Although we really enjoyed spending time with our family I would not go on another NCL cruise. NCL offers a wonderful facility, amazing service staff, great ports, exceptional amenities, I would book on another cruise line in future. It saddens me to offer such a poor review as I love to travel. I love cruising. I love all inclusive holidays. I accept delays as part of travel. I can’t overlook the lack of communication from NCL staff. I can’t overlook the deplorable treatment of guests during the embarkment process or the disembarkment processes especially the treatment of seniors and passengers with mobility issues.
Embarkation
1 out of 5
We arrived at the terminal at 1:15 and stood in line for more than 4 hours. The only explanation we received for the delay from NCL staff was that there was another ship in the port at the same time. NCL was the only ship being boarded and NCL passengers were the only were the only guests being screened. We were treating our adult children and we were all disgusted at the treatment of the seniors and people with mobility challenges. When we finally got on board we were thirsty and were told at 3 bars there was no service. I found a NCL staff member that agreed to find us some water. The bar that poured water for us was met with an angry response from a large group at the bar that had been refused service. We later learned that safety demonstrations were about to start. We did the demonstration had a lovely dinner and decided to give NCL the benefit of the doubt. Until we tried to disembark in the ports. We have been on other cruises and disembarkment is usually a painless procedure. NCL couldn’t have been more disorganized and their staff couldn’t have been ruder. We waited up to an hour to disembark in one port. In most ports there was a contradiction in disembarkment instructions among NCL staff. Many of the passengers expressed their frustration with NCL and shared they have never experienced such disorganization with other cruise lines. Many passengers shared they would not be cruising with NCL in future.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
The service in all restaurants was very good as was the food.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
We loved the water slides and used them almost daily. Our adult children used the climbing walls and fitness Center
Entertainment
3 out of 5
Although we enjoyed the shows we saw, some venues were small and we did not choose to stand in lines.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
The service in all dining areas pool decks was exceptional. Our room steward, Omar, was wonderful.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
The size of our cabin was good and there was adequate storage. It was very clean as well. When the waters were the slightest bit bumpy our cabin sounded like a 1972 Winnebago doing 100 mph on a gravel road.
Ship tip
I would honestly suggest another provider. Although we really enjoyed the food and our cabin we could not overlook the staff responsible for embarking and disembarking.
Love New Orleans. We spent 2 nights before our cruise and 1 night after our cruise. New Orleans is a magical place. The food music and people are wonderful. See as much as you can. I highly recommend swamp tours plantation tours, and walking tours. Explore the Garden District if you have time. Browse the fabulous art galleries and enjoy the music.
We did a white water rafting excursion and our tour guide went above and beyond. He walked us up to a waterfall and allowed us to jump from a platform into a refreshing water hole. He was personable professional safety conscious and a lot of fun. It can be noted this was not a NCL excursion. Bravo Adventure Tours Andre Hunt tour guide
We enjoyed a Catamaran snorkelling experience. We were 45 minutes late due to the disembarkment fiasco, but because it was aNCL excursion we were escorted to an awaiting bus. Makes me wonder if our disembarkment delays are an accepted practice? We did not get on the boat when we returned but wandered the streets outside of the port and thoroughly enjoyed the locals
Belize was very clean. We described it as a cruise ship on land. There were plenty of beach chairs. Lots of restaurants and shops. I disembarked with my adult children on the first tender. I returned to the ship and my husband and I took a later tender. We had to laugh when we were escorted through the theatre with an elderly couple through the backstage past the dressing rooms and back to the spot we started to disembark. My husband and I are able bodied but the couple in front of us had mobility issues and were taken on a long detour seemingly without purpose. We were told we needed to go through the theatre to be counted. I did not see anyone counting us as we toured through the theatre.
I disembarked to have some time with Wi-Fi. Although I had pre-purchased a Wi-Fi package I was able to access wifi on board for a very brief period of time although my account would reflect far more access than what I received.
We all woke up early and lined up at 630 in the morning with our luggage. There were 5 able body adults in our group and we had no desire to experience any more NCL line ups. Nor did we d3sire to be scolded by frustrated NCL staff during our disembarkment.
Well how was it a 4 hour wait to get on? You said you arrived @ 1:15, and @ 3:00 you were told on board that 3 bars were closed?? Hummmmm???? They close EVERYTHING @ 3 for the safety drill!!! That is normal!! Wow!! We love NCL!! Good luck on your future cruising!
I must agree with you. We were on the GETAWAY in January. Worst part was embarking and disembarking. NCL and the port both blamed the mess on each other. No more NOLA cruises for us.😵
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