Overall, this cruise exceeded my expectations. My room steward, Marvin, was amazing. I enjoyed the sit-down dining at Savor and most staff were excellent. I didn't use the water slides or rope course on this trip (although enjoyed them on a previous cruise). I did more excursions than I usually do and was amazed at the quality of the guides. Four of six guides were excellent. I've taken many trips where I wouldn't rate any of the guides excellent, so this was a shock to me. In general, the excursions were more generous with free time than usual. Biggest frustration is that only one excursion used the QuietVox-type of technology ... a cheaper version, but adequate. ALL excursions that have guided walks should be using this technology. I missed much by not being able to adequately hear the guide, which was frustrating. The meetings for excursions and the process for getting to the busses was mediocre to extremely poor in terms of wait time and, in two cases, the process for handing out bus stickers. The worst I've experienced compared to previous cruises. While most were okay, a couple of the shore excursion employees were mediocre at best. Do not expect calls to the operator to be answered ... I tried numerous times and never had a call answered. I would wait and it would eventually hang up on me ... repeatedly.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Due to a delayed flight, it was very rushed, but much better than waiting in the usual lines. Was told that standard-sized scissors that had been in my checked luggage were not allowed.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Food & service in the main dining room was generally excellent, although I found it better to avoid the beef dishes. Moderno & Cagney were both excellent.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Did not take advantage of any onboard activities.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
The two main stage shows were excellent (Burn the Floor, Million Dollar Quartet); I was less impressed with the other shows (magician and fastest violinist) and would rate them at 2/3 stars.
Children's Programs
Solo traveler ... no children with me.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
There are always a few exceptions, but in general, service was very good. My room steward (Marvin) was definitely 5 stars; most waiters were 5 stars; shore excursions were mixed. Internet manager wasn't available during posted times that I tried, apparently due to illness, although no sign was posted and an assistant said an issue would be resolved, but it wasn't. Front/main desk personnel were good, but lines were long; operator did not answer phone calls on a number of attempts (e.g., toilet not working late at night).
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Overall ship design/layout was good. There were some areas that weren't cleaned in a timely manner, but guests should have picked up dropped food and/or placed used cups/dishes on tray rather than expecting someone else to clean up after them (e.g., studio lounge).
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
It was an interior studio cabin, so quite small but it was well designed. Access to the studio lounge is a nice perk. There is now one cleaning per day (my room steward was excellent).
I opted for the Hop On, Hop Off buses which was a poor choice as due to the afternoon arrival time. We could only get off the ship after 1 pm and the buses stopped at 4:30 pm. Maps had no street names and it was extremely difficult to find the stops. Problems with prepaid tickets, so by the time that was resolved and the bus left the stop after a significant delay, only had time to get off once and then head back to the ship.
Colorful Honfleur excursion ... guide (David) was excellent and had the patience of a saint with people who had not read the description and should not have been on the excursion. Would have liked more free time to explore.
Bordeaux sampler excursion was a disappointment. "Short orientation of the city" was nonexistent from my perspective ... handed a paper map and told to be back at the bus at a specific time. I would not repeat this excursion unless it was less expensive.
Bilbao & Getxo excursion with Mabel, another excellent, knowledgeable guide who I would recommend. I would have liked to have had the option to walk across the hanging bridge, but there wasn't enough time. It was worthwhile riding it across and back. Would have liked more free time, but opted to stay with the guide for a walking tour which was very good and worthwhile.
I did an overview excursion. The guide was knowledgeable, but not as good as she thought she was. During the bus ride, pointed out things to look at, but didn't specify which side of the bus, so mostly missed. Given 45 min to walk up to the top of Hercules Tower (which was strongly suggested), but there were no tickets available at the time. Essentially given about 10 minutes free time at the end with option to not take the bus back to the ship. She had recommended a specific store, so I debated and then opted to not take the bus back to the ship so I could go there. The store was closed. Directions to return to the cruise ship were nonexistent and I went to the wrong location. Subsequently watched many others try to access the ship via another gate that was locked.
Galicia excursion met at 7:40 am (one of the earlier excursions), but it was well worth it. Daniel (History graduate) was an excellent, informative guide both during the bus rides and a walking tour ... probably one of the best I've ever had. Spoke of the pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle James in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition holds that the remains of the apostle are buried. Made valuable recommendations as far as timing and order of visit to the church and to see the remains, as well as places to eat and highlights of the city to consider visiting. Would have liked more time, but all aboard time was 2:30 pm and we arrived back at 2:20 pm Very well organized tour.
Very poorly organized. Waits were worse than usual, certain groups were allowed to cut the lines (although I supposedly had some sort of priority which was nonexistent), no guidance was available in the terminal to pick up luggage, and extremely difficult to find anyone for guidance outside the terminal. First person I asked in a uniform (not an NCL employee) told me to read the paper I had been given which was of no help. When I found an NCL rep and asked where the busses to the airport were, I was pointed to a long line of busses and told it was somewhere there. Had to wait in a line for some time to board the bus, and then on the bus before finally leaving. No additional people came, but that could have been due to lack of appropriate signage, guidance or NCL employees to help.
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