Here's a belated review. I was part of the trip in early April, from Brooklyn Cruise Terminal to parts of the Antilles. This is my second time cruising on the Meraviglia, and I find that overall quality has improved, especially that of food and hospitality. Again, I would like to thank the cruise director, Gavin, for his excellent time management, and for being present around the ship and engaging with as many cruisers as he reasonably could; the ship's captain and his staff, and the security screening team on board, for a safe 12-day trip; and most crew members for being available to assist cruisers.
I also understand that every cruise worker is overworked, so I did my best not to take things personally. Despite minor poor experiences on board, I was able to better navigate the ship, enjoyed both the events on board and the excursions, and felt this trip was more worth it than my first.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Brooklyn Cruise Terminal was more organized this time. Still, it's always best to arrive earlier just in case anything unexpected happens.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Overall, the food & drinks at the Buffet and other complimentary restaurants were great, and have improved a lot.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Broadway shows, Progressive Trivia with Cruise Director, Gym / fitness center, events at the Atmosphere Pool and Sportsplex, & Bowling
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Although there weren't as many performers and songs as last time, we still enjoyed it entirely. Solo singers were better, but appeared fewer times than larger groups. We were surprised by the final show, when some of the managers and crew members filled in. Thankfully, this was the last show.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
A Filipino-like crew member at the Buffet, who was dressed like a waiter and idling in the corner with some of his people, needs re-training. He saw me struggling to carry a mug overfilled with coffee, and initially refused to help, simply telling me to get a tray myself, when the trays are mostly hidden at their stand. Although he ended up getting one for me, as he saw me spill some coffee on the floor, he also gave me the negative attitude. Well, he didn't have to if he simply handed me a tray to begin with.
In addition to the buffet incident, I find that same Ukrainian female crew member, whom I saw during my first trip as well, to be rude b/c she often tells people to back off, appears ignorant of regular people' questions, but appears to enjoy conversing with the better dressed white people and Europeans. Also, she should not be hosting trivia, even though she speaks English fluently, b/c she mumbled so much, seemingly on purpose, that hardly anyone can hear the questions.
Our cabin steward, Ray, was friendly and polite the entire trip, and I can tell he did his best.
Last, I would like to thank the cruise director, Gavin, for his excellent time management, and for being present around the ship and engaging with as many cruisers as he reasonably could; the ship's captain and his staff, and the security screening team on board, for a safe 12-day trip; and most crew members for being available to assist cruisers.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Still, it would be nice to access some areas at the front of the ship. I don't believe there are actually that many Yacht club members nor do they need that much space.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
The room was fairly well maintained. Only the bed sheets and sofa bed need extra cleaning b/c I see some stains and hair on them.
Our excursion, Top 10 Best, was already delayed by an hour, due to additional security clearance in the area, before our minibus began to move. We missed the chance to see 1 of the 2 museums b/c it was about to close, so instead, our tour guide allowed us to experience Larimar, the island's unique gemstone, at a small shopping place nearby, where we encountered a pushy salesperson who keeps talking without giving us the chance to speak. This Larimar shop was not stated in our excursion info., and is the worst alternative. As a form of apology, our tour guide always ended his every sentence with the phrase, "I love you". Also, the samples of rum we had at the Macorix House was too strong for us, but we enjoyed samples of Mama Juana. Overall, this excursion wasn't worth the price.
A lot of cruisers on board seem to be more prepared this time, and the elevators were operating so slowly and were so full that many of us were forced to walk down the stairs with however many luggages we have. Also, the line to exit the ship was even worse this time. Who knew you could disembark before your station was announced as long as you're ready to go. Luckily, we got off the ship sooner than expected, but still had to wait longer to receive our luggage at the terminal.
*Cruiseline.com is not a booking agent or travel agency,
and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners
(travel agencies and cruise lines) provide prices, which we list for our
users' convenience. Cruiseline.com does not guarantee any specific rates or
prices. While prices are updated daily, please check with the booking site
for the exact amount. Cruiseline.com is not responsible for content on
external web sites.
Contact us
Submitting...
Need help from a personal vacation planner?
Loading...
Find the perfect cruise with weekly tips and cruise deals for as little as $30/night!
Sign up for weekly cruise deals
Join other subscribers and get the best
cruise deals of the week in your inbox every Thursday.
