Let’s start with embankment; the computers were down and it took 4 hours of standing in line before we could board. I work in customer service so in these situations I try and be patient, but the staff relayed ZERO information to anyone as to what is happening, other than “You cannot leave this building”! When the computers came back online the staff did not try to maintain any lines so it was a frenzy of angry people trying to rush to make it to get on board. Strike one for Norwegians organizational skills.

Now let’s get on board, as we finally make it on we are STARVING; after all we’ve been on lock down in embankment for at least 4 hours. So we make our way up to the buffet, grab a plate of food and sit down. My party I’m with all get about 3 bites of food on us before a staff member comes over and rudely announces “You cannot be eating right now, stop what you are doing immediately and go to your muster station.” Then proceeds to stare at us until we clear out, but not before making us chug our sodas because they “Cannot go with you, leave them and go!!” Now I understand the importance of a Muster drill, but let’s take into account that we were STILL BOARDING. As I hungrily make my way to the muster station (Station D, so I can see people STILL BOARDING while the drill is happening!) Never at any point do I have any staff member instruct me who to pay attention to, or attempt to lead our group in any kind of example on life vests. I still do not know where I should have gone or what I should have done had something happened to our ship.

Now after all that I’m pretty on edge, and a bit tired so I head to my stateroom fling open the door and see two twin beds, even though I had requested it be converted to a queen. No big deal right? This should be an easy fix! I pop my head out into the hallway and see a young woman handling luggage; now as a first time cruiser I do not know if she is my steward or not so I simply ask “Excuse me ma’am, but could you tell me who to talk to about getting my beds fixed? I’m supposed to have a queen.” To which I get the retort, “I don’t know, go ask your stewardess or something!” Horrified by the attitude I’ve been given I decide to call guest services to see if they can help me. After five minutes on hold I relay my request for my bed to be fixed, am assured it will be in under an hour and I head to the bar. Now let’s fast forward a bit to 10pm when I am standing at guest services for what is now the 6th time of requesting help on this. It took 6 trips or calls to guest services and 5 hours to get my twin beds converted to a queen. Strike 2 for Norwegians organizational skills. Read more