13-night Authentic Alaska ? Northbound Cruisetour
- 7-night Cruise, Meals and Entertainment
- 6-night/7-day Land Tour
Itinerary
| Destination | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | Wednesday, Aug 02, 2023 | Wednesday, Aug 02, 2023 |
| Vancouver is a thriving metropolis surrounded by natural beauty. With parks, beaches, gardens, museums, art galleries and the second-largest Chinatown in North America, Vancouver lives up to its promise of offering something for everyone. With modern buildings set against green, rolling hillsides, this city is breathtaking; no location offers a more spectacular view than Stanley Park - with a zoo, aquarium, totem poles and honking geese. A short walk from the park leads to Robson Street, which offers the town's best window-shopping. Stores with European flavor share the avenue with delicatessens and tea rooms ready to serve. As architectural heart of the city, Robson Square features a central plaza with a food fair and an old provincial courthouse, which now houses Vancouver Art Gallery. Be sure to stop at 8 Pender St. - "the narrowest building in the world." Other points of interest include the Museum of Anthropology; Japanese-style Nitobe Memorial Garden; and VanDusen Botanical Garden. Capilano Canyon is site of the world's longest and highest suspension footbridge. | ||
| At Sea | Thursday, Aug 03, 2023 | Thursday, Aug 03, 2023 |
| No Description Available | ||
| Juneau | Saturday, Aug 05, 2023 | Saturday, Aug 05, 2023 |
| Juneau is one of America's most beautiful state capitals, with the looming summits of Mt. Juneau and Mt. Roberts providing a gorgeous backdrop. Once part of Alaska's Gold Rush, the city boasts natural and manmade attractions. Downtown is filled with many vibrant buildings, including must-see St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, which houses artwork and artifacts dating back to the 18th century. From the bright mural in Marine Park to the carvings in House of Wickersham, downtown is filled with Alaska's own unique brand of culture and architecture. Often hailed as Juneau's most impressive sight, nearby Mendenhall Glacier is approximately 12 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. See the glacier on a float trip or a "flightseeing" adventure, or hike up one of its trails for a closer inspection. For a bird's-eye view, the Mt. Roberts Tramway offers a short, six-minute trek to the top of Mt. Roberts, 1800 feet above the city. If wildlife is your passion, scenic Admiralty Island has the world's highest concentration of brown bears. | ||
| Skagway | Sunday, Aug 06, 2023 | Sunday, Aug 06, 2023 |
| This "Gateway to the Klondike" watched as fortune-seekers headed to Chilkoot and White Pass Trails during Alaska's Gold Rush. Today, feel like a prospector in Skagway, as you walk along its rustic boardwalks and frontier-style storefronts. This cozy town offers a pleasant respite from the hustle and bustle of most cities. With classic cars and one of the oldest narrow-gauge railroads in the world, the city retains the flavor of days gone by and remains an important link to Alaska's history. A stroll down Broadway is a must. Highlights include Arctic Brotherhood Hall. Other buildings like the Trail of '98 Museum, Corrington's Museum of Alaskan History and the Alaskan Wildlife Adventure and Museum present different facets of prospecting times. Before hitting famous Chilkoot Trail, there are other well-marked trails to try. Hiking to Lower Dewey Lake is an easy, 20-minutes, and there are more adventurous trails to remote Sturgill's Landing, Upper Dewey Lake and Devil's Punchbowl. The White Pass Scenic Railway and Eagle Preserve Wildlife Quest provide additional options. | ||
| Hubbard Glacier | Monday, Aug 07, 2023 | Monday, Aug 07, 2023 |
| Seventy-five miles long and covering over 1,350 square miles in area, the Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. It is also one of the most impressive, a 300-foot wall of ice rising sheer and jagged from the ocean. You may hear the rumble and see the monumental splash as the glacier breaks off in great ice chunks, known as "calves." | ||
| Valdez | Tuesday, Aug 08, 2023 | Tuesday, Aug 08, 2023 |
| Valdez is known as the "Switzerland of Alaska," a tribute to the splendid snow-capped mountains that surround this prosperous port. Once the gateway to the gold country, Valdez is now the southern terminus of the famous Alaskan Pipeline that carries "black gold" from the Arctic Ocean to an oil-thirsty world. | ||
