Sea Review....4/9/05

[Looney4cruising]

Hello Everyone!

Here's my Review....

 

Very interesting getting to the Port. Can get lost easily if not familiar with surroundings. Bring a Map!!!!

Embarkment...Quickest one I have ever done! At port about 11:00 and on ship and in room in 15 minutes. Parked in lot next to Cruise Terminal. Closest I have ever parked to front door.

 

Ship was clean and nice. I was prepared for the small rooms but as the week went on, the rooms were very comfortable and well arranged. Lots of closet space and drawers. Bathroom was small but clean and well arranged. Shower was not as bad as expected. Three months ago was on a cruise and we had a suite that was over 600 sq. ft with a balcony as big as the room we had on the Sea. So if I wasnt too disappointed, then others are too picky for the $$$$. We had a room with a window, which we got a steal on!

 

Lots of deck space for sunning. Never went without a lounge chair. Deck 10 at the front of the ship is an ideal place to sun. Never many people there.

 

Food was very good in all Resturants. The Buffet was ok. Like Buffet food always is...a fast way to get a bite! The Pasta Cafe was our favorite. The salmon is to die for and also try the fried Mozzeralla wedges. Had read the chilled soup was a must and I have to admit it is something most would really enjoy. All food presentation was excellent. The poolside BBQ was better than the Buffet. In the morning the Breakfast poolside was great...Fresh waffles made to order and the Omlet Bar was also very good. Loved the freestyle dinning. Dont like to be on a schedule when on vacation and this type of dinning fits the bill for us.

 

We went on 3 excursions....Pirates, Monkeys, and Birds in Rotan....Loved it! Gumbalinda Park was very pretty and the Beach there was great and NOT crowded. We got the hold and play with the monkeys and also with the birds. Has lunch there (included in ticket price) The lobster was better than on the ship. Really enjoyable. Got to see alot of the countryside on our was to the park. Very poor country.....Next was the Alta Ha Ruins in Belize. Very interesting and quite a trip through the town and the Jungle. Did some shopping afterwards for wooden pieces. Very friendly people. Go and do some shopping in the streets and the vendors are really funny to talk to and get to know......In Cancun, we did the Nautibus (glass bottom boat) Great way to see the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet. Just be prepared to get seasick if you are prone to it.

 

The Casino was good to us so we really enjoy that part of our stay on the ship. Shows were ok but if you dont go...You didnt miss much.

 

There is a good mix of ages on the ship. There seemed to be alot of kids 6 months to 10 and quite afew teens. If you dont like to sail with children, then this cruise is not for you.

 

The Concierge, Julie wa great. She made sure we got what we needed and more. The treats send to our room everyday was quite a plus....like we needed more food!!!

 

Our Meet and Greet went great and it was wonderful putting faces with names. Thanks to all that attended!

 

Disembarkment...What a breeze! Off the ship a 8:00 and on our way home at 8:30....

 

Great trip. Wonderful Ports. Weather couldnt have been better! A Cruise I will always remember and would go again right now! The Sea is a nice older smaller ship with a charm of its own!!! Have Fun!

 

Any questions, just ask!!!!

 

Jill

[andinp]

can you tell me more about the Pirates, Monkeys, and Birds in Rotan...was this a ship excursion? how far from port- how long was it and what else was involved? Were the monkey's cuddly? Thanks a bunch

[kwcrnp]

Awsome! Thanks for taking the time to post a review. :)

 

We leave Sat the 23rd, can't wait!

 

We have cruised often and have always been happy with NCL. We haven't been on it lately due to kids, but since they have a year round program we hopped back to NCL.

 

Do you have kids and if so what ages? We have a 5 and 9 yr old. I'm not worried about the 5yr old, he's happy where ever he is! My DD is a little slower at warming up. I know they have a small kids room and I suspect the activities for the 9yr will mostly be in other areas.

