Caribbean Cruise for a newbie
Norwegian Bliss Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern
Contributor Level:
Purser
Cruises: 1 cruise (first)
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 29
7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)
Sail date: February 02, 2019
Ship: Norwegian Bliss
Cabin type: Balcony
Traveled as: Family (older children)
Reviewed: 5 years ago
Review summary
This was our first cruise ever and I would go back tomorrow. Or maybe in a few days after I stop rocking back and forth. Haha. Great experience and great sites. The biggest thing I want when I go on vacation is that the accommodations are nicer or at least the same as what I have at home. I was very comfortable the whole time and everything was clean, so my expirations were met with just that. Then add in the food, drinks, entertainment, views and weather and you have one excellent vacation. And that is what we had.Embarkation
Was very surprised how fast how fast it was before we were on the ship drinking. There were 5 of us with two cabins and I think from the time the bus dropped us off to receiving our first drink was under a half hour, and that was with a big line in front of us. NCL really has a smooth process for Embarkation.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
I felt the food and drinks on this ship were awesome, but nothing to compare to. My in laws though so too and they have gone on 15 cruises and this was their first NCL Cruise.
Onboard Activities
The go carts were fun, faster than I expected and we are an MX family. The go cart staff was very ignorant, I understand safety is a concern but these guys made us feel like we were in prison before we even got in the go carts. At one point they yelled at us to sit in the chairs in the waiting area and before we even got seated they yelled again at us to get up and get in line. And then the heard you like cattle through this long line, even with an appointment, while you listen to the same safety recording over and over. Only one of the guys was friendly. I think we would have rode them a few more times if we had a better experience with the staff.
Entertainment
There was plenty of entertainment going on at all times. The game shows were fun to watch, the Beatles show was excellent!!!! But went an hour before the show started and my wife and I were standing in the way back with a brick pillar between us. So go really early if you want a seat, we didn’t mind because it was a lot of fun. The jersey boys show was very long, close to 2 hours but it was very very good and I am not even into that kind of music or plays. Only giving 4 stars because I thought the comedians could have been much better.
Service and Staff
The guy that cleaned our room was excellent, we tipped him on the first day, not sure if that was why but I suggest doing that because he was off the charts good and very friendly. Wanted to tip him again while exiting but could not find him, so take care of them 1st day. My whole cruise experience was awesome so I hate to only give 3 stars since 80% of the overall staff were excellent at their jobs and friendly, but the group of go-cart staff and bar tenders were 95% un-friendly. I can understand the language barrier could have something to do with this but what does it take to smile or take the time to look you in the eyes when you talk to them. I hear stories of other cruises where the bar tenders are a lot of fun and even entertaining, that was not our experience on the Bliss. As far as wait time to get a drink, I was pleasantly surprised with very short wait times with that many people on the same boat. The bars were packed but never had to wait longer than 5 mins. I guess since the bar tenders did not waste time smiling, talking or looking at you, they were very efficient. Oh, I am changing my rating from 3 to 4 because I should not let the bartenders attitude drag down the rating for everyone, because now that I think about it, the servers were awesome!!! If you sit at the pool you never need to see to bartenders because the servers are fast and friendly. Tipping these guys may have helped but not sure. Sometimes we didn’t have cash with us and they were still awesome.
Ship Quality
It’s a new ship so you expect it to be clean but wow! Were they on top of this! bathrooms being cleaned at all times and smelled good. The hallways going to staterooms always spotless and smelled good. If I could only say one thing about this boat it would be it is very clean and smells good. My wife is a neat freak in our house and she was not disappointed on this boat.
Cabin / Stateroom
Was very surprised at how much room three of us had in this room. As far as cleanliness, we walked in and it was spotless, we would walk out and it was a mess, we would walk back in and it was spotless, walk out and a mess, back in and spotless.... all week long. Our room cleaner was amazing!!!! Thank you!!!
Ship tip
Although tips are included, I think extra tips may help, but not sure. I wish I would have over tipped a bar tender to see if I could have gotten just one of them to smile.
Thumbs up
0
Ports of call
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
This may be an unfair rating since we just got off the boat and walked around. But I would call that the port itself so going to rate this to help people understand that you should not get off unless you are going somewhere like beach or excursion. Walking to shops off the ship is dangerous with crazy traffic, I am surprised we only saw one accident. I was terrified one of us would get hit by a car and end up in the hospital that looked like it got hit by a bomb. The whole town looked like it got hit by a bomb. I feel bad because I know they got hit hard by a storm or two but have to give my honest opinion. Don’t get off here without planning a trip far away from the port. Especially with little ones.
Nice shopping right off the boat, very clean and safe. We went to Megan Bay Beach and although the beach was extremely beautiful, I think the ride there and back was the best part for me. Got into one of those open bus trucks and paid $8 a piece and took this crazy ride up and down the mountain barely touching passing cars and trees with the most amazing views. A lot of fun!! Just keep your hands and arms inside the bus the whole time. We had kids putting their arms out taking pictures and I am not kidding, you are inches away from trees and other vehicles. The beach was also amazing, very pretty views and the pizza was some of the best pie I ever had.
We went to the bar next to senior frogs with the swings out front. We went to a polka show which had the place going crazy! I am not sure how it normally is but we had a blast here. Shopping is fun around town but a little shady where you buy something in one shop and they take you to another shop to pay, sometimes down an alley. But these were knock off items which I guess are shady to begin with. I guess the streets are safe but very loud and police cars and ambulances constantly buzzing down the streets in a hurry gives you an un safe feeling. The only complaint I have is as soon as you hit the streets off of the port it is completely crazy with people screaming at you to take you here or there or to get you a cab or to sell you an excursion, it is a hectic 100 yards that if you have little ones, keep them close. We didn’t have little ones but I felt bad for the people that did because I was worried about my wife and 14 year old.
Disembarkation
Same as getting in the ship, very smooth and very fast. Getting on the bus to the airport was a little confusing but a Ft Lauderdale airport sign and Miami airport sign could eliminate all of this confusion.