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Diana Lamberth

Age: 42
Occupation: Hospital Finacial Couselor
Number of Cruises: 3
Cruise Line: NCL
Ship: Norwegian Sea
Sailing Date: March 27th, 2004
Itinerary: Western Caribbean

Embarkation Day

We drove into Houston Texas, in a rental mini-van, arrived at Houston boarding pier at 2:00pm, asking question with Parking security regarding the weekly parking, where to park and leave the automobile for a weekly. Security was very kind and informative, guided us to the area indicated. The rate is $49.99 for 7 days, was a great rate for a minivan. The porter took all the bags (already tagged and ready to be checked in) informed me that bag will be delivered to our cabin door in 2-3 hrs again this person was very kind. We headed to check in, all passports reviewed and personal accounts created for each and every individual with our group (total of seven), we were then directed to the security line, cleared thru security we were ready and directed to an 800-900 feet walk way directed toward the ship for boarding (great sight for pictures prior to boarding, after taking pictures, looking around, finally made our way on board the Norwegian Sea. The staff greeted us, had our welcome aboard pictures taken (Picture of the ship in the background).

Cabin

We made our way to the interior stateroom #2156 & #2161 on Deck #2 (Biscayne Deck) I have to say the room was size adequate based on information read in review prior to going on this cruise, the mention of the room being very small including the ship being very small. I was pleasantly pleased the size was adequate and lot of closet space, there was a third unoccupied bed in the cabin my kids were able to go back and forth between cabins to sleep as desired. That was bonus. The only negative about the cabin was the bathroom space very small, unable to hold two persons (could not shower together with partner) otherwise manageable. The earth tone color of the ship, cabin is very nice, nicely decorated. (I liked it better then Royal Caribbean) this deck cabin location is great when it comes to exiting the ship at port of calls, one floor down and you can beat the crowd getting off, or waiting on elevators. (Not a noisy cabin) The elevators are indeed very small and slow these were the smallest I have seen on a cruise ship (this is my 3rd Cruise) the bathrooms on both or our cabins were stopped up had to call for service. The response from the crew was fast, with-in minutes someone was there to resolve the situation.

I have to mention our lead room attendant: Eduardo Pila, this is the nicest & caring employee on board, doing a great job taking care of the kids cabin, he was the most pleasant employee. The kids were looking & asking for Eduardo by name to greet, I made sure to let him know how much we appreciated him as a person the care tendered to my family.

The Food

On arrival day there was a barbeque / cookout on deck #9, poolside, this was perfect after a long day going thru the process of getting to the ship and finally being able to relax and take it all in. BBQ Ribs, Chicken, sausage and the trimming you can thing of. “It was the Bomb” In addition every day there is a poolside BBQ, you will enjoy the food. Must visit The Big Apple Café. Located on the top deck 9 at the back of the ship giving you a great view to enjoy the ocean & ports of call. We managed to make it to all the restaurants with the exception of “LeBistro” I felt that there was no need to pay for food, when all around there is great free food to your hearts desire.

The Problem I noticed is that Ice Tea, Coffee & Ice, would run out took some time to be re-filed.

The all you can drink fountain soda $28.99 per adult & $16.99 per child. (I felt was it was expensive and you were given a refillable mug. I did not like this process. However during breakfast the different kind of juices were available. Great!

Ports Of Call
Cozumel - Mexico

All ports were good, fun, and exciting: Cozumel, Cancun, Belize, Roatan- was the best
Cozumel was our 1st stop; this part of Mexico was the second best of the trip upon arrival in front of the large downtown are several shopping stores very nice, clean. Taxis were available, hire prizes displayed in plain view ($15.00/taxi) We did not take a pre planed excursion and went on our own to Mr. Sanchos Beach Resort, beach chairs, snorkeling (30.00 per 2 hr, all gears provided) the snorkel was great plenty of space to explore, water trampoline ($4 charge) white beach sand, clean restaurant, pool, did some shopping right on the beach. Returned back to the ship around 4:00, dropped of our bags, headed out to do some shopping @ the mall, it is very close to the pier for when is time to get back on board. Convinent

Roatan-Honduras
This is the best area of the ports visited, West Bay/West End, are the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. The people are friendly, we hired a taxi for $ 80.00 American Dollars that took us around Roatan Island all day including boat rides from on end to the other, beached were crystal clear, warm you can literally see fish in the water. I can’t say enough good things of my visit to Roatan.

Belize- Belize City
Was a bit disappointing, nothing to do on your own. I recommend that you by the shore excursion for your day in Belize otherwise not much to do. We went to the Zoo that was approximately 90 mile round trip from the pier. No beaches near as indicated or advertised, all the natives said he same thing no beaches near, you must travel far to get to the beach.

Cancun-Mexico
We traveled Isla Mujeres, fantastic, swimming, snorkeling, shopping. Great time!

Summary:
The entire cruise was great my only disappointment was in the city of Belize. I would definitely go on another cruise with NCL. Cruise Director Kevin Warner is outstanding you could not have made a better choice he is very articulated, pleasant, professional and most of all funny. Kevin, should do more entertainments on deck, he does a great job. NCL’s Freestyle cruising is the best way to go. My family and I enjoyed your services and did not want the cruise to come to an end, looking forward to another cruise with Norwegian Sea. The size of the ship was not an issue as pointed out by other reviews, it is a very nice clean ship. Highly Recommended.

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