Norwegian does an amazing job! They spared no expense for their nightly included shows! The dancers, actors, and performers are truly amazing at what they do. This is where Norwegian truly shines. Also, I love the food in the sit down restaurants, and I love that they have more choices. Shanghai was delicious! O'Sheehan's was a family favorite.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
It's just complete craziness when you get on the ship. Standing in line and getting checked in went smoothly, although the wait was long. However, once we got on board, there is only one group of elevators. People are so rude, jumping in front of other people with families and disabilities that are not as quick to get on the next available elevator. While some people only have to wait a minute or two, others are left waiting 10-15 minutes just to get on an elevator.
It would be great if Norwegian could have a line roped off here and a couple of crew working the line, so it truly is first come, first serve. Also, it would be great, if they would close these elevators for a time going to other floors except for maybe one or two of them, so they just work from the embarkation floor to dropping people off for the first couple of hours until people get dispersed to other parts of the ship. It felt like it took a long time for elevators to come down to the embarkation floor, and it did not feel like all elevators were working.
It was truly chaotic and felt stressful. It felt the exact opposite of how a cruise should feel, and it did not feel like the warm welcome I would expect.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Most of the food is absolutely amazing! I loved the sit down restaurants. O'Sheehan's had the best chicken wings I have ever tasted. Ever. Anywhere! O'Sheehan's fajitas were amazing too. It would have been great if O'Sheehan's had changed the dessert menu throughout the week. That is the only thing that got old to me.
I would have given them a 5 except for the buffet. It is chaotic, and this is not the way I want to feel while on vacation. Other passengers are rude. Some don't speak English, and even if you do, it is complicated to tell what is going on. Does the line start from the left or right? Is there a line?
It would be extremely helpful, if Norwegian brought some organization to the buffet. A line would help a lot. Roping off the buffet to allow people to pass to the left, while people got their food to the right would stop people from cutting the line and help people pass too. I am not sure if there is an easy way to accomplish it, but it would be wonderful if drinks were served. This would stop people from having to take food to the table than go back for drinks.
O'Sheehan's Neighborhood Bar and Grille
5 out of 5
O'Sheehan's had the best chicken wings I have ever tasted. Ever. Anywhere! O'Sheehan's fajitas were amazing too. It would have been great if O'Sheehan's had changed the dessert menu throughout the week. That is the only thing that got old to me.
I loved being able to stop late at night to get a tea or class of milk and dessert or late night snack.
Service was consistently good. Sometimes, there was a bit of a wait: 20-30 minutes. However, I think this is something Norwegian greatly improved upon.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
So, SO many things to do! I loved getting in the salt water pool or Jacuzzi. My family loved the ropes course and mini golf course.
It would have been great if the rock-climbing wall was open for longer periods of time. The time it was open was very limited, which was frustrating.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
The shows were amazing! Burn the Floor completely amazed us. The dancers have some amazing talent. Just incredible! The actors in Rock of Ages were amazing as well. Norwegian hit two home runs with these shows.
Dizzy, the magician, was unbelievable. It took a little bit to grasp his humor, but once you start to follow, he amazes again and again and again!
We bought tickets to the show in Spiegel Tent, and it was incredible. The performers were amazing!
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
I'm not sure if it because the staff are overworked or because they know the since tips are mandatory that there is less chance of them being tipped extra, but quite of view of them seem to be exhausted, disheartened.
Our cabin steward, John, was wonderful! He always had a warm hello and smile for us! He kept our room in tip top shape, and I often wondered, if he slept.
The only huge complaint I have for service staff is when we ask to be seated in a special place, we were ignored. There was no explanation that they couldn't sit people in on the dance floor or next to a window, etc. Just okay no problem, then they would sit us away from the dance floor or away from the window. If someone is willing to wait longer for a better seat or a special one, why shouldn't that be allowed? There should be a system that allows this to be easier for the crew and passengers. I know some people wouldn't want to wait. One time, a much better table opened up within 5 minutes, we would have gladly waited.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
It's amazing!
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
It's little, but it works. We only mainly stayed in our room to sleep. There were four beds. Two of them pulled down to make bunk beds that each held an adult up to 300 lbs.
John did an amazing job of keeping it clean and tidy for us.
Ship tip
Go to see the special show with dinner, Cirque Dreams & Dinner Jungle Fantasy, in the Spiegel Tent. Don't buy the VIP tickets and arrive early. Seating after VIP, is first come, first serve. If you arrive early, you will still get great seats.
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