The Good, The Bad and The Ugly......

[kattchatt]

First, let me start by saying this was our 1st NCL cruise. I've been a little leary as I have not heard too many positives about the line but with the new ship I thought it was time to give it a try. The following is what we; DW, DH, DD & her boyfriend experienced...

The Good.....

*Embarkation (easy)

*A pretty ship on the inside

*Excellent paid restaurants (Moderno my favorite)

*Great entertainment/shows but not enough of them

*3 water slides

*Lots of cabin storage space

*Comfy bed BUT.....(see the bad)

*Big shower

*Friendly staff

*Disembarkation (the best I've experienced)

The Bad.....

*No excitement upon entering the ship (a letdown)

*Boring sailing away party (probaby the worst)

*Promenade deck does not go around the ship at all, just along the sides

*Pools are too small, a lot of wasted space with sprinklers

*Cabin very narrow, could not get by the bed without almost turning sideways, always in each others way

*Bathroom/shower area not the best set up

*Beds are SHORT, I'm 5'5 and my toes were at the end

*No nightclub type atmopheres with dancing and lots of people having fun

*Way too many extra charges

*The food wasn't that great outside of the paid restaurants, seemed like it was always the same menu in Taste and Manhattern and the buffet got sickening after a few days.We felt like we were forced to eat at the paid restaurants to get a decent meal. First time we've ever paid to eat on board a ship, we've always been satisfied with the dining room food for the most part.

*MIA cruise director, Silas Cook was the worst, he was hardly visible the entire cruise so, so different then other lines "in my opinion a cruise director, a good one anyway, sets the tone each day and night not Silas!!!!

The Ugly.....

*The sink is just a total screw up...A shorter neck faucet might help but it was impossible to wash your face, shave or even brush your teeth without needing extra towels to wipe up all the water.It's also in a real BAD area especially if your bed is near the door...

*The ship just isn't very pretty to look at. It's big and awkward looking

I guess I/we arrived at most of these opinions by comparing experiences on this ship with that of our experiences on other ships. Needless to say, I'm glad I got the experience of sailing NCL, we did have good times and memories were made but it will be the last cruise we sail with them.

[ColinIllinois]

The Bad.....

*No excitement upon entering the ship (a letdown)

*Boring sailing away party (probaby the worst)

 

My Epic cruise on the 10th was my first cruise ever but what I quoted from your post struck me also. I'm not sure what I expected but coming on board for the first U.S. cruise I thought there would be more than "Can we see your keycard, thanks, now sanitize your hands".

 

No one to tell me even what direction to head in for anything, lunch or room. That felt strange. Sailing away party? What was that. lol

 

 

 

*The ship just isn't very pretty to look at. It's big and awkward looking

 

Before sailing and just seeing pictures of it I thought it was very ugly but not so much in person. I thought it was pretty cool actually.

 

Overall I had a fantastic trip and I am already planning my second one and will stay in a studio yet again. Mucho fun.

 

Thanks for your review.

[lusitanica]

*Great entertainment/shows but not enough of them

 

Could you be more specific please?

[brfan]

Thanks for the review, one question, you mentioned, under bad:

 

*No nightclub type atmopheres with dancing and lots of people having fun

 

I thought Bliss and Spice (in the evening) provided that type of atmosphere, wasn't that not the case?

[Leesie6351]

I am becoming concerned that on all the cruise lines, the growing use of specialty restaurants will be the nail on the coffin for great cruise MDR cuisine. There seems to be a consensus on all the boards for all cruise lines that food quality is declining yet everyone sings the praises of the extra fee specialty restaurants. Will we soon have to pay for our meals? or pay for meals to get good quality food? The cruise lines are not stupid-- they know that as food quality declines in the MDRs, passengers will be more willing to shell out extra bucks for the specialty restaurants. We need to start boycotting the special restaurants and then just maybe the quality will improve.

 

JMHO:confused:

[negc]

I am becoming concerned that on all the cruise lines, the growing use of specialty restaurants will be the nail on the coffin for great cruise MDR cuisine. There seems to be a consensus on all the boards for all cruise lines that food quality is declining yet everyone sings the praises of the extra fee specialty restaurants. Will we soon have to pay for our meals? or pay for meals to get good quality food? The cruise lines are not stupid-- they know that as food quality declines in the MDRs, passengers will be more willing to shell out extra bucks for the specialty restaurants. We need to start boycotting the special restaurants and then just maybe the quality will improve.

 

JMHO:confused:

The problem with your suggestion is that by boycotting the specialty restaurants you are condemning everyone who believes that the food in the MDRs has declined to the degree that it is no longer possible to get a good meal in them (I don't happen to be one of them), to a relatively wretched food experience while we wait for the cruiselines to get the message and make the improvements you feel necessary. How many cruises suffering from mediocre to poor meals should we endure while waiting for this to occur?

