NORWEGIAN JEWEL BACK TO BACK, EASTERN AND WESTERN
Review of NCL Norwegian Jewel by Dizzy (20 Mar 06)
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Overall Rating
ITINERARY – Poor
Although the itinerary was poor, the variety of shore excursions at each port was so diverse it was confusing as to which excursion to take, the prices were so extortionate that most of us went under our own steam.
The talks on Ports of Call are all aimed at selling, and particular shops are \'pushed\'.
Prices - The ship’s Shore Excursions were far too expensive. For example, the visit to the Bacardi factory cost one couple $78 as booked onboard – my husband and I did the identical excursion on our own for $8!!! What a rip-off.
Roatan - should most definitely not have been on the itinerary. Everybody thought the place was depressing and came away with a sense of guilt that we have so much in comparison with the inhabitants of the island. An awful day.
Grand Cayman - was missed due to sea conditions. However, two ships did manage to put guests ashore. There were pictures taken of passengers disembarking from the ship moored alongside and a second ship sailed around the leeward side of the island to disembark its passengers. This was an island we had particularly looked forward to, so were extremely disappointed in missing it and, by way of recompense, we were given a rum punch (if there was rum in it, we certainly couldn’t taste it!) to make up for it.
Stirrup Cay – Although we all enjoyed this day, this was a cheap port of call for NCL. Typical!
HOTEL SERVICES - par for the course
Public areas – although these were clean, most were very cold, becoming even colder later in the evening. The dining rooms and bar areas, in particular, were blowing air out which was uncomfortably cold, so much so that we did not look forward to the dining expereience as we had done on other ships. I, myself, complained six times, meeting with total disinterest by the reception staff (except the only male there, who was as helpful as his training allowed). I was forced, eventually, to give up and bought a thick woolen wrap from the shop (yet another sale for NCL!) I should not have had to resort to this. On my previous 13 cruises I had no reason to cover up and one one occasion when I mentioned that a vent immediately above me was blowing out cold air, a waiter told me to cuddle up to my husband!!! Very professional and helpful.
Imbalance - The second week (5th-12th February) was spoil by the addition of between 200-400 women; screaming banshees who had won some sort of competition and took over the ship. We were unable to dance after 10:30 pm due to groups of these women who simply stood in groups on the dance floor drinking from bottles.
Children - Most of us came away for a holiday away from families and children; we certainly did not want to be bothered with other people’s. And all those baby buggies! I have never seen so many on a ship. Most parents could not be bothered to look after their children who were often running wild in corridors and once, whilst waiting for a lift, three children and the person (an NCL employee) who I imagine was supposed to be looking after them was chasing them around, up and down the stairs and eventually one of them ran into me, hitting me quite hard.
Filming - In addition, we had to contend with a film crew and ‘extras’ who were brought in to film an NCL advertisement and the presenter of some American morning TV programme which meant nothing to many of us was brought in to add clout. How many Americans were on that ship, I wonder???? Rigging for a trapeze set-up covered the pool for most of the time, spoiling the enjoyment of most of the families there, and the screaming and shouting was unbelievable.
Staterooms – These were kept clean and the staff there were indeed friendly. However, the cleaning trolleys were very evident and the beds in some cabins were still unmade by early afternoon.
Reception Staff - The attitude of most of the reception staff left much to be desired. Overall, they were officious, self-important and unhelpful.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Food - Although many people did not enjoy the food, I found it par for the course but beautifully presented. Having said that, the service was always slow and the food was only served piping hot once, and that was on the last night of our cruise when they were obviously after tips. What a shame that the service could not have been so good for the whole of the cruise. I actually had Crepes Suzette twice – cold! I mentioned to the waiter that the first had been cold and he said that he would see that it was hot this time – it wasn’t! Now - why should I not be surprised?
Restaurants - There are far too many restaurants. Was the Tzar’s Palace so empty (except on the one formal evening) because the service was so slow, because it was so cold, or was it due to the very fact that there are so many other eateries?