| Anchorage (Seward) | Wednesday, Aug 09, 2023 | Wednesday, Aug 09, 2023 |
| Seward and its surroundings comprise a land of memorable beauty--saltwater bays, blue glaciers, majestic mountains and alpine valleys. Located on the Kenai Peninsula at the head of Resurrection Bay, the city is one of Alaska's oldest communities, and also one of the most scenic. | ||
| Cruise Ends (Debarkation) | Wednesday, Aug 09, 2023 | Wednesday, Aug 09, 2023 |
| No Description Available | ||
| Anchorage (Seward) | Wednesday, Aug 09, 2023 | Wednesday, Aug 09, 2023 |
| Seward and its surroundings comprise a land of memorable beauty--saltwater bays, blue glaciers, majestic mountains and alpine valleys. Located on the Kenai Peninsula at the head of Resurrection Bay, the city is one of Alaska's oldest communities, and also one of the most scenic. | ||
| Soldotna | Wednesday, Aug 09, 2023 | Wednesday, Aug 09, 2023 |
| No Description Available | ||
| Homer | Wednesday, Aug 09, 2023 | Wednesday, Aug 09, 2023 |
| Noted widely for prolific numbers of halibut and its 4.5 mile long "spit" extending into Kachemak Bay, Homer has become a destination spot for many Alaskan visitors. Whether you come here looking for adventure or just to "relax and get away from it all," Homer will fulfill your vacation dreams. | ||
| Homer | Thursday, Aug 10, 2023 | Thursday, Aug 10, 2023 |
| Noted widely for prolific numbers of halibut and its 4.5 mile long "spit" extending into Kachemak Bay, Homer has become a destination spot for many Alaskan visitors. Whether you come here looking for adventure or just to "relax and get away from it all," Homer will fulfill your vacation dreams. | ||
| Homer | Friday, Aug 11, 2023 | Friday, Aug 11, 2023 |
| Noted widely for prolific numbers of halibut and its 4.5 mile long "spit" extending into Kachemak Bay, Homer has become a destination spot for many Alaskan visitors. Whether you come here looking for adventure or just to "relax and get away from it all," Homer will fulfill your vacation dreams. | ||
| Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center | Friday, Aug 11, 2023 | Friday, Aug 11, 2023 |
| No Description Available | ||
| Anchorage | Friday, Aug 11, 2023 | Friday, Aug 11, 2023 |
| Located at the upper end of Cook Inlet in the Gulf of Alaska, Anchorage is Alaska's largest community. This popular tourist destination and crossroads for global air travel is only minutes away from the recreational areas bordering the Gulf of Alaska. | ||
| Anchorage | Saturday, Aug 12, 2023 | Saturday, Aug 12, 2023 |
| Located at the upper end of Cook Inlet in the Gulf of Alaska, Anchorage is Alaska's largest community. This popular tourist destination and crossroads for global air travel is only minutes away from the recreational areas bordering the Gulf of Alaska. | ||
| Talkeetna | Saturday, Aug 12, 2023 | Saturday, Aug 12, 2023 |
| Talkeetna offers the traveler a look at the real Alaska as well as the best view of Mt McKinley. Reached year round by car, railroad and airplane, it is a unique town that has been almost untouched by commercialism. Mountain climbers from all over the world leave from here to climb McKinley and add an international flavor to the town during the summer months. Winter visits to the area are becoming increasingly popular, offering dog sledding, Northern Lights viewing and snowmobiling. | ||
| Denali National Park | Saturday, Aug 12, 2023 | Saturday, Aug 12, 2023 |
| Denali National Park and Preserve defines the Alaskan Experience. Towering above it all is Mt. McKinley, the highest point in North America. At 20,320 feet, its summit beckons more than 1,000 climbers each year who brave the elements for the chance to scale its majestic face. Denali encompasses 6 million acres of forests, tundra, glaciers and mountains. Moose, caribou, sheep and bears free to roam a wide area of land untouched by man. There are ample opportunities for animal watching, whether it is a grizzly foraging for berries or a golden eagle soaring through the crisp, clean Alaskan air. Denali is one of the few places where visitors come in contact with the Alaskan tundra - a "vast, rolling, treeless plain." The tundra starts at 2,500 feet and extends up along the massive Alaska Range. Muldrow Glacier, which descends 16,000 feet from the upper slopes of Mt. McKinley, comes within one mile of the road. | ||
