Baltic Capitals on the Norwegian Jewel: 4 July 2008

Ahoy. This is my first review and only my second cruise, so I only have RCCL to compare it with. On that cruise, I was struck by the number of complaints in the tenders about how Princess did this better, Holland America did that better, RCCL's tender operations did not measure up to P&O's, etc. Having met great people, received good service and generally had the time of my life, I sniffed that they were all miseries and that yours truly would never become blasE and moan about which ship had a bigger stateroom sink than that ship. Another cruise wiser, I'm already doing it, so here goes ...

Embarkation/disembarkation: NCL's embarkation and disembarkation processes were a slick and seamless operation. It's impossible to judge RCCL in comparison as we arrived at the ship an hour before sailing after an interesting rail jaunt from Rome to Civitavecchia, so the jury's still out. Don't try this at home kids; fly out at least a day in advance. We cut it very fine and looking back it was an unwise, nay stupid, decision. This proved particularly true having seen one malingerer screeching up to the ship, arms flailing, having been left behind in Stockholm. I digress, however. For embarkation/disembarkation, full marks go to NCL. Even if they do leave some of their tardier passengers behind. Read more