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Norwegian Sun Alaskan Cruise Review
By Avid Cruiser
Our Sun cruise started off quite well. We were ushered onto the ship by white gloved crew members and given detailed directions to our cabin. We set sail on a bright sunny day from Vancouver while enjoying a poolside BBQ to start off the festivities. As we went to bed that night we were happy,we had a four category upgrade on our stateroom. My husband and I were to celebrate our first anniversary the next day and we were bound for Alaska.
The next morning we woke up and our NCL nightmare began. We woke up to the sound of pounding feet our upgrade had landed us directly beneath the aerobics room...and throughout the week it was also the line dancing lesson, merangue lesson and general excercise room.
We went to the Credit Desk that afternoon to see if it was possible to move to a quieter location but of course we were told the ship was full a fact we later found out was untrue. Well, needless to say life goes on and we accepted our cabin as what else was there to do, we retrieved a copy of the Fitness at Sea program and made sure we were elsewhere when loud excercise was scheduled.
The next day we docked in Ketchikan for the first of four stops. I know you will all think this is lame but the first thing I noticed when I got off the ship was a free Walmart shuttle...and I needed to pick up some Aleve(pain reliever). My husband and I stood at the dock waiting for the next shuttle as we missed the first one we saw. As the shuttle pulled up we stood there with two other couples when out of nowhere the bus was stormed by NCL crew who pushed their way on and pulled away leaving us standing there in shock. As I stood there fuming with the other two couples we agreed we would help each other if that were to happen again. 15 mins later it did...another set of NCL crew pushed us out of the way and crammed on to the bus, but I managed to get on but my husband did not,I got off and waited again. Finally after a third bus we crammed on as well even though a third set of crew were there again.
You may be wondering how we new they were crew?? They were wearing their coats!! When we finally arrived at Walmart we saw some of the crew and asked them why they had pushed us out of the way on the dock and were told that is the way the shuttle worked, they have been at sea for 6 months and were given very little time to shop on shore. Well when I arrived back on the ship I went straight to the credit desk to relay my experience and was once again told there was nothing they could do but it would be brought up at the next Captain's meeting. I insisted on a manager and was told she would say the same thing...at this point I was mad about my noisy cabin and being pushed around by the crew!! The manager said she would call head office and see if there was anything that could be done.
The next couple of days went by without incident and were even enjoyable. Alaska is amazing and the ship was beautiful. The meals in the Garden Cafe (buffet)were not great, always cold but hey we were in Alaska. The main dining rooms were no better and during one meal we waited 15 mins after we finished our meal
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for a dirty dishes to be cleared and then another 5 mins for the desert menu.
So on Thursday we received a letter from the manager apologising and crediting our ship board account $50 and a free meal at one of the restaurants on board that has a cover charge including a free bottle of wine. Well that was quite immpressive considering we thought they may have forgotten. We made a reservation for Le Bistro for Saturday the final evening of our cruise. As we entered the restaurant the hostess was extremely friendly until she read our letter and I'm assuming realized we had complained and lost her smile. We were shown to our table and given the menus, the service was prompt and efficient but I can't say they were friendly. The food was excellent but just proved as a reminder that "Freestyle Crusing" really means if you want quality on this ship it's going to cost you extra.
Your $1500 only entitles you to the less than average fare of the Garden Cafe or the tough as leather steaks in the formal dining rooms. As we finished our meal in Le Bistro we noticed the Maitre'd went to EVERY table except ours to see how everyone enjoyed the meal but that is to be expected as we weren't PAYING customers.
The next day we arrived back in Vancouver....we chose the express checkout where we take our luggage with us as I wanted to be off that ship as soon as possible(and I didn't trust their ability to safely deliver my bags).
The second day we were aboard they sent out leaflets with pictures of lost luggage floating around the ship!! I have cruised with other lines before and loved every moment never would I have believed I would ever have an experience like this. I will cruise again it just won't be with Norwegian Cruise Line!!
There are many other minor annoying details that added to my service nightmares that would seem petty if I were to mention them all so I will end by saying choose Princess, choose Celebrity, choose Carnival...just don't choose for your next cruise. But if you do I hope you have fun...I did--a trip is always what YOU make it!!
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