Mediocre NCL Cruise

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 12

Review summary

We were not even informed at check-in that the ship was not departing until Sunday. NCL should have done a much better job communicating that information, They were quick to email all sorts of solicitations prior to the cruise, but failed to email the important information. I understand that NCL had no control over the volcano, but they handled it very poorly for their guests. I paid for 4 ports and only really experienced 2 ports. The port in Maui where we moored, Lahina, we had already covered with our rental car. Changing the scheduled days in Maui could have easily been a real problem. I had reservations for a rental to be picked up on Sunday and was able to get that changed to Monday, but once again that cost $85 dollars extra. I also had reservations for Mama's Fish House that had been made a month prior. Since we already had the reservations and just needed to change the date, the restaurant worked with us - they understand customer service. I paid full price, for 5 guests that is, for half a trip. The extra day in Honolulu, cost me money because we spent it off the ship - transportation, food, etc. The whole itinerary change saved NCL a ton of money (food, fuel, port charges, etc.) and cost the guests dearly. The prices of everything onboard were so overpriced that NCL could have easily offerered each guest $200 onboard credit. This would have cost NCL very little and been a gesture welcomed by the guests. The shore excursions endorsed by the ship were average at best for the prices charged. The availability, for the number of guests onboard, of excursion choices was very limited with only 2 ports. The excursions that we took on our own were much better. I could not recommend NCL shore offerings to future guests. NCL tried hard on the little things and really blew it on the bigger, more important things.

Embarkation

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

Onboard Activities

Entertainment

Service and Staff

Ship Quality

Cabin / Stateroom

Ports of call

Honolulu, Oahu

Kahului, Maui

Nawiliwili, Kauai

Disembarkation

Other reviews of this sailing