NCL Wind - A Disappointment!
Written: Nov 20 '00
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Dining Staff / Balcony / Ports
Cons: Food / Entertainment / Cleanliness of room
|
|
|
| Brahmama's Full Review: Norwegian Wind |
Our 10 day cruise left from San Diego on Thursday, November 9, 2000. The ship was late arriving so we enjoyed several hours in San Diego. Boarding was to have taken place at noon, but we were onboard about 5:30 PM. We found our balcony cabin (outrageously called a Penthouse Suite!) and had champagne waiting in cool water and canapes. We were afraid to eat the canapes - didn't know how long they had been out, and refrigerated the champagne for later. The balcony was great (our first) and we had a queen bed and a sitting area with a small but adequate bathroom.
However there was minimal toilet paper, no kleenex, no ice, no matches, the toilet wouldn't flush and no room steward! We did finally meet him in the hall around 8 PM, but he was very busy (I think the whole ship was) bringing luggage aboard. We never saw him again that night. No turndown, etc, but our next door neighbors, who we were traveling with, came to our rescue with an extra roll of toilet paper! And the toilets on our floor flushed again before midnight. That only happened once again on our floor, so we were lucky, as many passengers complained about the same problem. Our room was located well, but not kept very clean. The bed was always made and new towels placed, but the floor was not vacumned often, if at all. Several times, dirty towels/washcloths were left in the shower. bathroom. (soap on the floor etc). It took 4 days to get kleenex. This was our 5th NCL cruise and had always had exceptional service before, so it was a shock!
We had late seating, and arrived at our table for 8. Our waiter was late (perhaps loading luggage?) and did not talk to us, introduce himself nor did the bus boy. We waited long periods to be served, dishes removed etc. and decided to ask for another table. We had *never* done that before, and were quite nervous, but the head waiter was most helpful and moved us to a table for 4, with a very good and friendly waiter, busgirl, and wine steward. We had a delightful time in the dining room from then on. I strongly suggest that if you are at a table with a bad situation, that you request a change - as an enjoyable meal time is a large part of the cruise experience in our opinion!
We ate at the alternative restaurant one evening and had a nice meal - leaving the $5 suggested gratuity per person.. However, we didn't care for the buffets.They had long and slow moving lines and then we had to hunt for a table. Tables were not bussed well, so we had to move dirty cups and plates until we could find a server to clean them off! Hamburgers were tough and served on hard kaiser buns! But there was a very good oriental soup served most days in the buffet and a good selection of salads. We usually checked out the dining room menu and ate there if there was something that sounded appealing.
The food served was another situation! This was our 9th cruise, and the only cruise on which we thought the food was not very good. It was definitely an Asian slant - many sauces - and (sigh) tough meat. We were surprised by such things as Sweet and Sour Grouper and Sweet and Sour Turtle Soup! We had to laugh, and didn't complain to others, but yearned for a nice piece of broiled or grilled fish or meat without the elaborate sauces. We especially would have enjoyed a sandwich selection at noon. Breakfast choices were better with omelets and eggs benedict along with creative pancakes were available several times. The fresh fruits, especially the pineapple, were delicious! And the fresh baked breads were outstanding.
The ship limped along with engine problems. So we arrived late in Acapulco. The next day we were told we would not make the port in Mazanamillo. But we did have a lovely day in Puerto Vallarta. So out of a 10 day cruise, we only had 4 ports....The weather was fine and the water was calm however.
The ship was stretched a couple of years ago, and that was why the show lounge was so crowded. Other public areas, such as the 12th floor sports bar (used as a Lido area) were very crowded. The four of us were unable to sit together in the show lounge at times. I can't believe how critical this sounds; I keep trying for positive notes! But (I'm a choir teacher and musician) the sound system was terrible. The band was very loud and drowned out several of the vocalists. One night, everything just stopped and we waited until they got the problem straightened out. We missed not having a musical. Smoky Joe's Cafe was LOUD and repetitive. However, the magician was good and the comedy act was funny.
I think I just prefer a smaller ship. We had just had a cruise on a 3-Star ship with 678 passengers. This was a 5-Star ship with more than 1700 passengers. But the 3 Star outshone the Wind in every category except the balcony! The 4 of us never complained publicly (although I am making up for it now!) but we probably were the only 4 on board that didn't complain loudly and obnoxiously to anyone who would listen! What a bunch of sour people!! Some did have some legit gripes, but this was not an expensive upscale ship, so expecting lavish service and food was not feasible. (I did expect average and adequate service and clean rooms and tables!..)
I do think people should be realistic in their expectations. That is why I am giving this opinion. If you plan to go on the Wind, you will have an idea what to expect.
We left our camera in the show room, got to the door and turned back and it was gone. We were told by 2 different groups that the wait staff had picked it up and would be turned in to the purser's office. We checked for 48 hours. No camera. I finally went by myself to the show room and got behind the scenes where the sound equipment was and there it was - all stuffed in a corner. So I got it back, but felt as if noone really *cared*...(pout!)
Drink specials were $3.50 until noon - liquor was high. We paid between $18 and $22 for a fairly adequate bottle of wine, but the corkage fee would have been $10 had we bought our own.
The ship was shabby in places. Carpet frayed and coming up. Creaky cabins. It just seemed like NCL was cutting corners wherever possible. There were always mistakes in the Cruise News. Most minor, a few major! At the Latitudes Party, we finally got 2 drinks, but we had to go and find them. The show band was good and we got to dance a bit there.
Disembarkation was a definite plus! (There, I found something!) We were allowed to remain in our stateroom until they called our luggage tags. Now, that was very nice. We left the ship and immediately found our luggage and took it outside where we hailed a van to take us back to the airport.
I really thought a lot about what I would do differently. First of all, I would definitely take a smaller ship. And I don't think I would sail NCL again - even though it is so reasonable. I would rather pay more (well - a little more - I'm a retired educator without unlimited funds!) and have a great time on a well maintained, immaculate ship handled with pride and dignity.
Recommended:
No
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
Brahmama
|
|
Reviews written: 9
Trusted by: 2 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.