Norwegian Jewel Review

4.0 / 5.0
2,357 reviews

Good Food, But What's With that Embarkation Process?

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on Norwegian Jewel
User Avatar
djbso
First Time Cruiser • Age 50s

Rating by category

Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Service
Cabin

Additional details

Sail Date: Nov 2009

We won this cruise on a radio station contest and upgraded to a balcony. We have done 19 cruises with RCL, and have sailed Princess and other lines (Dolphin, remember them?), and we figured this was a good opportunity to see what NCL had to offer.

Since we have sailed RCL so many times we have gotten used to being treated very well during embarkation, and during the whole cruise. So we expected to be in with the herd when we left Miami. However, nothing could have prepared us for the unmitigated disaster of the NCL embarkation process. We arrived early, but about the usual time we arrive for an RCL sailing. We waited in line to get in the building, we waited in line at security, we waited in line to get to the desk and check in, and just when we thought we were headed onto the ship... they directed us to a huge "waiting area" that resembled the airport before Thanksgiving. They gave the passengers numbers and then they waited until the numbers were called before they could get into another line to get on the ship.

Is this usual for most cruise lines? The process took over an hour. It has never taken us more than 20-30 minutes to get on an RCL ship and most times it is about 10-15 minutes (or however long it takes you to walk upstairs in the terminal and up the gangway). We were very surprised and disappointed. The champagne they gave us when we got aboard was nice, but we were still a little steamed, but we kept it to ourselves and we kept our minds open.

Cabin Review

Beautiful bathroom, Smaller cabin

previous reviewnext review

Find a Norwegian Jewel Cruise from $249

Any Month

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.