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Name: Andrew Taylor
Email: ataylor@lta.com
Age: 44
Occupation: Administrator
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: NCL-Leeward
SailingDate: 08/19/98
Itinerary: 3 Day Cruise to Nowhere
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 80
CabinComfort: 98
FoodRoomService: 95
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 85
CabinQuietness: 85
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 88
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon: 80
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 75
LoungeService: 80
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 88
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 90
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall:
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 95
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 80
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 85
EmbarkDisembark: 85
DiscoNightclubs: 85
DeckSpace: 75
Stabilization: 80
ShopsOnBoard: 75
SpaceRatio: 85
OverallCruiseValue: 89
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 23 Aug 1998
Time: 00:12:08
Remote Name: 32.100.209.76
Remote User:
Comments
This was our first cruise and I was VERY excited about it. I have
been wanting to go on a cruise for a long time but couldn't
convince my other half to
agree to one. We chose this cruise because it was out of our home
town (Alexandria, VA) and short enought to manage even if we
didn't like it. I had
read lots of reviews before the cruise so I knew pretty much what
to expect.
Embarkation: I won't go into this (although it was fine) because
this cruise was a charter and not part of the regular itinerary
for the Leeward.
Cabin: We were in cabin 4224 and were quite happy with it. It had
a nice sized sitting area, queen sized bed, big window, lots of
closet and shelf space
and tastefully decorated too. We had heard so much about small
cabins that we were VERY pleased with ours. (It was a fairly
high-end cabin though, but
low on the ship). The bathroom was small but clean, nice and
worked just fine. We did hear the engines and feel vibration but
it didn't bother us. Our
table mates had a higher cabin (deck 7) and they said theirs
didn't have any sound or vibration. I must say that the
soundproofing was overall very good.
We didn't hear our neighbors at all and even though we were right
under the promenade deck we couldn't hear people walking above
our cabin. The
cabin was actually bigger than our bedroom at home!
Food: After reading a lot of reviews, I was expecting the food to
be no better than hotel banquet food. Well, it was a lot better
than that. I can't say that I
had anything bad at all. I tended to stick to beef but it was all
perfectly cooked and delicious. Lunches were good too. I had a
great Taco salad one day
and a good cobb salad another. The sports bar food was fine for a
snack but no more. We had breakfast in our room two days and it
was very good and
exactly what we ordered and also on time. Overall, the food was
very good.
Service: The people on these ships seem to work VERY hard. I was
impressed with their good nature. They did seem to push drinks
but I was expenting
that and if you said no, it was no big deal. Our cabin stewart,
Linton, was delightful and kept the cabin well taken care of. I
particularly liked the way they
made up the beds at night with a sheet duvet covet that was so
nice and soft. The staff was super on this ship.
Entertainment: Quite frankly we didn't get to much of this since
we seemed so busy all the time with other things but we did see a
pretty good comedy act
in the Stardust Lounge the first night. He was good and the room
is lovely. We also thought the band around the pool was very
good. Just great soothing
music and nothing to giv eyou a headache.
The ship: Well, I was sort of expecting this but since this ship
hasn't been refubished since 1995, it was really showing a lot of
wear. The crew worked
hard to keep it clean but there was only so much they could do.
We met a travel agent at our table and she said that the ship was
going into dry dock
soon for a total re-do. I hope so, because it is really needed.
In the light of day the carpets, fabrics and furniture look very
worn. Luckily, in the evening
this all seems to mellow out and look a lot better. I really like
the interior design of this ship and hope they keep the same
style when they re-do her. I
understand how much wear these ships get but I wasn't quite
prepared for the general condition of this ship. It certainly
didn't ruin or even make much
difference to us, I just noticed it is all. I think overall the
ship was great for a first cruise but we are looking forward to
our next one (already booked) next
spring on a larger ship.
Overview: We had a blast! It was a great time. I think that the
most important bit of advice I could give anyone planning a
cruise is this. Don't expect too
much. Let yourself be plesantly surprised rather than
disappointed. I am sure that it is easy to build these trips up
into a trip of a lifetime but if you have
realistic expectations you will have a great time. There were far
too many critical people on this cruise but I think even they
were won over in the end. It is
a fabulous way to spend a vacation and a great way to relax. I
LOVED it.
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