite perks was daily breakfast and lunch at Cagney’s Steakhouse—a suite guest exclusive. It felt like a special treat to enjoy a proper sit-down meal in a quiet setting each morning.

Concierge Service

The concierge can help book dining, entertainment, and excursions—and they promise priority for suite guests. We never needed to use this, as we booked everything ourselves via the app without a hitch.

Expanded Room Service

As suite guests, we had access to an expanded room service menu at no extra cost. We could also order from any restaurant, including specialty dining, to our cabin. Specialty meals did still carry the usual charges, but we could use dining packages or Platinum vouchers to cover them

What’s Missing or Not Included

Even with all the benefits, there are a few things to note:

Gratuities: These aren’t included in the suite fare. Norwegian automatically adds a $25 per person, per day service charge to your account, which covers main dining and housekeeping staff but not your butler or concierge. If you’d like to thank them for exceptional service, you’ll need to tip them separately.
WiFi isn’t included. You’ll have to pay extra for basic internet access, which felt a bit lacking for such a premium suite.
Not part of The Haven. There’s no Haven lounge or private evening restaurant access—this is a Penthouse Suite, not a Haven suite.
No daily water or soft drinks. After the embarkation bottle of cava and water, there’s no daily replenishment.

Final Thoughts: Is the Norwegian Spirit Penthouse Suite Worth It?

For us, the answer was a resounding yes. The Norwegian Spirit Penthouse Suite took an already incredible Japan itinerary and made it truly special. From breakfast at Cagney’s to the butler’s evening treats and those breathtaking wake views, it felt like genuine luxury.

Of course, it’s not The Haven, or the same level of butler service you’d find on Silversea or Regent—but at $600 a night for two people, it was a taste of luxury cruising at a price that felt surprisingly reasonable.

Our Best Value Suite Yet

All in all, we’re so glad we gave this suite experience a try. It turned out to be one of our favorite cruise accommodations ever—and the best-value suite we’ve ever encountered on any ship.