The Norwegian Crown cruise ship departs from New
York, NY, Seattle WA, and Vancouver, British Columbia. Throughout
the year, she offers ocean cruises to Bermuda, Western Caribbean, and South America.
Check Dates &
Prices for cruises to Bermuda, Western Caribbean,
and South America.
Norwegian Crown was originally built in 1988 for the now
defunct Royal Cruise Line. When that line was bought out
by NCL, she was retooled for Norwegian's clientele, and
renamed Norwegian Crown. That identity didn't last long,
and, with NCL's acquisition of Orient Lines, in April
2000 she was again refurbished, reverting to Crown Odyssey,
her original name. In 2003, she has been sent back into
the NCL fleet and has been returned to the name Norwegian
Crown, and is sporting a multi-million dollar refurbishment
that converted the ship into a Freestyle Cruising vessel
and adding three new restaurants. Even the outside of
the ship has a new look - the hull was painted white.
The ship has the feel of an intimate first class hotel,
elegant but comfortable and casual, with glittering accents,
but by no means glitzy.
Cabins
Four new suites on the Penthouse deck are being
added as well as nine new inside passenger staterooms.
It is clear from the huge amount of closet space in even
the smallest cabins that Norwegian Crown was built with
longer cruises in mind. Cabins are a roomy minimum of
165 square feet. Many outside cabins have portholes rather
than windows, and 50 cabins (8005-8055) have views obstructed
by lifeboats. Standard cabin amenities include safes,
direct dial phones, piped-in music and satellite TV. Superior
deluxe suites feature bay windows with electrically controlled
sunshades, marble baths with whirlpool tubs, robes and
sitting areas. Deluxe Penthouse and Penthouse Suites have
balconies and VCR's as well. 319 staterooms (78%) are
outside; 4 staterooms have handicapped facilities, and
232 (45%) are triples or quads. |
Dining
NCL has added its popular signature alternative restaurant,
Le Bistro. The restaurant seats 70 guests and is decorated in
coral, green and gold colors. NCL also added The Pasta Cafe and
an Asian themed restaurant, Chopsticks. The Pasta Cafe seats 40
and has been decorated with modern Italian influences with cobalt
blue and cherry wood accents. A blue granite top has been added
on the bar where Norwegian Crown guests can sit and watch the
chef prepare traditional Italian cuisine. The Seven Continents
Dining Room continues the stained glass and metallic accents
of the rest of the ship in its ceiling treatments. Though these
design attributes create an ambiance of bold elegance, the acoustics
in the room are compromised. Sound levels are high and conversations
across larger tables are difficult. Service is excellent, and
the quality of the food is good, though we found, that, with
the exception of the excellent desserts, recipes, preparation
and presentation were a bit lackluster.
Lunch and breakfast buffets are served in the airy, well-laid-out
Yacht Club indoor/outdoor restaurant. Waiters stand by to assist
diners with their trays.
Entertainment
Norwegian Crown's popular
Top of the Crown Lounge features striking enhancements including
a new bar topped with blue-pearl granite. The stools, tables
and chairs have been removed to create an open space. Pull-up
cocktail tables are attached to a railing that encircles the
room and light beach wood accents put the last touches on the
transformation.
The Monte Carlo Court Casino received a complete renovation adding
glass walls around the perimeter, new upholstery and carpets in
rich maroon and gold. The casino is small for a one-thousand-passenger
ship, having a handful of slots, blackjack and Caribbean Stud tables,
and a single roulette table. There is no dice table.
Norwegian Crown's single-level show lounge, the Stardust Lounge,
is an intimate, functional room with excellent sightlines from all
sides of the elevated orchestra platform and floor level dancefloor/state.
The floor is steeply raked, giving excellent views over patrons
in front of the viewer. The entertainment program is standard cruise
ship fare: a handful of production shows, a magic act, comic, singer,
etc. Also featured is a lounge pianist and an instrumental combo.
Fitness & Recreation
The Lido Bar has been expanded
to include the original outside area. Expansive solarium windows
with high-tech stainless steel support systems make for an airy
but modern space. The teak deck has been restored and large, plush
chairs are perfect for lounging. There is ample sunning area spread
among the top five decks, and there never seemed to be a shortage
of lounge chairs. The main pool is on Odyssey Deck (Deck 7), with
an additional inside pool in the spa/fitness area on Indoor Pool
Deck (Deck 2), which also sports a pair of whirlpools. Two additional
Jacuzzis adjoining a lovely gazebo bar can be found in our favorite
sunning and relaxation area was found on Penthouse Deck (Deck 10)
aft. Joggers can circumnavigate the ship on Odyssey Deck (Deck 7).
Though there are no firm rules regarding hours of use, signs all
along the deck request consideration for fellow passengers.
NCL is completely rebuilding the ship's Mandara Spa, Beauty Salon
and Fitness Center. Aqua, mint green and creamy white colors set
the tone for a serene experience. Mosaic tiles of the same colors
and lightwood accents adorn the walls. Guests can work out in separate
aerobic and weight rooms plus enjoy an array of fitness equipment.
The spa has nine treatment rooms while the salon features four stations
all facing an expanse of floor to ceiling windows.
Public Areas
Though Norwegian Crown's heart
is its reception area on Marina Deck (Deck 6), we found passengers
tended to gravitate to Monte Carlo Court, adjoining the casino one
deck higher on Odyssey Deck. Though I generally find casino bars
off-putting, prone to excess smoke and noise, this was an exception,
with a central octagonal bar surrounded on all sides by comfortable
tables and booths. The area is brightened by large picture windows,
and a recessed ceiling with translucent lighted inverted pyramids
both casting reflections in the rooms glass and copper accents.
Copper, glass and brass are design elements which continue consistently
throughout all public rooms in the ship, as does the overall upholstery
and carpeting color scheme of dusky roses and mauves. Top of the
Crown, the 360 degree forward observation lounge doubles as the
disco after midnight. A signature public facility is the Net.Center,
a fully functional Internet cafe with 24-hour access to most Email
services (including AOL) and the Web itself.
There are no self-service laundry facilities.
Kids
A new teen and children's center
is being added. The new dynamic teen center features bold colors
such as metallic purples, greens and oranges. A dance floor with
state-of-the-art sound and light system, juice bar and large, multi-colored
banquettes for comfortable corners is perfect for this age group.
A video arcade separates the teen center from the children's center,
which will feature a space splashed with primary colors. Kid's Crew
participants will enjoy an arts & crafts center, a theater featuring
a plasma screen with beanbags for comfortable viewing, and a computer
corner.
NCL offers group sitting for ages 2-12 for a nominal fee
with the Kid's Crew counselors. In addition to regular sitting hours
of 10 pm - 1 am, group sitting is available in port from 9 am -
5 pm. Private babysitting is not available.
Expert Norwegian Crown reviews are edited by Michelle,
and provided by Ian and Cruise Critic.com, an award-winning cruise
community. This objective information can help you choose just the
right ship for your next cruise vacation.
Check Dates & Prices
for cruises to Bermuda, Western Caribbean,
and South America.
Norwegian Crown cruise
reviews
Cruise
Ship Inspection Report
All passenger cruise ships arriving at US ports are subject to unannounced
CDC inspection. Norwegian Crown
Score: 89
Cruise
Critic: Norwegian Crown
The Cruise Critic gives NCL's Norwegian Crown a 3-ribbon rating.
Web links
NCL
Cruises
Request a brochure, or find a travel agent who represents Norwegian
Cruise Line at the company's official Web site.
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