NCL booked us on a direct flight Hawaiian Air Flight from our home, that week, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to Honolulu. The flight was excellent except near landing in Honolulu the Captain announced we would be delayed just shortly on our landing because there are 4 fighter jets ahead that need to land because they are running short of fuel. In the end we actually landed 20 minutes early. I don't why we needed to know about the fighter jets, unless it's some new requirement of passenger rights. Actually I don't like to hear the words fighter jets or running low on fuel when I'm flying. After about ½ mile trek to baggage claim it took me awhile to find the NCL rep meeting our flight. She was standing at a car rental counter with her NCL POA placard on top of her clipboard. If I had been in a helicopter I would have spotted it!
But shortly we were whisked away on the short drive to the POA. Boarding was very smooth as we are members with an Attitude from previous NCL cruises. But I noticed passengers without an Attitude were boarding just as quick. Luckily with my 9 min and 42 second research of this trip I knew what to expect. Except, arriving at the gangway we were all sprayed on our hands by a smiling staff member with what must be very dilute solution of hydrochloric acid. It must be very dilute because it didn't hurt and actually smelled pleasant. When asked why we were subjected to this every time we returned to the ship, the Norwegian explained some women passenger on a cruise ship several years ago named Nora brought a virus aboard. The ship was subsequently laid up in dry dock for several years costing the cruise line millions. Side tip - after boarding if you want to avoid the $7.50 day soda deal, take the free trolley shuttle or walk ½ mile to the sundry shop at the Aloha Tower Shopping plaza.
Our cabin on the 7th deck wasn't ready when we arrived on ship at 2:30 and it was suggested to us by a Norwegian to get something to eat at the Aloha Cafe on the 11th deck while we waited. About ½ an hour later in English they announced all the cabins were ready. I noticed the staff while Norwegians all spoke excellent English. They even had an American accent. One time, when they thought I wasn't listening, they were speaking Norwegian to each other.