We opted to drive to New Orleans from Little Rock, Arkansas. An easy 8 hour drive. We spent the night in New Orleans. Got up Sunday morning and had breakfast at Mother’s Restaurant. Took our time, really, getting to the terminal.
Mr GPS brought us to the Erato Street terminal, however, brought us to the old terminal. No problem we had plenty of time. We followed the signs to the terminal. A few signs were confusing, but nonetheless we made it. It appeared there were two lots you could opt to park, an open lot to the right of the terminal and the parking deck. Not sure how much the open lot was. Prior to entering a security guard checked the vehicle to ensure it was safe, no hidden explosives etc!! The deck cost $112 for the seven day cruise. We had been told on the boards that the parking was a cash only affair. Turned out we could use a credit card.
Once in the parking deck we proceeded, we were stopped by a gentleman who informed us to drop our luggage, park on deck 4 or 5 and then take the elevator down to the second floor. One of the easiest drop offs we have done.
Off on the second floor we went through security, were given a number, one, and were directed to the waiting area. I’m thinking we were in the terminal by eleven a.m. We waited but a few minutes when our check-in number was called. We went up to the Lattitudes check-in desk and within probably three minutes were ready to go. Sign and sail cards in hand.
We waited another thirty minutes before they started boarding. Boarding went in accordance to the number you were holding. So we pretty much were the first ones to board. Lots of staff greeting you, however, no one told us what to do. So that could have been a bit confusing to first time cruisers. We just figured we’d head to lunch. So up to Raffles. Very clean and the food offered was very nice. The roast beef was delicious!!!!
After lunch we walked around and familiarized ourselves with the ship. Right at about two, we headed to our cabin deck. The doors were opened as we arrived so we proceeded to our cabin, 9122. Wow were we surprised. Excellent cabin. Nice balcony, bathroom was spacious and clean. Safe was left open in the locked position so we had to call the reception desk. Within minutes security arrived and reset the safe.
We figured we would put our valuables in the safe and head out to a lounge. A knock at the door? Hmm, guess it’s our cabin steward, nope it was our luggage!!!!! Our luggage arrived to the cabin around two-thirty. That is the quickest we have ever gotten our luggage. So we proceeded to unpack and put stuff away. Empty suitcases fit under the bed with room to spare.
The abandon ship exercise was held at four-thirty. We sailed shortly after.
We ate dinner at Windows, one of the two main dining rooms. The other is the Garden Room. Dinner was good, as were all the meals. Our wait staff was very personable. Food arrived hot and very good. The second night we ate in the Garden Room, sadly the service lacked the charm of sailing. And we felt a bit enclosed in the Garden Room, so that was the only meal, other than the Mystery Dinner, we ate there.
Windows is a much nicer, open area dining room. First day at sea we opted to actually get up early and go to Windows for breakfast. Breakfast was very disappointing. I ordered poached eggs which came out hard boiled. I also ordered corned beef hash, one of my favorite things to order on board. The hash was just that, diced up little pieces of meat, tossed with diced potato and I think celery. Needless to say, we did not do the main dining room for breakfast anymore.
Raffles probably has the best breakfast. Made to order eggs, perfect every time; Belgian waffles and wonderful French toast. Although busy, Raffles was always clean and very organized. One thing I did notice in Raffles and the main dining rooms, there were no bar personal trying to push drinks of the day or to take a dinner meal cocktail order. Our last night, we ate in Windows and ordered dinner cocktails from our waiter. So drinks were available on request.
The food we experienced was very good. The staff very professional and for the most part attentive.
The Blue Lagoon had the best wings and best burgers hands down. The fish and chips were pretty good as well. The Blue Lagoon operated 24/7, and was very conveniently located. Maybe too convenient. Those late night stops!!!!!! Walking back to our cabin we would walk through and yep, the aromas always got us. So at two in the morning, we’re sitting eating wings!!!!! Yum-O!
