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Norwegian Cruise Line

SS Norway

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: Deborah DAmbrosi
# previous cruises: 10+
Date of Trip: April 7, 2002
Itinerary: Caribbean - Eastern

Yes!!! You should do this cruise!! It's fabulous. Excellent food, service is great Staff very attentive to your needs. The NORWAY IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL CLASSIC. She's sleek and her interiors have not changed too much. Sail her while you can, you think you've sailed the best, but you HAVE to sail this LEGEND. THE BIG BLUE LADY IS BACK AND A FINE GAL SHE IS!!! WELCOME BACK SS NORWAY!!!

Did not use the casino, but it has been expanded a bit. Quite a few people won on this trip. We loved the Cafe International (original 1st Class Smoking Salon). A MUST SEE and STAY in AWHILE area. You can drink in the wonder of the past of transatlantic days. The Sports Cafe, (formerly Checker's Lounge) is nice for those who love Sports. I did not like the fact that the Ibsen Library was taken out. In it's place is a duty free perfume shop. The original lights and the original library doors are still there. The Library has been moved forward not far from the Windward Lounge and the Purser's Desk (International Deck), the internet cafe also shares the same quarters as the library.

The Saga Theatre is still elegant, the North Cape Lounge still is a bit dark. But once all the shades are open (at their Private Island they clean the windows) you can see the Lounge a little better. If taking photos of this Lounge, please use 800 speed film. That's if the shades are closed. Walk around Promenade is the International Deck, it's fully enclosed. If you wish to take in the breeze, the Olympic Deck, it's one deck above the International Deck. It's a great spot for a jog or walk. And A GREAT SPOT TO TAKE PHOTOS FROM, does not matter if it's from the bow or port or starboard side. When you see another ship leave on the Olympic Deck, you'd better have a camera. You can get great shots of a departing or ship coming in. Also, the Sky Deck a great spot to catch the twin funnels. It's AWESOME!!!!!!! Lots of passengers used the pool, but the pool is chlorinated. Not sea water.

The Roman Spa on Dolphin Deck is a must see. But be prepared to pay for a massage before you can use the pool/jacuzzi. You'll LOVE both Dining Rooms. Use your camera there too, use 800 speed for the Leeward Dining Room, there are entrances to it from the Norway and Atlantic Decks. All the panels on the wall are from the SS France. Children's Playrooms are located on Fjord Deck (formerly a dog kennel) and the International Deck by Sven's Ice Cream.

You have to see the one on I Deck, the daughter of the man who painted these walls keeps them in good shape. There is a beautiful mural of the SS FRANCE. In the Concierge Office on I Deck, the Infants wall is still in great shape. They'll let you take photos of it when they are open.

Lunch buffet in Great Outdoors Cafe is good. That is located aft on I Deck. Coffee is soooo good on this ship. I had 5 cups and that's something for one day. Lunch is available in the Leeward Dining Room during days at sea. And both dining rooms are open for lunch on embarkation day as well as the Great Outdoors Cafe. Been to both dining rooms (Windward is forward on Norway Deck). Food and service excellent. The escargot is out of this world!!! I had two of them.

Cabin A121, very spacious. Can hold up to 4. It has twin portholes, 4 closets, a nice size chest of drawers, glass table to write on. A T.V.

The bathroom is nice size. You can take a shower very easily and not feel like you're trapped. Room is not too noisy, unless you have neighbors on the first night knocking their closet doors and flinging their clothes on the hangers loud enough you can hear it. But, other than that. It's fine. Very comfortable room to sleep in.

We went to only one show. My husband could not get around very well. We did see the Jean Ann Ryan dancers, they're still the best we've ever seen. Lots of the passengers I've talked to enjoyed the shows. Cruise staff and entertainers get a 5 star rating.

Loved St. Maarten, shopping there is very good. St. Thomas, if you get to the Caribana shop on Main Street in Charlotte Amalie, they have the best deal on liquor. Price of 1 Liter of Harvey's Bristol Creme $9.95, 1 Liter of E&J Brandy $7.50 Cruzan Dark Rum not quite a Liter, $6.50. Better than stateside prices. Lots of nice souvenirs at both islands. Private Island has BBQ, some shopping and water activities or do nothing at all. Childcare taken care of on I Deck near Sven's Ice Cream Parlor (ice cream is free). I felt is was too cool to swim there are 2 one on Pool Deck, the other on Sun Deck between the 2 funnels, where 1st class was located.

Lots of repeaters on this trip. They practically filled the North Cape Lounge. One passenger had been on the NORWAY 17 times. More than half of the passengers I managed to talk to say they will return on her again. I KNOW I WILL. We have to thank NCL and Star as well as ALL THE PAST PASSENGERS WHO WROTE TO SAVE OUR BLUE GRAND LADY!!! Most of the passengers are very nice. It was pretty much split, as far as age difference goes. Children of which there were not many on this trip, very well behaved. I did not see one playing with the lifts. As far as the lifts service is concerned. They work fine. And you have places to sit while waiting for one too. Something other cruise lines who are building bigger ships are FORGETTING TO DO. Some of the passengers who were on the bus with us, I would invite to dinner. And ask them more about their wonderful SS NORWAY experience. I'm telling you fellow passengers, just don't ooooh and aaaah when you see her.

BOOK HER BEFORE WE LOSE HER AGAIN. Let NCL know WE STILL NEED HER IN FLORIDA!!!!