This was a good time and the itinerary is great with the exception of NY. Overall, the trip was a very fun time with the family, but it could have been better with some tweaks to the ship and figuring out somewhere else to start and end other than Manhattan.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Decent embarkation, no significant issues. Getting to the port even though we were only 2 miles away was a different story. Manhattan as the point of origin and end is less than ideal.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
This is a mixed review. All the "included" food we ate was very good but the only dining experience with one exception, was not good.
The Taste and Savor restaurants were excellent. I would give them a 5. We did not go the Manhattan Room. The specialty dining Cagney's and Bayamo were not worth the upcharge, it just wasn't that good. It wasn't bad, but I feel that paying the upcharge, I should walk away with a mediocre experience.
The buffet food was good but overall, it was an extremely negative experience. After trying to eat there 3 times, I turned to trying to avoid it all costs. The buffet was so crowded that you had frequently dodge people trying to move around in the space. Additionally, the crowds were such that we could not find seating without doing several laps around the buffet. One time we just took the food back to the room. Finally, there was almost no hand washing by anyone, I am not sure how after the pandemic people are actually washing their hands less and it seems that the Cruise lines are enforcing it less.
Oshean's (the Local on other ships). Like on other ships, it was situated around the atrium. The food a this restaurant was good but the dining experience at the restaurant was not. Because the ship uses the Atrium as a primary activity space on the ship, the restaurant is like eating in the middle of a very loud game show or dance party. Frequently, it was difficult to hold normal conversations around our table.
Another major issue with the dining on the ship, was that there were NO quick / grab and go items outside the buffet. No pizza, no small sandwiches etc.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Maybe it was this itinerary but the activities simply were not enticing. On a seven day cruise, the only onboard activity we did was use the thermal spa and other spa services. The spa was good, but it was only a small part of the total onboard activities.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
We saw Choir of Man, This Ones For You, Howl at the Moon, one of the comedians, various lounge acts and...the mentalist act. I thought all of the entertainment on the show was outstanding...with the exception of a mentalist act.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
All of the ship personnel was great.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
The ship design is ok with one major exception. There is no place on it to sit back and relax while having a drink. On MOST ships this is a space like the Observation lounge. Typically this is a space that has a good bar, light snacks, great views and comfortable seating, without amplified music. This ship has no Observation Lounge and also no similar space, at least not for non-Haven Guests. This means that there is literally no indoor space where you can escape (ironically) the loud, crowed, club like environment of the ships venues.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
It was fine cabin that was totally adequate for 2 people. Any more might feel a bit tight.
Ship tip
If you do not pay for private spaces, be prepared for a lot of noise on this ship.
This would be a higher rating if it was not the embark and disembark port. The embarkation was fairly smooth but getting to the port was not. Debarkation was a nightmare and it was clear that it was due to the caliber of the port and the staff. Additionally, to stay the night before the cruise to ensure you don't miss it, can cost nearly half the price of the cruise if you want to stay anywhere near the port. I needed 2 rooms due to the size of our group and the price tag was insane.
One of our bags was not place in the proper colored tag area and the time it took to find it nearly caused us to miss our transfer. The only bright side was the NCL employee that helped search all the bags. The New York port disembarkation process was the most disorganized and chaotic disembarkation I have ever experienced. It would be a 1 star if not for the NCL employee that helped us find our bag after the port employees misplaced.
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