Our NCL Crown review 10/15-10/22

[family cruisers]

What a great trip onboard the norwegian crown from NYC to Bermuda.

We arrived at the pier terminal approx. 11:45 am and within 15 minutes we were onboard the ship having lunch in the yacht club (buffet restaurant)... We dropped off our carry on bags in our cabin ... Our cabin was on deck 4 inside... No problems with the room whatsoever.

Plenty of storage space... I loved the fact that we could control our a/c or heat if we needed.

It was quite chilly and windy as we sailed out of New York. We went back to the room and unpacked, freshened up a bit and went to explore our small but beautiful ship.

We made dinner reservations for LeBistro which I highly recommend. We had escargot, salad, cream of mushroom soup which they served in a bread bowl (Awesome). I had surf and turf (filet mignon and grilled shrimp) My honey had filet mignon. Desert was equally as good, we chose 3 things, we both had cheesecake and then split a piece of choc.rasp. cake.... YUMMY....

Another night we ate in chopsticks. I didn't care for the fishcake for my main entree but certainly didn't feel the need to complain as we had choices later on if we got hungry. Did I say hungry.... Boy did we eat, not like alot of other people but we enjoyed every bite.... I believe that some people just go on cruises to eat.... They enjoyed it , we enjoyed it... We did eat alot of meals in the yacht club buffet. There were so many great choices. Carving station every day, fresh soups, pasta choices, Indian food (all on the side of the buffet stations ) Then the actual buffet always had a different seafood, chicken, burgers,hotdogs, veggies, potatoes, rices, cold salads, pasta salads, and on and on and on....

Then the dessert station which is right before you exit onto the deck (aft) back of ship - pool deck) had amazing desserts every day and night. Right at the door is also a person scooping ice cream. Cone or dish, sprinkles and sauces to top it off.... 3 different flavors every day. One day they even had my favorite- rum raisin.

I did love the pina coladas....I also had a rum punch ... both good.

Everyone was happy. Great staff , great guests too.

The comedian (Dave Heenan ) was hilarious and the acrobat Rudy was also great.

Tried our luck at the casino for a little bit, lost and left... Nothing to cry about.

We didn't go to any other shows so can't comment there.

I have to say I've only been on two other cruises, one was the grand princess and the other rccl explorer of the seas. I LOVED the ncl Crown... My boyfriends first cruise so he had nothing to compare it with but he too loved it all. He said the only bad thing during the trip was that the Mets lost game 7 !!

We docked at St.George first. We took a LONG walk to tobaco bay, and then continued around the rest of the Island until we found our way back.

I will say that the people of Bermuda are extremly friendly. They would stop us while we were walking asking if we needed directions etc,..

We saw some really beautiful beaches and homes by walking to and from.

The next port was hamilton . Lots of shopping there.Our favorite for shopping. We took the # 7 bus to horseshoe bay, the most gorgous beach of all. Took some beautiful photos. We just got back this morning and I already hit Sams club to have them developed ! Took a little under 200 shots and already have them in an album :-)

Step off the ship and the stores are right there... Lots of hustle and bustle in Hamilton. The busiest port yet.

The last port was the royal naval dockyard (kings wharf) Which we thought was the prettiest of the ports but not alot to do at all. We were not at all impressed with snorkel park. , a very close beach to the ship. Less than a 10 min. walk. I loves pictures but didn't even take out the camera there. Sand very rocky, couldn't get comfortable laying on a towel, rented chairs.

Great beach for parents with little kids. Very shallow, calm water but after visiting horseshoe bay it was not scenic at all..

We didn't find the need to buy the transportation pass at all. We ended up buying tokens for our one r/trip bus ride and again for one r/t ferry ride.

While in the dockyards I realized there wasn't great shopping there so we hopped back on the ferry to hamilton, finished my shopping and then back to the ship.

We didn't take advantage of the dine ashore program. Enjoyed the ships food too much :-)

Disembarkation wasn't bad at all either.

They had express disembarkation but we didn't choose that.

We wanted to enjoy every last minute onboard the crown.

