Great cruise, spoiled with a 40% capacity cruise. Norwegian as a company needs to do better by their staff and match the great service that the front line service staff provide. The guest services on board and pre cruise are horrendous but I have never been treated better on cruise ship by everyone else like we were on the Breakaway. We are giving it another try in September, because of the staff and the ship!
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Probably bthe most seamless embarkation ever. The mall is a nice touch as you walk from the connected Hilton property. Testing was also seamless and and staff were great. Little dicey if you enter from the street and sidewalk ends at the rail tracks and no clear path up to the entrance. Outdoor signage is lacking. We only noticed that after coming back to the port after testing.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Some of the best food and beverages I've had on vacation. Coffee is not the best as some have noted on Norwegian. The food and beverage staff are terrific though, really makes up for where Norwegian lacks in the Guest Services department.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Good amenities and activities. I feel like there should be storage for personal items at the ropes course as you have to have empty pockets. Pools are nice. Hot tubs are not hot at all, was kind of gross really.
Entertainment
2 out of 5
All the entertainment was superb. Great dinner shows at the Manhattan room.
Spice H2O
5 out of 5
Carlo & John the bartenders are phenomenal, absolutely made our trip
Children's Programs
No kids with us and the program was closed when we went to check it out
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
5 stars to everyone but the Guest service desk. The wait staff, bartenders and food service staff made up for the poor customer service from the Guest service desk. Too much to get into but basically I would not cruise with Norwegian again based on the Guest service department on board and pre trip, however the other staff did so well they made up for it, so much so that we booked again while on board. That's how good the rest of the staff are.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Beautiful design, spotless from a COVID standpoint. However, the ship is showing a lot of wear, especially for having been through a refurbishment in 2018. The walls have a lot of damage from the cleaning carts and the carpets in common areas were tattered or missing in some spots. Kind of odd.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Cabin was spotless, mostly. Walls had a pink stain splattered, likely from some type of cleaning agent used post COVID. It was everywhere. Even in the ceiling. The beds are uncomfortable, ours were stained (gross) and on a metal cot frame. It was made to look like a solid king with wood trim but structurally poor. Our squeaked so much they ended up replacing one side and the stained mattress. Carnival has the most comfortable bed I've slept on for a cruise. The balcony is nice, love that the door is a slider, nice that you can lock it open or closed from a switch up top.
Ship tip
Do not book the Vibe beach club. It closes at 11 but there is no bar service after 7 in that area or on that deck. Also, Cruisenext desk is not happy if you don't spend the max amount of money for future cruises, will treat you accordingly. The also don't like to tell you all the information you need, you have to read everything carefully. These are commission salespeople.
I love New Orleans. It's not the safest city I'm told but we stuck to main tourist areas an did not venture where we had no business. I would go back to New Orleans in a heartbeat just on it's own, had a great time. Locals are incredibly friendly.
Not much around the port, people were a touch aggressive but I get it's their job. However, they were super friendly and the taco stand and $2 Coronas were nice
Nothing at this port to see. Very aggressive and hostile people as you walk out of the gated area, they will follow you unless you are very firm. 1 port I'd recommend staying on the ship or having a cruise booked excursion.
Absolutely beautiful. Great day here in the pool and on the beach. Too bad this Norwegian owned Island does not extend the cruise ship benefits like you drink package to it like Great Stirrup Cay
Nice port, nice people. Beautiful scenery but not much more than shopping and higher priced bars. It was a short stop here, wish there was a beach available right by the ship to make the most of the time. Looks like there was one on the right but appeared closed
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