All in all the cruise was wonderful! The best staff and service and food anywhere. However, the Embarkation port and Debarkation process were nightmares on this cruise. Please get these areas addressed and it would have been an absolutely perfect cruise!
Embarkation
1 out of 5
The port of San Pedro was a disaster! The weather but especially the nasty Port Authorities are to blame for such an awful embarkation from the port. It was rainy granted -- but does it never rain there? They should have lined up a much more efficient and friendly manner in which to keep the cruise passengers dry and comfortable. Even the Haven guests, sat in a cold waiting room, with no hot coffee or anything other than water bottles offered. This needs to change, if they want to get cruise line business. From the nasty attitudes of those at the port, it doesn't look like they care. The whole lot of them should be fired. They perhaps would rather be collecting a check from the government tax payers than work for a living.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
The food in all the restaurants was positively the best! Specialty restaurants were awesome!
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Although we didn't partake in many of the fitness activities, other than the walking track, if we were younger or had our family members with us, they would have loved the variety. We did use the Haven Pool as well as the hot tub and sun deck area. Love the 16+ required for the sun deck in the Haven. It gives those of us not cruising with kids a break from other's people's kids who they let run.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
They have top entertainment. From the shows, the music and many venue offerings. Greatly done!
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
The staff is friendly, efficient and always very welcoming!
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
The ship is kept immaculately clean and updated! We love the Joy!
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Awesome cabin! We also had the most amazing Butler and Cabin Steward team! A show out to our Butler, Mary Jane and our Cabin Steward, Maricel in the Haven! They made our vacation the best!!! Also awesome staff in the Haven restaurant.
Ship tip
Make sure you pre-pay your gratuities and daily service charge! Then bring along extra $$ for tipping. The. cruise staff all work so happy to keep you happy. They work long hours so show your appreciation. If you can afford to cruise you can afford to help those who make your vacation so amazing. We cruise fewer times, so we can afford to tip the staff better.
This was the worst part of our entire vacation. I rated them above in embarkation with the statement of how awful it was. They should fire the entire Port Authorities in the San Pedro port. They were simply nasty people, the women especially. Just nasty!!!
Fun port! We took a Sail excursion through NCL. However, next time we would do the Zodiaks and get up close and personal with the whales. Awesome day on our sail trip too!
We hired a taxi driver to show us around the area. He was proud of this area, so he gave us an amazing tour both by car and walking to see great sites!
This Country is extremely poor! Our guide was good, but it took her a while to get the counting of number of people on the bus done. We did the coffee plantation tour thru NCL which was very informative and beautiful grounds, complete with a biscotti and coffee at the end of it.
We took a tour of Old Panama City! This also was also very lovely tour. Our guide was great and we ended with a wonderful, large lunch of lots of typical Panama style foods! Delicious! Booked with NCL and I would recommend it!
Oh My! This was so amazing! We loved the entire transit, including getting up early and viewing from the top of the ship. It was also so nice that they opened the bridge area for the other cruisers. This was the BUCKET LIST but I want to do it again!!! So Cool!!!
This was a long 5 hour, hot tour we booked with NCL. Although our tour guide was good, when we did the stop in the old Cartegena, we felt like we were being constantly bothered by the vendors at every step we took. I would not recommend this, unless they do something to deter the vendors.
We have been to this area numerous times, so we didn't do a planned excursion. We got off the ship and explored in the immediate area surrounding the port and the shops. Purchased a few items and them went back to the ship. However, it's a great port for those who haven't been there numerous times.
We took the Everglades tour which brought us to the Fort Lauderdale airport to fly home. The tour guide on the bus was great. However, we were delayed over 1 1/2 hour start due to the poor way that NCL handled disembarkation in Miami. The tour itself was great, and we saw several alligators up close and personal. The bus tour guide was entertaining. But NCL needs to improve their transfer lines.
Disembarkation was very poor! This is a NCL issue. They need to improve how they are doing this. We are hesitant to ever take a transfer again after the poor experience of waiting in lines forever. Luckily, our flights were late in the day so we only were late 1 1/2 hours to begin our excursion. Please address your disembarkation procedure. We were in the Haven, and disembarkation was equally poor once we got to the lines in the Theatre for our transfer. Just ridiculous!!!
Our first time on NCL and stayed in The Haven. We loved The Haven and the staff. Our butler was terrific. Can you provide general guidance on tip for butler, like $/day of trip? I know we should give more for great service, but not sure where to start.
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