Dolce Gelato

The Logbook — Real Guest Soundings

Depth Sounding: This is a composite account from multiple guest experiences, edited to our venue standards for clarity. Individual sailings vary by ship, itinerary, and crew.

Dolce Gelato Review: Sweet Scoops with a Catch

Introduction. Dolce Gelato is NCL's dedicated gelato and ice cream shop, found on Prima, Viva, and newer ships. It offers Italian-style gelato, sorbets, and sundaes. There's a surcharge per scoop ($3-5) — it's not included in the cruise fare, though some promotions bundle it. It's a walk-up counter with no seating of its own.

Drinks & Service

This is a gelato counter, not a bar — but they do serve Italian espresso drinks, hot chocolate, and affogato (espresso poured over gelato). The affogato is the sleeper hit: a double shot of espresso over pistachio gelato for around $6. No alcohol served here. The espresso is pulled from a proper machine and is a step up from the Atrium Café drip coffee. Pair a scoop with a shot of espresso and you've got the best mid-afternoon pick-me-up on the ship.

Service

It's a counter — you pick flavors, they scoop, you pay. Simple and efficient. Staff are cheerful and will offer samples, which helps when you're deciding. Lines can be 5-10 deep after dinner on sea days. The charging process (sign the receipt or tap your card) adds a minute per transaction that slows things down.

Atmosphere

It's a walk-up counter in a high-traffic area — usually the Waterfront or near the pool deck. No dedicated seating, though there are usually chairs and tables nearby that aren't technically "theirs." The display case is the focal point: colorful gelato in traditional metal tubs, labeled with hand-written flavor cards. It looks like a proper Italian gelateria, scaled down. The counter is small, so during post-dinner rush it feels crowded. During off-hours, it's a pleasant stop — grab a cone and walk the Waterfront promenade.

Conclusion

Rating: 3.6/5. Dolce Gelato offers genuinely good gelato — the Pistachio and Dark Chocolate are worth the surcharge. It loses points for some overly sweet flavors, the per-scoop pricing that adds up quickly for families, and the lack of seating. Tip: Go right when they open (usually mid-morning) for the freshest batch and no line. The Pistachio is always the right call.

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