This was our eleventh cruise but first time on NCL. My husband and I traveled with our two sons who are ages 25 and 28 . We all went one day ahead because our flights were not connected with our cruise package (always an important thing to do as you never know how your flight plans may turn out!) We stayed at Waikiki Beach Marriott and Spa but our group of four did not book this hotel through the cruise line. This meant that we weren't completely taken care of as you would be if you booked through NCL. That being said, our room rate was cheaper and for just $20/person, we could get our luggage delivered to the ship from our room. We decided to do the $34/person excursion to the Arizona memorial instead and the tour bus took our luggage along and delivered us to the ship at the end of the tour.
Easy checking in and getting on the ship around 1:00 and only a short wait for our two cabins on the 11th deck. My husband and I had a balcony cabin and our boys were right across the hall in an interior cabin. Both were very nice and we had Gaston taking good care of us. We have been on Disney (which have the very best cabins), Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Costa and this cabin was equally as nice with the largest balcony that we have had. One problem was that no water pitcher was provided and was told that room service could bring us one. Who wants to hassle with that? Really surprised that our cabin boy could provide ice but not the water? Strange, isn't it?
We also were traveling with two adult couples from our hometown who had a daughter (Nikki) who is working as a main waiter in the Skyline dining room. She was very helpful with helping us reserve specialty restaurants and we tried them all except for Little Italy... The one specialty restaurant that doesn't have an extra charge tacked on. It was always busy.