My fiance and I are honeymooning on Orient's Crown Odyssey in August 2000 (Istanbul to Rome). We hear decent things about Orient but mixed things about the Crown itself. Orient just purhased the ship from Norwegian so there's no real history. I just read a year old posting here on Fodor's that states that the ship is actually unsafe! Does anyone have any insight? Thanks.

Considering Crown Odyssey for Greek Isles in October and having same problem with info. Here is some of what I have found. Go to next set of 50 messages on Fodors and #9 has some comments on the ship when it sailed as Norwegian Crown. Go to Norwegian home page (ncl.com) and click Orient Lines button at lower right. The Orient page has news articles that describe work now being done to ship. It appears that Orient and Norwegian are part of the same company and the ship was transferred from one division to the other. Also, at some point in my exploration Orient was referred to as the "premium" division of Norwegian. Can not find the specific reference but it was somplace in their literature. Hope this helps. I am leaning torwards going with them. Starting to see if there are discounted prices available. <BR>

Mike & Bill, <BR>We are booked on the Crown Odyssey's Africa & Red Sea cruise Oct 28. If you go in Aug, Mike, I hope that you will write a review. Looks like you cannot compare the "old" with the "new" from the info I found. Orient seems to be maintaining a separate face, maybe something like Holland America or Seabourn from Carnival. <BR>

<BR>Hi Mike, <BR> <BR>I am a Travel Agent and sailed the Crown to Bermuda last summer. It was the least maintained ship I ever experienced. There were pipes breaking, electrical fire, fumes, non-working toilets, no power, no a/c. An absolute disaster. <BR> <BR>Here's the good news. Star cruises purchased Norwegian. They are bringing the ship back to the Royal Cruises standard. They are spending millions of dollars. <BR> <BR>Star cruises is now the fifth largest cruise line and their Orient Brand has always been a treat. <BR> <BR>Never fear.....have a great cruise. <BR> <BR>Would you please give a short review when you return. I am very interested since my schedule does not allow me to sail her this year. <BR> <BR>Paul

Hi Mike <BR> <BR>My partner and I are also cruising on the Crown Odyssey in August - from Barcelona to Istanbul so we won't get to meet you. You must be doing the cruise before us - leaving Istanbul on 8 August. <BR>We have no fears at all - in fact we were waiting anxiously for the brochures to come out so we could book. <BR>We were actually thinking we would be booking on the Marco Polo - a long time favourite with Australian cruisers (as we are)but itineraries changed this year so it was the CO for us. Orient Lines appear to have a good reputation and we have cruised with Star Cruises twice before on their SuperStar Gemini and will be going again in July 2001 with our son and his fiancee on the SuperStar Aries bout of Bangkok. <BR>Have a wonderful, wonderful honeymoon. <BR>

I just came in contact w/ a woman who took the Crown's Inaugural Cruise earlier in May. She advises that she is an experienced cruiser. All rooms (public and private) were very clean. The public rooms were recently remodeled, although the cabins had not been. She found the food good, but w/ limited selection. She says entire ship was very clean. Also, the tour desk was extremely helpful. Being an Inaugural Cruise, 1/2 the staff was new and, while very friendly, not super efficient. The small service problems, according to her, were a result of newness, not effort. Overall she was very positive of the cruise and felt any small kinks would easily be worked out after 1 or 2 times out. She made me feel VERY comfortable.

Mike, my wife and I and our three sons cruised last summer fron NY to Bermuda on the Norwegian Crown, which has now been transferred to Orient and renamed the Crown Odyssey. At the time of the cruise I was very concerned because of some comments made in this forum about the condition of the ship. However, our trip was fine and we had a great time. The ship had a reputation for a very sensitive plumbing system which caused some problems for several passengers when we were in Bermuda, but the problems were quickly resolved and didn't impact us. The food was fine and service was also very good. I trust that Orient has made some improvements to the ship. Good Luck

Investigated Orient line and Crown Odyssey according to the company has been renovated completely. Call them and ask. <BR>Itineraries are outstanding. Planning Greek Isle cruise 2001/Oct. Please advise if you like the ship or not after return.Many thanks