Has anyone else Had a bad experience on Norwegian Cruse Line?

Question

The ship was filthy, crew rude, food sucked, they lost my lugage the first day and didn't get it till the next, excursions way too expensive, drinks over priced, nightly entertainment boring, and on borad ship activities were greatly lacking.

Answer 1

Not sure what ship you were on, but overall I've had good experiences with NCL. If you were on an older ship, that could explain some of the problems.

As far as the crew, I've been on where some of the crew was not as great as the rest, but never where the whole crew was bad. Food wise, I don't think that NCL has as good of food as some of the other lines. While it is not spectacular food, I've only had a few things I would not eat. I've been lucky so far and my luggage has never been lost, but I have received a lot of people's luggage at my room before. If someone didn't report it, that could be why it took so long to get your luggage. I always let someone know that the luggage that left wasn't mine so they can return it to the proper owner, otherwise they don't know it isn't in the correct place.

Excursions are expensive on all lines, but I have always felt they were worth the money. There are some excursions I don't like very much, but nothing I didn't like at all. Drinks are kind of high onboard, it is their way of making a little extra money. All lines have really high drinks and then automatically include the tip, so that can make them even higher. Entertainment wise and activities, that kind of depends on the ship, some of the newer ships have a ton a to do, but some of the older ships do have limited options.

Sorry to here you didn't have a good time. I love cruising and I've only had one or two experiences that weren't the best, but overall I have really enjoyed NCL. Some people do not like NCL, personally I could go either way, I think it just depends on the cruise and ship you take it.

Again, sorry to here about your experience.

Answer 2

Yes Norweigan is TERRIBLE!  I always warn people away from it.  I too have taken a horrible cheap arsed NCL cruise. I paid more for my NCL cabin than other cruiselines.  On NCL I was the Titanic's 3rd class. The carpet ended (yes NO CARPET) before we got to our door. We passed through the storage area to get to our cabin. I could touch both sides of the wall and if the bathroom door needed to be opened, I had to get back on the bed.  (Carnival's are the biggest rooms in the industry)

You are right on the food too.  The food is incredibly sparce. I ended up ordering 2 appetizers, a salad, 2 entrees and 2 desserts--just to get a reasonable amount of food each night. And I'm a small girl.  And the one buffet--what a joke!  You stood in line and before you get to the front of the line, they start putting it away!  I ate at every port.

and I agree with you 100% on the crew.  The people/waitstaff are quite rude.  They took up the food off buffet while you were currently cutting it.  The woman in front of me snapped at them and grabbed the whole cake from the guy.  The steward only came by once so I had to go request towels (from 3 different people and was told "Your steward will come by tomorrow").  I tried to buy a photo and was told no they were closing.  This was before the Freestyle Cruising & I missed all the nightly entertainment b/c late dinner didn't get out in time.  Oops--sucks for you but NCL doesn't care.  With freestyle, you dont have an actual table and one of the things I loved on other cruise lines was how the waiter begins to know you & makes suggestions.  

I found the paper room keys got wet when ordering drinks & ended up getting it replaced.  And if you are young, yes they check your id and your room key tells them you are over 21--but if you look too young the waitstaff still won't bring you drinks. I ended up having to leave the pool and walk to the bar each time.  

Now while I was on the ship, many people who had taken more than 10 cruises were saying how Carnival and Royal Carib were sooo much better and how this line couldn't compare.  I've taken each and noticed the service so improved, luggage arriving before I'd finished wandering the ship, drinks much cheaper, the daily newsletter so you know what to do that day, great shore excursions, things for kids so they don't just lounging in the hallway.  Carnival hands out waterbottles as you are getting off for your shore excursion.  For free.  just as a thankyou.  Royal Caribbean has great night shows which everyone can attend (shock!) and is constantly adding new onboard activities.

I could not agree more--NCL could definitely learn a thing or two by cruising their competitors.  I wouldn't judge all cruise lines based on them.  Cruises are fabulous and I'm a lifetime cruiser now.  Planning another one this May.  You could not be more accurate about Norweigan though.

Answer 3

Travel agents have cruise lines categorized as mass market, premium, and luxury.  Mass market lines are NCL, Carnival, Royal Caribbean.  Of these the only one I will book my clients on is Royal Caribbean - they are the best of these lines and generally do a good job.  Carnival is the worst!  NCL is close behind.  

You might want to try Royal Caribbean.  If you're willing to move up a step then Celebrity, Holland-America, Princess, Cunard or Oceania.