Norwegian Spirit Cruise Review
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Fine Wines and Dining
I have to say that as long as you were willing to pay for an upgrade to the alternative restaurants, the food there was just fine. The Teppanyaki restaurant chef was a little screwed up, serving us one slice of zucchini and a slice of onion first, followed by your meat or seafood, then followed 10 minutes later by rice, and then finally your appetizer of shrimp. I thought it was done in error, and went another night, but was shocked that it was still served totally out of order again.
What I did notice was as the cruise went on the seafood seemed to be less fresh. Even though we went to Maine and Boston, it seemed as though the ships provisions were only loaded on in NYC, and the lobster seemed to be just short of turning as the cruise went on. Again, at least they tried, but my bill for food and wine was almost the price of the cruise -- $1,200 for the cruise and another $900 for food and wine.
Theater
I love theater, and the first day out I enjoyed visiting an area where you can see the history and pictures of building this ship (it's right behind the bridge, which you get to by going down a spiral staircase). The reason I tell you this is, I was able to see the construction of the main theater of the ship. All sorts of scenery changing trusses, Full stage turntables, lighting trusses and state of the art sound system. Well, - It was wasted here. One night the show was a juggling family, One night a comedian, one night a comedy troupe of second rate Second Cities who were great on the scripted portion of the show but couldn't improv at all, which is what Second City is all about.
And, with the exception of the lead vocals, the music was all canned, but there was a band there during one of their shows filling in where they could. Oh, by the way, not one piece of scenery. Just a few chairs for the 2nd City Guys, and a few risers for the dancers and singers. It all seemed sort of High Schoolish to me. BUT at the grand finale final evening, when the staff all comes out - well then - they actually dressed the stage with a Norwegian Flag.
Late Night Entertainment was sort of a joke too. No X-rated comedy shows, and no live music to enjoy unless you enjoy a sing-a-long at the pub with an acoustic Beatles wannabe, or a show made up of the cruise staff (which seemed to me part of alot of the "other shows". These guys were not hired for talent, but on their ability to call bingo. They were also ameteurish at best.
Television
Just a replay of the same - all day and night. Not even highlights of the days happenings, just lots of snow and poor jokes from the "cruise director".
Excursions
A sore point. Don't go to the Salem Witch Museum. This was the sorriest excuse for a tour that I ever saw. It was nothing short of a total rip-off. The museum itself charges $7.50 for entrance fees, but the tour was $65. The guide told us to nap on the way back, and going was very busy helping our "lost" bus driver find out how to get there, while driving over flower beds and curbs. Upon approaching the excursion desk with the whole story of this trip ("you wouldn't believe it"), I was told that they know it's bad, but people still buy it. No offer of compensation, etc., but that's NCL. By the way, after visiting Halifax, which was just beautiful, magically a cabin appeared for us to move into. I guess someone must have bolted from the ship. "We should have also".
Fine Wines and Dining
I have to say that as long as you were willing to pay for an upgrade to the alternative restaurants, the food there was just fine. The Teppanyaki restaurant chef was a little screwed up, serving us one slice of zucchini and a slice of onion first, followed by your meat or seafood, then followed 10 minutes later by rice, and then finally your appetizer of shrimp. I thought it was done in error, and went another night, but was shocked that it was still served totally out of order again.
What I did notice was as the cruise went on the seafood seemed to be less fresh. Even though we went to Maine and Boston, it seemed as though the ships provisions were only loaded on in NYC, and the lobster seemed to be just short of turning as the cruise went on. Again, at least they tried, but my bill for food and wine was almost the price of the cruise -- $1,200 for the cruise and another $900 for food and wine.
Theater
I love theater, and the first day out I enjoyed visiting an area where you can see the history and pictures of building this ship (it's right behind the bridge, which you get to by going down a spiral staircase). The reason I tell you this is, I was able to see the construction of the main theater of the ship. All sorts of scenery changing trusses, Full stage turntables, lighting trusses and state of the art sound system. Well, - It was wasted here. One night the show was a juggling family, One night a comedian, one night a comedy troupe of second rate Second Cities who were great on the scripted portion of the show but couldn't improv at all, which is what Second City is all about.
And, with the exception of the lead vocals, the music was all canned, but there was a band there during one of their shows filling in where they could. Oh, by the way, not one piece of scenery. Just a few chairs for the 2nd City Guys, and a few risers for the dancers and singers. It all seemed sort of High Schoolish to me. BUT at the grand finale final evening, when the staff all comes out - well then - they actually dressed the stage with a Norwegian Flag.
Late Night Entertainment was sort of a joke too. No X-rated comedy shows, and no live music to enjoy unless you enjoy a sing-a-long at the pub with an acoustic Beatles wannabe, or a show made up of the cruise staff (which seemed to me part of alot of the "other shows". These guys were not hired for talent, but on their ability to call bingo. They were also ameteurish at best.
Television
Just a replay of the same - all day and night. Not even highlights of the days happenings, just lots of snow and poor jokes from the "cruise director".
Excursions
A sore point. Don't go to the Salem Witch Museum. This was the sorriest excuse for a tour that I ever saw. It was nothing short of a total rip-off. The museum itself charges $7.50 for entrance fees, but the tour was $65. The guide told us to nap on the way back, and going was very busy helping our "lost" bus driver find out how to get there, while driving over flower beds and curbs. Upon approaching the excursion desk with the whole story of this trip ("you wouldn't believe it"), I was told that they know it's bad, but people still buy it. No offer of compensation, etc., but that's NCL. By the way, after visiting Halifax, which was just beautiful, magically a cabin appeared for us to move into. I guess someone must have bolted from the ship. "We should have also".
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