Fun, but..........
Written: Apr 17 '00
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: clean ship; great staff
Cons: many!
|
|
|
| ttee06's Full Review: Norwegian Wind |
Are you ready for that cruise vacation? Can you just imagine yourself sitting poolside with a Mai Tai in hand, soaking up the sun then later, heading to the dining room ready to indulge your senses in a culinary delight? You've saved and scrimped and now the time has arrived!
If you've been on a cruise before, then you know what I'm talking about. Imagine, though, the disappointment when all that build-up leads to nothing more than mediocrity.
On March 4th, my partner and I departed Miami on the Norwegian Wind. We were headed to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, Cozumel, then Key West and back to Miami. The itinerary was wonderful, although we did not care much for Mardi Gras itself. (For a review on the gay/lesbian tour group that chartered this ship, you can go to: http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-1993-D4A3B8C-38EA9DE2-prod2)
In order to remain on topic, I will stick to a review of the ship only!
Here are the pluses of Norwegian Wind:
1) The rooms were spacious. We had an Outside deluxe stateroom that had two portholes and a sitting room. We never felt cramped, except in the shower!
2) The staff was remarkable, especially since they were not used to dealing with a ship full of gay men and lesbians. Everyone from the room steward to the dining room staff to the spa staff was delightful and courteous at all times.
3) The ship was clean and well kept.
4) The cost for medical services onboard was reasonable. I paid only $20 for 4 different prescriptions plus $50 to see the Doc, which by the way is reimbursable by your insurance. (I had a bum tooth.)
5) The art auction had an impressive collection of pieces for sale at much lower than retail prices. We ended up buying two Peter Max paintings! The company that puts it on has a very professional and accommodating staff. After purchase, you can ask them to change frame styles if you don't like the one they show or if it's scratched.
6) They have a lovely "reservations only" dining room that has wonderful cuisine. (If you can get in!)
7) The ice cream bar and midnight chocolate buffet.
Now, with all that said, I have to say that all in all, the experience on Norwegian Wind was not that great. Here's why:
1) The food. Everyone knows that when you're on a cruise, you eat and eat and eat until your fly bursts. Not on this ship! First of all, the dining room hours are very restrictive. There are certain times of day when food is not available at all. Secondly, the food's not so great. Not terrible, but simply mediocre. I was really looking forward to lobster tail all week. When I finally got it, it was dry and overcooked. Most of the meals were rather bland and unexciting. The alternative bistro, which had excellent food, was impossible to get into. We were fortunate that, on the last night, we were delayed getting into Key West. Since our ship was predominately male, and they wanted to get out and "do" Key West, many cancelled reservations and we were able to enjoy a romantic dinner for two there.
2) The spa services onboard were very expensive. Not to mention that with every facial or massage came the sales pitch to buy product. My manicure was so-so. I do have to say though that, as mentioned above, the staff was great. When the woman who waxed my bikini line could not "get everything" due to the hairs being too short, she had me return two days later at no charge for a touch up.
3) The layout of the ship is confusing. Often to get from one end of the ship to another, depending upon what floor you are on, you may have to go up or down stairs to obtain a throughway.
4) For a ship that underwent renovation in 1998, the decor seemed outdated.
5) Of course, expensive drinks, tours and pictures. I don't drink much, and my partner only drank a little, poolside and at dinner, but our bar bill was still outrageous. I recommend, as many of the more savvy travelers did, to bring your own liquor onboard and drink in your room or carry a thermos. Also, if you are brave, you can find your own tours in port which are probably much cheaper. As for the pictures, if you want to bring home a nice picture of you and your loved one, just take a deep breath and say, "CHEESE".
While my partner and I had an excellent vacation, I would probably consider a different Cruise line when travelling in the future. In the past I have been on Royal Caribbean and there is definitely NO comparison. RC would get my repeat business in a heartbeat!
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
ttee06
|
|
Location: The Capitol, CA
Reviews written: 31
Trusted by: 25 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.