Norwegian Jewel, Baltic Capitals |
| Reviewed By: Stephenson, Neston on 12th Aug 2008 |
| Cruise Line: NCL Cruises |
Times cruised before: 3-5 |
| Cruise Ship: Norwegian Jewel |
Sailed:
July,
2008 |
| Destination: Baltic |
Age: 46-55 |
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3 of us cruised NCL Norwegian Jewel to the Baltic Capitals, end July 2008. The ship was clean, tidy and most of the staff the usual friendly service. However unlike previous NCL cruises, a few of the staff in restaurant and bar areas were offhand, not the usual standard. The main problem was the balcony stateroom, we took our son, so had 3 in the room - the 3rd bed is a put up sofa bed. When made up, this takes up most of the floor space, and cuts off the balcony completely, so all morning (until the room is made up) and all evening (after beds have been turned down) the only access to the balcony is climbing over the beds. We found this negated the pleasure of having a balcony.
The destinations were good, we had shore excursions at all but Tallin. In reality, all are walkable from the ship, except St Petersburgh, which really must be done by ship excursion (or personal visa). The shore excursions were expensive, and not value for money, also very limited in scope at some ports. If going again, we would do our own thing (except St Pete) and walk into town - there are lots of local sightseeing bus tours available. Everyone seems to take euro’s or dollars, no real need for local currency at others. Prices are fairly high, esp Helsinki, gifts very expensive.
Warnemunde – not just a port, a German tourist town, full of partying Germans, great beach, but v busy, lots of restaurants, fun atmosphere, not what we were expecting. No need to do the 5 hour train round trip to Berlin. Boat moors 10 mins from centre.
Copenhagen – boat moors 15 mins from Little Mermaid – best to walk round. Relaxed city, very pleasant.
Stockholm – a bit disappointing, all apartment blocks, and when we visited it was a national march, so couldn’t get across to Old Towm. Boat moors 25 – 30 mins walk from old town, a fair stretch but Ok so long as you can walk 2-3 miles total.
Helsinki – again, can walk around easily, boat moors in a dock area, fair walk in again. Weather can be mixed, waterproofs essential. Pretty houses on waterfront, but centre highlights can be seen in 15 mins, and prices of goods seriously high.
St Petersburgh – the only port where passports were checked, by officious immigration staff, but no long delays despite 6 boats in at once. Best to do organised tour, with NCL or someone like Red October – you can’t wander around on your own (2 people from the boat were reputedly arrested for photographing something they shouldn’t). Buildings are spectacular, be careful not to book 2 tours that cover the same ground, a lot do.
Tallin – quite a star, moor just outside old town, definitely no need for shore excursion – old town is pretty and historic, a great day out, only a few shops will not take euro’s – if using Kroon (local currency) be aware that UK exchange shops will only change back over 25 Kroon notes.
Shops recommended by the on board shopping consultant are at the high end (furs, jewellery, emeralds, amber etc), but she has good local maps for all destinations.
Overall, enjoyed it, wouldnt put you off going.
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| Quality of Food |  |
| Ate mostly in main dining rooms/ specialty restaurants - less 'pigging out' - portions seemed smaller than previously, no bad thing. | | Entertainment |  |
| Cirque Bijou unmissable, be early. Magician good, Country show good. Multi-instrumentalist and Soprano, we didnt go, and neither did most people.... | | Shore Excursions |  |
| Expensive, rather limited but essential in St Pete. All other places - dont bother, walk in and do your own thing. | | Staff | |
| Most great, stateroom stewards really good, some bar staff and resataurant hosts too offhand. | | Children's Facilities | n/a |
| | Onboard Activities | |
| Cruise Directors satff things great ( golf, trivia) | | Cabins | |
| No good for us - 3 in a balcony stateroom, sofa bed blocks off the balcony - be aware of this before paying more for a balcony room. | | Overall Rating | |
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