10/15Pride/America rev. by seasond cruiser

[boomer267]

This was our 12th cruise, 1st on NCL, previous on Princess, Carnival, RCCL, Celebrity, US Lines & Regency. US Lines & Regency are bankrupt, and from others you can see we have a varied experience. Several were free, but that didn't keep me from grading them.

 

Anyhow, after reading previous reviews regarding service, sewer smell, etc, was very concerned about our trip, as I was "travel agent" for us and 2 other couples that were (and still are) friends of ours. That said, we only notice the sewer smell a couple times in a couple places. Whatever originally caused it seems to have been pretty much taken care of.

 

Had a luggage problem that is still not understandable. We took a cab from airport with 1 other couple in our party. Our last bag was one of the last one on baggage carousel, is red, and I since there had been several other red, checked the tags to verify it was ours. Had our room tag, and ownership tag. So we loaded all 4 of us plus bags into a minivan cab and went to terminal for checkin. Since it was like 4 in the afternoon, no line, plenty of porters. Porter took all, and we followed him to the security checkpoint. He went through, we went to check in. Within and hour, all bags except my wifes with her outfits were delivered. About 5:30, someone called cabin, asked if we had a bag not ours. when we answered negative, wanted to know if we were missing a red one. We answered yes, and they said if we did't have by 8 to call back. But, my wife failed to get their nuimber, and didn't know who called. Anyhow, we sailed without it altho we were told if "it got through security, it's on the ship". No sign the next day, Sunday pm they said that Delta had it at the airport and it would be flown to where we were late that day or next. Was finally delivered Monday afternoon, but my wife spent $500 on clothes Sunday noon at the mall, since all she had was the clothes she traveled in. No one could explain how a bag that several of us knew wnet through security at the pier, ended back up at the airport with Delta (we flew American). When the bag was delivered, it still had our cabin tag on it, but no airline tags at all, making me wonder how it got from Honolulu to our first port. No one could explain what happened, and since of course "it was our fault for leaving at the airport" , no reimbursement for clothing. Now, on to the cruise.

 

Service: Overall, pretty good. Cabin service fine or better, restaraunt service good, but slow. Seems not enough waiters, and kitchen staff. Food was hot, but in the main dining rooms always took us 2 hours from our reservation, and we were not the cause for the delay. We were always waiting for the next course. One night, took 20 minutes to even get a menu. Service in the specialty ones was faster, whether there was a cover charge or not. We ate in 2 or 3 of the cover charge ones, and all 6 of us seemed okay with the additional charge vs the food. Steak in the steak place was described by one of our party as best ever (4 of us live in Tx and know our meat). Service in the Aloha was okay. Sometimes breakfast was available out back, sometimes not, but you had to go out there to find out. Suggested a sign at the inside Aloha serving lines saying whether the outside was open or not. Good omlets outside, except when closed, and one day it was open, but no omlet guys. Huh? Also, at lunch on inside line, Coke seller was not always present. Had to go to pool one day, took 15 minutes, and when I came back, I dumped my plate, got all new hot food, and bitched to a white suited supervisor about the experience. Unknown to me, he followed me to table, and presented me with a free coke. Had a nice chat. Also, one day I asked another supervisor inside if there was orange juice outside. She said there should be, and I said I knew that, but since there sometimes isn't wondered if she knew. She didn't, but again after I took my seat aft outside she showed up with orange juice to make sure I had some. Outside had some, so I had two.

 

One nice thing about an american crew we all agreed. They understand you, know what you are talking about, get the jokes if any, etc, etc. Our Seattle friends met several from their area, and we met one that actually went to the same HIgh School as our sons,and at one time lived within 3 miles of us. All on board seemed willing to do whatever necessary to make your experience better than good, with one exception. The shore excursion desk bunch were TERRIBLE. Had bad attitudes, very curt, had no time for answers or explanations, and should all be replaced, or severely retrained. Maybe they should clean rooms for a while.

 

Our best excursion was the Mai Tai party boat, perhaps party cause I (61 yr old Grandpa) was selected to be one of the hula dancers, complete with itchy wig, coconut bra and hula skirt. Open bar was generous, and all 6 of us had lots of fun (including those who didn't drink). Helicopter got rained out, had no trouble with refund through excursion desk.

 

Pina coladas were terrible, as they are premixed and served out of an ice cream machine. Oh, the real ice cream machine in the Aloha had no ice cream till Tue cause they pick it up whereever we were on Tue, and apparently don't get a weeks worth, as they were out of it by Thur. We were also aware of some main menu items they were out of by 7pm at night. Wow!! And I don't mean the lobster.

 

Food in general is about Red Lobster or Steak and Ale at best. It is better than Denny's. Shows were good. Juggler was great, 2 dancing shows were good. Did miss the casino, assume NCL is working on the HI legislature.

 

We did meet other cruisers who did not have anything near as nice to say. One couple had no washclothes the entire cruise, and their cabin was not vacummed or dusted. Maid left cleaning supplies one day, he took to the hotel desk, and they said they would audit his room the rest of the cruise. He said if they audited it, they were able to confirm the sorry service cause it didn't change. We head a similar story from one other couple. Will we do NCL again, maybe, depends on price, destination, and other choices. We would do Princess and Celebrity before NCL, and RCCL and Carnival on equal basis of NCL.

[SailAways]

Nice honest review.

Strange about your luggage - hope your DW found some clothing which she "really" likes!

I wonder if this ship will ever get it right. Seems a long time in the prep stage, doesn't it.

Thanks for all of the info.

SailAways:)

[karfest]

Thanks for the review! It seems this ship is being pretty consistent in its inconsistency:eek:

 

I work with a lot of teens and twentysomethings and I can't imagine trying to get them to behave all the time. At least mine have parents, teachers, etc helping hold them accountable- this must be a real challenge to take a group of people from all over the country- put them on a ship in a tropical paradise and expect them to work at their best levels.. yikes! I'm afraid this is the best it will get.

I have added washcloth to my list of things to bring. I guess I better have a good-sized limit on my credit cards in case I have to buy new clothes:D

[lhall85917]

I really appreciate reading all reviews of the POAm, thanks for taking the time to post.

[flyingpirate]

Aye, this WILL be a wonderful adventure!