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Note - this page contains multiple reviews.
Name: Eric Herr
Email: ericbeth@pacifier.com
Age: 33
Occupation: Technology Manager
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: NCL-Norway
SailingDate: March 17, 2001 - March 24, 2001
Itinerary: Eastern Caribbean
Cabin: K804 - Penthouse Suite
FoodDiningRoom: 89
CruiseDirector: 80
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 80
CruiseStaff: 80
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 85
DiningRoomService: 99
CabinQuietness: 85
FoodMidnightBuffets: 85
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 75
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 1
PrivateIsland: 95
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 10
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 75
WheelchairAccess: 1
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 80
OverallPortsofCall: 75
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 80
CruiseActivities: 70
Casino: 95
AirSeaProgram: 20
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 30
EmbarkDisembark: 85
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 98
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 27 Apr 2001
Time: 14:37:04
Remote Name: 65.100.43.53
Remote User:
Comments
This is the second cruise my wife and I have taken. The first was for our Honeymoon (NCL - Seaward), and
the most recent for our 5th Anniversary. Because we had sailed with NCL before, we were "Latitudes"
members (return customers). THis provided us with some additional ammenities (ie: early boarding,
champagne with the captain, etc).
We were much more impressed with our first cruise than with the second, but that is due in large part to the
ships we were on. The Seaward the first trip, and the Norway the second. We were excited about our trip on
the Norway as we envisioned a classic style cruise ship with the old grand dame refinements.
What we got was an old ship. The layout of the ship is very poor, and difficult to get around. The elevators
are small and slow (if they are working at all), the cruise line was upgrading the ship while we were at sea
(ie: re-varnishing the railings, replacing carpeting, fixing plumbing, etc.)
Also on the negative side was the port calls. Though the locations were nice, the process to get to them
was a real pain. The Norway is too large to actually pull up to the docks in port, and so NCL set up a
tendering system. This system required you to go the the photo gallery and WAIT in line to get a tender
pass (each tender only holds about 250 people, so if you want on the first tender you are in line by 7:30
am...how relaxing). Next, you go to a common area and WAIT for your tender to begin boarding. Next you
go the the boarding deck and WAIT to get boarded. Then you sit on the tender and WAIT until it is full, then
you are ferried to the dock. WHen you want to return, you must WAIT to get on the next tender to ferry you
back to the ship. Needless to say there is a lot of WAITING, which results in a lot of wasted time (very
frustrating).
Our penthouse cabin was fantastic. From the cabin steward (James) to the space. From the balcony to the
breakfasts al fresco. We loved it. The rest of the ship left us wanting more, however.
We have booked another cruise for next spring, and we will be trying out Princess Cruises this time around.
Not that we will never sail with NCL again, but we figured there is no point getting stuck in a rut.
Pros/Cons of the Norway:
PROS: -Inexpensive (but rightly so) -Large cabins if you move into a decent class of cabin -Very good
meals -Excellent service (except casino...very rude) -Shows are good (not great) -Plenty of
room/passenger
CONS: -Ship is too large to pull into port (must use tender). Very long waits for everything. -Ship needs
general maintenance (and not while paying customers must live through it. -No midnight buffet (excetp the
chocoholic buffet on one evening)
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