We had breakfast, coffee on deck 7 overlooking the harbor and finally made our way to deck 6 to wait for our tag color to be called. We were quickly off the ship, into the terminal . All luggage was organized inside the terminal by the color tags you had. Found our luggage instantly ! How great is that. Handed customs the form and off we went onto the streets of New York...We were off the ship and on the street before 10 am....

The only thing I can really add for future cruisers is if you love coffee or iced tea etc.... Bring a large coffee mug from home or a travel one w/ a lid. Same for cold beverages. It'll save alot of time to refill the small coffee cups/ plastic drink cups for cold beverages.

They did have a large assortment of flavored tea bags for tea lovers and hot cocoa packs too .

They did give us a 2007 itinerary for future cruises out of new york city and philadelphia to Bermuda for those interested... Only two ports though which I think is better.

St.Georges and Hamilton.

any questions feel free to ask.

We had a really great vacation on the crown in Bermuda.

Would do in again in a heartbeat !

[family cruisers]

I forgot to mention the chocoholic buffet..... For you chocolate lovers out there this is not to be missed..... They held this in the Seven Seas Restaurant on friday at 3pm.... We got in early, when we left the line was through the casino.... LONG LINE...

[coka]

Thank you for posting a review! I do not know much about the Crown but I have always wanted to go to Bermuda. I take it that the weather is nice in Bermuda this time of year? Will the Crown be there next year?

Coka

[family cruisers]

This is the info that was given to us on the ship.

2007 sail dates for ncl Crown to Bermuda.

June 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26,

Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.

Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28th.

2 days St. Georges

2 days Hamilton First and last ay at Sea.

7 day itinerary.

Hope this helps.

they also have Crown dates leaving philly in 2007

May 6, 13, 20, 27,

June 3, 10th (6 day)

Weather was gorgous, we were just lucky there were no hurricanes !

Thank you for posting a review! I do not know much about the Crown but I have always wanted to go to Bermuda. I take it that the weather is nice in Bermuda this time of year? Will the Crown be there next year?

Coka

[maurick]

Caroline

 

Great review! I guess you loved Bermuda.

 

Maureen

[family cruisers]

Can't wait to return again......

Maureen. I sent you and Rick Pictures to your email address.... Did you get them?

Caroline

 

Great review! I guess you loved Bermuda.

 

Maureen

[family cruisers]

It's not fun being back to cooking/cleaning/laundry etc.... I miss the Crown & Bermuda

[maurick]

Can't wait to return again......

Maureen. I sent you and Rick Pictures to your email address.... Did you get them?

 

Yes..we did get thema and thanks for aharing. They were great.

 

Isn't it awful you have to shop for your own food, prepare it yourself and clean up.

 

Glad you guys had such a wonderful time.

[family cruisers]

We did have an awesome time !

I even miss hearing "goodmorning Madame, Sir " etc....

The crown IS sailing out of N.Y again next year. Even though it was sold there is an itinerary...

Yes..we did get thema and thanks for aharing. They were great.

 

Isn't it awful you have to shop for your own food, prepare it yourself and clean up.

 

Glad you guys had such a wonderful time.

[twinky53]

Thank you SO much for the very positive review. We are trying to decide between the Celebrity Zenith and the NCL Crown. Obviously, from my signature, we have sailed twice on the NCL Dawn and loved it so much. We just finished a cruise on the Crown Princess, and they skipped Bermuda - due to wind. :(

 

So, we want to book a Bermuda-only cruise for next year. Our inclination is NCL - we love freestyle. My question to you is this - was it hard to get a two-person table and how crowded were the buffets? On the Dawn, this was never a problem, but that is a big ship.

 

However, I have to say, your review is so good, and I am already leaning in this direction anyway, I probably will book the Crown. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experiences!! :)

[family cruisers]

Hi Twinky,

I'm glad you enjoyed my review of the crown.

It was a very positive experience.

The dining room did have tables for two by the windows but they are so close together you'll feel like your dining with the others next to you. The seven seas main dining room is very pretty. I'd tell you eat early or late if you go there otherwise there is a longer line to wait but seemed to go quickly.