| Denali National Park | Sunday, Aug 13, 2023 | Sunday, Aug 13, 2023 |
| Denali National Park and Preserve defines the Alaskan Experience. Towering above it all is Mt. McKinley, the highest point in North America. At 20,320 feet, its summit beckons more than 1,000 climbers each year who brave the elements for the chance to scale its majestic face. Denali encompasses 6 million acres of forests, tundra, glaciers and mountains. Moose, caribou, sheep and bears free to roam a wide area of land untouched by man. There are ample opportunities for animal watching, whether it is a grizzly foraging for berries or a golden eagle soaring through the crisp, clean Alaskan air. Denali is one of the few places where visitors come in contact with the Alaskan tundra - a "vast, rolling, treeless plain." The tundra starts at 2,500 feet and extends up along the massive Alaska Range. Muldrow Glacier, which descends 16,000 feet from the upper slopes of Mt. McKinley, comes within one mile of the road. | ||
| Denali National Park | Monday, Aug 14, 2023 | Monday, Aug 14, 2023 |
| Denali National Park and Preserve defines the Alaskan Experience. Towering above it all is Mt. McKinley, the highest point in North America. At 20,320 feet, its summit beckons more than 1,000 climbers each year who brave the elements for the chance to scale its majestic face. Denali encompasses 6 million acres of forests, tundra, glaciers and mountains. Moose, caribou, sheep and bears free to roam a wide area of land untouched by man. There are ample opportunities for animal watching, whether it is a grizzly foraging for berries or a golden eagle soaring through the crisp, clean Alaskan air. Denali is one of the few places where visitors come in contact with the Alaskan tundra - a "vast, rolling, treeless plain." The tundra starts at 2,500 feet and extends up along the massive Alaska Range. Muldrow Glacier, which descends 16,000 feet from the upper slopes of Mt. McKinley, comes within one mile of the road. | ||
| Fairbanks | Monday, Aug 14, 2023 | Monday, Aug 14, 2023 |
| Fairbanks is the focal point for tiny villages scattered throughout the surrounding wilderness and a staging point for North Slope villages such as Barrow and the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay. Fairbanks is called "The Golden Heart of Alaska," a reference to the character of her people as much as to the location of Fairbanks in Alaska's interior, or to the discovery of gold in 1902. The Interior has temperatures ranging from 65 degrees below zero in the winter to 90 degrees above in the summer. Gardening is big in the Interior. Alaska Gardens abound. Fairbanks also has very long summer days. The shortest winter day of the year has less than three hours of sunlight, the longest never really ends, though officially it has over 21 hours. | ||
| Fairbanks | Tuesday, Aug 15, 2023 | Tuesday, Aug 15, 2023 |
| Fairbanks is the focal point for tiny villages scattered throughout the surrounding wilderness and a staging point for North Slope villages such as Barrow and the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay. Fairbanks is called "The Golden Heart of Alaska," a reference to the character of her people as much as to the location of Fairbanks in Alaska's interior, or to the discovery of gold in 1902. The Interior has temperatures ranging from 65 degrees below zero in the winter to 90 degrees above in the summer. Gardening is big in the Interior. Alaska Gardens abound. Fairbanks also has very long summer days. The shortest winter day of the year has less than three hours of sunlight, the longest never really ends, though officially it has over 21 hours. | ||
Deck Plans
Click on the appropriate deck below for more information
Deckplan navigator
| Deck 13 |
| Deck 12 |
| Deck 11 |
| Deck 10 |
| Deck 9 |
| Deck 8 |
| Deck 7 |
| Deck 6 |
| Deck 5 |
| Deck 4 |
Public Areas
Public Areas
Guests with food allergies should contact NCL's Access Desk to discuss NCL's policies and procedures concerning special diets and specific allergies prior to their cruise. Because the vessels are supplied all over the world, it may be easier to meet specific food allergy requirements in some countries, but very difficult in others. NCL can arrange to have no sugar and low sodium meals for guests with those specific medical dietary restrictions upon request. Refrigerators are available in many staterooms for storing insulin.
