Norwegian Cruise Lines — Local services in New Orleans

I wanted a different experience after having been on two Carnival cruises in the past, so I decided to book with Norwegian on the Getaway. My girlfriend convinced me to upgrade to the Haven experience, so we enjoyed many priority privileges that we otherwise wouldn't have had. I'll review that experience first, and get to the other parts of the ship that are closer to the normal experience.

Haven Experience -

If you're booking a Haven experience, you'll skip the line and be ushered pre-boarding snack buffet. When ready, our concierge took us up to board the ship and gave us information about the amenities we would have. When we got to our room, it was nice and spacious, with a hot tub near the window and balcony door. There is a ton of storage space, which we mostly didn't need, but was nice to have. The bathroom is about what you expect on a cruise ship. The quality of the bed was slightly better than average, but don't expect memory foam. We also had a personal butler and someone to make up our room twice a day. They'll keep you stocked with finger foods and ask you when they will be able to make up the room.

When it comes to the exclusive Haven area, the workers really go out of their way to remember you and your preferences. Because there are a limited number of people that go into this area, you're able to have more regular and friendly interactions with bartenders. The Haven restaurant (while amazingly well staffed) is the only part of the experience that we found lacking. The menu doesn't change, but you do get a small buffet to enjoy before you eat. Breakfast was generally lacking at the Haven, though the steak and eggs were pretty good.

The Haven area can also be nice to see some of the same people more often if you enjoy socializing (it can be difficult to make plans with people on the ship without texting).

Food -

Outside of the Haven experience, the food on the ship was good to average. The buffet options are mostly okay, with a few specialty items (typically Indian fare) to keep things interesting. I found breakfast food to be the worst out of the meals on the ship. I'm aware of how difficult it is to cook for a large number of people, but I was only ever satisfied with lunch and dinner food. When it comes to the main dining rooms, the food was great, and I'm certain most will be satisfied with those. For specialty restaurants, we tried the sushi restaurant and the Brazilian steakhouse. Both were excellent even if they were a bit on the pricey side. All in all, I don't think you'll be blown away by the food, but it can get pretty good if you're willing to pay for specialty dining experiences.

Ports -

We stopped in Costa Maya, Belize, and Cozumel and didn't opt to do any excursions. For the first two, I would say that the only way to enjoy these ports on a Norwegian cruise, is to do an excursion. I was a bit thrown off by this, because I have visited Belize on a Carnival cruise and did not feel anywhere near as channelized as we were with Carnival. In Cozumel, you can find areas off the beaten path where you'll have a much more enjoyable time. Cozumel felt very similar to my previous experiences being there.

Entertainment -

There was always something for us to do on the ship, and having an open bar made this a superior experience to the drink package offered with Carnival (15 drink max regardless of what the drink is). I was able to consistently enjoy any activity with a glass of my favorite whiskey. We did enjoy karaoke, but you have to sign up very early or you won't get a chance to sing. There are gambling games that are fun from time to time, but I'm not sure I remember seeing anyone win big at any of them. The arcade can eat up a ton of money, but we enjoyed it quite a bit. Though, it could be much better if the machines weren't constantly going out of order. If you purchased an arcade package, this might be a big annoyance.

Overall, I would recommend this experience to anyone, but I did take a star off for the...