[kattchatt]

Thanks for the review, one question, you mentioned, under bad:

 

 

 

I thought Bliss and Spice (in the evening) provided that type of atmosphere, wasn't that not the case?

 

No that wasn't the case....Spice never had anything going on ever except the white party which took a while for people to show up to. There was scratch DJ stationed there every night but with zero people showing up.

Bliss had karaoke every night until 11:00 that also was boring as no one was in these area but some teenagers...

Again the cruise director did a horrible job of promoting things!!!

[kattchatt]

I am becoming concerned that on all the cruise lines, the growing use of specialty restaurants will be the nail on the coffin for great cruise MDR cuisine. There seems to be a consensus on all the boards for all cruise lines that food quality is declining yet everyone sings the praises of the extra fee specialty restaurants. Will we soon have to pay for our meals? or pay for meals to get good quality food? The cruise lines are not stupid-- they know that as food quality declines in the MDRs, passengers will be more willing to shell out extra bucks for the specialty restaurants. We need to start boycotting the special restaurants and then just maybe the quality will improve.

 

JMHO:confused:

I do agree with you....We felt forced to spend $$$ to eat but this was the 1st time in 8 cruises that we did this...

[luv4cruisin]

I personally love the specialty restaurants! I do not find the food in the MDR so awful that I must eat in the cover charge places. But I do like having so many dining options, free or not. Guess I just can't see what all the uproar is about. Nobody forces you to eat in the specialty restaurants.

[kattchatt]

Could you be more specific please?

 

Sure, There were 3 major shows to see:

1) BMG

2) Legends

3) Second City

 

There were 7 nights to fill...Most cruise lines have a big production show every night to see...

 

Plus a piano man, jazzs and blues singer, wildfire duo, piano duo....

 

We were just bored at times.....We expected so much more and got much less

[#1TravelMom]

I guess I'll have to see for myself. I just can't imagine being bored on this ship. We've been struggling to figure out how to fit everything in - the shows you mentioned, plus, we like the "not-so newlywed game", Quest, visit to the ice bar, karaoke, etc. We are actually trying to figure out if we will be able to do it all.

[arpster]

I am becoming concerned that on all the cruise lines, the growing use of specialty restaurants will be the nail on the coffin for great cruise MDR cuisine. There seems to be a consensus on all the boards for all cruise lines that food quality is declining yet everyone sings the praises of the extra fee specialty restaurants. Will we soon have to pay for our meals? or pay for meals to get good quality food? The cruise lines are not stupid-- they know that as food quality declines in the MDRs, passengers will be more willing to shell out extra bucks for the specialty restaurants. We need to start boycotting the special restaurants and then just maybe the quality will improve.

 

JMHO:confused:

 

 

you make a very good point...it's a worrying trend....was acceptable when there was just a couple of high end alternative dining venues...but the premium options now appear to dominate the dining on the newest ships.....fine for those with cash to burn but sure puts the squeeze on the rest of us

[lusitanica]

Sure, There were 3 major shows to see:

1) BMG

2) Legends

3) Second City

 

There were 7 nights to fill...Most cruise lines have a big production show every night to see...

 

Plus a piano man, jazzs and blues singer, wildfire duo, piano duo....

 

We were just bored at times.....We expected so much more and got much less

 

Thank you.

 

This is a sample schedule.

From your experience, any ideas about filling gaps?:)

Note: I consider The Second City a club venue, not a major show. At the same time The Cirque is neither a main show nor the club. I put it with the "main" though...

 

 

Night 1.

Dinner: Manhattan--- Theatre: BMG --------Club: The Second City

 

Night 2.

Dinner: Le Bistro------Theatre: Legends ---Club: Fat cats

 

Night 3.

Dinner: Cagney's------"let it be" Cirque ----Club: Howl at the Moon

 

Night 4.

Dinner: Moderno-------Theatre: ??? ---------Club: Bliss

 

Night 5.

Dinner: Teppanyaki----Theatre: ??? ---------Club: ???

 

Night 6.

Dinner: La Cucina------Theatre: ??? ---------Club: ???

 

Night 7.

Dinner: Shanghai's-----Theatre: ??? ---------Club: ???

[Collcoll]

Well I think you'd be able to do a particular club more than once. How about any Casino activies. Black Jack, Slots or Poker Tourneys? I do see the point about the theaters, but I'd do Second City as a theater choice and I'd do Howl at the moon the same way. I don't know, having not sailed yet, but that's my guess for now. Maybe I'll see it differently after we sail.

[jnjsmom]

Thank you.

 

This is a sample schedule.

