Sorry this is so long, but hopefully this information is helpful to someone. Overall a great cruise! Comments are noted where there could be improvement, but overall a great ship and wonderful service and food!!! Highly recommended! I know I spend more time discussing the problem areas, but don't take this as discouragement! NCL is really running a first class cruise, and anyone will have a great time on this ship!

Embarkation: Arrived with party of 6 at 10am (MIL & FIL in penthouse #9172, 2 newlywed friends in mini-suite #11632, and myself & DH in interior handicapped #11139). Stood in Latitudes/Suite line. Special line did not include mini-suites, but was told newlyweds in mini-suite could stay in same line as us, as part of the party (nice benefit). After 5-10 minutes, started looking for wheelchair for FIL so he could sit down while waiting (line was not moving yet). Port security said to go to door down on right for wheelchairs. DH trudged down to door. Was told no wheelchairs here. Go see port security at main door (where he was before). Told him they said they had no chairs. Folks at door said sit on a bench. No benches empty to sit on. FIL still standing with cane. Saw NCL staff with wheelchair and occupant (disembarking passenger). NCL staff said to go to port security in center door as they have wheelchairs. Double checked with port security, No, we do not have any wheelchairs. They have them at the door on the right. Told them they did not. Port security silent. At this time, saw 2 NCL staff returning with empty wheelchairs from disembarking passengers. Newlywed wife ran after one, and I after the other. We were both told they could not bring the wheelchairs over. They had to take them straight back around the back of the building. We had to go to the door on the right. Explained predicament. NCL staff no help. FIL getting very tired at this point..FINALLY one NCL staff member with empty wheelchair started going back through main port security door. We ran to him, Romeo, I think. Romeo says he has to ask port security. We say fine, they were trying to show us where to get a wheelchair anyhow. Romeo goes up to port security and they begin what looks like a heated conversation with the same port security folks who supposedly were trying to help us get a wheelchair shaking their head and Romeo trying to explain the passenger needs a place to sit down and needs the wheelchair. Finally Romeo wins and brings back the wheelchair. He says he can't stay with us. Fine by us. FIL finally has wheelchair. Line starts moving around 10:45 and sign-up, etc, goes very fast. Sent to waiting room with chairs. DH and I walk up to security x-ray and are first ones through, apparently with the back-to-back cruisers when we were supposed to wait in chairs. Meanwhile, wheelchair fiasco continues behind us. MIL is told to stop pushing the wheelchair, NCL's insurance doesn't cover this, so an NCL staffer will be over to push wheelchair. MIL goes to pick up keycards from VIP area and leaves FIL in wheelchair. After 5 minutes or so FIL gets fed up and walks away from wheelchair with cane. Newlyweds watch in disbelief during next half hour as no one stops by or questions abandoned wheelchair. FIL, MIL and newlyweds sit in chairs until about 11:30 when they are allowed through. FIL stuck walking up long ramp and back to aft of boat without wheelchair. DH and I are meanwhile unpacking carryons in already made up room with attentive steward, who is apparently not puzzled that we are onboard so soon. Bar setup, anniversary package champagne and triple play chip packages arrive quickly. Chocolate-covered strawberries don't show up until late at night. All baggage shows up by about 5pm for DH and I, and MIL and FIL. Newlyweds have no luggage and have to go to reception desk at about 8pm and inquire. Reception desk has all their luggage in back room (not naughty room for alcohol, but apparently a room where they put all the luggage they don't know what to do with). Newlywed husband not happy. Tags were NCL printed tags affixed as required. They were GTY, no cabin # assigned, but he had written the cabin # they told him he would be in on the tags. Not sure why this caused so many problems getting the bags to him.

Food: Food was AWESOME! Ate in main dining rooms several times for breakfast and a couple of times for dinner (both Tsar's and Azura). Both excellent. Le Bistro (even with new menu) was our favorite and well worth the extra $10pp. New chocolate mousse is wonderful. Cagney's steakhouse was also very good. Service and ambience outstanding. Chin Chin was OK. For the $10 extra, I don't personally feel it's worth it (and yes, I do love Chinese). This Chinese was just not that outstanding. Ate at Blue Lagoon for breakfast, again very good. Had tapas (but not dinner) at tapas bar  very good. Buffet was average. Breakfast was better than other meals here. Ate once for lunch, and also at poolside Bon Voyage party  salads were not very flavorful. Selection was good, and food was proper temperature, just not very flavorful. Main dining rooms were hands-down much better. Buffet also always really crowded. Had room service once from FIL and MIL's butler (regular room service menu). Was OK, but not much selection (used butler to get fish and chips from Blue Lagoon also, and that was good). Read more