Cruise Talk: s.s. Norway

Cruise Talk

Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...Disney Cruise Line announced today that the honorary role of "godparent" for its new ship, the Disney Treasure, will be held by The Walt Disney Company cast, crew, Imagineers and employees around the world. The profound declaration is a heartfelt tribute to the more than 200,000 dreamers and doers who make every Disney entertainment, vacation and at-home experience possible. Disney Cruise Line is proud to celebrate...

Latest News...Carnival Cruise Line is adding to its line-up of 2026/27 deployment with sailings from New York City on Carnival Venezia, and more Long Beach sailings on Carnival Firenze and Carnival Radiance. “Our two Carnival Fun Italian Style ships offer great options from the east and west coasts, conveniently connecting New York and Long Beach to popular destinations, while delivering unique experiences on board...

Latest News...Vacationers are in for more ways to make memories across Royal Caribbean’s latest combination of tropical and Northeast 2026-27 getaways. The lineup of 12 Royal Caribbean ships rounds out a variety of adventures across Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico and the Northeast for every type of family and vacationer to get away any time of year. Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members...

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » s.s. Norway

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: s.s. Norway

Dmitriy
First Class Passenger
Member # 128

posted 07-26-1999 11:45 PM

My family and I are going on our first Carribbean cruise on Norway on January 22, 2000. I've cruised eight times on old BLASCO (Black Sea Shipping) ships: Taras Shevchenko, Ivan Franko (these two are sister ships of Marco Polo), Gruziya, Petr Perviy (used to be called m/s Suslov), Dmitry Shostakovich, Armenia (by the way, does anyone know where these ships are now?), but it's going to be my first Carribbean cruise. Any thoughts about the Norway, its ports of call? I was also wandering about their formal evenings? Do you believe a tux is a must? Thanks very much in advance.

Posts: 118 | Registered: Jul 99

Cruiselvr
First Class Passenger
Member # 96

posted 07-27-1999 10:21 AM

I sailed on the Norway to the Eastern Caribbean in 1996 and she is my least favorite ship. I found her to be charming in her design, however by the end of my trip I was thinking she was just old. The cabins are all different sizes, so you must have a savvy travel consultant who will find you the largest cabin possible in your category (unless you're booking a suite). The ports of call were lovely and NCL does a great job with their shore excursions and we had a fabulous time while in port.

I do not like the Norway at all and would not sail on her again nor personally recommend her to anyone. However, that being said, I know there are many people who love her and have sailed more than once on her and would recommend her wholeheartedly.
She just isn't my cup of tea.

Posts: 34 | Registered: Apr 99

Mark Herman
Just Boarded
Member # 310

posted 07-27-1999 03:48 PM

On the other hand, I have sailed Norway 4 times. Mar 83, Mar 84, Feb 91 and Sep 94. I love the ship because she is old, yet new. There are many quirrky things about her. Be sure to find the secret passageway around the topmost pool that used to be a wind-free court for first class cabins (now they are inside cabins). The library has been destroyed and it truly was a lovely room. But harsh economics being what they are (and NCL struggling to make a buck) more retail stores and a larger casino make sense if it
keeps the ship alive a few more years. The food is not gourmet but you definetly wont starve. The outdoor cafe is really tacky unless you are a dyed-in-the-wool sun worshiper. try to eat in le Bistro at least once. When you are on vacation you should be waited upon (you can go to a self-serve cafeteria at home). Bon voyage.

Posts: 7 | From: cumming, ga. usa | Registered: Jul 99

Dmitriy
First Class Passenger
Member # 128

posted 07-27-1999 10:28 PM

Cruiselvr, Mark, thank you for your comments.

Posts: 118 | Registered: Jul 99

Renegade4
First Class Passenger
Member # 392

posted 07-28-1999 07:36 AM

My wife and I sailed the Norway this past January and fell in love with her. She is not for everyone. As stated above, yes, she is old, launched in 1962, but for those who wish to experience "sailing" as opposed to the current definition of cruising, she is truly one of a kind.

