LEADING UP TO THE 'BIG DAY'

Neither I (a 33-year-old social services professional and mother of one) nor my significant other (a 29-year-old carpenter, professional 'child at heart' and father to my one) has ever before even contemplated the idea of 'cruising.' However, when our friends suggested it this past spring, our wheels began turning in the direction of the open seas. When, a few months later, they bowed out, we couldn't bring ourselves to give up on the idea of going. Hence, on August 9th, we found ourselves taking the three hour trek to New York City on route to the Eastern Caribbean, courtesy of the Norwegian Spirit.

Prior to our departure date, we hit a few bumps. Our first mini-bump pertained to the cruise line's website accuracy. We had excitedly been making lists of things to bring just as all 'newbie' cruisers dutifully do, and part of our plans on what to bring had centered on the idea of having a refrigerator in our room. Where did we get this idea that we would have refrigerator? Why, from Norwegian's own website which quite specifically listed a refrigerator as an amenity in each stateroom. Thanks to Cruise Critic's more than informative boards, I discovered that that was an error and immediately called Norwegian to complain. The customer service representative promptly apologized and said that she would make sure the website was corrected post haste. (It's currently September 3rd and the website has not been changed.) She also provided me with the e-mail for the ship's activity director, suggesting I contact her to request a refrigerator, which I did. Read more