I am reviewing my recent vacation on the NCL GETAWAY, which sailed on 28Nov2022. This cruise was a huge disappointment based upon our past experiences with NCL and our last cruise just last year on the NCL Bliss. So you know, this cruise ship had the following issues: Crown Royal Canadian Whisky nor Captain Morgan's Spiced rum was NOT available anywhere on the ship. None of the bars carried them, yet my daughter on the NCL ENCORE, who was cruising at the same time, had these liquors on their ship! FOUL! Bar tenders pushed whiskeys that cost more than the Premium Drink Package covered. Poor excuses why Crown Royal was not carried anymore. The substitute was Canadian MIST or Canadian CLUB, which are CHEAP whiskeys!!! FOUL and false advertising based upon what the Premium Liquor Package stated would be available. The internet service as very slow and my phone would often go dark before the internet logged me completely in, so I would lose precious minutes EVERYTIME I tried to access the internet! The cost for unlimited internet was WAY TOO HIGH! Had it been a $100 per person upgrade fee, we would have purchased it, but $200 upgrade was too expensive. The NCL application, which was supposed to allow us to text each other while on board the ship worked only about 5% of the time. It was completely useless and frustrating, but the internet team kept pushing for people to sign up for unlimited internet. FOUL! The staff on board the ship had real issues! Only about 25% of the staff were helpful and happy to take care of the customers. The other 75% of the staff were either "clueless" or did not care about the customers. Very sad to see the lack of customer service from NCL, and I am a stockholder! The food at the buffet was always cold or barely warm. You serve hot food HOT and cold food COLD...PERIOD! The Pizza was terrible too. Fake cheese and little toppings on each slice. The service in the "included" restaurants was mediocre. During one dinner meal at SAVOR, the server was so slow that we sat for 45 minutes before even getting an appetizer, and the meal took 2 hours, and not by our choice. The server took forever to get food and drinks, and no other team members who were just standing around offered to help her. This was a theme in the SAVOR restaurant. Seemed like the ship staff was slow rolling meals to get people to go to the Specialty Dining Restaurants. FOUL! Only one bar on the entire ship was allowed to make a proper Old Fashion with the correct whiskey and dark cherry...FOUL! The other bars kept pushing upgraded whiskeys since Crown Royal was not available. Our visit to Puerta Plata DR was cancelled due to "operational issues", yet the crew never explained why. We heard the port was cancelled because NCL rented the pier from CARNIVAL Cruise Line, and Carnival changed their itinerary and thus bumping our ship off the pier at DR. Then our visit to Great Stirrup Cay was cancelled because NCL doesn't have a pier to dock the ship at and the "swells were too big" to tender everyone to the island...FOUL! We ended up having three days at sea instead of a fifth port that were paid for. The tube water slide never worked during the 10 day cruise. The casino had automatic deck shufflers at the Blackjack tables, which can be programmed to cheat given the dealer enters information into a pad when each person plays at the table. GROSS! A normal blackjack deck shoe should be used.

As you can read, our experience on the NCL GETAWAY ship was much less than expected and not what we paid for. I am so frustrated with the lack of care and attention by this...

Having recently embarked on a Norwegian Joy Alaska cruise in May 2025, I offer this balanced and objective review to provide insights for prospective cruisers. The journey through the stunning Alaskan landscape provided many memorable moments, and the ship itself offers a comfortable and engaging environment for exploration.

Service and Staff: A Resounding Success

One of the most consistently positive aspects of our experience on the Norwegian Joy was the exceptional service provided by the crew. From dining staff to cleaning personnel, the team demonstrated a remarkable commitment to guest satisfaction. The attentiveness and friendly demeanor of the service crew in all areas of the ship truly enhanced our cruise.

A special mention must be made of the cleaning service team. Our stateroom was maintained to an impeccable standard daily, demonstrating their efficiency and dedication. Furthermore, the "Washy Washy" team at the Garden Cafe entrance, with their cheerful reminders about hygiene, added a delightful and effective touch to onboard health protocols. Their efforts were genuinely appreciated and contributed to a clean and comfortable environment for all.

Dining Experience: Highs and Opportunities for Enhancement

The food options on the Norwegian Joy generally ranged from good to excellent, with particular highlights being the overall quality and variety of flavors available. The dedication to catering to diverse dietary needs was evident, and we found the Indian food option to be particularly impressive and a great choice for vegetarians, offering flavorful and satisfying meals. This commitment to specific dietary preferences is a definite strong point.

However, a key area for potential improvement lies in the variety of menus within the complimentary restaurants. While the quality of the food was commendable, we observed that the menus in the main complimentary dining venues remained largely the same each day. This can lead to a sense of repetition over the course of a longer cruise. Introducing rotating daily menus, or offering themed nights, would significantly enhance the dining experience and provide more culinary exploration without requiring guests to venture into specialty dining options.

Shore Excursions: Ample Time for Exploration

For those eager to immerse themselves in the Alaskan ports of call, the Norwegian Joy proved to be well-organized in providing sufficient time for shore excursions. The pacing of port visits allowed for thorough exploration, whether participating in organized tours or venturing out independently. This ample time at each destination meant we never felt rushed, allowing us to fully appreciate the unique beauty and activities each Alaskan town had to offer.

Overall Impression:

The Norwegian Joy provides a solid platform for an Alaskan adventure. Its attentive service, dedicated cleaning crew, and thoughtful consideration for dietary needs (especially the excellent Indian vegetarian options) are definite strengths. While the consistency of complimentary dining menus presents an opportunity for future enhancement, the overall experience is positive, ensuring that guests can focus on the breathtaking scenery and unique experiences that an Alaskan cruise offers. For those seeking a comfortable and well-serviced journey through this stunning region, the Norwegian Joy is a...