This was my fella and mine very first cruise, so I wasnt really sure what to expect, but figured a first timer review might be helpful to other newbies. We are both in our late 20s.

Port: Houston was a really nice and easy port. We got through bag check and security with ease. Several security guards were joking around with the crowd. I was very impressed with the port when we disembarked too. We were able to find our bags and make it through customs within minutes. We were talking to the customs guy and he said that ncl has really easy going crowds. Beware. There will be someone directing you over to a table to pay a Texas sin tax if you purchased booze or tobacco. We made the mistake of admitting we bought some cashew wine in Belize. As we were handing over $6, i asked the guy if there was a list or anything. Its completely on the honor code, so i probably wont be so honest next time. Parking was $80, or $75 if you book early online.

Ship: It was nice enough. All the bars were cute, and i was able to get served drinks in a timely manner. There were a several places that i saw the carpet was fraying up, but that was really the only major wear i noticed. The one complaint i had was that one first fews of our cruise, it was raining so the decks were really slippery. It would have been nice to have some kind of mats or something to help with that. Read more