This was our first NCL cruise, and we will be back due to the great value, now that we know how to navigate the NCL "fee for service" and on your own type of reservations for the shows, meals etc. We found the value and opportunities great. Just need to pace myself, as this huge, active ship could wear anyone out!
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
The main dining room service was inconsistent, long wait for meal (45 minutes per course, or three hours for a meal) any extra requests frequently forgotten (extra bread basket, or appetizer, oil and vinegar, coffee with dessert, or wine with dinner all were forgotten by our servers on multiple nights). The Buffet was excellent as well as O'Sheehan's. Desserts are not NCL's chef's best (we laughed and it was a shipwide joke that they did not know how to make pie, the gluteneous gel fillings were strange!).
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Entertainment
4 out of 5
The web site did not work to reserve entertainment before the cruise, so I was unable to plan for a stage show as they were booked once on board. I did like the music and the programs I attended.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
Especially professional at the Service Desk, also our cabin steward was very attentive and personable.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Small balcony, but well appointed clean cabin. Bed was hard for my taste, but a foam "egg crate" type mattress pad was provided on request that helped.
Ship tip
This is a large ship, and would appeal to a young independent cruise crowd with the slides, climbing wall etc. Older cruisers or those with mobility issues may wish to use those scooters and wheel chairs. Also most of the tours would be difficult to do with a wheel chair. Also, the dining rooms seemed understaffed and it would be difficult to get assistance needed if you did not have family to help.
New Orleans is a unique fun port. The terminal needs some updating, it was awkward to drop off luggage on a side street, then hobble over a pot holed road with no side walks across railroad tracks to the terminal building - but it was smooth check-in from there.
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