I wasn't quite sure how this cruise was going to go since there were a few hiccups at the start....I had previously sailed on NCL years ago and was surprised how much grief that was going to cause during the online check in proccess! When I tried to check in for both cabins (1 minisuite - my mother and I (11032) and 1 inside - my kids, ages 18(son) and 20 (daughter) (11037). Unfortunetly NCL has never considered things like name changes, or address changes when trying to find previous passengers. I was frustrated by being unable to get past the first screen on either reservation and met with a brick wall at their help line! I even requested a call back from a supervisor, which has yet to be returned! (we returned home earlier today...they had time!) After two subsequent calls, finally someone who understood that the registration proccess had to be completed - my sailing was now less than 2 weeks away.

Got to Pier 88 about 11:00 on the morning of sailing and was expecting a real headach from all that I'd read online. It was a pleasant surprise that we sailed right thru and were given a number to board, and just moments later that number was called. A quick bite at the Garden Cafe and we walked around the ship til given the all clear to head to the cabins.

The cabins were clean and pleasant (though the inside cabins is SMALL, but with a bathroom twice the size of Carnival's!) The cabin steward for the inside cabin (the kids) was friendly and kept their cabin in great shape, not an easy task considering their age, and the available space. The minisuite was made up with a queen bed, even though multiple requests had been made for twins. Over the next 6 hours we made a total of 4 requests that the beds be split, til we finallt did it ourselves. (Not an easy task!) And FYI, the beds in the minisuites are unbearable! They are standard mattresses with a folded foam piece, and a folded egg carton pad which had me leaning to starboard for the whole cruise. My granite counter top has more give than either mattress or pillows. (oddly, the beds in the inside were more comfortable). The bathroom was a good size, even had a bathtub. Read more