Norwegian will make every effort to accommodate pregnant guest, providing they have not entered the 24th week of pregnancy when the cruise ends. Prior to their cruise pregnant guests should include their cruise details in an email to the Access Desk (accessdesk@ncl.com) with a medical certificate establishing due date.
Public areas throughout all NCL ships are smoke-free. Guests who smoke regular or electronic cigarettes may do so on their balcony, in the casino, or in the Cigar Bar. Guests who prefer pipes or cigars may smoke them in the Cigar Bar or designated smoking lounge. Cigarettes, pipes, and cigars are allowed outside on open decks, with the exception of food venues, sports decks, kids’ pool areas and other designated nonsmoking areas). Smoking inside any suite or stateroom is prohibited, and will result in a $250 cleaning charge added to guest's onboard account.
NCL aims to provide a safe and accessible cruise experience for all guests with special requirements to the extent that is feasible. Guests or their travel agents must contact the Access Desk and provide a Special Accommodation Requirements Information Form in advance of their cruise. Access Desk coordinators need at least 90 days for interpreters and 60 days for all other requirements. Pre-arranging for special assistance helps travel proceed more smoothly. Assistance is arranged for at the time of booking upon identification of the guest's specific service request through the dedicated toll free Access Desk number (1-866-584-9756)
In limited situations (either on board or ashore), NCL may find it necessary to ask guests to make alternative travel arrangements, such as if a disabled guest is unable to satisfy certain specified safety and other criteria, even when provided with appropriate auxiliary aids and services. Guests who are unable to care for their basic needs (e.g. dressing, eating, and attending safety drills) MUST have a capable traveling companion. It is essential that NCL be notified of any special medical, physical, or other requirement guests may have as soon as possible, including whether the guest intends to bring a scooter with them.
Guests with Mobility Impairments
A wheelchair, scooter, or walker may be the primary mobility assistance aid for getting on and off the ship for guests who cannot walk on their own. Norwegian Cruise Line has a limited supply of wheelchairs onboard. In order to accommodate guests, Norwegian Cruise Line wheelchairs are reserved exclusively for embarkation and disembarkation situations. If a guest will require regular use of a wheelchair, it is strongly recommended that they bring their own. Guests may also make rental arrangements onboard from a limited supply of rental wheelchairs which are available onboard on a first come, first serve basis.
Motorized wheelchairs and scooters are allowed in accessible staterooms provided that they are powered by gel-cell batteries and the chargers must be adaptable to 110 volts. Should a guest choose a stateroom that has not been designated as accessible, they will need to bring a collapsible wheelchair. If the guest has a motorized wheelchair or scooter, the width must not exceed 21 inches to enter the stateroom door. All scooters and wheelchairs MUST be stored in the stateroom. Due to the safety requirements and regulations, they cannot be stored in the hallways, stairways, or any other public area. Beach wheelchairs can be rented for use on Norwegian Cruise Line's private island.
For additional details on the prearranged rental program, please contact NCL's authorized vendor, Special Needs at Sea, at (800)513-4515 or (954)585-0575, or via fax at (954)585-0577.
Hearing Impaired Guests
The following amenities and services may be provided for hearing impaired guests:
- Embarkation day meeting with staff member who will see to guest's accessibility needs during the cruise
- Individual and/or group emergency drills for all Deaf or Low Hearing guests upon request
- Pagers are available upon request on all Norwegian Cruise Line vessels to alert Deaf or Low Hearing Guests to vessel announcements and a manual for same can be provided in advance.
- Assistive listening devices are available on many vessels in the main theatre through the Guest Service Desk.
- Closed-captioned televisions are available for your state room.
- Closed-captioned DVD movies are available upon request prior to sailing.
