You can display netCDF data as a layer or table in ArcMap, ArcScene, and ArcGlobe and save it in the document. The netCDF data displayed on a map is not saved with it. NetCDF layers or tables reference the netCDF file on disk.
You can also save netCDF layers outside your map as a file on disk. When you save a netCDF layer to disk, you also save the symbolization. When you add the saved layer file to another map, it will draw exactly as it was saved.