[ Cruise Reviews ]  [ Port Reviews ] [ Cruise Chat ]  [ Cruise Links ]  [ News ]

Lewis Stock

Age: 61 to 70
Occupation: Retired
Number of Cruises: 3 to 5 Cruises
Ship: Norwegian Wind
Sailing Date: December 16th, 2000
Itinerary: Western Caribbean

Our scheduled departure time on Saturday, Dec. 16th. was set for 4 PM.  At 6:45PM we finally set sail.  We were told that our delay was due to late passenger arrival(s) but conveniently, at 6:30PM the ship was still taking on supplies through the mid-ships, deck 4 gangway (6 cabins aft. of my cabin,  #4225).  Unfortunately, we were never did make up the time delay in route to Georgetown, Grand Cayman (God only knows why).  Our arrival was scheduled for 9AM, Monday, Dec. 18th. We arrived at 10:30AM with delay after delay after delay, with no explanation, as to why it was taking so long for passengers to be tendered off the ship to the port.  The ship had rescheduled its new departure time to 4:00PM.  (Passengers were still being tendered off the Wind for the first time as late as 1PM, to be told upon arrive in the port that they were to immediately get back in line and wait for a (tenders???) to return them back to the ship for a 4PM departure.  I guess I was fortunate.  I had purchased a tour encounter with the Stingrays at Stingray City and had a priority exit from the ship, which told place about 1130AM.  We arrived at the stingray site at approx.  12:15PM with just an appropriate amount of time to do what the tour was about but had no time to visit in town since we needed to be in line for a tender back to the ship for the 4PM departure.

Grand Cayman was one of the reasons I chose this ships itinerary....to be able to get a small glimpse of the island area.  Well, fortunately I did get to swim with the stingrays but have absolutely no idea what the island looks like.  To continue...we arrived late into Roatan the next morning.  My only concern with Roatan was an encounter with the Dolphins (which was the most enjoyable thing I have ever experienced in my life).  I have no comments myself about the city but the general feeling of other passengers was that Roatan was an awful waste of time (as far as the city was concerned) and so was our next port, Belize City.  My companion and I ventured into the city on our own only to return 1 hour after our leaving the ship.  I'm sure Belize City is not be in the tour books as one of the most comfortable/safe/clean ports to walk around in.  Of course, I'm sure some of the tours that were offered in that area were probably spectacular.  But, for  one who just tours cities, this one was the bottom of the barrel.  Our final port of Cozumel was somewhat of a disappointment also.  After our two previous ports of call I guess I was expecting more from Cozumel.  I did take a tour with a snorkeling group and experience a wonderful time swimming among beautiful fish.  I think my main disappointment with the Western Caribbean cruise is that the cruise line does not give enough description that this (cruise/area) is not to be taken if someone is looking for exciting city/shopping tours.  The Western Caribbean is for long haul treks to the temple ruins of the ancient civilization, etc. 

I can not say too much good about this venture.  My cabin (since I occupied it alone) was quite substantial.  I think it would also be quite comfortable for two.  My cabin was on deck 4 (Caribbean Deck, #4225).  Even though I had two portholes instead of one window, as most of the other decks appeared to have, my cabin was quite nice.  My cabin Stewart (Victor) did a wonderful job. I Never knew when he was in or out but he certainly knew how to maintain my cabin and not be in my way.  Three of my traveling companions who occupied cabin #8238 (identically the same size as mine, except on deck 8, Norway Deck) had a totally obstructed view, with no reduction in their cabin location price.  What can I say about the food.......Awful.  Brown gravy (probably packaged) was served on every meat dish they served.  It was on prime rib, chicken cordenbleu, rack of lamb...any meat course that was served had brown gravy on it.  Breakfast and lunch was OK, if you ate in the main restaurants.  The meat in the hamburgers at the sports bar/grill tasted old....  The only really good items throughout were the deserts, oh yeah, the pizza and chocolate chip cookies  at the cafe & pizzeria on the sun deck was quite good.   All the deserts throughout the ship were excellent, especially the carrot cake with whiskey/caramel sauce, served at lunch the first day out.  Our server in the Four Seasons dinning room was an Aussie.  He was magnificent.  Can't imagine how he could remember every order placed by 10 people and get everything right, from start to finish.   If I had my choice of restaurants I would however chose the Terrace or Sun Terrace instead of the Four Seasons.  Both restaurants are smaller and more intimate than the Four Seasons.  They are not as noisy and afford a better view to the outside.  We did discover the Bistro restaurant ($10.00 cover charge per person/per meal) which was well worth it.  We had two meals in the Bistro and every mouthful was an absolute treat.  It's unfortunate that the food served in the ships main restaurants did not compare to the quality that we had to pay extra for.  We met and talked to a group of passengers who had a table for 14 for the 5 days of the 7 day cruise once they discovered the Bistro their 3rd. day out.

To close I guess the best way to sum up is to say, I hope Holland America's Volemdam offers a better cruise to Alaska than what NCL Wind did on my Western Caribbean cruise.

Ask a Question About NCL, Norwegian Cruise Lines

Home Based Travel Agent