My husband and I just returned from a 7 night in a penthouse suite at the front of the Norwegian Sun. In short, if you can afford it, I highly recommend staying in a suite and I will enumerate the reasons why:
1 - On this "mid-level" NCL ship, the cost of a suite is minimal. It was only $200 more per person than a balcony room. The express boarding process alone, more than made up for the modest additional cost. 2 - The room was very spacious with an enormous balcony (about 10 x 15) fitting table, chairs and 2 loungers with ample room for much more. The bathroom was very large, plenty of space for 2 people to get ready at the same time with double sinks. Adjacent to the bathroom is a good sized dressing area/room with full closet and lighted make-up vanity table and chair. The deep Jacuzzi tub was very nice and fresh sea salts were delivered every day! 3 - You receive private boarding and de-boarding with a concierge and walk directly onto and off the ship (no waiting whatsoever) 4 - You get a butler who attends to your every gastronomical request, even those you didn't know you had! Food servings varying from smoked salmon to beautiful swan crème puffs magically arrived everyday! 5 - Flowers, fruit and champagne upon arrival were a very nice touch. I watered the flowers every day and they lasted the entire week. We also ate the fruit, and another fresh basket was delivered on the 5th day. 6 - The VIP tender tickets are decent (you don't ever have to "sign up" for a number) but, they do not get you on the very first tender reserved for the ship's excursion participants. However, in every port we were able to catch the 2nd tenders, leaving just 20 minutes to ½ hour after the first tenders. Not too bad.
ITINERARY AND EXCURSIONS - We departed Miami and went to Belize, Roatan, Cozumel and Stirrup Key in the Bahamas (NCL's island). This itinerary is great for those who want to dive, snorkel, play with dolphins and/or do "rainforest" activities. The choice of activities was abundant at every port of call. I highly recommend "zip-lining" through the jungle tops for those that are moderately physically fit, it is very cool. Cave-tubing is another great choice and much less challenging, but equally as enjoyable.