NCL Freestyle Cruising from Dover to Amsterdam with The Cruise Village team.
Myself, Lewis (Cruise Village) - Charlotte & Amy (Travel Village) have just returned from
a weekend cruise to Amsterdam onboard the NCL Jewel from Dover.
As many of you know, I recently posted some images of the Norwegian Jade and the
Garden / Courtyard Villas after a quick ship visit in Southampton - but this time it was
the real deal, an opportunity to experience Freestyle Cruising with some of my team.
After an overnight stop at Banbury we arrived in Dover just after lunch and boarded the
bus at the car park for the short 2 minute drive to the Cruise Terminal. Checking in was
very straight forward and within 45 minutes we were onboard the Jewel and ordering
our first drink (inside)..!!
Yes, typical British weather a force 8 gale and rain!!
Here is my opinion of the NCL Experience....
Dining
We dined in the Azure dining room on the first evening and I was very impressed with
the standard of service from the waiters, yes - you expect this, but I think it was the
relaxed pleasant manner in which they catered for us that really stood out.
I ordered Lamb but did not like the combination of veg / beans that came with it and
politely asked if I could have something else. I was greeted with a smile and "of course
sir" - and within two minutes a superb sirloin steak arrived, hot and medium..!!
We did not eat in the speciality restaurants due to the short 2 night cruise and instead
opted to try the buffet dining on the second night as this would give me a better understanding
of the everyday food available. Taking aside how busy it was (this was a mini cruise after all
and ships never run as they do on a normal cruise holiday), the choice was OK but not
as large as that in Royal Caribbean's Windjammer. But what was lacking here was more
than made up by the choice of Speciality Restaurants onboard - the choice is simply
outstanding.
I talked to a number of guests onboard and their experience of the Cagney Steak House,
the Japanese Teppenyaki was very good indeed. The only minor niggles were from those
who were eating in the Teppenyaki - they said at times it was a little annoying as people
walked past and pressed their faces against the window in an attempt to view the chefs.
But once again, I am not sure youwould get this too much on a normal cruise where
passengers are much more dispersed around the ship.
Public Rooms
Over the two days, we made an effort to spend time in the public rooms to get a feel
for the atmosphere.
Spinnaker Lounge - (crows nest type lounge/bar) There are some funky chairs in here,
but a very nice room with tiered seating including half moon type sofa seating
with swivel bucket chairs around tables. Very comfortable and ideal for watching
the entertainment. This lounge also doubles up after the shows for late night
dancing and is probably the most perfect lounge on a cruise ship for this environment.
I guess most people, like us would be quite comfortable spending the evening here
after dinner.
Shakers Martini Cocktail Bar
A very relaxing area and great if you like people watching! Normally a Jazz type band
will play here or a solo vocal guitarist and if you like your Martini shaken not stirred,
this is deffinately the bar for you.
Magnums Champagne and Wine Bar
This bar is just a continuation of the Martini Cocktail Bar - and the seating is just
around the corner and is more central to the artists playing in the evening.
Theatre
We did not go to the shows but talking to people, the Sunday evening show
received rave reviews - much better that the Saturday night, but not having seen
them I cannot comment further.
Cabins
Because the ship sailed full there was no opportunity to view the cabins on
the Jewel but we had a mini suite which had a very good size glass balcony
and a comfortable seating area. There was a good selection of drinks in the
mini bar and plenty of wardrobe and drawer space for a family.
The toilet although in the bathroom area had a smoked glass sliding door
for privacy if others wished to shower or wash.
What did we like?
We loved the service onboard by the crew. We loved the fact that the waiters
in the public rooms / bars did not wirte down your drinks orders, they remembered
them..!! We loved the fact they kept calling by to ask if you required another drink.
We loved their smiling faces.
We loved the wide selection of dining options you get with NCL's Freestyle
Dining.
We loved the fact that there was no need to pack a tie or dinner suit (if you
wanted a more relaxed style of cruise) its all about choice.
We loved the Spinnaker Lounge.
The Plasma TV's showing you the availability and potential waiting
time for a table in the Speciality Restaurants.
What we didn't like?
Service for drinks was slow in the Self Service buffet.
The hot traditional food in the buffet was not particularly appetizing,
veg was dry and choice was poor, although the pastries, fruit, burgers
and pizza were all very good and there was a good choice of meat
from two carvery joints.
You had to queue whilst someone put your bread in one of those
stupid (2 minutes to rotate) toasting machines and order whether
or not you wanted brown of white bread..!! Totally pointless and
either your toast or your food would be cold by the time you were
seated..!!
Overall....
Destination
You simply cannot go wrong with a cruise up the canal and into the
centre of Amsterdam - it is only a 10 minute walk into the centre
from the ship and you are right in the heart of this amazing city..!!
Note: Ann Frank's house - you must get here very early as the queue
was huge when we got there and had to take a rain check.
If you take a party / mini cruise - the onboard experience is so much
different from a normal 7 nt plus cruise holiday. Everyone tries to
cram everything you would do in a week into 3 days..!! So you have
to take this into account.
In finishing.....
I can now appreciate why people are starting to look seriously at
NCL's Freestyle cruising -
Would I cruise NCL?- Yes deffinately
Would I take my family? - Yes deffinately
This is a cruise blog entry by Phil
