BACKGROUND: We are a British couple in our early 40's and have cruised several times mainly on Princess, as well as P&O, Celebrity and one fateful trip on Fred Olsen (never again). We had sailed on NCL 12 years ago, pre Freestyle dining and all the new NCL enhancements and were somewhat apprehensive about what to expect. How wrong could we have been!
PRE-CRUISE: We stayed 1 night at the JW Marriott Marquis which is in an excellent location, approx. 10 minute walk to Bayside for shops, bars and dining and within east reach of your staple shops in/around the hotel area. It is about a 10 minute cab ride (if that) to the Port and costs approx. $10. We couldn't have wished for a better pre-cruise stay.
CHECK-IN & BOARDING: Upon arrival at the port at approx. 11am the bags were given over immediately to the porters who relabeled all of our bags with "proper" bag tags opposed to leaving the "print your own" ones on - this gave us more comfort since the "print your own" ones seem a bit flimsy!