In general, the cruise met our goal which was to get into warm weather to relax and enjoy the sun shine. We were able to see countries that we hadn't visited before and spent time in the ocean.
Embarkation
1 out of 5
It appears that NCL goal is to keep this ship running 7/24. The ship docked in NY sometime in the morning. We saw people with luggage leaving the Cruise Terminal around 11:30 am, which indicated to me that there were delays in departing the ship. When we filled out the paperwork before the cruise, we were asked to select a time which we wanted to board the ship. The wording indicated that there would be problems if you didn't show up at that tine, which made my wife worry the whole trip to the Terminal. When we enterd the Cruise Terminal there was no one checking paperwork to see if poeple were scheduled for that time. We joined the long line of people waited to be processed through customs. Once we got through customs, we were directed to our waiting area for our deck, which means they said keep walking until you get to the end of the Terminal. We finally got there only to find hunderds of people stand, sitting in chair or sitting on the floor, some people had been there before 10:30. There were some tables along one walk with staff people standing behind them doing nothing. Around 1:30 after several announcements apologizing for the delay which they claim was due to the Coast Guard inspection, which I think is pretty lousy when it was clear that the ship not ready, they announced that boarding would began. We waited another hour while thry called different groups, then they announced that we had to go to the tables and collect our room keys and another half hour was wasted before we could get in line to enter the ship. This was made worse because the woman who was supposed to be directing passenger to open staff at the tables, spend most of the time talking to people and not noticing that the staff was waving at her. Overall very poor operation.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
The food and drinks were very good. Lots of options at mealtime.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
The pools were okay but one was a little small. There were a couple for children which looked nice. There was a large area in the back for adults to sunbath with no distraction.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Performances were very entertaining. Comedians was enjoyable and the singers were great.
Children's Programs
No children with us.
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Room Steward was great. Some Bartenders didn't seem to know how to make drinks, kept referring to a guide, but in general were good. As for the waiters, I couldn't figure out is the were untrained or over worked. At almost every meal we ate in a restaurant there were incomplete place setting. Some didn't have water glass or silverware, and every time the waiters took a long time to rectify the problem. Serving wise too, order a second glass of wine and it may show up before dessert, or watch your salad be delivered to another table. Delivering orders was based on how you ordered them, so if your wife ordered a salad and appetizer and you ordered appetizer and a salad, she would get the salad while you got the appetizer. Later, and some times much later, the other 2 showed up.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
The layout was okay, signs by elevators showing were everything was by category along with a layout of the floor you were on was very useful. The common areas seemed clean and maintained if some what antiquated. One oddity was that most chairs were uncomfortable to sit in for long time. They tended to have low backs which made me feel like my shoulders were not supported.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
The cabin was a little small based on cabins we have had on our cruises. The balcony could barely fit 2 chairs and a small table. The deck above covered it so the only good time to sit out there was very early in the morning. The couch was not comfortable to sit on as the back was too low. Pillows were poor and we slept fitfully most nights.
Ship tip
They collect $280. per person for gratuities but this doesn't got to the bartenders or waiters, so you should plan to tip them. You can ask to remove that charge.
The excursion we took was to a bus trip around town with a stop an amber site, a walk through the town and then to a beach. The guide complained took much, the amber site and town were somewhat interesting but we went through them too fast and the beach was lousy.
The excursion was a trip around part of the island and stops at one of the highest parts with a panoramic view of the island and a visit to the first church and then to a beach. The guide was very entertaining and knowledgeable about the area. The beach was very clean and nice
An excursion though the main town and a beach visit. The guide was very knowledgeable and took time for us to see most of the town and told about some of it's history. The beach are a was nice.
The excursion was bus trip to the Panama Canal locks. Willi, the guide was very knowledgeable and was able to answer our question. The view of the canal was exceptional and he took time to show us the older part of the canal and the town around it.
We took an excursion through Shipmate app. We went to the resort Allegro which had a great beach, several pools and a restaurant. It was very clean and the staff was nice. shipmate had failed to update the taxi fare and the distance to the resort was twice what they said it was but it was well worth it.
Stayed at the Holiday Day Inn by the Airport. The room was clean, the bed was very comfortable and the breakfast was good. Great way to get ready to fly home.
Another management fiasco. Our color group was supposed to disembark by 8:30, didn't get called until 10. Was sent to back of ship to disembark, then had to walk the length of the ship outside to get to the gang plank. We then walk down the 3 flights of ramps to the building where we were directed down a corridor. We then stood there waiting to move when a woman came over and told us that they were holding us until the luggage came off the ship and was ready for us to pick it up. The color groups were set for every 15 minutes, there was no way that the luggage could have been removed from the ship and stacked in the hall that quickly for each color group.
Thanks for the review? How could you tell while sitting in the terminal waiting to embark that the delay was caused by the crew not getting the ship ready fast enough and not by the Coast Guard inspection as was announced? How do you know the tips do not get to the waiters?
Well this cruise hit the worst two ports in the US. New York and New Orleans said and disembarked 3 times in each. Always a horrible experience but hope you at least enjoyed the cruise
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