From your experience, any ideas about filling gaps?:)

Note: I consider The Second City a club venue, not a major show. At the same time The Cirque is neither a main show nor the club. I put it with the "main" though...

 

 

Night 1.

Dinner: Manhattan--- Theatre: BMG --------Club: The Second City

 

Night 2.

Dinner: Le Bistro------Theatre: Legends ---Club: Fat cats

 

Night 3.

Dinner: Cagney's------"let it be" Cirque ----Club: Howl at the Moon

 

Night 4.

Dinner: Moderno-------Theatre: ??? ---------Club: Bliss

 

Night 5.

Dinner: Teppanyaki----Theatre: ??? ---------Club: ???

 

Night 6.

Dinner: La Cucina------Theatre: ??? ---------Club: ???

 

Night 7.

Dinner: Shanghai's-----Theatre: ??? ---------Club: ???

 

 

I'm traveling with a family of four ... with your schedule (not including soda card, drinks, shopping, photos, gratuities or excursions) this already adds about ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS to our trip!!

 

I have to agree, "Specialty Restaurants" should be for a special date night or birthday celebration on the cruise. Not what you have to do nightly in order to have a nice meal.

 

I'm nervous about how much $$$ we're going to have to spend to have a satisfying vacation. So many activities on NCL have extra charges attached ... entertainment, in-room movies, bowling, etc. We've mostly been on RCCL and that's never been an issue.

[wack001]

Thank you.

 

This is a sample schedule.

From your experience, any ideas about filling gaps?:)

Note: I consider The Second City a club venue, not a major show. At the same time The Cirque is neither a main show nor the club. I put it with the "main" though...

 

 

Night 1.

Dinner: Manhattan--- Theatre: BMG --------Club: The Second City

 

Night 2.

Dinner: Le Bistro------Theatre: Legends ---Club: Fat cats

 

Night 3.

Dinner: Cagney's------"let it be" Cirque ----Club: Howl at the Moon

 

Night 4.

Dinner: Moderno-------Theatre: ??? ---------Club: Bliss

 

Night 5.

Dinner: Teppanyaki----Theatre: ??? ---------Club: ???

 

Night 6.

Dinner: La Cucina------Theatre: ??? ---------Club: ???

 

Night 7.

Dinner: Shanghai's-----Theatre: ??? ---------Club: ???

 

Interesting post, just on food alone without drinks the above has spent $226.

add that to the price of the cruise + any drinks anywhere on the ship...must be nice

[intrepid_guy]

Sure, There were 3 major shows to see:

1) BMG

2) Legends

3) Second City

 

There were 7 nights to fill...Most cruise lines have a big production show every night to see...

 

Plus a piano man, jazzs and blues singer, wildfire duo, piano duo....

 

We were just bored at times.....We expected so much more and got much less

 

What cruise line has "big production show(s)" every night??? In my experience they have 2-3 production shows that are repeated thru the week. As are the ones on EPIC. Plus EPIC has Cirque Dreams, comedy club, Jazz/Blues club, O'Sheehans for games, piano near Shakers and other things to do during the evenings... I cannot believe you were bored.

 

 

~Intrepid <-- Scratching his head.

[lusitanica]

I'm traveling with a family of four ... with your schedule (not including soda card, drinks, shopping, photos, gratuities or excursions) this already adds about ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS to our trip!!

 

I have to agree, "Specialty Restaurants" should be for a special date night or birthday celebration on the cruise. Not what you have to do nightly in order to have a nice meal.

 

I'm nervous about how much $$$ we're going to have to spend to have a satisfying vacation. So many activities on NCL have extra charges attached ... entertainment, in-room movies, bowling, etc. We've mostly been on RCCL and that's never been an issue.

 

"Freestyle" looks different when you put the schedule on paper and see the whole picture.

Don't you think so?

[arpster]

"Freestyle" looks different when you put the schedule on paper and see the whole picture.

Don't you think so?

 

 

indeed...the Free in Freestyle is looking more and more incongruous....up until recently I'd happily recommend a cruise holiday to anyone....but now I'd have to warn them that on top of the up-front high cost of a cruise - the excursions/meals/shows/drinks could lead to their credit cards getting a thorough battering

[sjbdtz]

I'm traveling with a family of four ... with your schedule (not including soda card, drinks, shopping, photos, gratuities or excursions) this already adds about ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS to our trip!!

 

I have to agree, "Specialty Restaurants" should be for a special date night or birthday celebration on the cruise. Not what you have to do nightly in order to have a nice meal.

 

I'm nervous about how much $$$ we're going to have to spend to have a satisfying vacation. So many activities on NCL have extra charges attached ... entertainment, in-room movies, bowling, etc. We've mostly been on RCCL and that's never been an issue.