As I said in the review we booked our specialty restaurants as soon as we boarded so we had first choice of times. They also had (for early diners ) 2 for 1 specials for dinner in LeBistro... That was the only specialty restaurant you had to pay for.

You did need reservations though for the other two specialty restaurants which were chopsticks (asian) and the Pasta cafe.

I never really saw a long line in the buffet. The buffet goes to the left side and the right side. In the center when you enter is a girl standing there handing you trays with your utensils and dinner plate. You sanitize your hands right there which I thought was great. Then you go right or left. Food is the same on both sides . We always went to the left because when you get off that line if you go straight and to the left (can't miss it) is the carving stations, homemade soups, ceasar salads tossed in front of you and then a cook making different pastas each day , the indian style buffet as well. Directly passed that table (looking towards the deck) is the wonderful spread of desserts layed out for you to take what you like , and as much as you like.... Then right past that is the Ice Cream person scooping cones/bowls for you.

Coffee stations are by the right door going out to the pool deck and when you enter the buffet from hallway you'd walk to the left and then another left . Very easy to find.

Again, the chocoholic buffet is NOT to be missed... What an amazing spread .. It started at 3pm in the main dining room (seven seas). Get in line about 2:50 because when we left it was a huge line to get in.

 

I even sent an email today to NCL letting them know of the great experience we had. Of course we filled out the comment cards and dropped it in the box on the ship as well.

My b/friend and I are in our early 40's if that helps you !

We're not picky people, easy to please . Our attitudes were if we didn't like something we'd get something else to eat as it was plentiful.

I hope you have a wonderful vacation.

If you have any more questions feel free.

Want a tour guide?

[twinky53]

Thanks so much for the very detailed information, family cruisers! I feel really excited now about this cruise - sounds like plenty of good dining choices. I remember on the Dawn they also had a lady who waited with a tray and silverware and you were expected to sanitize your hands. Unfortunately, on the Crown Princess, most people just passed by the hand sanitizers.

 

I really do appreciate your enthusiasm and your willingness to share so much information - makes our decision so much easier to make! You already are a great tour guide!

 

Now, just have to share the info with DH and make our plans for a specific date. Thanks again! :)

[family cruisers]

My Pleasure.... Whatever you choose just have a great cruise !

Thanks so much for the very detailed information, family cruisers! I feel really excited now about this cruise - sounds like plenty of good dining choices. I remember on the Dawn they also had a lady who waited with a tray and silverware and you were expected to sanitize your hands. Unfortunately, on the Crown Princess, most people just passed by the hand sanitizers.

 

I really do appreciate your enthusiasm and your willingness to share so much information - makes our decision so much easier to make! You already are a great tour guide!

 

Now, just have to share the info with DH and make our plans for a specific date. Thanks again! :)

[family cruisers]

miss this ship , need another NOW.

[cruisingbug]

Thx for the review. I haven't written mine yet- still rockin' a little from getting off Sunday. We had 25' swells on the way back, and have vowed NEVER to book a far forward cabin again. What a rollercoaster ride! But overall a good time and I'll post our experience soon.

[herb]

glad to hear you enjoyed your cruise on the Crown. Especially that you were pleased with an "older" ship after your experiences on 2 of the larger and newer ships on your previous cruises.

[family cruisers]

We really loved the norwegian crown. I loved the feel of the smaller ship. So easy to find everything...

I was happy to know that the crown will be sailing to bermuda again in 2007... I'd definetly go on that ship again in a heartbeat.

I did love Bermuda and the fact that we spent our entire time there (different ports).

glad to hear you enjoyed your cruise on the Crown. Especially that you were pleased with an "older" ship after your experiences on 2 of the larger and newer ships on your previous cruises.

[smokie36]

i am glad you enjoyed the crown.we did the last 3 yrs. rudy the comedian was great. pedro the cruise director was great.capt ronny and the whole crew.

[family cruisers]

Thankyou !

We had the best time.... Not one bad thing at all to say.

i am glad you enjoyed the crown.we did the last 3 yrs. rudy the comedian was great. pedro the cruise director was great.capt ronny and the whole crew.