Our experience with this ship and NCL was less than satisfactory. The ship itself was well decorated and clean from what we observed. Our cabin did not have a bed spread for two days despite several requests. The oceanview stateroom we had was very small - could barely walk around the bed when it was pushed together to make one bed. The steward maintained our room very well and it was always clean and well supplied.

The Free style dining poses many problems - it is necessary to make reservations as soon as you board the ship to eat in any of the restaurants that have a surcharge. The service in Jefferson's Bistro was terrible, the service in Steakhouse was good as was the service in Little Italy. The food was OK - below par compared to what we have had on other ships in their main dining rooms. The food in the main dining room was fair and the service varied from night to night - the major problem is short staffing everywhere. Several of the wait staff told us people just quit on the spot or never return to the ship - they work 12 hours a day 7 days a week and then a five week trip "home" paid for by NCL. The whole atmosphere and service of the ship was not the elegant type we are used to on other cruise lines.

We did not participate in any of the shore excursions but rented our own car at each port. The weather was terrible - major rain and flooding and mud slides on Kauaii - so bad we returned to the ship with in two hours. Read more