 

It's never been an issue on NCL, either. If you choose to use these extra value things, they have prices attached. If you choose not to.....then they don't (and that's why the cruise price is cheaper to begin with!!)....you only have to pay for what YOU use, not what everyone else is using!

 

I looked at what you said about $1000.....and wonder if you should take another run at those numbers....

 

Assuming all 4 are adults (and not < 3 y.o.),

 

4 x Cirque = $60

4 x Moderno = $72

4 x Cagneys = $100

4 x Le Bistro = $80

4 x Teppanyaki = $80

4 x Wasabi (not sure, but not $100 each)

 

 

That's about $400, not $1000......and that's for FOUR PEOPLE eating at five-star restaurants every night..... there are free restaurants, bbq, buffet, and 24 hr pub-style food included in your fare.

 

You won't go hungry on NCL without spending a dime extra.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Freestyle" looks different when you put the schedule on paper and see the whole picture.

Don't you think so?

 

 

indeed...the Free in Freestyle is looking more and more incongruous....up until recently I'd happily recommend a cruise holiday to anyone....but now I'd have to warn them that on top of the up-front high cost of a cruise - the excursions/meals/shows/drinks could lead to their credit cards getting a thorough battering

 

 

Free in freestyle means the same as freestyle does in swimming. You are FREE to choose your style.....

 

There's also no such thing as an upfront high cost of a cruise. The upfront cost of a cruise is dirt cheap!! $100/day is less than the price of a Holiday Inn, yet includes the room, the food, the entertainment, AND the transportation....

[ColinIllinois]

That's about $400, not $1000......and that's for FOUR PEOPLE eating at five-star restaurants every night..

 

The surcharge restaurants have some good food but they aren't even close to being "five star" restaurants.

[lusitanica]

You are FREE to choose your style.....

 

 

Please feel FREE to share your ideas for filling gaps :) :

 

Night 1.

Dinner: Manhattan--- Theatre: BMG --------Club: The Second City

 

Night 2.

Dinner: Le Bistro------Theatre: Legends ---Club: Fat cats

 

Night 3.

Dinner: Cagney's------"let it be" Cirque ----Club: Howl at the Moon

 

Night 4.

Dinner: Moderno-------Theatre: ??? ---------Club: Bliss

 

Night 5.

Dinner: Teppanyaki----Theatre: ??? ---------Club: ???

 

Night 6.

Dinner: La Cucina------Theatre: ??? ---------Club: ???

 

Night 7.

Dinner: Shanghai's-----Theatre: ??? ---------Club: ???

[Cubechick]

We enjoyed the entertainment on this ship far more than we have on any other. Maybe it's because we typically eat around 7:00...but we aren't looking for two shows (or events) a night. Before dinner we aren't looking for entertainment. After dinner, walk around a bit then take in a show (whether it be in the main theater, Fat Cats, Headliners). After that we'll go to a night club (Bliss seemed pretty hopping while we were on the ship...maybe because the TA had bad weather??) or maybe the casino.

 

We really don't care for the typical "production" shows, and while I can't say Legends was the best thing ever, it was nice to see something different offered by a cruise line. We loved BMG and although I didn't love the Cirque dinner like some folks did, I definitely thought it worth a go. The Slam Allen Band in Fat Cats was so good that we went to see them on two different nights (and I wanted to see them a third time, but couldn't squeeze them in). In our seven nights we saw Slam Allen twice, Howl at the Moon, BMG, Legends, did the Cirque dinner (and that same night went to a cocktail party and hit the Ice Bar). That's six nights for us and we blew off Second City the last night as we've seen them on other ships and decided to spend our last night relaxing in a hot tub instead of seeing a show.

 

We also never saw the magician who had a number of shows during our cruise (but heard he was quite good) and actually missed most of the musicians performing around the ship (including never making it to the Manhattan room). Oh we also missed the Four Seasons tribute that was sheduled at least twice during our cruise (although we did catch them doing their sound check at Spice).

 

Seems like plenty going on to me...and I'm sure I'm not listing everything that was happening...

[kattchatt]

I guess I'll have to see for myself. I just can't imagine being bored on this ship. We've been struggling to figure out how to fit everything in - the shows you mentioned, plus, we like the "not-so newlywed game", Quest, visit to the ice bar, karaoke, etc. We are actually trying to figure out if we will be able to do it all.

 

 

You'll fit it all in with no problem!!! We did with much time to spear!!!!

[kattchatt]

you make a very good point...it's a worrying trend....was acceptable when there was just a couple of high end alternative dining venues...but the premium options now appear to dominate the dining on the newest ships.....fine for those with cash to burn but sure puts the squeeze on the rest of us

 

 

Exactly!!!!!!