We, as a family, have realized the ease and enjoyment of cruising and have been passengers on many lines including NCL, RCCL, Costa, Cunard, Princess, Disney and Carnival. Three years ago, we were on the Norwegian Wind in the Caribbean. Already being seasoned cruisers at the time, I am sorry to say that we were extremely disappointed and thought that we would never board another NCL ship again.

Hesitant to give NCL another chance, we decided based on price to book the Norwegian Jewel sailing July 2007. What a turn around three years can make! Of course no cruise experience is ever perfect but the Jewel came very close. So much so that we rarely got off the ship!

The restaurants are wonderful with magnificent service and outstanding cuisine. The buffet for lunch and/or dinner has a distinguishing variety to appeal to all taste buds. The Freestyle Cruising is a definite plus for us, as we like to eat in a variety of places at the times we prefer. Having cappuccinos and lattes available all day without a surcharge was a perk. Dancing baked Alaska’s has had their day.

The spa is definitely 5 stars quality and totally relaxing. The health club staff had innovated discussions about nutrition. The stateroom with balcony was comfortable and the shower was larger than ever experienced before on a ship.

The service was impeccable. The staff was friendly without being overbearing. Another distinctive idea was the disembarkation without needing colored tags if you were taking you own bags. This allowed a leisurely morning for breakfast, which had a wonderful variety just like the other days on board. Usually, we have experienced that the morning of disembarking, the service is poor and the crew pushes you out the door as well as the night before with mopping and cleaning and making you feel as though you are in the way.

We were so pleased with our experience this time, that NCL that it will be our first and possibly only choice in cruises in the future. NCL is in a class of its own compared to other lines at a price which ran $2000 less than the other lines for the same week.

We only hope that it will remain that way as we have booked a Mediterranean cruise for July 2008.

About Veronica Shine – Native New Yorker, Veronica Shine’s career has been diversified within the fashion/beauty/accessory/theatrical industries and she now hangs her hat mainly in Europe with her husband and 13 year old son.
Perhaps from being in the theater since a child, a natural transition to write emerged. Her published works have appeared in ezines and magazines in Europe and the United States with a focus towards beauty, fashion and travel. For more of her cruise and travel experiences, visit Mediterranean Dreams.