We'll be back! We loved sailing with NCL and we loved NZ
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Embarkation flowed smoothly. We were given a time and advised not to be more than an hour early, which we were, so we did have a bit of a wait to filter through but that was our fault for being over eager
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
The buffet was our first choice on embarking because we were advised to go straight there but we aren't buffet lovers so avoided it because we don't like crowds or buffet served food. We discovered O'Sheanns for breakfast and alterenated between here and Tzars for brecky. Table service and good choices, although Tzars was our favourite all around. We had the dining package but wouldn't choose it again because the food was NO better than Tzars & Azura. First night was Teppanyaki and the food was beautifully cooked but the grill chefs lacked the flair of true professionally trained Teppanyaki chefs, it showed in the lack of showmanship only not in the food which was delicious. Then we tried Cagneys where we had the only tough steak on the trip. Moderno was greatly cooked meat with delicious salads but the dipping sauces were WAY too bland. I ordered duck at Le Bistro and got ... well, duck shepherd's pie ... which was disappointing. Chin Chin is where I had the only inedible meal of the trip. But every meal at Tzars and Azura was spot on. For munchies there was always topside bar & grill. I missed great desserts and felt the ship could have done with a well trained pastry chef. Desserts everywhere were blah. I didn't have a nice one anywhere and the apple pie was bad .. quite bad.
Tsar's Main Dining Room
4 out of 5
Be waited on ! you deserve it. Service is fantastic and a great choice every day for breakfast and dinner. Steak was perfect every time, even though my husband likes his "blue" he got it blue every time. Desserts could be better, apple pie wasnt nice, they need a pastry chef.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
We did most of the shows, weather wasnt right for the poolside activities and we played bridge but this wasn't organised. The card room is used for other card games so bridge players have to pay at a dining table in Cagneys but we still had fun and met nice people.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
FANTASTIC! Especially Cirque de Bijou, Velvet and Rock you Tonight. All entertainers were brilliant, versatile and friendly
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Go Dieval! Lovely man, made our trip perfect!
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Adequate and comfortable and kept perfectly clean by Dieval.
Went to see the penguin conservation colony which was a scary drive but the driver knew the road well. stunning scenery and very interesting. Then in the afteroon we took the double decker bus tour. Both really worth doing.
Did the same cruise in November and agree with your comments, the only really disappointing meal was at LeBistro where our Sword Fish was over cooked to our liking, but then we should have remembered to ask for it to be medium. We loved the other speciality restaurants for the atmosphere but were equally happy with the MDR’s and the informality of O’Sheehans. We’re not buffet people so didn’t eat there. I’m doing the same itinerary next year with Celebrity so looking forward to the comparison.
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