As I said above - I love transatlantic crossings - have done 4 - but I did not like this ship - so little orientation to the outside. The only place to really be outside is either a balcony or the 15th deck which was continually packed with people and super noisy.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
I was lucky enough to be in the terminal early but the people who weren't stood in a long line in the sun waiting to get inside - my experience was fine, theirs was not so good.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Overall I like the food on Norwegian. I didn't do any specialty restaurants this time but I have in the past and they all have been good. I liked that there were two other places outside of buffet and main dining rooms that were complimentary - the Noodle Bar/Shanghai restaurant and O'Sheehans - recommend it for breakfast - get served, choose your food and it arrives hot.
Onboard Activities
1 out of 5
The pools are very small and not adequate for the size of the ship. Great fitness center with a lot of equipment and one of the few places on the ship with an outside view of the water.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
I enjoyed the shows I went to - Cirque, Burn the Floor, Carole's Kings, Priscilla - all were very good and there was a lot of great music in the various venues too. I've been on ships where I liked the entertainment more, but all was fine.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
I rarely saw my room steward - not the kind of relationship I've typically had with a steward so that was a bit disappointing. All the other servers and staff were helpful.
Ship Quality
1 out of 5
I don't like this ship - don't like the size or layout. All of the public spaces were continually loud, loud, loud since everything on decks 5,6,7 open on the Atrium and gambling areas. My main issue with this ship is that there are SO FEW places to be outside or to look outside - there is no promenade deck, no sitting areas for reading a book or having a coffee that have windows to the outside. Everything is focused into the ship instead of our to the ocean. Very disappointing and I would not take this ship again. All of the spaces where I could take a book where over crowded and I talked to a number of other passenger who felt the same way about the lack of space for just chilling out - either alone or in a couple or small group. The cleanliness was not an issue.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
This was the first time I had a single room - a studio - and I liked it - enough room and storage for me. I appreciated having the living room available just to single guests with espresso machine, snacks, etc. My room was outside the main grouping which I liked - even with the noise of the door to the hallway being open and shut. I think the interior rooms might have just as much noise as in any ship.
Ship tip
If you like constant activity and big groups it's the ship for you. If, like me, you are on a cruise to relax and have a mix of down time, alone time and activity I would not recommend this ship and I won't take it again.
The Cathedral is beautiful - otherwise my excursion was not great - aimed at selling pearls rather than real guiding. I should have just used the shuttle and gone to the Cathedral on my own.
Beautiful city - got off the ship on my own and took a little tram to the end of the docks and then walked into the center. The tram was great - cheaper than any other method - but not promoted by the ship. Luckily I found it on my own.
Did a trip to the beach - loved it - was so ready to be in the ocean and off the ship at that point. The other pieces are super touristy and just aimed at selling things.
Ditto as above - trip just to a beach to swim and snorkel - loved it. Excursions were fine. Other pieces are super touristy and aimed at selling things.
This ship is huge! But you are absolutely correct about lack of sea views. I found myself going behind the water slide to just see the ocean. Maybe when they refit this ship, they will fix some of these issues.
*Cruiseline.com is not a booking agent or travel agency,
and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners
(travel agencies and cruise lines) provide prices, which we list for our
users' convenience. Cruiseline.com does not guarantee any specific rates or
prices. While prices are updated daily, please check with the booking site
for the exact amount. Cruiseline.com is not responsible for content on
external web sites.
Contact us
Submitting...
Need help from a personal vacation planner?
Loading...
Find the perfect cruise with weekly tips and cruise deals for as little as $30/night!
Sign up for weekly cruise deals
Join other subscribers and get the best
cruise deals of the week in your inbox every Thursday.
