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Norwegian Cruise Line

SS Norway

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Reviewed by: Frank Gradwell
# previous cruises: 2
Date of Trip: September 2, 2001
Itinerary: Transatlantic

The cruise was a wonderful demonstration of how a true ocean liner can handle the Atlantic, lose two thousand passengers amongst its many facilities, create a host of superb memories, but equally frustrate with its mediocre management and cost cutting measures which chip away unnecessarily at the experience. These mar the cruise, but reflect on the owning company not the ship herself!

The ship still exudes much of the France, but modified and upgraded for its present career cruising. The angular 1950's finishes and furniture have been swept away to give an ambience more in tune with today's tastes. The Windward, Leeward, Club International and Saga Theatre are superb. The North Cape lounge functions well for its purpose on the Caribbean, but was cold on the North Atlantic. Apparently the ship's heating was disabled for the Caribbean.

The Casino and photo shop area does not work well together and needs to be reconfigured. The sports bar is cheap and nasty, the bistro remained unvisited - why pay more for what you have already bought? The promenades on International deck were depopulated by the removal of seating that gave them life. Why is this mix possible on other lines but not NCL?

Externally the pool deck and sun decks were the main sun traps - small pools??? only if you are an olympic swimmer! On Olympic deck the walking and jogging track was soft to the tread, but perfectly serviceable. I did not visit the fitness centre but it appeared OK to me. Everyone who used the Spa complimented it.

The observation deck was locked after 20.30 to give the occupants of the cabins below some sleep - I am not sure whether this was really necessary - or litigation driven in case of an accident in the hours of darkness, as the "astro turf" is a disgrace and NCL should have replaced it years ago. It billows in the wind and someone is going to sue NCL out of sight over it one day - but "astroturf" is not part of the structure of the ship so the defect is not material to its soundness or fitness for purpose overall.

The restaurant food was curates egg - good in parts. NCL do not maintain table crews throughout the day and breakfast and lunch are open seating. Service was slow and haphazard. The food when it came was good.

Dinner was very good to excellent with dedicated crews and Maitre D'. Anyone who says otherwise is kidding themselves.

The "Great Outdoor Restaurant" isn't. Its a scruffy crowded area with little choice and poor standards. I finally finished with it the day a steward served my scrambled egg with his fingers. I left it for him to eat!!

The Ice cream on the International Deck was unmissable

Yes the cabins are old and need a deep clean and perhaps some decoration. I hope they get one at the refit next month.

They are however, perfectly surface clean. Everything works and you seem to get what you pay for. We had an inside on Norway deck - all that was left when the cruise was finally available to the general UK market. Three of us lived in it for sixteen days and yes - it did take management - but there was nothing to complain about.

Shows are not my thing so I will not comment except to say that "I like orange!!" Dazzles was deserted - every night! We must have been a bunch of old cronies!

The cruise director Mr Adrian "Smug" from Manitoba was a little egomaniac. The best thing the company can do to persuade me to ever sail with them again is to confirm that he has been sent back to Canada - and the Internet cafe manager to Argentina. The art auctions - what a scam - rubbish on legs!

Devon Scott the deputy to Mr Smug is a conscientious and helpful guy. He signed off at Southampton.

Our Maitre D' in the Leeward was superb dealing with dietary problems for the following day every night. Our waiter Francisco and bus boy were superb. Our steward Carlos will rise beyond that level with ease.

The navigation staff were quiet experts

The company corporately are a bunch of lying cheats! How else would you describe a publicity blanket of silence during the "Norway's" Farewell Season and then her re-instatement only two days after we disembarked from her "Final Eastbound Crossing" or a denial of part itinerary passages to UK enquirers, then around 100 people boarding at Le Havre - Skunks are NCL!! And do they reply to correspondence? - of course not! The Norway could bring me back - They can't!

The casino was "greedy" but I did see some happy punters.

The teen club hostesses were very helpful but also gave us an insight into the employee related conduct of such as the cruise director or internet cafe manager - nice to know your gut feelings were right! They also told us of the petty penny pinching restrictions that NCL apply to their staff - probably save a few $$$ per cruise, but dissuade much more value in goodwill or extra service lost as a result

The shore excursions were vastly overpriced. We used none of them and did more at every port freelance.

The tenders are a superb answer to Norway's deep draught - 35 feet. They are however badly managed and possibly a hazard in some conditions. I would hazard a guess that they would not be certified for more than half their stated capacity in the UK. The gangway needs cross treads to prevent slipping and is not long enough for tidal ranges.

They are patently not suitable for three mile journeys in a force five as at Dun Laoghaire.

The itinerary was superb and the Atlantic crossing a dream on largely smooth seas with much blue sky and sun right up to the last day.

On this cruise we sailed from one world to another and not only in geographic terms. We met all kinds of people from the boorish never satisfied philistine to the happy go lucky take us as you find us types who make socialising a pleasure.

In the main people were sailing to experience the ship but we met some who can only complain - too old - too dirty - too much sea - (It is the bXXXdy Atlantic) why should I have to wear a jacket - (It's autumn in Europe and that's our climate!) Why should I have to use a tender - (because if the ship goes to Dublin she will never leave). Why do these people ever leave home???

The cruise was a wonderful experience amongst many like minded people of varying ages and backgrounds. Great fun and great friends made. 95% of the English speakers were in this category

We also had 600 French on board. Life was "interesting" - for instance there was their insistence on announcements in their own language when they shushed anyone near them, but talked away animatedly when other languages were being used, etc etc. I'll leave you to derive your own impression