Dawn:Canada/New England/08/31/08

[BuckeyePat]

Our cabin stewards were great, especially Edwin who always had a smile

 

Towel animals every night but the 2 nights they skip[first and last]

 

We did not know Aqua was open for breakfast until Day 5---no notice in our room

 

Used Room service for morning coffee/juice/cold cereal a few times and they were always prompt

 

I was surprised by the number of people who were surprised about surcharge restaurants

 

Loved the pound cake! and watermelon and pineapple!

 

We tipped our room stewards extra; I just hope they are allowed to keep it? We also tipped in surcharge restaurants and for room service.

 

I thought drink prices were very fair---if not actually less than I expected! Often added extra tip for drinks...

 

I saw some of human nature I hope to not encounter very often, if ever again. Most glaring was 2 women who cut in front of me at buffet. One put cut fruit with juice in her bowl and then promptly licked the serving spoon. I grabbed the serving bowl and put it behind things so no one could use it and told first employee I saw. What was she thinking????? I have never told my DH this. It did ironically happen the morning of the evening I met with the NCL officials...not NCL's fault, but it seemed employees started watching the line more.

 

Last but not least, if NCL does read these boards, kudos to Mr. Aydin and the others with him when we met!

 

I have no idea when I may sail again, but to all of you, Happy Sailing and thanks for the tips these past few months!

[BuckeyePat]

Thanks very much for your review. Glad to read that it has a happy ending, as the dining part was not sounding promising!

 

We are considering a NE/CA in the future. Can you say a bit more about why you would skip St. John? Thanks again.

My first time I would not skip it. But honestly, looking back we are exhausted from our vacation, and I think the fact it was so port intensive contributed to that. So, if I had seen it before, I would skip it!

 

It is a walking port with two 'markets' you can walk to; one is modern stores another is local food and craft items. Also a beautiful park at top of hill in the city. We did not purchase a shore excursion for this port.

[DocJohnB]

I was surprised by the number of people who were surprised about surcharge restaurants

Interesting observation. Would you guess that these people were first time NCL cruisers (I would have to imagine that would be the case). Or maybe even complete cruise virgins.

 

I have absolutely no reason to doubt you Pat . . . human nature being what it is. :eek: :eek: I just have to wonder how anybody can get on a NCL ship and not know that this is a part of the Freestyle experience. . . . heck how could a person even get on any cruise line and not know this is a fact of life in cruising.

 

I would certainly lay the majority of the blame on the cruiser themselves, but have to wonder about a T/A's (or cruise line "consultant's") role in this.

 

As Arte Johnson used to say. Verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry Interesting. :D

[marthatravels]

WHEN can you make reservations at the speciality restaurants? This is our first time on NCL and we are trying NCL to see if we like the Freestyle...we rarely eat at the buffet on other cruises so we are hoping to have a good experience...

[BuckeyePat]

Interesting observation. Would you guess that these people were first time NCL cruisers (I would have to imagine that would be the case). Or maybe even complete cruise virgins.

 

I have absolutely no reason to doubt you Pat . . . human nature being what it is. :eek: :eek: I just have to wonder how anybody can get on a NCL ship and not know that this is a part of the Freestyle experience. . . . heck how could a person even get on any cruise line and not know this is a fact of life in cruising.

 

I would certainly lay the majority of the blame on the cruiser themselves, but have to wonder about a T/A's (or cruise line "consultant's") role in this.

 

As Arte Johnson used to say. Verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry Interesting. :D

Doc---am not sure myself why this was. One woman I spoke to was with a sister and their mother; elderly mother was 'shocked' at changes in cruising "from the old days". The woman herself said she had gone to this site and it showed Salsa's free and lower prices for other venues. I haven't looked here so don't know, but am sure people just go to sites they are familiar with which may not be updated. No criticism of the sites from me, as it would be nearly impossible for any of them to keep all ships/ cruise lines up to date. I mean gosh, I think we were the 2nd or 3rd cruise for Salsa to charge....

[BuckeyePat]

WHEN can you make reservations at the speciality restaurants? This is our first time on NCL and we are trying NCL to see if we like the Freestyle...we rarely eat at the buffet on other cruises so we are hoping to have a good experience...

Martha--upon boarding on Sunday, we were able to make reservations for that night as well as Monday and Tuesday. That is for a mini suite, but should also apply to balcony level.

[BuckeyePat]

I forgot to mention our last night at sea. As we were sailing south Hanna was coming north. Very rough, but we were assured the ship is built for this weather and to hold on to rails etc. if out and about. Outside decks were closed and we plowed through those waves.

 

We sailed into ports everyday with a Princess ship----except I did not see her in Newport. Mentioned to my DH that their itinerary must be different at that point.

 

On Sunday while sitting in LGA waiting for our flight, 2 women asked if we were cruisers. [i was a little paranoid until I realized they may have heard me on my cell:eek: ]. Turns out they were on the Princess ship and due to weather they had missed Newport altogether and sailed to New York directly from Boston. Told us they were anchored right outside dock area and of course shops, casino etc. were closed for their last night.

 

It was ironic that seas were so bad, and we woke up Sunday to a beautiful, sunny day. Hanna was fast moving at that point! Kudos to NCL for letting us keep to our itinerary, and I hope those who got sick [and there were plenty] will give cruising another try!

[maninmontreal]

Great Review BuckeyePat ! Good writing, very readable. I am thinking of giving NCL( I`m a devotee of Holland-America) a try since they sail often from New York which would be convenient for me. Still not ready to take the plunge though as their 100% single supplement is the deal breaker, (compared to 50% for HAL) but your review is nudging me a little closer and leaving from NYC would save me air-fare. Thanks.:)

[marthatravels]

your reviews were both helpful and honest...there is not any cruise line or ship or crew that can please everyone all the time....I have yet been on any line that did not do it's upmost best to just do that, it's best.....we have been on many cruises and lines and always had a wonderful time because we did not expect everything to be perfect....we are really looking forward to our trip and your reviews on just "managing" some issues have been very helpful...see all you "CC" members next week....looks like IKE will be through NYC before we get there.....who could want more!!!!