Nama Sushi & Sashimi

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.

Nama Sushi Review: The Fleet's Best Raw Bar

Introduction. Nama Sushi & Sashimi is NCL's dedicated sushi bar, found on select ships. It serves nigiri, sashimi, maki rolls, and a few hot Japanese dishes with a specialty dining surcharge ($25-39 or a dining credit from Free at Sea). The focus is on raw fish quality and traditional preparation, making it one of the more specialized restaurants in the fleet.

Food & Drinks

The sushi is the best raw fish on any NCL ship. The Salmon Nigiri is clean, buttery, and properly portioned — the rice is well-seasoned with the right vinegar balance. The Yellowtail Sashimi is fresh and cleanly sliced. The Spicy Tuna Roll has real heat and quality fish, not the mayo-heavy version common on cruise ships. The Dragon Roll (eel, avocado, cucumber) is beautifully presented and well-executed. The Tuna Tataki starter is excellent — seared rare with a citrus ponzu that complements rather than overwhelms. Where it falls short: the cooked dishes (Chicken Teriyaki, Tempura) are average and feel like concessions to guests who don't eat raw fish. The miso soup is basic. The omakase option, when available, is hit-or-miss depending on the chef.

Service

Service is precise and attentive — the sushi chefs work with quiet focus, and the waitstaff understand the menu intimately. They'll recommend seasonal fish (when applicable) and suggest pairing with sake or Japanese beer. Sitting at the sushi bar (when available) is the premium experience — you can watch the chefs work and communicate preferences directly. Dinner runs 60-80 minutes for a full meal.

Atmosphere

The restaurant is typically small and intimate — 30-50 seats with a sushi bar counter. The design is clean, minimal, Japanese-inspired: light wood, neutral tones, subtle lighting. It's one of the quieter specialty restaurants, which suits the cuisine. The sushi bar seating is highly requested — book early to secure a spot. Music is ambient and barely noticeable.

Conclusion

Rating: 4.0/5. Nama Sushi delivers genuinely good sushi at sea — the Salmon Nigiri, Dragon Roll, and Tuna Tataki are highlights that justify the surcharge. It loses points for the mediocre cooked dishes and the occasional inconsistency in omakase quality. Tip: Sit at the sushi bar, order the Tuna Tataki to start, then ask the chef for their recommendation on nigiri — they know what's freshest. Skip the teriyaki.

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