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Name: Pat M.
Email: webmaster@cruiseopinion.com
Age: 30
Occupation: cruise agency owner
NumberOfCruises: 15
TravelAgent: Yes
Ship: NCL-Dreamward
SailingDate: 02/02/97
Itinerary: 7 day Western Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 87
CruiseDirector: 83
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 93
CabinAmenities: 88
FoodLidoDeck: 87
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets: 85
CabinSteward: 92
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService: 92
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon: 90
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland: 91
GoodForFamilies: 85
LoungeService: 88
TenderService: 85
GoodForSeniors: 85
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 87
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 75
EntertShowLounge: 72
OverallPortsofCall: 89
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 95
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 83
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 84
EmbarkDisembark: 91
DiscoNightclubs: 88
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 88
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 88
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 19 Feb 1997
Time: 12:57:23
Remote Name: 206.173.98.47
Remote User:
Comments
This was our first cruise on NCL, so we were very much looking forward to experiencing the
Dreamward. We've had clients rave about this ship and the Norway. Overall, it was a very
good cruise. NCL does nothing really poorly, and in most aspects they are quite good.
However, if you are expecting the sultry, romantic atmosphere (and all passengers to be
beautiful, 3% body fat, and ¾ naked) depicted by their famous (infamous?) ad campaign,
you'll be, well, in for a surprise. What you will get is a good party ship experience with
great service.
Here are the positive aspects, taken from our on-board notes:
Cabin (we had an outside stateroom on Promenade Deck) was beautiful and spacious. It also
did not creak, like the cabins of many other ships. Only drawback of the cabin was a
serious lack of drawer space. It has a very nice sitting area - and if you get a cabin on
the promenade deck, don't worry, people walking by can't really see in your cabin.
The ship was a nice size, and relatively easy to get around on. Public areas were not
overly crowded, and there was plenty of deck space. But to be safe, be sure to stake out
your deck chair by 9am on at-sea days. There was a fantastic reggae band on this cruise,
called "Roots Link". On the Country-Western theme night (we are not big C/W
fans), the musical alternative was Roots Link in one of the lounges. It was just us and a
few other couples there (country night was very popular), and the band took requests all
evening. It was like having our own personal band!
The food and service at Le Bistro was FANTASTIC. We got spoiled by eating there the first
night; this is a great idea as it's probably the least crowded evening to go there. We had
a pork saltimbocca that was to die for, also be sure to try the beef carpaccio and
bruscetta appetizers. Unbelievably great food, and the service was impeccable. It was so
good we ate there a 2nd time, and almost went a 3rd. Unfortunately, the dining room food
was a bit of a let-down after going to Le Bistro. It was good overall, but unspectacular.
Also, it didn't seem like the variety was fantastic. But remember, we are comparing this
with 15 other cruise experiences; a first-time cruiser will think the regular dining room
food is great. Our waiter and busboy were also excellent (as was service from the entire
staff and crew). By the way, get the ice cream - it's made fresh, and it is some of the
best we've ever had. Last but not least, the concept of four small dining rooms is great -
we had the sun terrace overlooking the aft of the ship, and we loved the intimacy of the
dining room as well as the view.
The ship was very well stabilized. Also, they have a new state-of-the-art digital photo
system, where you can view and order your photos on your cabin television. Picture quality
was very good, and it's certainly easier than looking through hundreds of photos.
Finally, there was a wide age distribution on this ship - everything from honeymooners to
retirees, with the average age probably around 45. The crowd was mostly blue-collar.
And, we felt the negatives were:
The drinks were both bad and very overpriced. Probably, this ship had the lowest drink
quality and highest prices of any we've been on. If you're a big drinker (we're not, but
the few we got were not good), keep this in mind.
The carpets were very worn, and stained in areas. The brass was quite dirty. There is no
in-room safe.
The exercise room was VERY small, with only two treadmills. We thought this was strange,
as NCL bills itself as the sports ships.
The production shows were disappointing, especially with what we had heard about NCL's
reputation for entertainment. "42nd Street" was performed fairly, but we thought
the quality of the singers and dancers came nowhere near the quality of other lines, like
Carnival and RCCL. The shows were plagued by technical difficulties with the microphones
and sound system.
Avoid the "Beach Club Colony" shore excursion in Grand Cayman. Essentially you
are paying $20/per person for two beach chairs to use, and two hamburgers. If you want to
go to the beach in Grand Cayman, catch a cab for $6.00 and get lunch on your own.
Other points to mention:
There was a good variety of shore excursions available, with the emphasis on water sports
(lots of scuba and snorkeling). Cancun was interesting, as the Dreamward is the only ship
to call there. The Cancun Overview tour was well-run and worthwhile; only a little more
time for shopping would have been great.
Finally, this ship had, how shall we say, the most "casually" dressed crowd we
have ever seen on a cruise. If that's what you like, this is the ship for you. Jeans were
in evidence everywhere on many of the casual nights, and believe it or not, there were
even guys in workout shorts and tank tops at the evening shows. I'm all for being
comfortable and "casually elegant", but I think this is taking it a little too
far, and NCL should adhere to a little stricter dress code policy.
Overall, it was a good cruise. NCL does a fine job in almost all aspects of the cruise
experience.
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