Norwegian Cruise Line International — Local services in San Diego

The NCL Bliss is part of the Breakaway Plus Class; her sister ships are the Escape, the Joy, and the Encore. She was launched in February 2018, and her Godfather was Elvis Duran, an American Radio Personality. The Bliss’s capacity is just over 4,000 passengers and 1700 crew. Her Captain is Staffan Bengtsson, from Bjuv, Sweden. Embarkation in Miami was smooth; it was more professionally done than other experiences. We had our cabin assignment, after we reported to the muster station. This was chaotic, as it was at a bar near the casino with many people around. We had lunch in the Garden Café Buffet, and the luggage delivery process was efficiently done. We sailed from Miami at 4pm. We ate all our meals in the Garden Café Buffet, except once when we tried one of main dining rooms, despite having several Specialty restaurant credits. The food there was excellent, and at first, the Garden Café Buffet was good too, if one stayed away from the Indian and other international stations, but toward the end of the cruise, the quality appeared to decrease significantly. We aren’t drinkers, so we didn’t buy the drink package or take advantage of the nightlife aboard. Without a drink package, we filled our water bottles from the water dispensers in the Café. This was to avoid drinking the ship’s recycled waste water. We took in one general audience comedy show, but it was not to my liking. This cruise was for us to enjoy the repositioning through the Panama Canal. Our ports of call were; Cartagena, Columbia, Colon, Panama, traversing through the Canal, Puntarenas [Puerto Caldera], Costa Rica, Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and Cabo San Lucas, with several days at sea, which were restful. On sea days, we sat outside on Deck 8, or inside the Observatory area on Deck 15, which offered a light buffet. The ship’s Observatory had wrap-around windows at the front with good seating, and was a nice place to read or see the view. We had shore excursions pre-booked at every port, but due to the intense heat and overwhelming humidity, we skipped the one in Puntarenas [Puerto Caldera], Costa Rica. All the towns were several miles inland, so transportation was required. It wasn't possible to roam the ports, except in Puerto Vallarta. Cartagena had the worst weather. Heat and humidity were big problems. Mostly, we felt safe in port, but we were always careful with our belongings, and didn't engage with the street performers, or photo ops with people wanting tips. Always there were women selling things. This is a primary method of support for their families. The textiles in Guatemala were extraordinary and the sellers would bargain. Cartagena has an extraordinary Emerald mine and showroom, and Guatemala is known for its Jade. One notable occurrence was my being mistreated physically, mentally, and emotionally on the Observation Deck by a male passenger. While I could not describe him fully, I did report this incident to four different officers, including the head of the ship’s security detail, but nothing was ever done. This angry man appeared to be upset by my standing near him to view part of the transit through a lock during the canal transit. I did nothing to earn this, but it caused me great emotional distress, disturbing me for several days. The ship’s personnel could have done much better; but since they did not, it was evident that they didn't care. Our balcony room was roomy enough for two, but it could have been made up for four. We sat out there occasionally. The steward did an excellent job in meeting our needs, and overall, the ship was clean. Our bags were outside our cabin on the last night and disembarkation in LA went quickly and smoothly. Getting off the ship and to the right place to meet the sponsored excursions was always chaotic, and at Cabo San Lucas, it was terrible. Norwegian should do much better in this area. Overall, we were disappointed in several areas. Both with the ship and its personnel, most of the meals, and the disorganization in the excursion experience. The ports of call were...