Wine and Beverages - The cost of a bottle of wine was extortionate and this would explain why so few tables had the customary bottle of wine on it! The price of drinks at the bar were also too expensive and NCL have the cheek to add %15 per cent on top of that! There are far too many waiters in the bar city area, hanging around like hyenas for the next unsuspecting punter.
ONBOARD SERVICES
Shops – These were par for the course and much was overpriced junk. Having said that, all staff were friendly and helpful without being pushy. Oh! - except for the girl selling fresh-water pearls who told me that the real McCoy (perfectly matched sea-water pearls) which I was wearing were not as good as those she was selling!!!
Beauty Salon - Price and Service were extremely poor. I only entered the salon once, and that was more than enough. I asked to have my split ends dealt with. The hairdresser washed my hair, removed a fraction of hair and then asked me if I wanted it drying because that would be extra!!!!! This is the first time I, or anybody else (on either side of the Atlantic), have heard of hair being washed and not being automatically dried. I told him (the hairdresser) that I would rather dry it myself than pay extra for a service which would normally be included, and he simply sneered. For that I paid a total of $57. This is extortion by any standards.
Photography – Again, absolute extortion. How on earth can a cost of $19.99 for an 8x10 photograph be justified? We walked away in disgust. Thank goodness we also took our own photographs: and they didn’t have bits of us missing as did those taken by the ‘professional’ photographers.
Entertainment – Band on the Run and Cirque Bijou were outstanding and we were happy to watch them during our second week on board. However, the rest of the entertainment was below par and second rate. Probably done ‘on the cheap’ to cover the cost of Band on the Run and Cirque Bijou.
Onboard Activities – passengers could be forgiven for thinking they had arrived at a cheap holiday camp – all very hi-de-hi and very patronizing, although I’m not sure that some of the American passengers saw it this way!. I must say that the only time I have experienced this to such an extent is when I visited an old lady in an old people’s home some years ago.
TIPPING
Watch your purse!! The only thing NCL are after is your money!!!
Although NCL say that all gratuities are included, this is a lie because 15% is added to all purshases in addition to $10 per person per day and then they say that we may like to tip individually!!!!! All this to top up wages which NCL should be paying!
What NCL pay their staff is up to them and should have nothing to do with the passenger. I would suggest that NCL be more honest and include all gratuities in the price of the cruise as they say they already do. None of this 15% on top of all purchases in addition to the $10 per person per day to make up crew wages. This is dishonest to say the least and, personally, I would describe it as sharp practice.
Tipping - We always tip well – but only those who have served us personally and there were precious few of them on this trip. Especially since we didn’t have the same restaurant staff to serve us each evening. In the UK we understand the real meaning of freedom and that includes being able to reserve the ‘freedom’ to tip who we want.
SECURITY
Due to the endless queues, form-filling (did anybody scrutinize those forms – I rarely saw more than a cursory, if that, glance) and harsh treatment at customs (we only finger-print criminals in the UK!), I must say that I would never cruise with an American Line, nor set foot in America or one of its islands again until the present regime has been voted out. I’m a great believer in security and a need to stamp out terrorism, but the present regime is going too far in treating her ‘friends’ so badly. As far as one can see, the country has already been beaten by terrorism and as such, is not ‘free’. I wonder if \'non-UK citizens\' (yes - let\'s turn it around because those of us \'non American citizens were made to feel like second class citizens throughout the voyage) have forms to fill in when entering UK islands???
We were forever being separated into American and non-American citizens for queueing and filling in forms to enter and re-enter American territory.
FREESTYLE CRUISING
Do NVL actually KNOW the meaning of freedom? I doubt it. On other ships we also have the freedom to eat elsewhere but we usually don’t want to. We prefer to eat at the same table with the same people, getting to know them as we were not able to do on this particular cruise most of the time, We much prefer getting to know our waiters during the time we are aboard so that we can tip them as they deserve. On previous cruises the freedom has always been there in any case and if we do have anybody we want to get away from (and that hasn’t happened to us in all the cruises we have been on) we have the option of alternative dining. Other cruise lines have freedom in any case without having to bandy the word about. What we would like to know is; what is ‘free’ about freestyle?
