The
image of the Norway evokes feelings of the days gone by of cruising and
all of the wonderful emotions associated therein.
She also demonstrates amazing strength and durability for being a ship of
that age and that is very apparent throughout the vessel.
I would like to address some of my favourite areas that I feel accent the
beauty and mystique of the S/S Norway.
As nearly all of the new ships on the market continuously try to outshine each other with their atria, the Norway retains an intimate embarkation lobby in beautiful classic, and nautical colours. The aura of the Norway’s lobby gives you a welcoming feel and entices you to follow her corridors and discover everything that she has to offer. Two of the most popular public areas on the Norway, her dining rooms, are located parallel of each other on lower decks on Norway and Atlantic Decks. This is very convenient for the majority of the staterooms’ occupants on these decks. As suggested earlier in this review, my favourite of the two dining rooms is certainly the Windward. I had dined in the Leeward on my previous voyage on the Norway and certainly welcomed the change this time around.
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Just a partial view of the expansive Leeward Dining Room. |
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One of the magnificent original paneling selections in the Leeward Dining Room. |
I had the opportunity to tour the galley that links both dining rooms one day with my friend John. Much of the equipment in the galley is still original from her earliest days and still works like new and is very evident by the labeling in the French language. One barely thinks of her age, however, as today’s crew bustle about in preparing the day’s meals. This is the one area on the ship that extends the entire breadth of the ship.
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Toward the beginning of the tour - at the entrance of the galley from the Windward Dining Room. |
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An expansive preparation area of the main galley adjoining both dining rooms. |
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One of the original ovens still in use from the S.S. France. |
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An original lighting panel for the dining rooms - still labeled in the French language. |
As
many of today’s cruise ships sport their beauty salon / spa facilities on
upper decks, the Norway’s setup is located below on Dolphin Deck.
The modest staircase to the Roman Spa can be found right outside the
Windward Dining Room and will lead you right to the facilities now operated by
Mandara Spa. I had the opportunity
to enjoy a manicure early in the morning on the final sea day and I found the
services to be of superior quality and comparable cost.
In walking past the previous beauty salon facilities on Viking Deck,
you’ll now only notice a vacant space that once bustled with activity.
The current facilities are now located on Dolphin Deck.
Unlike modern cruise ships where cabin corridors are uniform and indistinguishable, no two are alike on the Norway. Each turn takes you to more unique artwork, remarkable staircase design, and an array of signage. Those who have sailed previously on the Norway may notice her various of forms of signage that exist throughout the ship. Whether the signs indicate deck name/number or relay emergency information, I find that each one contributes to the overall personality of the Norway. The current design of deck signage that is new since my previous sailing is done in a navy blue with sleek, white lettering that is indicative of NCL’s current image.
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An impressive staircase that I took a liking to. This one adjoins Viking Deck and Norway Deck. Part of this structure at the aft end has been altered due to the addition of a fire wall for SOLAS standards. |
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The Norway still boasts the title of having the longest unobstructed cabin corridor at sea, on Viking Deck. |
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Here is another beautiful staircase with original paneling and fixtures. |
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An example of the various types of signage throughout the ship. |
Completely aft on Viking Deck is the multi-purpose and colourful Dazzles disco, formerly known as “A Club Called Dazzles”. I find it amazing that guest staterooms lie directly adjacent to the room but noticed that the sound level is nearly compressed in a compartment entering into the disco. Restrooms are also located in this small compartment. In her early years, this was the location of a swimming pool but is now home to presentations, group meetings, and the discotheque. I was very pleased in there being a wide range of music including modern hits heard in popular city discotheques. Deejay Ross had the ability to entertain a wide range of ages even through that the average was quite low this week. Another clever entrance/exit to the disco is by means of a staircase accessible on Pool Deck near the aft pool. In fact, windows into the aft pool are visible in Dazzles itself.
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A view of Dazzles from the bar located port side. |
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An expansive crew only deck located aft, just outside of Dazzles. |
Pool Deck is home to many cruisers’ favourite hangout, the Monte Carlo Casino. Also on this deck are Le Bistro and the North Cape Lounge. As mentioned previously, the Saga Theatre spans two decks and was originally intended as a movie theater. She does serve her purpose well as a show lounge/theater of today and her sightlines rival those of many new ships on the market today. My friend John and I had a chance to look into the costume room of the Saga Theater and snap some photos. This area was once the ship’s chapel and it still retains much of the same design. Visible among the costumes were the altar and a holy water basin.
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A partial view of the former chapel, now a dressing room for the Saga Theater. |
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A holy water basin therein. NOT an ash tray! |
Taking
guests from the lower to the upper level of the Saga Theater lobby is one of the
most attractive staircases aboard, in my opinion.
The International Deck is the scene for many popular guest activities
such as shopping, dining, strolling, and surfing the Internet.
It is also the location where some original public areas have been
altered to make room for a more “modern” appeal but not necessarily
beneficial. Many former cruisers on
the Norway tend to agree, and sometimes adamantly so.
The former Ibsen Library is now home to a perfume shop but still retains
many of the same features including shelving and the ladder structuring.
A delightful area of many eras is Sven’s Ice Cream Parlour located on
the starboard side of the ship. Guests
fortunate enough to catch the open hours of the parlour enjoy a wonderful treat.
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A beautiful staircase at the lobby of the Saga Theater on International Deck. |
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A view of the farewell show - one of the various productions in the Saga Theater. |
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Cruise Director Rich Clesen bids farewell to all of the Norway's guests this voyage. |
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Sven's Ice Cream Parlour. |
