Norwegian Cruise Line

MV NORWEGIAN CROWN

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Operator: Orient Lines
Year Built / Last Refurbished: 1988 / 2000
Length / Tonnage: 614 / 34,250
Number of Cabins / Passengers: 518 / 1,036
Officers / Crew: European / International
Operating Area: Bermuda and South America
Telephone / Fax: Tel 110 4673 / Fax 110 4674

Once in a while you board a ship so warm and welcoming you lose your sense of time and place. The NORWEGIAN CROWN is such a ship, a 34,000 tonner whose designers planned her with four things in mind - 1. Comfort. 2. Cconvenience 3. Beauty and maybe most important, 4. SAFETY. They succeeded on every count and the result is a delightful ship. They also outfitted her to such an exquisite degree that superlatives do little justice. So it surprises me that of the many reviewers who have trod the decks of this classy lady, few really understand her. Maybe it's because this is a ship that appeals so strongly to men and most cruise reviewers and travel agents are women. The NORWEGIAN CROWN is certainly a beauty! Built for the late and lamented Royal Cruise Line as CROWN ODYSSEY, she found great favor with passengers and crew alike.

Myriads of passengers loved the ship's Greek crew and bitterly resented the incursion of other nationalities over the years the ship sailed for Royal. When we sailed in this dazzlingly beautiful ship a few years back she was still CROWN ODYSSEY and quite a few women expecting three weeks of flirting with Greek crew were sadly disappointed to find most Greeks gone, replaced by people of other nationalities. We also sailed on the ship after she was transferred to Norwegian Cruise Line and happily found her largely unchanged within, and her food was better than ever (much as we loved the line, we NEVER enjoyed the food on Royal Cruise Line ships) and since that counts for SO much with today's cruise traveler, we consider that a major plus. In May of 2000 she transferred to Orient Lines and resumed sailing under her original name. In September of 2003, following an extensive refit, she returned to NCL and began sailing once again as NORWEGIAN CROWN.

Even if things like "star ratings" matter to you, don't overlook this one because little really separates this ship from a five star rating and with her present rating she represents some of the best values in cruising. I can think of almost no other ship I could more strongly recommend and a LOT of Californians agree with me...As the CROWN ODYSSEY this ship was so popular that she came in second only to the CRYSTAL HARMONY in a 1995 Los Angeles Times poll of favorite cruise ships. To the beauty of her accommodations, add the wide range of her amenities and you have quite a ship. The folks at Orient Lines know a winner when they see one and it is evident that the line holds this ship in the highest regard!.

By design and their A & M Katzourakis evolution, these simply sparkle! There's glass...lots of glass - clear, opaque, smoked, backed and stained and it's been put to great decorative effect. When she was new,some observers found the results glitzy but with the passage of time newer ships with wide ranging opthomological contrivances debuted relegating the modern CROWN to the status of CLASSIC! Whatever your view...we love her decor! The clever use of reflective surfaces of both glass and brass, marble, reddish-hued woods, abstract art and sculpture add a classy tone to this refined cruise ship where contemporary decor pleases the eye and thoughtfully arranged seating allow the utmost of onboard conviviality.

Perched high atop the ship is the Top of the Crown Lounge, an observation lounge by day and a comfortable night club that becomes the ship's disco at midnight. Most of the ship's social life occurs on Deck 7, Odyssey Deck. Popular for cocktails is the centrally located Monte Carlo Court, a multipurpose space fitted as bar, lounge and casino. The requisite floor shows happen in the Odyssey Lounge, a room where sight lines are good and every seat is a good one. Aft is the Yacht Club, a lovely room decorated in neutral tans and beige highlighted in pale orange and yellow. Here buffet breakfasts and lunch attract passengers as much as do afternoon tea and midnight buffets but best liked seem to be ballroom dancing every evening. Just off the main foyer one deck below is a small, cozy library where among the offerings is the ship's daily news sheet.

Norwegian Crown underwent significant changes during her February 2004 dry dock including the addition of three new restaurants bringing the number of restaurants to six.

The vessel's Top of the Crown Lounge features a number of 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 Lido Bar was 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.

The Monte Carlo Court Casino received a complete renovation adding glass walls around the perimeter, new upholstery and carpets in rich maroon and gold.

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.

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.

Four new suites on the Penthouse deck are being added as well as nine new inside passenger staterooms.

Passengers looking for a traditional dining experience can choose to dine in the Seven Continents Restaurants, a beautiful room in the modern style. Breakfast and lunches in port are usually open seatings but at sea, lunch, like almost every dinner is usually served in two sittings. Tables are well spaced and chairs are comfortable, but it was the service we really liked best.

As it had during our last Orient Cruise Line voyage aboard her, food served aboard ship touched all the bases - delicious, very good, mediocre and simply awful - sometimes all four possibilities reached a passenger during the course of a single meal. While the kitchen now delivers decidedly fewer clunkers, you CAN be disappointed so if you are...SPEAK up and another food item will be quickly served up...chances are that it will be mighty tasty!

Besides breakfast and lunch buffets in the Yacht Club, whenever the weather permits, burgers and franks prepared in the Penthouse grill. During our recent cruise, meals in the dining room were always better received than those served topsides, where steam table items often outlived their shelf lives.

During the 2004 refit, NCL added three new restaurants including its signature alternative restaurant, Le Bistro. The restaurant seats 70 guests and is decorated in coral, green and gold colors. Large, wood banquettes ensure intimate dining spaces while gold sconces along the walls provide a romantic atmosphere. Classic chairs from France and etched glass complete the addition.

