This was about my 20th cruise. There are pros and cons. I like NCL's activity level and dining options, but can honestly say that every year they are cutting corners that I very much notice. I'm ready to try more upscale lines in order to get the good service and less unmanageable crowds.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
This is because the cruisers were crazy; not the staff or process. They had to call security because people wouldn't get out of the boarding line because it wasn't their turn. It was ridiculous.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
The food was fine in the free restaurants, and good in the specialty. However, the dining rooms were regularly closed or completely booked, forcing all passengers to the few available areas and the food took 1-2 hours per meal. Not in a good way. If orders were incorrect, you just dealt with it cause you couldn't wait another hour for your food to be re-made. Also, the drink prices were changed about 2 weeks before we sailed, and many of the included wines were no longer covered under the UBP. This was aggravating. Mainly because the drinks package was a big factor in me choosing NCL.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
All of the activities are great; that's why I chose NCL for the 5th time. But the machines are out of order or broken. They don't keep up with them. The mini golf course was literally falling apart. The card room had broken or missing pieces. The dart boards were broken with many areas unable to read darts. Machines would take our money and then not work.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
The comedy was good, dueling pianos was fun, game shows were hilarious, and burn the floor was spectacular.
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
So mixed on my feelings. The staff was phenomenal. Honestly. But NCL packs too many passengers and not enough staff to support it. You pay SO MUCH between your service charge, gratuities on your drinks packages and dining packages, and then there is insufficient staff to accommodate the passengers. NONE of your cruise fare goes to the staff? THE ONLY THING to pay the staff is gratuities and extra charges?? And still you close all 3 dining rooms for lunch and close down half of the bars while in port?? This is not the case on Celebrity or RCL. Just sayin...
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
The staff does their best to clean up and keep the ship in good shape, but a lot of things go neglected. I love the design of the ship.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
Our cabin was clean and our steward responded to us when he was able. We didn't have beach towels for a few days, couldn't get the mini bar emptied, they didn't give us the complimentary champagne for being silver.. etc but I truly do not think it is the steward's fault. He had A LOT of rooms.
Ship tip
This ship has a lot of activities to keep you entertained. But NCL is absolutely trying to find the most bottom of the barrel service to give for the most amount of money.
I love COZUMEL! We rented a jeep, grabbed a map, and my husband drove us to the eastern, wild side of the island. It was beautiful, secluded, and we had a great time.
You are so wrong. Average ncl pay ranges from approximately $7.39 per hour for Steward to $12.78 per hour for Agent.. this comes from an independant source of cruise line renumerations and does not include tips
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