First time cruiser. While I had a lot of good times, there was a lot I didn't care for. It seemed like most of the cruise was about drinking. And while I do not mind cutting back and enjoying myself, I don't drink like many seemed to be. I wanted more from a cruise than that.
There was a number of shows, but many cost extra to see, and I would have hoped entertainment would be included.
There is a lot of up charges I wasn't aware of. For example a can of soda costs, a soda fountain drinks do not with the drink package. The drink package did not include the drinks in the room. And there was a number of up charges for the drinks I ordered. So I guess if they used some more expensive booze it cost extra. We spend an extra $200 in room charges for this and that.
Embarkation
2 out of 5
Getting to the port required 3 mile hike with luggage, but the embankment was smooth
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
Food overall was ok. Nothing special. A lot of the breads were getting stale on the last few days.
We did have one bad experience with o'sheehan. The server was terrible. Took at hour to get food. We could not get drink refills. Once we did, we got charged for soda though we had a drink package. I think he took a can of soda from the bar, but we didn't get a can. IDK. The food was good but the server was trying his best to ignore us.
But the dinner show at the Tropicana was great. Service was spot on with the best of restaurants. And the food was excellent.
Bars where the same. Some had excellent bartenders, and others only served those that were right in front of them. I had one server take my room card and disappear for 40 minutes. I had to go look him, as it was my key to get back in my room.
This is all hit and miss.
Sugarcane Mojito Bar
1 out of 5
Most of the bar service is great. This place had a terrible bar tender. I waited for 25 minutes for a drink and finally left. She was focused on whomever was sitting at the front of the bar. I tried waiting patiently on the right side, and she taking other orders. Even when I tried to speak up, someone new would step up there and cut over me, and she'd ignore me and make their order.
O'Sheehan's Neighborhood Bar and Grille
1 out of 5
Service here was very poor. We could not seem to get the attention of our waiter. I don't know if we sat at a poor location, but we had a terrible time trying to get a order placed, get our drinks, get drink refills. It was over an hour, and the restaurant was less than half full. We had to stop our waiter to ask for anything, then it took foreverThe food was good though. I enjoyed it the wings and Shepard pie. My SO got a chips and nacho, and they were from bag of chips and can cheese like you'd get a home. I would say this place needs better management to keep up on the wait staff.
Onboard Activities
2 out of 5
There seem to be a number of options, but after a week, it is rather boring, and we were ready to leave. There is only so much shopping to do. Everything seemed to me to focused our alcohol.
Entertainment
1 out of 5
This is what I was really disappointed. We spend 80% time or more on the ship, and for that, there just wasn't enough to do except drink. I wanted more events and activities to chose from. Even the activities were about drinking. (tequila tasting, margarita, wine).
By the last day we were looking for anything interesting to do, and there was nothing.
The next time I look for a cruise I will focus on whether the ship has enough to offer in regards to entertainment.
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Service was a hit and miss all over the ship. Many of the crew was pleasant, helpful, and professional. Others seemed put out or burned out. You can just tell they are tired of the guests. Overall I feel there were more that were dedicated to the service than those you can tell that didn't want to be there.
I think since tips are pre-paid, this does take away the need to make your customer happy. They're getting the tip regardless how poor the service is. So why make sure your water glass if filled at diner.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
The design was great. Within 24 hours we know our way around the ship. I did notice the H2O Spice in the aft was harder to location. But once we found it, it was a great place to hang out with adults only. A little wade pool to cool off. The low crowds made it easy to find a chair or get a drink.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
The cabin had more room than I expected. There is plenty of space for all your belongs. The beds were comfortable.
Ship tip
If then are tendering on a port of call, schedule this early. I didn't realize they needed scheduled. I happened to be an early riser, and noticed it on an interactive screen. By early morning three tender boats where already full.
I did not care for New Orleans at all. They have construction. The NCL app has to going to Julia street but port authorities stop you and send you to Henderson. We had no idea where this was at and tried to walk it. After three miles hike of walking through homeless section of New Orleans, we were able to flag down a taxi to drive us the other two miles.
Why cannot someone explain to us that Henderson Street was at the other end of the port. We even asked port officer, and he said just keep walking, with a smirk on his face. Now we get the joke. We were no where close. New Orleans are not friendly to tourist. Less than smart on their part. I know i will look for another port to leave from next time.
Vendors are VERY pushing trying to get you to come into their stores. And the stores are all the exact same. Three silver jewelry stores all next to each other.
We went into a leather shop just to look around and if you touch anything they are hound you on a price to buy it. We stopped going into the stores to look around.
We did do a submarine excursion which was great. They took our photo which they lost, but it was still a great time. Certainly schedule this again.
We swam in the ocean here, and hot a nice time. We got some lunch, which was expensive of course, but it was pretty good. I asked the bartender for a water and gave him the three dollars for it. He took it as a tip and got me water from the tap which we decided not to touch.
This had a lot of shopping, and they mark up everything to bargain with you. The only downside was since this was out last port of call, they started at 7am and finished by 2pm. We got there early, such that most the shops where closed or just opening up.
Getting off the shipped was crazy busy lining up, but once we were cleared to get off, the almost rushed up off the ship. They looked at our passports and said move along. I think this may be because of the virus going around.
I was on your cruise...I thought most of the entertainment was included but the venues were too small. If the gut does an eagles tribute at sugarcane's only 30 people can sit and enjoy it.
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