She does have her quirks, but most of these are left-overs from the days of the "class" structure. Some of the elevators and stair "towers" as they are referred to on board, do not service all decks. Many of the cabins on the lower decks are very small, some are extremely odd shaped and the lower outside cabins have highly placed portholes rather than windows (we specifically avoided these since my vertically challenged wife, 5'-3/4", would have to stand on a chair to see out).

I could go on page after page about this classy vessel, but I won't take up board space with my ramblings. Email me with any specific questions you might have and I'll be happy to answer them if I can. Surfice it to say, we liked sailing the Norway so much that we are booked on her, maybe final, westbound transatlantic crossing in just 11 days (Southhampton England to Miami FL by way of Dublin Ireland, a rendezvous with a total solar eclipse off the Irish coast and a brief visit to New York).

Regarding a tux being a must, I have not been on a cruise where anyone has been thrown overboard for not wearing one. The suggestion for formal nights is a tux or dark business suit. I have seen many of both on previous cruises. My wife and I are ballroom dancers and I have a tux for the formal affairs that we attend ashore (yes, there are things other than cruising, though combining them is always better). There is an added ambiance, however, to waltz across the dance floor on the Norway in a tuxedo.

You did not indicate which Caribbean itinerary you booked (the Norway does both eastern and western).

Wishing you smooth seas and gentle breezes...

Posts: 57 | From: Kingston, MA, USA | Registered: Apr 99

DAMBROSI
First Class Passenger
Member # 100

posted 07-28-1999 11:15 AM

hello, i love the ss norway, it's
design is like none other. we sailed on it twice. the first most
memorable and sad. we left on aug.
22, 1992; just 2 days later Hurricane Andrew slammed into south florida. it was the saddest
part of the cruise. the food needed improvement. escargot were
done in a crust topped olive oil
type sauce. not very good, everything else was not too bad.
the rooms are magnificent. on the
viking deck forward going past the
main entrance into the Windward
dining room is a beautitul glass
art deco type sculpture, you have
to see that. the wood designs from
it's transatlantic days are still
present in both dining rooms.
we cruised on it again in june 1994. they had a new master chef on board, the food, even the escargot got better. so much, i asked for seconds. it's still a lovely vessel, i don't think any of today's lines can match it's
quality. neon is'nt everything if
you get my drift. it's the decor
and old world craftsmanship that
seems to be missing with todays
newer, larger vessels with their
skating rinks and rock climbing.
to me, this ship and Premier Cruises has it right, i think the
cruise lines are going too far and
have forgotten alot of things. it
will never be like it used to. but
the fact that that ship is still here and NCL cared to save it is
number one in my book. and i hope
the BIG U will also have that distinction as well. all ships have their flaws fellow passengers, look past them and see
the real beauty. it does'nt matter
how old or new. if the food needs
work, then let the line know about
it, soon enough they get the message. is'nt that what the customer comment cards for? is'nt
that what the travel agents do? they tell the lines and it must be
taken care of. so for those who
want to shoot the older ships down because you think they are not up
to par with today's gigantic behemoths, just remember one fact,
not all passengers see the same
things or experience the same as
others do. thank you for reading
my response.

Posts: 2554 | From: Florida, USA, Where the Legend SS NORWAY sailed from. Moving back to FL next yr. | Registered: May 99

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 05-07-2001 02:27 PM

quote:
Originally posted by DAMBROSI:
hello, i love the ss norway, it's
design is like none other.
the rooms are magnificent. on the
viking deck forward going past the
main entrance into the Windward
dining room is a beautitul glass
art deco type sculpture, you have
to see that. the wood designs from
it's transatlantic days are still
present in both dining rooms.
for those who
want to shoot the older ships down because you think they are not up
to par with today's gigantic behemoths, just remember one fact,
not all passengers see the same
things or experience the same as
others do.

AMEN

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Frank X. Prudent
First Class Passenger
Member # 1723

posted 05-08-2001 11:29 PM

Ditto!

Posts: 577 | From: Covington, Kentucky, U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)

Ultimate Bulletin Board^TM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS

Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person

Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.

Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person

Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.

NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person

Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.

Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person

Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.

Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person

Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person

Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

More Vacation & Cruise Specials...