NCL also added The Pasta Café and an Asian themed restaurant, Chopsticks, will open when the ship begins its NCL service in September.

The Pasta Café 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.

Orient Lines took a number of small cabins out of service so the NORWEGIAN CROWN now offers 518 generously proportioned and well-equipped cabins and suites. Top of the line are seventy luxury grade accommodations labeled "penthouses" and "suites".

High atop the ship are the twenty penthouses, some available in pairs to form 1,055 square foot apartments. These suites are the only ones equipped with verandas - some of the largest private decks at sea, by the way, but our favorite accommodations aboard this ship are the exquisitely decorated, 290 square foot superior deluxe suites (category S1). These rooms, modern interpretations of the old "Lanai" suites, once so popular on the Pacific, feature sitting areas separated from the sleeping area by glass screens and bay windows. Lesser suites, categories S2, S3 and S 4 are smaller but still offer sitting areas. Devotees of high end accommodations might consider the S4, for other than the pricey S1s, only these among the four "S" categories come equipped with a small sofa, the sitting areas in the 200 square foot S2s and 190 square foot S3s are furnished with chairs. Suites are available with either twin or double beds so be prepared to ask for what you require, beds are fixed and not convertible. All but two aft facing suites on Riviera Deck have a bay window, a device rare but quite clever aboard ship, for not only does it permit a room to be flooded by light all day long it provides views in three directions. Bathrooms in suites are beautiful - all have tubs and those in bigger suites are equipped with whirlpool. Fans of traveling light need not notice but folks like me who leave home with four pieces of luggage and return home with six will be relieved to learn that the NORWEGIAN CROWN has storage space aplenty. Beyond the four closets in the S1s, for instance, are 29 drawers in each of these rooms. Every bathroom was also developed with storage in mind, undersink cabinets and recessed shelves allow for most contingencies.

Since few passengers require suites, the bulk of NORWEGIAN CROWN passenger accommodations are her 12 categories of standard cabin - 7 outside, 5 inside. All standard outside cabins are 165 square feet, with shower and/or tub, color TV and most have large picture windows. Again, those who want a double bed should confirm this before departure since twin beds are permanently fixed. Though no marble covers counter tops in standard bathrooms as it does in the suites, storage spaces is the same and at least half of the bathrooms in outside cabins have a bathtub. Even the 114 inside cabins are well equipped and storage space is no problem even in the minimum grades - where cabins average 154 square feet - four closets and 15 drawers are pretty much the standard. As in all other rooms, these come equipped with tie and shoe racks and

NCL puts great stock in passenger satisfaction and goes to great lengths to see to it that guests are entertained both ashore and aboard. Another factor in the ship's favor is that her lay out is so conducive to meeting people and NORWEGIAN CROWN passengers tend to be a gregarious and friendly lot and quite a few onboard friendships made here last for years.

For the physically active, the CROWN stands out in fitness facilities and its passengers are some of the most active we've encountered. There is a good-size and fairly well equipped gym, a number of massage rooms and saunas for each gender. Fitness classes offered at varying hours of the day drew plenty of passengers, many of whom stuck with the fitness program throughout the cruise. Deck space is superb, spreading over many levels, with plenty of space for those seeking quiet and there are both outdoor and indoor swimming pools and Jacuzzis. Also quite popular is the recently added Sport Bar on Deck 8.

With destination-oriented itineraries, NORWEGIAN CROWN targets the 50 - 65 age group for this ship and the wide variety of on board activities, entertainments and great itineraries please these passengers. I like it!

The NORWEGIAN CROWN offers a diverse set of itineraris throughout the year. During the early months she sails from Philadelphia on a series of seven-day cruises to Bermuda. In late summer she shifts to New York for a number of sailings to Bermuda before ending the Bermuda season in the fall with a series of Baltimore departures. In the winter she offers a series of 14-day sailings between Buenos Aires and Valparaiso, Chile highlighted by optional flyovers of Antarctica and scenic cruising through Chile's stunning fjords.

NORWEGIAN CROWN's 14-day voyages will alternate between Buenos Aires and Valparaiso, with Buenos Aires departures visiting Montevideo, Uruguay; Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia, Argentina; Port Stanley, Falkland Islands; and Punta Arenas, Puerto Chacabuco and Puerto Montt, Chile; before docking in Valparaiso (Santiago). Along the route, guests will enjoy scenic cruising through Cape Horn, the Beagle Channel (featuring the Channel's majestic glaciers), the Strait of Magellan, the Chilean fjords, the Patagonic Channel and Canal Moraleda. Passengers can opt for an Antarctica flyover while in Punta Arenas, and the itinerary also features three relaxing days at sea.

NORWEGIAN CROWN's sailings from Valparaiso call at Puerto Montt, Puerto Chacabuco, Punta Arenas, Ushuaia, Port Stanley, Puerto Madryn and Montevideo. The route features scenic cruising in the Darwin Canal, Patagonic Channels, Chilean fjords, Straits of Magellan, the Beagle Channel and Cape Horn, with three days at sea.

Devotees of Royal and Orient Cruise Line chafe at the prospect of "their" ship in other hands yet let's face it...it's the same ship now manned by new faces and if you liked her before you will like her now...In short, this ship is unhesitatingly recommended!