The ship is beautiful but strangely laid out. There are many bars and eateries that are simply part of the main hallway flow, not much deliniation between the guests enjoying a meal or beverage and the flowing traffic going to a fro to various activities.
The main attrium is very nice with the Java Cafe off to one side and the reception area opposite.
We kept getting turned around, but I believe that's normal. There were plenty of plaques around telling you where you were, and where everything else was.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Many choices, always something available. Again our worst experience was in the Wave Restaurant, it was very loud in there and the service was painfully slow. All the other restaurants had nice quaint settings, good service, good food and plenty of it and the experience was always pleasant.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
We kept to ourselves a lot, enjoying the casino, and to pool side entertainment. Enjoyed Donna Buffalo's band - did many excursions with are prohibitively priced, but we still really enjoyed everything we signed up for.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Everyone was friendly but I feel that teh Freestyle takes away the pressure to be above and beyond. Also - if the crew is promoted from write ups from customers, then customers should be made aware of this at the begining of their travels not at the debarkation meeting. Also, in restaurants, it would be nice if someone (Maitre D, Hostess) should come around and ask people how the food and service was - and collect some of the praise or comments made at the moment.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
The ship was always very clean, the crew was in constant motion working to keep everything ship shape. The decore was pleasant but aside from the main atrium, it wasn't outstanding.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Very comfortable for my husband and I - my daughter's bed was very rigid (the couch), but this was remedied as soon as we asked for an extra feather pillow under her sheets. The staff was always on top of things without being invasive and oh thank you so much for the towel pets - a cruise would not be the same without them!
Loved the balcony, the location was very accessible to elevators.
It was just really nice to end our trip snorkling. The island is gorgeous but boy you do sure pack a ton of folks on a very small little strip of land. If NCL could continue to expand the accessible areas, especially where people can lie around and relax, and maybe breate some paths that folks could walk on - that would help. But the snorkleing between the 2 large rocks was great - Food was very good also, staff friendly and fast to serve.
I liked this port of call teh most. The last time I visited the Dominican Republic we docked in the capital. I ventured out to visite but overall the experience was not very good. Samana on the other hand is a beautiful peaceful bay. We opted to go to the Mangroves and Caves. Our guide was very good, informative, pleasant and fun. His knowledge of the mangroves and the caves was excellent. The trip was excellent in all regards. A little fun, a lot of history, and some wonderful sites.
It was just really nice to end our trip snorkling. The island is gorgeous but boy you do sure pack a ton of folks on a very small little strip of land. If NCL could continue to expand the accessible areas, especially where people can lie around and relax, and maybe breate some paths that folks could walk on - that would help. But the snorkleing between the 2 large rocks was great - Food was very good also, staff friendly and fast to serve.
I liked this port of call teh most. The last time I visited the Dominican Republic we docked in the capital. I ventured out to visite but overall the experience was not very good. Samana on the other hand is a beautiful peaceful bay. We opted to go to the Mangroves and Caves. Our guide was very good, informative, pleasant and fun. His knowledge of the mangroves and the caves was excellent. The trip was excellent in all regards. A little fun, a lot of history, and some wonderful sites.
We opted to go Parasalling which was awesome. Our crew was friendly and entertaining. The ride was of a good lenght, and the view from above gorgeous! We managed a little shopping of course, all in all a pleasant experience.
We went on an island exploration tour which included 2 hours of beach time. Our tour giude was excellent stopping often to point out various sites and islands off in the distance. Really enjoyed the Botanical Garden, it's variety of plants and the fact that all of it was exhibited in such a convenient small little park. The only down turn came at the end of our road trip. First no directions were given as to where we were supposed to go. No opportunity to tip the gentleman (Mr. Potter) for his time and work. The beach was very narrow and not very clean. The restaurant was pleasant, but only our bar tender got tipped, their was no opportunity to tip the waitstaff, and no place to go to compliment the awesome food that had been presented to us. So I hope the tips had been included in our excursion price, these folks worked hard.
We went on an island exploration tour which included 2 hours of beach time. Our tour giude was excellent stopping often to point out various sites and islands off in the distance. Really enjoyed the Botanical Garden, it's variety of plants and the fact that all of it was exhibited in such a convenient small little park. The only down turn came at the end of our road trip. First no directions were given as to where we were supposed to go. No opportunity to tip the gentleman (Mr. Potter) for his time and work. The beach was very narrow and not very clean. The restaurant was pleasant, but only our bar tender got tipped, their was no opportunity to tip the waitstaff, and no place to go to compliment the awesome food that had been presented to us. So I hope the tips had been included in our excursion price, these folks worked hard.
We opted to go Parasalling which was awesome. Our crew was friendly and entertaining. The ride was of a good lenght, and the view from above gorgeous! We managed a little shopping of course, all in all a pleasant experience.
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