Freestyle cruising - NOT

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 4

Review summary

After several cruises on Princess, Royal Carribean, Celebrity, Holland America and Costa, we decided to try NCL The concept of anytime dining does not work,in my opinion. No reservations are taken in most of the popular "no additional cost" restaurants and at popular meal times we had to wait on a crowded stairway for over a half an hour until our stateroom number was called. When ushered into the restaurant service was slow and we had to miss the evening intertainment. On other curise lines, it's nice to have a waiter who knows your name and that you like lemon in your water and decaf and cookies for desert and guarantees that you'll be finished in time for the show. The food was boring and unimaginitive - often the same thing - with a new name. Steaks were tough, veal was rubbery. After the show the only reataurant open for a snack or desert was a little restaurant called the Blue Lagoon with uncomfortable seating and the only desert served was pound cake. The buffet restaurant during lunch had no cookies or pastries other than what was left over from last night's dinner at the Versailles. It seems as if NCL is spreading itself too thinly in the food department by pushing it's additional cost restaurants to the detriment of normal food service. On the positive side, Ricky, the cruise director was the best ever. He was totally involved in all activities and is a great entertainer. The productions were wonderful and the entire cast including the Second City group were great. The rooms were kept immaculate as well as the public areas.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

Entertainment

Service and Staff

Ship Quality

Cabin / Stateroom

Pros: The entertainment - The cleanliness of the ship - Friendliness of the crew

Cons: The food - waiting for seating in restaurants - the slow food service - missing shows

Recommends Norwegian Star? No.