Jackie05

My fiance & I are considering taking the Norwegian Crown from Philadelphia to Bermuda next May or June. We just want to use the cruise as our transportation and then we plan to get married in Bermuda. We will have guests traveling with us. We have taken a RC cruise before and we are wondering how Norwegian compares. We understand it has the Freestyle Meals, which I think I will like better rather then going to the same ol' dining rm every night. We also know it's more relaxed then RC, which is fine for our families. Any other helpful information would be greatly appreciated.

Ziana

We cruised Crown to Bermuda from Philly on May,14th 2006.
It was 14 of us with 4 teenagers. 10+4
I was the trip planner. I was very nervous about ship condition.
We had rooms for 2-3-4 people. Handicapped rooms for 3 are huge. Same size for 4 and smaller for 2 but spacious enough to have your formal clothes to hang comfortably.
Food was good - do not like buffet - restaurants are open and you can order anything you want.
But you know some people complainabout anything anyway.
Crown is smaller older ship and it is not by any means luxury cruise BUT it is relaxing and enjoyfull. Crew is great. Ship sailed at full capacity but we haven't seen lots of people and never bumped into anyone.
I wish sailing time was shorter and Bermuda time was longer but...next time I FLY to Bermuda. You will cry when it's time to come back. I did.

Ziana

I have to add - there was family of 8 from SanDiego! They flew to Philly to take this cruise...I am wondering, they probably have seen everything except...
Cruisemates and cruiseclues have nice up-to-date reviews and pictures.
I think I posted link here somewhere, search word Crown.
And have a good time.

traveller333

I was on this ship quite a few years ago. It was the worst ship I've ever cruised on and wouldn't go back. There are much better choices.

jacketwatch

Try www.cruisecritic.com for tons of reviews.

Ziana

However traveler333 preffered to withold better choices...

BudgetQueen

I sailed this ship last week and it is a GEM. The small size is perfect for Bermuda. Ports are right downtown and extremely convenient. Just steps off the ship and you're in town. The food is fine, don't expect 5 *. Plenty of room about the ship, since this ship was orginally built as a longer itinerary/voyage ship. Excess storage space in cabins.
I've been on over 40 cruises and this was wonderful.

traveller333

As I disclosed, I was on the ship quite a few years ago and it sounds like the ship (and hopefully NCL) has gone through a refurbishment. When we were on it there was wear and tear through out, large tear in a chair in our cabin with stuffing coming out. We ordered room service twice...neither ever arrived so we finally gave up. Our sheets were never changed (I could tell because there was a slight stain on the pillow case). The staff seemed over worked and I felt sorry for them. This was just prior to freestyle dining so don't know how this is currently.

I swore never to cruise NCL again so if things have changed, I'm happy to hear it. Based on my limited one time experience, I felt like you got what you paid for, which wasn't much.