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Name: Tim Page
Email: Tim.Page@btinternet.com
Age: 33
Occupation: Telecoms Software
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: NCL-Windward
SailingDate: 18-June-1998
Itinerary: Vancouver-Alaska (Glacier Bay)
FoodDiningRoom: 88
CruiseDirector: 100
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 85
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 92
FoodLidoDeck: 82
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety: 100
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService: 80
ShoreExcValue: 85
GoodForHoneymoon: 88
CasinoStaff: 95
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 88
LoungeService: 95
TenderService: 85
GoodForSeniors: 88
BeautySalonStaff: 100
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 88
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon: 95
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 72
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 13 Jun 1998
Time: 11:50:56
Remote Name: 195.99.45.144
Remote User:
Comments
This was our first cruise, and we were impressed with The Norwegian Wind, post-stretch.
We stayed with family in Vancouver before and after the cruise so, although we came from
N.Ireland, flights didn't form part of the NCL package. (We got
very good attention from the UK firm Waves Cruise Consultants)
Food was very good : the choices for what/where/when were awesome, though I was a bit
surprised at the paper plates for our first onboard meal.
We usually chose buffet breakfast - excellent, then a light lunch in the pizza bar, or
sports bar - very good then a dinner at our table in our restaurant -
The Sun Terraces.
We enjoyed 1 meal in the smaller 'Bistro' restaurant. Service was very good. The only
improvement would have been to soundproof the restaurant from
the adjacent corridor.
A few general points on the food...
+ At dinner, main courses could include, e.g., just the meat. You need to ask explicitly
for vegetables and stuff. Took us a couple of nights to understand
this
+ The desserts were the least impressive - usually looking better than they tested
+ Consider buying a bottle of wine on the first night - the wine waiter will hold it over
for you, and you'll save pounds
Room service was fine - various snacks on offer for no extra charge.
The ports of call, Juneau, Skagway, Haines and Ketchigan were fine. Skagway was far and
away our favourite. We went on one tour - a 5 hour flight and
float, first flying over glaciers, and then rafting down a river. GO ON THIS TRIP - it was
superb.
The Cruise Director, Johnny, was superb - great humour and diplomatically cajouling all
the passengers to act sensiby when boarding / disembarking.
Exercise facilities onboard were ok - the usual machines. The programme included daily
power-walking around the deck, which burnt off some of the
calories.
Cabin steward was great - the room was kept spotless. No matter what we'd eaten at dinner,
we could always scoff the mint left on the turned-down bed.
I'm 6'4" tall, and the bed was fine for size. The shower was a wee bit cramped, but
did the job.
There were some good current films on TV. I'm a news addict, and the international text
news service on TV was disappointing, and not rally up-to-date.
Everything's VERY U.S. orientated.
Evening entertainment was one of the real highlights. We really enjoyed every evening, and
everyone else that we spoke to seemed to too.
Being a bit bookish, I noted that the Norwiegan Wind had a library. This was one of the
few disappointments on board - it was basically an alcove,
frequently populated with very loud Americans playing cards.
The Alaskan scenery was superb - everybody should get a chance to see sights like Glacier
Bay, and the ice falling off the glacier into the sea.
Summing up, this was our first cruise and, if we get to cruise again, I would travel with
NCL again, especially if they can beef up their libraries.
p.s. The one great secret onboard was afternoon tea most days. Yum.
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