Irish interlude |
|
| |
|
Reviewed By: Kersey, Welwyn Garden City on 4th Feb 2010
|
| Cruise Line: NCL Cruises |
Times cruised before: 3-5 |
| Cruise Ship: Norwegian Jade |
Sailed:
May,
2009 |
| Destination:
Mini Cruises
|
Age: 65+ |
| Cabin: Outside |
Occasion: Annual/regular holiday |
 |
Car parked,and embarked in no time at all (what nice guys the parking attendants are at Southampton ,always helpful and cheerful) The usual glass of NCL bubbly to greet us as we waited for the cabin to be ready.
Last time we sailed with NCL we booked a ocean view and were delighted to be upgraded to a balcony cabin, this time we booked an ocean view and had an obstructed view (lifeboat) it cuts down a lot on the light and view but on the occasion of a lifeboat launch it was quite interesting to watch the procedure.
We took dinner in the Grand Pacific or Alizar restaurants on most evenings, with breakfast and lunch at the Great Outdoors self service buffet. We found the food in all of them excellent, in fact one lunchtime I stood next to the captain in the Great Outdoors who was helping himself to lunch and selecting the same dishes as I was! One evening at dinner I was gazing past my wife out of the window and saw a pod of dolphin. I drew her attention to the sight and we were soon surrounded by other guests and waiters to watch their antics, the waiters said they thought my lobster had attracted them.
We docked at Dublin in the morning and took the shuttle bus into the city, when an american lady asked the driver which part of Ireland he came from, he told Italy! However armed with maps and guidebook we made our way around the city. On the few occasions we became lost there was always a friendly Irish person who seemed to have loads of time to help us with directions and advice. In the afternoon we took one of the ships tours to a ruined monastery. I must say the courier was one of the most amusing women I have come across .She kept the coach entertained with facts, anecdotes and songs all afternoon. Dinner ,show in the Stardust theatre, nightcap in the Spinnaker bar and bed.
Next morning we were in Cobh, last stop of the ill fated Titanic before its crossing of the Atlantic. We wandered around the town ,climbing up to see St Colman's cathedral. On the quayside there is a very nice exhibition and shopping arcade full of interesting merchandise, and a sculpture of a young girl who was the first immigrant to enter the USA via Ellis Island. In the afternoon we took one of the ships tours to visit Blarney castle, again we had a very knowledgeable guide who gave a fascinating lecture on the Irish political system en route to Blarney. After dinner there was a Irish show by a local group on a riverdance type theme ,very good, and with explanation of the various songs meanings, quite educational.
In the evening we set sail for Southampton the usual round of shipboard entertainments were in full swing, in the afternoon of the last day there was an "Afternoon with Laurence Robinson", a really excellent light operatic show. The tenor really connected with the packed out theater and involved everyone in the show,rounding it all off with a terrific rendition of Nessem Dorma. One of the best and most unusual shows I have seen at sea.
In a nutshell this was a most enjoyable cruise with loads to do and see and overall very good value.
|
| Quality of Food |  |
| Very good, Grand Pacific,Alizar and Great Outdoors buffet, buffet always fresh, service in the restaurants good | | Entertainment | |
| Best show was the Afternoon with Laurance Robinson but other shows were good as well | | Shore Excursions |  |
| Both we went on were excellent | | Staff | |
| All I met from Captain to cleaners seemed happy to help. | | Children's Facilities | n/a |
| | Onboard Activities | |
| You would have to be very hard to please to not find something of interest. | | Cabins |  |
| Pity about the lifeboat and small windows. | | Overall Rating | |
|
Receive a FREE copy
of Fodor's
Complete
Guide to
European
Cruises
|
Previous Cruise Reviews
