Cruises. Some people love them, some people hate them. Personally, I don’t mind them. The thought of traveling on a massive cruise ship to different parts of the world in one week is astonishing. Yes, you can do the same thing via train, plane, or automobile BUT there is something about being on the water. If you have never been on a cruise ship before, I highly recommend experiencing it at least once in your life…ya know, to figure out if it is your THING or not. Continue reading for my Four Day Norwegian Cruise review.
In late January 2018, M and I decided last minute to fly to Miami, Florida and take a four day Norwegian Cruise ship to the Bahama islands. We boarded our ship at Port Miami. This was M’s first cruise and my second. Since this was his first cruise and we did not know how well he would handle the “sea life” (aka sea/motion sickness) we made sure we had a travel destination every day and had no days “at sea.” This was a perfect starter cruise.
When we first boarded, we were able to tour the ship and enjoy some beverages/music while our room was getting cleaned and all the passengers were boarding the ship. Now, every cruise line is different and in fact, every cruise itself is different. Most cruises are all-inclusive with food/restaurants with exceptions for room service and certain restaurants (usually the fancier ones). This cruise in particular was all-inclusive beverages (including alcoholic beverages) where that is uncommon.
When we were about to depart from Port Miami, we were able to check-into our room. When we were approaching or room, there was a maintenance cart outside our room and when we got to the door, the maintenance man was working on our bathroom toilet and or carpet in our room was soaking wet. M and I both stood at the door with our mouths wide open and could not help ourselves but laugh at the odds of this happening on M’s first cruise experience and in general.
We obviously went right down to the cruise ship lobby to discuss our options. The Norwegian Cruise staff were extremely nice, but basically said the ship was booked and we could not switch rooms. They gave us a bottle of wine, chocolate covered strawberries and a voucher to dine in their high-end restaurant (one the guests had to pay out of pocket for if they wanted to eat there). The compensations were appreciated, although to be honest it did not really make up for the stench in the room, the industrial fan we had to have on at all times and the anxiety we experienced every time we had to use our bathroom toilet. OKAY OKAY I know enough.
Day One: Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
Our first stop, we decided to not do an excursion and hung out on the ship. We read our books, drank some fruity, fun drinks and relaxed on the pool deck.
Day Two: Great Stirrup Cay
This island was beautiful, HOT, exclusive and Norwegian Cruise ship’s private island (Norwegian Cruise is the only cruise line allowed to visit this island). To visit this island the passengers have to board a dinghy (little boat) and they transport you to the island. It is too shallow for the ship to dock close, so the Captain drops anchor close by. This is where we swam a little bit, sunbathed and snorkeled. The dark clouds were starting to roll in so we returned to the ship in time before the rain started. Very relaxing island, not many excursions here.
Day Three: Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau was pretty but cloudy and chilly on the day we visited so it was hard to truly get the NASSAU experience everyone talks about. We booked a swim-up with the dolphins excursion on a private island away from the Bahamas (right across from the new Baha Mar hotel—looked very classy from the water…it had JUST opened when we visited). I am not a HUGE fan of swimming with dolphins, in fact, it terrifies me. I swam with dolphins when my family vacationed in Grand Cayman Island in 2008 and I was scared the whole entire time we were in the dolphin pool. Never again.
We did a “swim-up with dolphins” which is different than “swimming with dolphins.” We were able to stand in knee deep water in the ocean where the dolphin would be instructed by the instructor to swim to us and let us pet the dolphin. I felt a lot safer during this excursion and the dolphins appeared a lot happier in their habitat and received A LOT of attention and food (at least while we were there). We took a dinghy boat back to Nassau and walked around/explored shops and restaurants. We then boarded the boat and took off to return to Miami, Florida.
Overall, M said it was a pleasant experience for his first cruise (minus the room stuff obvi) and I agree. Tell me, have you been on a cruise? What cruise line do you prefer? Are you booking a cruise or interested in booking a cruise?..If so, comment below if you have any questions! I would love to hear from you all.
-One cruise I’ve had my eye on and one my parents have experience is a Mediterranean Cruise. Let me know below if you’ve been! I would love some feedback on your experience.
-As always, don’t forget to follow me on instagram! @thedailyallis
-All photos are my own personal photos, please do not duplicate.
XO