- Sign language interpreting services may be provided for Deaf guests if that is their primary means of communication. A request for sign language interpreting should be made with the Access Desk at the time of booking through the Special requirements Information Form that can be obtained from the Access desk, but no later than 90 days prior to sailing. Requests are subject to a number of considerations, including but not limited to, the availability of interpreters and cabin space. Sign language interpreting services may be provided on cruises that depart from and/or return to the U.S.
- TTY Phones are available onboard all ships except Norwegian Spirit that use handy phones and text messaging.
Vision Impaired Guests
The following amenities and services may be provided for vision impaired guests:
- Embarkation day meeting with staff member who will see to guest's accessibility needs during the cruise
- A vessel orientation tour is available upon request
- Service animals allowed onboard and must be arranged through the Access Desk prior to the cruise
- Braille/tactile signage
Dialysis
Guests requiring continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis are welcome to board all vessels. However, Norwegian Cruise Line does not have the ability to assist or administer hemodialysis treatments. Those guests using peritoneal dialysis should have all solutions and equipment needed to perform the dialysis delivered to the vessel on the day of sailing at least two hours prior to sailing. Guests mustcontact the Access desk prior to the cruise for more information on Norwegian Cruise Line's policies and procedures.
Oxygen
The ship is not equipped to provide guests with oxygen services other than on an emergency basis in the Ship's Medical Center. For security and safety reasons, NCL has selected Special Needs at Sea as the only outside vendor permitted to deliver oxygen supplies to the ship. Guests will need to contact the vendor - at (800)513-4515 or (954)585-0575, or via fax at (954)585-0577 - prior to the cruise, to make the necessary arrangements.
All NCL ships are equipped with 24 hour Internet Cafés. Give your friends and family back home your personalized email address (printed on your cruise ticket) and stay in touch throughout your cruise. Wireless internet (also known as WI-Fi) is also available throughout Norwegian's entire fleet.
Usage Fees: Please note: same charge applies for Internet cafe workstations or personal laptops. There is an activation fee of $3.95 for initial log-in only.
- Pay as you go: $0.75 per minute
- Longer Cruise (6 days and longer) Time Package Plans:
- 250 minutes for $100 ($0.40 per minute)
- 100 minutes for $55 ($0.55 per minute)
- Short Cruise (5 days and shorter) Time Package Plans:
- 60 minutes for $24 ($0.40 per minute)
- 30 minutes for $16.50 ($0.55 per minute)
In-Stateroom Access: Access available via wireless connectivity or with the use of ethernet cable (complimentary cables can be obtained from the Internet Café Manager in the Internet Café during posted hours).
A physician and nurse are on each ship to provide medical care and services at customary charges. Commonly used medications are kept on board and may be prescribed by the ship's doctor.
Ship Overview
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Year Built: | 1998 |
| Year Refurbished: | 2004 |
| Year Entered Present Fleet: | 0 |
| Previous name: | |
| County of Registry: | The Bahamas |
| Tonnage (GRT): | 75338 |
| PAX (basis 2): | 2018 |
| Max Pax (inc. Uppers): | 2002 |
| Passenger Decks: | 10 |
| Number of Crew: | 949 |
| Officers' Nationality: | International |
| Cruise/Hotel Staff Nationality: | International |
| Stateroom | |
|---|---|
| Suites with balcony: | 0 |
| Suites (no balcony) | 0 |
| Ocean View with balcony | 0 |
| Ocean View (no balcony) | 0 |
| Accomodations Inside | 5 |
| Total number of accomodations in all categories | 1009 |
Reviews
Ship Reviews
Cruise reviews reflect the opnions of travel editors and cruisers / readers and may not represent those of our company.
Submit Your Own Review!Great itinerary
Pros: Great itinerary
Cons: Spotty dining room service, food
Review: Nice balcony cabin.
having our itinerary changed and stopping at Gibraltar instead of Madeira
Pros: having our itinerary changed and stopping at Gibraltar instead of Madeira
Cons: stopping at Casablanca, Morocco
Review: We had such a good time on this cruise. The only thing I did not like was our stop in Morocco. I felt the city was very dirty and the people were not very welcoming. It was impossible to get service at the restaurants we stopped at and I felt very uneasy with all the people starring at us. The excursion we went on was ok. The mosque we saw was beautiful and the excursion could had stopped there. Our itinerary had to change due to rough seas so instead of going to Madeira, we went to Gibraltar instead. I LOVED our time in Gibraltar! The city square was great and the excursion to see the cave and monkeys was out of this world!
