Cruise Line: Norwegian
Sailing Date: February 10th, 2003

Since our friends had never been on a cruise before. After booking we read some reviews from other people who had cruised on the Wind previously and there were so many bad reviews we started to become sorry we had done so. We hated for our friends to be disappointed with their first cruise.

Well we just returned from an 11 day cruise on the Wind and it was wonderful. The ship itself has nice simple atmosphere that we enjoyed. The smaller dining rooms with the surrounding glass was pleasant. The food was as a whole excellent and served attractively. The staff were friendly and helpful Our longest wait to get in for dinner was 10 minutes and that was only once, the rest of the time it was either right in or several couples ahead of us. Sometimes the Sports Bar where the buffets were was busy and a little harder to get a seat, but that was for breakfast. We never ate their for dinner. Lunch seemed to be okay.

They had a good Balance of activities. The set up for those who wanted to play games or cards on deck 9 was nice, instead of just stuck in an enclosed room. You could play bridge in the Le Bistro room, so you had a more enclosed area for that.

The staterooms were really a good size, in fact larger that some of the other larger and grander ships we have been on. A sofa, chair and ottoman with coffee table. Besides the queen bed. We always go lower rate with inside cabin, since we are not in our rooms much. They had upgraded us to a window with an obstructed view.

The first nights entertainment was a little lacking. But the rest of the time it was very good.

There is plenty of deck space and lounge chairs, so you can always get a spot. No inside pool. which some people might not like. Since the ship had been cut in half in 1998 and stretched all the floors do not go all the way through, but it does not take long to figure our how to maneuver throughout the ship.

One tour I would recommend to any one who snorkels or would like to learn is the SEAFUN BEACH SNORKEL in Kauai. It is a little more costly then some, but definitely worth every penny. It is a first class operation with courteous and trained instructors and top of the line gear. There were 9 of us and two instructors.

Don't expect the grandeur of the newer and larger ships, as the Wind is not that, but it has a uniqueness all it's own. I believe you will find it very enjoyable.