In our opinion, there was nothing ‘free’ about cruising with NCL. We all had the opinion that all NCL\'s only interested was in was emptying our bank accounts. Everything was aimed at the hard sell.
So no - we’re sorry, but we will not be recommending NCL to our friends. We are already planning a world cruise for 2007 in addition to one later this year, and I can tell you that it will not be with NCL. Something is very basically wrong and requires looking in to.
HOWEVER - for those of you who have already booked, here are some good points and some tips.
Alcohol - take your own but make sure that it\'s in lemonade, orange or coke bottles with plastic tops. These don\'t show up when your luggage is being X-rayed and can top up the coke or orange you drink! This will enable you to be able to afford to have that bottle of wine on the table in the evening. And - no, we don\'t have a drink problem - we just don\'t like being diddled.
Dunns River Falls at Ocho Rios is a must, and WALK UP IT! We did - we aren\'t youngsters but did not find it too much and it has been one of the high-points of my whole life. I would not have missed it and would love to do it again. Don\'t go with the ship. You\'ll find tour buses close by and these are much cheaper. But beware - there are also some sharks. Compare prices with others on the bus first. Also watch your money. I had $80 stolen having tried a frock on and paid for it. I still don\'t understand how the woman did it. All I know is that I felt uncomfortable as she turned me this way and that to admire it. I waas so unsuspecting - and so utterly stupid not to have realised what was happening! Nevertheless, I would most certainly return to Jamaica for a land-based holiday. There\'s a super little shopping centre and sandy beach close to the ship (easily within walking distance) where the beach is enclosed, there is safe swimming and the whole area well-policed so one isn\'t pestered too much. See orlando, a young Jamaican beach attendant, who\'s so eager for knowledge and to please.
The Bacardi tour at San Juan was super. Very professional and informative. We teamed up with a lovely young American couple (that\'s right - they\'re not all brash and load!) with who we\'ve remained in contact. We had lots of fun and learned alot. But do it yourselves and simply get on one of the ferries from terminal 2, just along from where the ships docks. You wont be alone so have no need to worry. Everyone knows how to get there. It cost $8 in comparison with the ship\'s $78.
Take a woolie with you for evenings - it\'s very cold (about 60-64 degrees) in most of the public rooms and restaurants. Your cabin isn\'t because you can regulate the temperature in there yourself.
There are so few loungers at Stirrup Cay (which is the last \'port\' of call ea;h week) that if you require one, you need to be one the very first tender. That means being one of the first in the queue for tender tickets when the excursion desk opens at 7:30am. Otherwise you have no umbrella and one of those tiny upright seats.
One of our favourite places was the Spinnaker Lounge on deck 13. It is right at the top and at the prow so has wonderful views all around. On dull or windy days (and there were lots of these!) there some wonderful fluffy hi-tech loungers where one can relax with a book, a coke (plus whatever you have in that lemonade bottle) and have a lovely relaxing few hours.
One of the nicest places we found was the Great Outdoors, on deck 12 at the back of the ship. We breakfasted and had lunch there on most days. The food did begin to get repetitious after the first week but is was a good quality and the omelettes, especially were wonderful, being freshly prepared with your choice of ingredients, and cooked right there in front of you.
The layout of the theatre is super and covers quite a few decks which means that one can easily see over the head of the person in front. The downside is that vents along the seat in front blow out cold air (yes, AGAIN!) so wrap up well if you want to enjoy the show.
Finally, avaoid this ship - along with any other ship which has anything atall to do with the USA - is you don\'t want to be searched (I was actually searched and frisked 5 times in all and ended up feeling that there was something wrong with me!) finger printed and have images of your iris taken. We were actually told to walk away from our unlocked luggage at Chicago Airport and when we collected it at Miami could not, in all honesty, have answered the question \' has anyone tampered with your luggage?\' with any confidence.
If this has put anybody off before booking, then I\'m really glad to have helped. If yo\'ve already booked, then I sincerely hope that these tips have helped, and that your experience is better than ours and those we travelled with.
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