Our family is all from upstate NY area and we traveled the night before the cruise to the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy, NY, to cut down on driving time the day of the cruise. It was a great way to start our vacation. Friday morning, we got up and hit the road by 9 AM to arrive in Boston around noon. I am not one to drive all day to get to the cruise port. Traveling in four cars with 15 people, I just wanted to get to Boston on time and not exhausted.

Embarkation went well. We had all the documents required since we had children traveling with only one parent and one child traveling without his parents. Most of our party went with Birth Certificates and picture ID's, not passports. I know that was a chance we took but it worked out well. Once everyone was onboard, I was a bit more relaxed. We were celebrating my husband's and my 50th Anniversary with our three grown children, spouses, and 7 grand children between 12 and 21 and one 14 year old best friend because one grandchild was not able to go due to a new job and no vacation time. I booked through AAA. I usually book my cruises through the company or online but with 16 people going, I thought the help of a travel agent might be good. I booked 8 inside cabins and NCL booked us as a group. NCL gave each cabin $75 OBC with the group booking. They also said a special dinner would be done for us on Saturday night. When I checked that out upon boarding, no one knew anything about it so I just made a reservation in the Venitian dinning room on Saturday. We were also supposed to have a cake but that did not happen either. No big deal, just think someone dropped the ball.

Once we rearranged all the rooms because we had to have a 21 year old in every room when booking, and got everyone their pass keys, the vacation started. Read more