Itinerary......Wonderful suite-it was huge, outstanding personal service, great food, good entertainment, loved free style dining
Pros: Itinerary......Wonderful suite-it was huge, outstanding personal service, great food, good entertainment, loved free style dining
Cons: Port talks in small lounges at 5:30, need to be taped and on tv; tv selection was awful, slow internet, definitely need technology upgrade throughout the ship.
Review: While the ship is older, it has charm. I think updating the technology on the ship would be advantageous. Missed every port talk due to the time of the talk. Not great selection in the shops. Each day we were served wonderful canapes, cookies, chocolates, etc. However, if we didn't put them out of sight or didn't eat them, when we returned from dinner they were gone! Efficient staff. Some of the areas for eating were nor conducive to talking. Loved the French restaurant, and enjoyed Cagney's for breakfast and dinner and lunch. I would do this again based on the itinerary! Great ports of call.
Great itinerary as far as the ports visited.
Pros: Great itinerary as far as the ports visited.
Cons: Older ship - and missed visiting one of our destinations
Review: Because of operational problems on the ship we missed visiting one of our scheduled ports. We ran 9 hours behind on that particular day so we didn't stop in Malta until that night and we missed our excursion. We were compensation for what we paid for the excursion, but we still lost a whole day at that port which I feel the cruise line should have given us some kind of credit for the loss. All and all, it was a great cruise. I loved the ports that this cruise visited and the staff was very friendly and helpful. One small comment - the bartenders could have been a little more cheerful!
Staff, excursions
Pros: Staff, excursions
Cons: No small ship maps
Review: The staff was fantastic. Great crowd and enjoyable itinerary.
Great ports
Pros: Great ports
Cons: Ship could use 1 more pool and 2 more hot tubs.
Review: Wake up calls are not automated and depend on staff calling. Be aware, call was late 2 mornings. Also, stay away from cabins near medical center, security took an out of control drunk to medical center and he yelled all night. Credit to staff was that they moved me to another cabin for the night so I could sleep. Bottle of wine and chocolates were sent to my cabin to atone for these inconveniences. The only port I would replace is Toulon France. A port closer to or on the French Rivera might be more interesting and fun.
Port destinations
Pros: Port destinations
Cons: Ship getting really old
Review: The itinerary was the best out there for the port destinations and they were all amazing. In order to really enjoy Barcelona and Venice a additional days (2) at the front of the cruise and the end. I would highly recommend this cruise destination to everyone unless you have young children, it is a lot of walking and historical sights that kids would not be good for little ones. I just wish Norwegian used another ship, one of their newer ones for this cruise and it would have been stellar instead of great.
ports of call
Pros: ports of call
Cons: none
Review: wow.........just a great trip. Everything went so smoothly.
Clean, comfortable cabins, lots of activities and great service by staff and crew.
Pros: Clean, comfortable cabins, lots of activities and great service by staff and crew.
Cons: Food was average. Good selections and presentations but poor quality meats, not much flavor.
Review: Recommend the ship but don't book it if food is essential to your experience. Buffet was adequate but main dining room was somewhat disappointing. Poor to average cuts of meat, minimal flavor. Ribs were tough. Sauces uninspiring. Scheduled activities were varied and interesting. Stirrup Cay was an excellent overall day.
Port of call
Pros: Port of call
Cons: Guest Services and most of the ship mates had different explanations for the same question.
Review: Ship staff needs more training to provide good customer service. Food in the Windows dinning room was cold, and the table staff lacked good customer service. All the Specialty Dining restaurants were limited in serving the passengers, in most cases many tables were empty yet those in charge would not seat passengers who wished to eat. At the Italian restaurant there were only four tables in use for over two hours yet other passengers were turned away. The Cagney steak house was the worst and the those in charge were very rude and lacked good customer skills. The Garden Room and the Raffles Court were the best for dining.
