|
Below, you'll find extensive information on leading
alaskan cruise norwegian articles and products to help you on your way
to success.
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
Free Ticket With Aeromexico*
Traveling with friends or family? Consider Aeromexico's latest offer—buy four tickets and receive the fifth fare free. Destinations include Mexico City, Los Cabos, Merida, Monterrey, and others. Travel is available into December.
All Seasons: Up to 50 Percent Off Weekend Stays
Get up to 50 percent off last-minute weekend stays with All Seasons Hotels. Plus, all stays come with daily breakfast, wireless Internet, and free coffee, tea, and water.
Walt Disney World: Summer Savings Up To 40% Off
This summer save when you visit Disney. Kids stay free plus save 15% to 40% at select Disney Resort hotels and treat your family to a fun-filled getaway for stays most nights now through October 2, 2010.
Experience Home Away from Home with Family B&B Escapes
Families looking for an alternative to standard hotel accommodations may find B&B stays to be a better value.
Wyndham Hotels: Free Nights, $100 American Express Card, and More
Get a 5th night free & $100 American Express Gift Card when you stay 5 consecutive nights at Wyndham locations in California, the Caribbean, & Mexico.
Novotel: Save up to 45 Percent
Novotel Hotels packages include special offers for families and discounted rates in the city. Many offers include free breakfast, and the lowest hotel rates are guaranteed when you book through Novotel's website.
December Weekend Getaways From $50/Night
Psst... a secret for you. If you're able to get away during the busy holiday season, you'll find some of the best weekend getaway deals of the year. Squeeze in a quick trip this season and get a great bang for your buck.
November Weekend Getaways From $70/Night
If you have some flexibility in your schedule, hoteliers around the country have promotions to entice you to take a weekend away. Rates for November getaways start at $70 per night
October Weekend Getaways From $45/Night
Autumn is one of the best seasons for taking a weekend getaway, with crisp afternoons, beautiful foliage, and harvest bounties in many parts of the country. Even better, there are plenty of deals, too.
September Weekend Getaways From $99/Night
Fall tends to bring affordable travel deals in abundance, and this year is no exception. Leisure travel providers offer promotions to entice travelers to visit, starting at $99 per night.
Disney Cruise Specials From $450
For three- and four-day Bahamian sailings this May and June, Disney is offering discounted rates. Adult prices start at $450.
Free Fares for Kids on Swiss Rail Service
When parents purchase a "Swiss Pass" for rail travel in Switzerland, they can request a free "Swiss Family Card," that allows children ages six through 15 to ride for no charge. Kids under six always ride free.
Disney Caribbean Cruises From $632/Adult, $207/Child
Thinking about next year's vacation? Disney seven-night Caribbean sailings start at $207 per child and $632 per adult.
Tourist Passes From $48/Adult, $38/Child
Go Card discount passes for Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, and Seattle, among others, give visitors pre-paid admission to dozens of attractions.
Kids Ride for Free on National Bus Service in the U.K.
National Express, a British bus line that services 1,200 destinations throughout the U.K., sells two family discount cards that allow kids up to age 15 to travel for free.
CityPass Offers up to 50 Percent Off Family Attractions
CityPasses offer up to 50 percent off on admissions and the chance to skip entrance lines at select family-friendly attractions in 10 North American cities.
Free Bahamas Sailings on Your Birthday
Discovery Cruise Line, a small Florida-based cruise company, offers round-trip sailings to Grand Bahama Island for free during your birthday month, from $50 per adult, and free for children 12 and under.
On Greyhound, Kids Travel For Free or 40 Percent Off
Families can save on Greyhound bus travel with discounted kids' fares. Greyhound is the biggest bus company in the U.S., connecting more than 3,100 cities and towns in North America.
Northeast bus company offers kid's discount of 40 percent
Peter Pan Bus Lines offers a 40 percent discount on fares for kids under 12 traveling with an adult. This Northeast-based bus company serves more than 100 destinations in the region.
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!!
|