 

Thanks again for the review and I'm glad you had a great trip. :)

 

Kristi

[Looney4cruising]

Hello andinp,

 

The Pirates, Monkeys and Birds is only offered through the NCL. We loaded an airconditioned bus and it took about 30 minutes to arrive at the Park. We went into a man made cave and the guide explain some of the background of the country. Really this part was kind-of lame but the tour of the park was great. First we crossed a huge suspended bridge and then got to hold some parrots and other kind of tropical birds. We walk alittle ways from the birds and there was some monkeys (Howler and spider) that you could play with and hold. There was also a very friendly squirrel. When we crossed the bridge the Zip-line Canopy tour was right above us. Really neat to see! We had lunch there....it was included in our ticket. The lobster was better than the ships!!! After lunch you had full use of the beach. Great tour.

[sdirector77]

I see you had conceirge service. What category cabin were you in?

[Looney4cruising]

Hello sdirector77,

 

We were in a Cat. E Cabin. This Cat. doesnt get the Concierge treatment. I arranged the Meet and Greet for our sailing group and was surprised by NCL giving this service to us because of the arrangements I made. It was a very nice bonus that I didnt expect.

[Looney4cruising]

Hello kwcrnp,

We went without our kids this time...But I guess they are not considered kids anymore...they are 21 and 25!

[bellabelle68]

I was looking at the gumbalimba park excursion and i want to do, but i was wondering is there snorkeling on the beach? or is just swimming and relaxing?

[Looney4cruising]

bellabelle68,

I believe that you can snorkel at the Park. You would have to bring your own gear. Really nice beach!

[Sophie]

Hi Jill! I enjoyed reading your review! Isn't the SEA a great little ship?! We plan to sail on the DREAM when she comes to Houston. I'm sure we'll love her, too! :D

[Looney4cruising]

Hello Sophia!!!!

 

Really great hearing from you again! Loved the cruise on the Sea as much as the one on the Rhapsody. Really can't compare the two, but both a great experience. We are going on the Grand in Dec. I'm sure it will be another cruise to remember. We are planning to cruise the Panama Canal next year on Galaxy out of Galveston. Hope to cruise with you again sometime!

 

Jill

[Looney4cruising]

Anymore questions?

[judyf]

Thanks for posting a review brought back memories. I like the Sea and agree it's a great little ship.

[Looney4cruising]

Hi Judy,

Really enjoyed the Sea...Great Cruise for The $$$. Too bad she is leaving the Fleet.

[Jade2Have]

Hey! I don't know if you can answer this... but I'm not from Texas and I did not arrange my flight with NCL. Do you think we will have any trouble getting to the Houston NCL port from the airport? I was thinking of hailing a taxi. But maybe I will be able to find a shuttle bus nearby...? Also~ what kind of stuff did you do on the ship on your 'day at sea'..? Was the swimming pool crowded? How was the weather on your trip... Has anyone reading this ever been on a cruise in July??? What is the weather normally like then???:confused: Sorry to have so many questions but I'm new at this...:o But I think cruising sounds fun, you know?? Hope you can help! Thanks!

[Carolyn1950]

Hey! I don't know if you can answer this... but I'm not from Texas and I did not arrange my flight with NCL. Do you think we will have any trouble getting to the Houston NCL port from the airport? I was thinking of hailing a taxi. But maybe I will be able to find a shuttle bus nearby...? Also~ what kind of stuff did you do on the ship on your 'day at sea'..? Was the swimming pool crowded? How was the weather on your trip... Has anyone reading this ever been on a cruise in July??? What is the weather normally like then???:confused: Sorry to have so many questions but I'm new at this...:o But I think cruising sounds fun, you know?? Hope you can help! Thanks!

 

My friends didn't fly thru NCL but still booked the NCL shuttle from the airport to the port.. Sorry, can't remember the cost.

Local Airports:

Bush Intercontinental Airport

Distance: 40 miles

Travel Time: Approx. 45 minutes

 

William P. Hobby Airport

Distance: 20 miles

Travel Time: Approx. 25 minutes

[kwcrnp]

Jade2have-

 

I just got back from the Sea and we did our own air as well. We did get transfers from Bush to the peir from NCL - $30 each. A friend we met on the Sea came in from Hobby, took a cab for $20 bucks. A cab from Bush would be expensive since it's much further.

We had great At Sea days....the pools were busy but not packed, lounge chairs available til about 1pm then again around 3p and on. They have wacky games on the deck 2 times during the day.

 

Have fun.

Kristi