Pros: No Pros
Cons: No Cons
Review: The staff are very friendly and helpful. The food is very good at all times. Most important it is not a crowded ship! No first and second dining sitting! You may come to dinner at anytime in the main Windows dining restaurant. The daily shows were excellent. Highly recommended for cruise lovers.
Excellent ports not usually available, great value, pleasant and helpful staff.
Pros: Excellent ports not usually available, great value, pleasant and helpful staff.
Cons: Minor food issues, one tour complaint with scheduling.
Review: There were some minor food issues, for the most part, good selection. One tour could have been much better with different time allotments for the activities.
History, Archaeology, Food, Entertainment
Pros: History, Archaeology, Food, Entertainment
Cons: Rushed, No meaningful overnight ports,
Review: The Norwegian Spirit was a very well-kept ship. Each area seemed clean and well cared-for, and each member of the crew that we encountered catered to our every need and helped us in every way possible. There were plenty of options for dining, and we were pleased by the “Freestyle” approach. Each port had its own treasures and attractions, and we were pleasantly surprised in each location. While it is the nature of cruising to have only a short amount of time in each location, we felt as if Rome or Istanbul could have warranted an overnight stay like the two-day experience of St. Petersburg we had on a Baltic Cruise. We saw all we could see in the short time we had on shore, but I can only imagine how much more we could have seen in a less-rushed pace. We took several tours through NCL, but the best example of NCL accommodation occurred when a broken alarm caused us to miss the departure of our tour to Pisa and Florence. Ivan, the Shore Excursion Director, was kind, calm, and incredibly helpful. Even though he could not get us to Florence, he placed us on the absolute best tour possible, and we actually believe that we enjoyed it more than if we would have attended our original tour. The trip to Pisa and Luca easily became one of our favorite tours, and we enjoyed the wine tasting and meal that accompanied our excursion. All of NCL's Shore Excursion guides were positive and incredibly knowledgeable about our tour. We particularly enjoyed all the free time that we received on the excursions, but we even more preferred the tours that included meals. On our own, we were less likely to experience realistic local food, so it was a nice change of pace to sit down with our tour group and eat local delicacies. In Rome, we had a private tour with Armando Solipaca. He was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and accommodating. He managed to fit as much of Rome as possible into the short amount of time we were there, and we were able to see everything that was open that we wanted to see. In Athens, we also had a private tour through Shore Excursions Group. We rode a taxi around Athens and saw quite a few sites. Our guide explained each building we passed and spent a lot of time with us on the Acropolis explaining the long and complicated history of the Parthenon and the surrounding temples. We had a lot of free time in the Plaka and stopped to see the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch on our own. Istanbul’s Shore Excursion Group tour was one of the best tours we have taken. Istanbul is a remarkable city by itself, but our tour guide truly made it an even better experience. He was kind and patient with our questions at the end of the tour, and provided a perfect balance of talking and explaining and giving us choices to see Istanbul on our own. The only thing I would change is that I would choose to explore Venice on my own instead of a tour and group gondola ride. While all the other ports’ excursions added to the experience of the location, I felt as if the group tour of Venice made it a little underwhelming. I was a little disappointed by the group gondola ride—and that my husband and I weren't able to sit together on something that was supposed to be a romantic experience. Our tour guide was nice, but she rushed us through Venice because our ferry ran a little behind. We didn't have an “on board” time, so she could have taken her time and extended the end time of the tour, but she instead chose to cut it short in favor of keeping the end time. I could have had a better experience on my own, which is what we did after our tour ended. Overall, it was an amazing trip with so many possibilities—one would have to travel this itinerary several times to see everything! We are pleased with our experiences and we will treasure the memories we created for the rest of our lives.
Prices are per person, cruise only, based on double occupancy. Airfare, government fees and taxes additional. Information and pricing is subject to change without notice.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
Information and pricing is subject to change without notice. While we do our very best to ensure that information and pricing appearing in this website is complete and accurate, we cannot be responsible for incomplete and inaccurate representations, which may or may not be under our control. In the event of a pricing issue, misrepresentation or omission, we reser the right to adjust the pricing or make nay other changes. Prices shown are in USD unless stated otherwise.