All the lounges were clean and the entertainment was good. Arwin and Emily, a duo, played at Michael’s Champagne Bar nightly and were fantastic. Fusion Wave, a band, played in the Galaxy most nights and were great. We were a bit disappointed with the Spirit Show Band, they played mostly Latin/Salsa, so dancing was limited.
The Quest and Second City were absolutely outstanding. There was a toga party we missed, a Hot White dance party, a Why Wait til New Year’s party which was fun. All the entertainment we saw was on par, not outstanding, but not bad.
The highlights for us were the Mystery Dinner and the Enchanted Dinner.
The Mystery Dinner: you gather in the Stardust theater for a briefing and an intro of the crime. You are broken into groups of eight and handed an information packet. Each player in the group becomes a character and you play that part. After a brief intro of all the players you are escorted to the dining room (Garden Room) for a special dinner (you can order off the regular menu if you choose, however you still pay your $20 per person). The leader of your group then opens scene one, follow the instructions, dine, have fun, through scene four. A pretty good time was had by all. And no, no one solved the crime!
Enchanted Dinner: $65 per person, wine is unlimited and the dinner absolutely awesome. The setting is in the art gallery. Tables are set in a very intimate layout, providing you a bit of romantic privacy. There were ten couples to participate, I doubt there is room for more then maybe twelve tables. So if you are interested sign up early. Some folks were dressed to the nines, most were in very nice resort casual. The wait staff were fantastic. The Executive Chef prepares this dinner himself. Ship staff, to include the Captain, pop in to greet you etc. Again, this is probably one of the best things we have done on any cruise. Think of an elegant restaurant at home, what you pay for a dinner which includes personal service, appetizers, salads, main course, dessert and after dinner cordials, and did I mention unlimited wine? $65 becomes moot!!!! Go and enjoy.
We were disappointed with the Lattitudes parties. The first party introduced the Captain and his staff. The drinks of course were passed around, the usual mimosa, red birds, champagne and I think wine. This was the first time that when I asked for a beer instead of all the sweet stuff, I was refused. They said I could buy a beer, but did not offer any substitutes to what was being served. At every repeaters party I have ever attended I have always been allowed beer. Oh well, no big deal, just don’t expect a substitute beverage. I think it is very nice that the cruise lines continue to do the repeaters party. The second party, which was for Silver and above, was held in the art gallery and I do not remember seeing any staff except for the Lattitudes liaisons and they were enthralled with two passengers. They spent the party with those two, never did mingle. So that was sorta of a bust. Paul the cruise director answered our questions. BTW for those of you that collect Lattitude pins, NCL has done away with the program. Paul told us to drop by and see one of the Lattitude folks and they probably could get us a pin. We did and we did get pins for the Spirit.
We were told there were over six hundred children aboard. Yikes!!! For the most part children were behaved. Some kids were absolutely rowdy, mis-mannered, and destructive.
We were walking up one stairwell where two little boys were wrestling with the banister fennel. Wrenching it back and forth, mom standing within a few feet of them, never said a word. Late night, maybe one in the morning, young kids, probably ten to twelve years old, jumping up on bar stools demanding a soft drink!!!
I don’t like to deprive anyone of having fun, but these kids were terribly out of control and at one in the morning, where are the parents? I think all cruise lines should institute a policy that after ten p.m. children under thirteen need to be accompanied by an adult. No exceptions.
I also think that when an event is labeled “adults only, eighteen years and older” anyone younger should be required to leave. And the rules should not be relaxed to appease an upset parent. Rules are rules, period.
The Mystery Dinner was labeled adults only, one group came in with three children, young children, the staff person informed them it was an adults only event. Probably after ten minutes of discussion, the staff person gave in and allowed them to stay. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
I had previously read on the boards that the disembarkation process in New Orleans was terrible. To be totally truthful I don’t see anything NCL could do to make the process any simpler. I think the New Orleans terminal personnel have the embarkation/disembarkation process down to a fine science.
I’m sure I missed a few things. I did not address the ports of call on purpose. Most of you have been to them and not much has changed. If you have a specific question feel free to ask.
Bottom line, the cruise was all we expected it to be and maybe a little more thanks to the Enchanted Dinner.
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