We did have a good time, but it was not the memorable cruise I was expecting due to too many little things. We got the soda package and the bars were too far from the food and you always had to wait. We were very disappointed because of our dinner seating that we didn't get to see the shows, the internet service went south after the first two days and even the chat on the hub app didn't work making it difficult to stay in touch. We want to get into cruising but unfortunately will be trying another cruise line.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
A nightmare but my fault. I had packed our passports in one of our pieces of luggage. I thought all you needed was photo i.d. to embark
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
We enjoyed the main dining room very much, our wait staff was terrific. We ate in the Steakhouse one night and I felt very uncomfortable with the highbrow staff and our seat location right next to the kitchen, the soup was too hot and the steak I wanted too large. I did not enjoy the lunch service and the hunt for a table, no matter what time we decided to eat. We arrived 1 minute late and was turned away at breakfast one morning, the next time that we ate breakfast in the Normandy, we waited an extended period of time for someone to wait on us and since we had an excursion booked, we had to walk out without breakfast.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
There was a good variety of activities onboard. We participated in the trivia, bingo and the casino. I wanted to go to the Halloween costume parade in the Taj Mahal but the doors were closed when we got there, five minutes prior to the start. I guess the auditorium was full. We also found one comedy show we wanted to go to was full when we arrived.
Entertainment
2 out of 5
I was only able to stick my head in part of one show because of our dinner seating. The show was half over when we were able to arrive but what we saw seemed amateurish. The two comedy show we saw were good but we had to sit in front in dinner table chairs.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
The waitstaff at dinner could not have been more pleasant and accommodating. The room steward was wonderful, catering to our needs. The personnel at the Guest Relations desk were also helpful when we had questions or needed assistance.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
The ship was clean but a little worn. I had some trouble with getting myself oriented, perhaps better signage would have helped.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
I was pleasantly surprised by the roominess and the amount of storage. The bed was comfortable and I was given the little extras I requested.
Ship tip
To request anytime seating if you want to go to the shows. We could go to an earlier show because we were getting ready for dinner and we couldn't go to a late show because we always got out of the dining room too late.
We participated in the horseback ride. The guides were very helpful and did their best to calm any apprehensions. When we came back for lunch, we had to wait on food and the bar was out of diet coke causing additional disappointment.
I have to say.
First, breakfast in Normandy is not where you want to eat when you have an excursion booked.
Second, a real complaint about the steakhouse would have been soup not warm enough and steak too small. Most people complain that their soup isn't warm enough. And to have a steak too large? Is there really such a thing?
I have to say.
First, breakfast in Normandy is not where you want to eat when you have an excursion booked.
Second, a real complaint about the steakhouse would have been soup not warm enough and steak too small. Most people complain that their soup isn't warm enough. And to have a steak too large? Is there really such a thing?
Sorry to hear it was disappointing. There can be a learning curve to timing of activities and meals - the comedy shows you have to get to early, the meal time you pick based on shows you want to see, navigating the ship, etc. And then research helps with expectations, both on the ship and at ports.
We’ve encountered a few of these situations, it just never detracted from the relaxation and overall enjoyment of getting away. Hope you can find a trip you enjoy! All the best!
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