Norwegian Breakaway Nickel and Dime Cruise big Wow! I booked the cruise out of New Orleans for two reasons, take my wife to New Orleans and use an offer from the casino. We enjoyed New Orleans a lot, great shows and food. I booked the Norwegian Breakaway for a Christmas present for my wife. That was in December 2022. In January I downloaded the NCL app and tried to log on using my NCL account, no way! Six days later and several attempts to get someone to get my account figured out? I was very frustrated. The two people who tried to figure out what was wrong couldn’t. I wanted to plan some shore excursions before March 19 2023. Useless! I figured forfeit my deposit and decided to cancel the trip. I called to cancel and they were willing to refund all my money. Then I spoke to a wonderful lady who said I should rethink the situation. If I would keep the trip she would give me a food credit and an excursion credit. I kept the cruise and got onboard. The NCL app still didn’t work so I deleted it again and reinstalled it again so now I guess it works okay. I couldn’t get the remote to work for the 10 year old Sole tv. I asked the steward to show me how to use it. Oh, it is old lnfered or something remote, you have to hold it directly in front of the sensor. Right height and aimed perfectly. Gave up on using the tv for ship info. The room is 122 sq ft Balcony 24 sq ft. No reservations for dining. Show up wait by by in line and hope they have a table. I noticed while figuring out the NCL app that there where no available seating at the Manhattan diner. The food there was very good and hot and tasty. The piano music was way too load for us. I was lucky I could turn off my hearing aids, Sue mentioned how load the piano was as we left. We then went to the casino to play and get our free drinks. I didn’t bring any money to play with because I charge what I want to the room. SHOCK!!! They charge a percentage of 3% of what you charge to you room. $200 is $6 ha ha ha they are not going to get more than $20 a day from my play in the casino. When I want a drink I will just sit at a machine and bet $.08. Day 2 at sea ordered a waffle at SAVOR restaurant, open 8am to 9:30 am. Met Adam from Estonia a maitre d’ there Waffle was cold and stale. Sent it away. Ordered French toast instead. French toast hard and stale as well. Ordered ham and cheese omelet. Well it must be me this morning, the omelet was piping hot, but the pan must have been too hot! The omelet was over-cooked. You know how the egg mix turns brown and leathery. Day 3 Woke up 3:30 3/21 with pain in my diaphragm. I took some baking soda and water. 4::30am puking. Drank more water puked it up. Drank more water tried to lay down but to much pain. 6:30 puking again took an aspirin and losartan. Finally went to sleep. 10am still have pain, I think I haven’t been drinking enough water. I started drinking 16 oz of water every two hours. Took my morning pills at 11:30am puked them up at 12:30. Drank 16 oz water. Docked at Costa Maya at 11am. Went to buffet to get a bite to eat. Returned to room to sleep most of day. Drinking water each time I woke up. Had a headache at 2 pm so took a dose of NyQuil. Day 4 woke up at 6am no more pain! Harvest Cay Belize My feet stick out of the bed. Mattress was 77in. Long. We went on a tour the “Botanical Garden and Spice farm tour $109 ea. . Tour was okay have to check if there are any non-Norwegian tours to check this place and check the price. Overall the tour was good. Lots of smelling and tasting so bring some handy wipes. Do not buy any of the food they call lunche you will just toss it in the trash. If you complain they suddenly don’t understand English. Day 5 MAYA KEY. $99 pp. Lunch included as well as drinking water. If you want to snorkel it is $20 for the gear. If you bring your own be sure to pack a snorkel vest. Plenty of lounges and shade trees. Be aware of sitting under moon I coconuts. Sail...

My cruise to Alaska. Revised 8/28/24 I have now updated my review. I have also lowered the stars to 1 star. I thought about giving a 1 star, but there are a COUPLE staff thats decent. I don't know where to begin.. I'm still currently on my cruise. The majority of the staff are rude. If you ask what's in a drink they ignore you. I asked 3 times and he finally (with an attitude) told me under his breath. So i still dont know whats in their "special" drink. There are maybe 1 or 2 bartenders on this entire ship that are able to make your drink correctly and under 15 minutes!! There isn't a bar on this ship you can go to that isn't swarmed with children until the bar closes!! It is so frustrating as an adult not being able to enjoy adult time. Same thing with the hot tubs. Consumed with kids. Within the first 8 hours of being on the ship, a waiter lost my norwegian card that accesses my room, pay for drinks and food. The waiter went to customer service and had it replaced. The next day I had 2 more trips to customer service because my card wasn't working. I can't get a water bottle or fill a water bottle. The bartender said he isn't allowed to touch our water bottles, but he can give us a glass of water and we can pour it in ourselves. All the shows on the ship are so late the majority of the audience falls asleep, not to mention the cost of everything. They Nickle and some you for everything!!!! Our room wasn't clean when we first arrived. It smelled like a men's public bathroom that had been urinated all over. You could smell it as soon as you opened the cabin door. The excursions are crazy expensive for what you actually get. The outlets in my room barely charge my phone. The staff isn't welcoming. I had gone to 3 different clubs on the ship trying to get a drink. All of them except 1 had presentations or an "event" going on and we weren't able to go. The wifi plan is crap, the app doesn't work without using your wifi minutes. You can't text the other people in your group unless you PAY for their plan. Oh and the pool/ hot tubs close at 9pm! With all the kids still in it!. Extremely frustrating vacation and I still have 5 days .... smh This has been quite a stressful cruise. I can't imagine ever using Norwegian...