OK, no review, BUT, do fill us in the boring or "OW" points.

Inquiring minds you know....

Carpet in the passageways worn and dirty especially in front of each cabin door.

Americans were outnumbered 10 to 1.-----3000 to 300 US.
This was a Norway cruise yet a big Brit flag hung in the Royal Promenade.
We had a communication problem. Even though it's English it's hard to understand the various dialects.
This cruise definitely favored the Brits, entertainment, trivia games etc.
(NOTE: NO OFFENSE TO THE BRITS)
There were snide remarks made by the cruise staff and by some passengers about Americans.

Shows etc: Poor except for Ice Show, String Quartet and a singer. Same old boring Singers and dancers.

Weather: Cold, Rainy, and Foggy. Nobody in the pools,Flow Rider , and any other venues on deck

Food: It was the same for 14 days. In the Windjammer. Got tired of what was offered. Some of the wait staff ignored you. The omelet station took their time to even ask what you wanted.
Chops: Food was the same as the dining room.IMHO My wifes filet was tough and grissled. The only good thing was the quiet room to eat.
NOT worth it!!!

SAD Story: 3 people passed on this cruise.
A rescue Heli came into Olden(town)20 minute ride to nearest hospital,patient died enroute.
Military heli came out to sea to pick up patient, also died enroute to either Denmark or Belguim.

Average age of passengers on this cruise was approx.70 .A guestimate.

Norway: EXPENSIVE!!!! EG. a SD card 16g was $79 us.

Note: there were good things also about the cruise.
I always tell it like it is good or bad.This one was not a good one.

quote:

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
Americans were outnumbered 10 to 1.-----3000 to 300 US.
This was a Norway cruise yet a big Brit flag hung in the Royal Promenade.
We had a communication problem. Even though it's English it's hard to understand the various dialects.
This cruise definitely favored the Brits, entertainment, trivia games etc.

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But surely none of this should have been any surprise, given that it was a cruise that was a round-trip from Southampton?

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
Norway: EXPENSIVE!!!!

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[ 09-24-2013: Message edited by: Globaliser ]

Best Regards

Frode

[ 09-27-2013: Message edited by: Galaxy ]

Also the last time I checked a cruise line did not control the weather.

Sorry that you had issues. I would make sure that I let RCI know about the issues that you were unhappy with.

[ 09-28-2013: Message edited by: Atlcruiser ]

If I do a round trip from Miami to the Caribbean, there are many more American's on-board than Brits! Things on-board are very much geared up for American tastes. However that's only to be expected.

Carnival have a multitude of brands aimed at different nationalities. You will note that their ‘Fun ships’ don't come to Europe too often. Many Brits feel more comfortable with the P&O product and Italians with Costa etc. However RCI adapt their product a little when they cruise from different ports, such as Southampton. This can include food, service and entertainment.

Royal Caribbean cannot be blamed for some of your comments:

Norway is a very beautiful country. It’s rather peaceful and VERY expensive. It can often be raining, cold and foggy, even in the summer. That’s the nature of mountains and Fjords. Norway is definitely NOT a sunshine destination and often appeals to elderly Brits.

Most of RCI’s ships are designed for Caribbean climates and not ‘cold weather’ cruising. The interior spaces quickly become over-crowded when the outer decks are not useable. Ships like their ‘Radiance’ Class, the older P&O ships and QM2 etc. are better designed for cooler climates with indoor pools etc.

There is no excuse for the well-worn fixtures and fittings. I did a Caribbean in 2004 from Miami on-board ‘Explorer of the Seas’ and it turned out to be just ‘pre-refit’. It looked like they had let the ship deteriorate too far too me.

As for food, you cannot expect great food on a mass market ship these days, unless you are paying a supplement for 'alternative dining' and even then it is not guaranteed.

[ 09-29-2013: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

would july be a good month weather like ?

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Originally posted by Johan:
[...] I think that a cruise is one of the more budget conscious ways to visit the country, though, sadly, superficial.

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Cruise vacations are inherently superficial, however, in this case traveling by ship offers you a different experience - you will get views you just won't get when only traveling ashore. Of course, there are better and worse itineraries - just be careful when planning your cruise.

quote:

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Originally posted by Johan:
[...]
would july be a good month weather like ?[...]

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quote:

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Originally posted by Johan:
would july be a good month weather like ?

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