Terrible from embarkation to disembarkation.

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 18

Review summary

Embarkation: Why is this such a process with NCL and should not take hours to get though security and check-in. Take a page from Royal, how do they embark so seamlessly? You have an app, use it! Royal lets you scan in your passport, take pictures, for an easy process. Even though you ask us to upload pictures, it takes so much time to redo all of this at check-in. Maybe you need more people? It was a terrible and stressful way to start a vacation. Also, we did not get our bags and at 6pm I went searching for them. No one was to be found, but I went into an employee area and found my own bags along with 100's of others. Why are these not delivered timely. I know it takes time, but after 6pm is crazy. Disembarkation: What a terrible experience. I understand we were late getting into port and then had an extended wait time to be cleared, but it was how the staff dealt with the situation that led to chaos. Prior to the delays, we were all provided times when we could walk off the boat or when our color groups would be able to get off. After the delays, no additional information was announced on when we could disembark. It was already too late when the announcements advising that deck 7 was closed off and no additional people should try and disembark, as people were just following the timelines they were provided. We left our room at 11:30 as requested and waited on the pool deck until our color was called. The cruise director had already made several announcements that different colors could come down, so we thought the chaos would be done. They directed us to go to deck 7, but all of the elevators were still shut off to deck 7. We struggled to even get off the elevators at floor 8 with the crowds and then proceeded to wait in line for two hours to get off the ship. We were only following the directions being provided by the cruise director and he kept calling more groups in the middle of the chaos. We had to wait on stairs with our heavy luggage which is extremely unsafe and none of the staff had any idea what to do. The in the middle of the chaos, they decided it would be a good time to have drills for the crew. We had over 100 crew members trying to get through the already crowed deck 7 and the drills also closed doors in the middle of the lines we were in stopping all progress. Also food and refreshments were only provided until 10:30, but did not get off until 2pm, way after lunch. You needed to provide another meal. I was expected to be home and working at 2pm and did not get home until after 6pm. Ridiculous and very stressful way to end a vacation. Room: Our group had 3 rooms and we were in club suites. It seemed like we got the very minimum service that I have ever seen on a cruise. The bed was made every day and towels were replaced, but nothing special was done. What happened to towel art or a friendly face from a stew? Myself and another room brought Clorox wipes for the surfaces and they were gross. Another room had an open bottle of water in her fridge and papers for another guest and I was delivered water for other guest as well. One of our rooms was above the mojito bar and our room rattled until 10 pm every night due to the band playing. We called to complain multiple times and no one cared. They needed to hear it themselves, but would not come during the session. Food/Service: I never had such mediocre food in my life. The buffet was very disappointing as it has the same repetitive food. The stations are very limited that keep repeating all the way around the buffet. I have also never been on a ship that has not had eggs benedict at the buffet. The main dining rooms need more people. I am not sure what is going on, but each time we ate their we waited about 30 minutes between courses. The servers just disappear? I also got steak one night and they did not want to give me a steak knife? O'Sheenhans is terrible, the wings are absolutely disgusting. Bars: I do not get your premium drinking package and it needs some work. Example: Screwball Peanut Butter Whisky is an upcharge so if you order a drink with it you have to pay extra, but you can order a Monkey Business that has Screwball Peanut Butter Whisky in it at it is only $13 and is included. Also, why the extra taxes when in port? Royal does not do this, why do you? Photos: I talked to several people who had pictures taken and bought packages or individual prints. Our friends renewed their vows on the trip and a photographer took pictures. We were interested in one picture and was advised that we cannot buy one picture and the only option was to buy 6 digital files for $500. Others bought individual prints for $30. You priced us out and now have no memories or the vow renewal.

Embarkation

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

Onboard Activities

Entertainment

Service and Staff

Ship Quality

Cabin / Stateroom

Ports of call

Royal Naval Dockyard, West End, Bermuda

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Disembarkation

Other reviews of this sailing