Unpleasant Cruise Experience, Unorganized & Unplanned Staff

Norwegian Bliss Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

DECruiser1119

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 3

Helpful Votes: 92

Overall rating:

1.8 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Alaska: Dawes Glacier Juneau & Ketchikan (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 13, 2024

Ship: Norwegian Bliss

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 15190

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 3 months ago

Review summary

We did not get to visit or see any Glaciers, cruise director did not offer any alternative destinations as well. Guest Services, youth club, shore excursions, bar tenders in observation deck and garden cafe team were rude and not courteous. This is my first cruising experiencing with norwegian and it was very unpleasant. I had sailed with other multiple cruise liners (Royal Carribean, MSC, Carnival) before, they are better than norweigan.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

After Embarkation was complete, everyone was asked to wait in a waiting room for 1 hour before letting us on to the Cruise Ship

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

There is no assigned main dining room, anyone can go to any dining room. Dining Room staff is very unorganized, unpleasant to interact. There are not a lot of options available for dining in the buffet. Desserts are had to find and are always the first item to run out of. If the desserts are out of stock on first day you expect the staff to be better planned n terms of quantities on the 2nd day. But dessert are unavailable every day, its like first come first serve. If you want today's desert you have to visit that section early and before getting appetizers or entrees.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Pools and other activities are frequently closed and there is not timing listed any where with hours of operation.

Entertainment

1 out of 5

Children's Programs

1 out of 5

Youth program staff responds in a very rude way.

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

restrooms are unclean and always stinky.

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

Cabin was not cleaned and the attendant was never near the cabin floor.

Ship tip

If possible avoid cruising on this ship, staff is not courteous and they do not care. Unless you want to adjust with what ever is given to you, avoid this ship.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Seattle, Washington

5 out of 5

Sitka, Alaska

3 out of 5

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5

Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Alaska

2 out of 5

KETCHIKAN (WARD COVE), ALASKA

1 out of 5

Victoria, British Columbia

3 out of 5

Disembarkation

2 out of 5

13 Comments

dlorimer 3 months ago

Wow! Very surprised at such a bad review. Did Alaska on NCL Bliss 2022, and cannot fault it and have nothing negative to say about it. NCL are our favourite cruise line, we have done 8, but also enjoyed Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Carnival too. There will be minor hiccups on any cruise ship, rise above it, be positive and enjoy your holiday.

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parnellmo 3 months ago

I was on this ship in May and I didn’t experience any of the horrors you’re describing. Perhaps you should research the ships and lines more before making a final decision but since you’re a seasoned cruiser I’m sure you know that. I enjoy being able to eat when I want to and not on a schedule. You could’ve put yourself on a schedule and made your way to the dining room. We never ate in the main dining rooms because there were so many choices, including desserts.

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Dumfy75 3 months ago

Well if you’re such an experienced cruiser you surely did your research and would know NCL don’t do assigned dining times! I sailed on the Bliss in January and although it was my least favourite NCL ship so far, there were none of the issues you mentioned.

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Jerrec 3 months ago

Generally if everything and all the staff were bad, it’s probably the cruiser, not the cruise.

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Gwbigdog 3 months ago

Oops sorry thanks

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jallaway 3 months ago

I betchya it was the stinky bathrooms

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bubbles60 3 months ago

We are always pleased with NCL. Freestyle dining is wonderful. We prefer it to assigned dining. Sorry you were not pleased..

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RC2cruises 3 months ago

I have been on six Norwegian cruises including one on the Bliss and did not experience any of what you described. We enjoyed every Norwegian cruise we’ve been on. Our room was cleaned every day and any request was promptly handled. Enjoyed all of the food and never saw a shortage of desserts.

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HeavySeas 3 months ago

Sounds questionable to me.....

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sherryc71 3 months ago

Very odd we sailed the Bliss in May, pool hours were always posted in the daily papers. Buffet had tons of options, and loads of desserts. Can't imagine they stopped having them.

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cruising2004 3 months ago

Sorry you were disappointed with your cruise.

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BarbSeymour 3 months ago

I find this so hard to believe since I've seen multiple posts about what a wonderful time so many people have had .

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javawoody 3 months ago

Appreciate the post

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